Attachment_1_-_SOW_-_Program_Support_Services.docx

Bureau of African Affairs Statement of Work (SOW) Security Sector Program Development Support

1. Background

1.1. The United States Government has been engaged in the effort to develop a more professional Somali National Army (SNA) since 2007. Despite the best efforts of the U.S. Government and the rest of the donor community, much of the SNA remains unrepresentative of the Somali population, as it features significant imbalances with regard to regional representation, clan, and loyalties. In order to inform programmatic decisions related to the development of a more representative and effective SNA, the Department of State is seeking a team with unique knowledge related to the SNA and the Somali security sector. Under this contract, the contractor will provide continuous analysis regarding the Somali security sector and, based on that analysis, develop recommendations for improvement of U.S. programming, specifically with regard to realignment of U.S. support from Mogadishu and the immediate environs to SNA forces operating in other regions. Contractor will also be responsible for monitoring pilot projects related to those recommendations. The contractor will also collect and report on data required by the Government for existing programs in Somalia. The monitoring will feed into the Government’s effort to evaluate existing programs in Somalia. In addition to assisting with development of Pilot Projects, the contractor will be required to provide regular reports and briefings to the US Mission to Somalia and the Bureau of African Affairs in furtherance of the assistance programs in Somalia.

2. Purpose

2.1. Under this Statement of Work (SOW), the Contractor shall provide analysis and recommendations to the Department of State regarding the development of the SNA, in order to improve the ability of U.S. security assistance in Somalia to achieve desired outcomes within the security sector. Recommendations should be designed to assist the design, implementation, and report on Pilot Projects related to the realignment of U.S. support away from Mogadishu and the surrounding environs to regions outside Mogadishu.

3. Period of Performance

3.1. Base Period: 12 months

3.2. Option Period 1: 12 months from expiration of the Base Period.

4. Place of Performance

4.1. Somalia (throughout)

4.2. Nairobi, Kenya

5. Requirements

5.1. Analysis and Data Collection

5.1.1. The contractor shall provide analysis, consisting of analysis, classification, and comparison of collected data to identify cause-effect relationships, via monthly reports and in-person briefings to the Department of State related to the following:

5.1.1.1. Major developments within the Somali security sector during the reporting period, and their real and potential impacts on current and planned U.S. assistance programs targeted at the SNA.

5.1.1.2. Current security, clan, and economic dynamics in the regions where current or planned U.S. assistance is being/will be implemented.

5.1.1.3. Identification of key stakeholders and security actors in the regions where current or planned U.S. assistance is being/will be implemented.

5.1.1.4. Activities, operations, and performance of SNA units operating in the regions.

5.1.1.5. Activities, operations, and performance of other key security actors operating in the regions where current or planned U.S. assistance is being/will be implemented

5.1.1.6. Activities of other key donors involved in security sector programming in the regions where current or planned U.S. assistance is being/will be implemented.

5.1.1.7. Other factors relevant to the development of the Somali security sector programming.

5.2. Pilot Project Design Assistance

5.2.1. The contractor shall provide detailed programmatic recommendations based on the analytical products described in Section 5.1, no later than the submission of the third analytical report, and with the intention of informing the design and implementation of Pilot Projects by the U.S. Government for expanded U.S. support to new and existing SNA forces operating in the regions outside of Mogadishu.

5.2.2. The contractor shall provide recommendations for Pilot Projects, which shall be presented in the form of a written report, as defined in Section 6.6.

5.2.3. In addition to written reports, the contractor shall assist the U.S. Government in convening key security actors in areas targeted for expanded U.S. assistance, with the intention of utilizing the initiation of the Pilot Projects as a means to establish broad-based power-sharing agreements.

5.2.4. The contractor shall not provide the defense goods and services (defined as any training, advisory support, mentorship support, equipment, logistical support, stipends, and supplies, that are required to implement the projects) called for under each pilot project. Defense goods and services shall be provided through third party acquisition instruments.

5.3. Monitoring of Pilot Projects

5.3.1. Once Pilot Projects are launched in the regions, the contractor shall assist the Department in the monitoring of the projects.

5.3.1.1. The contractor shall assist in the development of metrics and performance indicators to measure the impact of these Pilot Projects on local security conditions and the achievement of U.S. Government objectives. The contractor shall visit project sites and provide reporting on the performance of project implementers.

5.3.1.2. The contractor will oversee and monitor the delivery of such assistance by third parties, in order to ensure that it is consistent with the recommendations provided. The contractor shall immediately inform the Government if delivery of assistance by third parties is inconsistent or deviates from the recommended design of the pilot projects.

5.3.1.3. The contractor shall use tools at its disposal to acquire data by which the Government will evaluate progress against the agreed-on metrics. The contractor shall develop an approach to data collection that measures effectiveness of implementation against metrics and performance indicators.

5.3.1.4. The contractor shall visit project sites and interview the Somali units receiving U.S. assistance, and solicit feedback regarding the impact of the programming, not less than once per month.

5.3.1.5. The contractor shall visit local communities serviced by the forces receiving assistance under the Pilot Projects, and provide data on how the projects are impacting local security conditions, not less than once per month.

5.3.1.6. Based on field observations, the contractor shall provide recommendations on how to adjust the Pilot Projects in order to meet U.S. objectives related to the development of a more professional, effective, and representative SNA.

5.3.1.7. Pilot project monitoring information shall be presented in written reports, as described in Section 6.7, and shall also be incorporated into in-person briefings.

6. Deliverables:

6.1. General Information: The Contractor shall submit to the USG accurate and complete documents via electronic mail, in English, in accordance with the delivery schedule set forth in the SOW and in a format approved by the COR.

6.2. Deliverable documents should be sent to the following individuals:

6.2.1. Contracting Officer.

6.2.2. Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

6.2.3. U.S. Mission to Somalia at Embassy Nairobi.

6.2.4. Other U.S. Government officials directed by the COR.

6.3. Mobilization Plan: Within ten (10) days of award, the contractor shall submit a mobilization plan detailing, at a minimum, employee mobilization and deployment, office set-up, a summary of all start-up activities, a summary of all necessary meetings and coordination activities, and immediate procurement actions.

6.4. Monthly Analytical Report: The contractor shall submit a written report each month covering the topics described in Section 5.1. The report shall be no more than five (5) pages, and include a key summary section of no more than one (1) page.

6.5. In-Person Briefings: The contractor shall provide monthly in-person briefings to U.S. Mission Somalia and (when available) the Bureau of African Affairs in Nairobi. The in-person briefings shall cover the information contained in the monthly analytical reports. The key personnel identified in Section 8 shall take part in the briefing, and be prepared to engage in question and answer sessions with U.S. Government personnel involved in program design and implementation. Additional meetings, up to two (2) times per work week, will be provided to assess progress towards project goals, for a total of up to 9 total briefings and meetings per month, pending availability of Mission personnel.

6.6. Pilot Project Recommendations: Within two months of award, the contractor shall provide a written report that provides detailed recommendations for no less than two potential pilot projects that will help to achieve U.S. objectives regarding the development of a more professional, effective, and representative SNA. For each recommended project, the contractor should include detailed information regarding the shortfalls that the project will seek to address, the desired outcomes it seeks to achieve, suggested recipient units/personnel for programming, expected impacts, and potential challenges regarding implementation, as well as corresponding mitigation strategies based on current conditions. The project recommendations will also include recommendations on metrics and performance indicators for use in project monitoring. Such recommendations will be based on an understanding of the limits of U.S. security assistance and seek goals that can be achievable within the current scope and authorities of that security assistance.

6.7. Pilot Project Monitoring Reports: Upon initiation of the first Pilot Projects, the contractor shall submit monthly monitoring reports for each Pilot Project. Utilizing metrics developed by the contractor and approved by the COR and U.S. Mission, the contractor shall visit project sites and assess the impact of the Pilot Projects on the local security situation, and the achievement of desired U.S. Government outcomes. The contractor shall also provide recommendations for improvement/adjustment of the Pilot Projects, based on their on-the-ground observations. The contractor shall report on any deviations from the original design of the recommended pilot projects observed when monitoring the delivery of assistance by third parties (i.e. U.S. Government contractors, grantees, or other implementers).

6.8. Quality Control Plan (QCP): The QCP shall address how the contractor will ensure quality, schedule, and cost during performance. The QCP shall identify how the contractor will provide sufficient oversight to effectively manage and integrate team partners. The QCP shall identify processes for effectively identifying and resolving problems arising between team partners and how the Government will be notified of issues affecting contract performance, contract impact, proposed mitigation, and provide for contractor self-oversight.

6.9. The Contractor shall submit a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for measuring Contractor performance. This plan shall be designed to capture the Contractor’s unique approach to providing outstanding services. It should include desired outcomes, required services/tasks performance standards, acceptable quality levels, and monitoring methods/surveillance. This plan shall be reviewed and considered in the development of the final QASP approved and incorporated under this contract.

6.10. Work Breakdown Structure: The contractor shall submit with the proposal an automated Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) project schedule for the overall task order to include schedules for each subtask. Any anticipated changes to the WBS and schedules shall be communicated to the COR within five (5) working days following the identification of the change. This notification shall include any identified causal factors and potential recovery mechanisms. WBS shall consist of, at a minimum:

6.10.1. A comprehensive technical proposal that identifies innovation and the methods of service delivery to be employed by the contractor to meet the program and mission requirements;

6.10.2. A sound explanation of how implementation of the proposed technical solution will deliver timely, flexible, responsive, compliant, and cost effective services to meet the training needs of DOS;

6.10.3. A comprehensive timeline and schedule to include mobilization of personnel and resources that serves as the framework for the contractor’s process for delivering quality services and outlining “how” the contractor will achieve results to meet the program and mission requirements

6.11. Procurement Status Report: The Contractor shall provide the COR with a detailed listing of all materials procured/acquired under this task order every month.

6.12. Property Book Report: The contractor shall submit a monthly property report to the U.S. government’s property specialist. The report shall accurately describe, at a minimum, equipment quantities, condition, location, serial numbers, and acquisition cost.

6.13. Demobilization Plan: No later than ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the Task Order, the contractor shall submit a demobilization plan describing how it will demobilize all contractor personnel to their places of origin and turn over equipment to the final end-users or the U.S. Government.

6.14. All deliverables shall be in English unless otherwise specified.

6.15. Deliverable Schedule:

7. Milestones

7.1. The following are milestones for this TO:

8. Key Personnel

8.1. At a minimum, the Contractor shall assign to this task order the following key personnel:

8.1.1. Team Leader/Somalia Area Specialist

8.1.1.1. The Team Leader shall be the Contractor’s primary point of contact for all matters pertaining to this task order, and shall bear ultimate responsibility that requirements described in the contract are met.

8.1.1.2. The Team Leader is responsible for the methodological and analytical aspects of the project, including:

8.1.1.2.1. Identifying opportunities to employ security sector assistance in support of stabilization.

8.1.1.2.2. Producing political economy/human terrain analysis to inform/guide specific security sector interventions, including:

8.1.1.2.2.1. Clan dynamics in the target area.

8.1.1.2.2.2. Political groups / interests in the area.

8.1.1.2.2.3. Relations between local communities and the SFG, state authorities, and Al-Shabaab or other armed opposition groups.

8.1.1.2.3. Provide profiles of security forces and other armed groups in the area, including:

8.1.1.2.3.1. Clan composition, relations with the local community (and with one another), loyalties and chains of command;

8.1.1.2.3.2. Analysis of obstacles to stabilization, including the integration of security forces and acceptance of governmental authority (whether federal or at the state level);

8.1.1.2.3.3. Identifying opportunities to overcome those obstacles through integrated stabilization programming.

8.1.1.2.4. Develop options for re-organization of the SNA based on the dynamics of Somalia's transition, affordability and other political economy considerations;

8.1.1.2.5. Develop proposals for enhanced civil-military cooperation.

8.1.1.3. The Team Leader/Somalia Area specialist shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

8.1.1.3.1. A Master's Degree or equivalent relevant to the content of this project (e.g. International Relations, Security Studies, Peace/Conflict Studies and/or African Studies).

8.1.1.3.2. At least 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in producing research, analysis and reporting on Somalia, and requiring in-depth knowledge of Somali history, culture, military and political dynamics.

8.1.1.3.3. Demonstrated prior experience requiring understanding of analytical tradecraft and methodologies.

8.1.1.3.4. Demonstrated prior experience creating in-depth reports and analysis in fast-paced environment;

8.1.1.3.5. Demonstrated prior experience briefing senior decision-makers.

8.1.2. The Analyst/Somalia Security Sector Specialist:

8.1.2.1. The Analyst/Somalia Security Sector Specialist shall report to the Team Leader/Somalia Area Specialist, and be responsible for the following aspects of the project:

8.1.2.1.1. Assist the Team Leader in fulfilling reporting requirements.

8.1.2.1.2. Produce the security sector/military content for all research and analytical products.

8.1.2.1.3. Develop proposals for alternate approaches for engagement in the Somali security sector, and provide advice and analytical support for their implementation.

8.1.2.1.4. Ensure that all security sector reporting is of highest possible standards, both in terms of content and language

8.1.2.2. The Analyst/Security Sector Specialist shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

8.1.2.2.1. A Master's Degree or equivalent relevant to the content of this project.

8.1.2.2.2. At least 10 years of demonstrated professional military service or equivalent security sector experience (e.g. private security contractor).

8.1.2.2.3. A minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience working in Somalia, including in-country service.

8.1.2.2.4. Demonstrated prior experience creating in-depth reports and analysis in fast-paced environment;

8.1.2.2.5. Experience in briefing senior decision-makers.