Tab 1 ICT and CET Standards SOW.docx

Global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Standards Draft Scope of Work

AF / Sub-Saharan Africa EAP / East Asia and the Pacific EUR / Europe and Eurasia NEA / Near East SCA / South and Central Asia WHA / Countries & Areas of the Western Hemisphere

A1. Background

Recognizing the growing role of technology as a cross-cutting national security issue, the State Department created the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) in April 2022 to lead and coordinate U.S. diplomacy on cyber and digital policy. The bureau addresses the national security challenges and economic opportunities presented by cyberspace and digital technologies and promotes standards and norms that are fair, transparent, and support the rights-respecting use of technology. Through robust engagement in multilateral organizations, bilateral diplomacy with partners round the world, and encouragement of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, CDP empowers U.S. leadership in cyber, digital, and technology diplomacy.

CDP deploys foreign assistance to strengthen international cooperation, create new partnerships, promote economic growth and development, and assist in the defense of our foreign partners to uphold an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet.

Calibrated cyber and digital policies help form the backbone of our deeply interconnected world, are vital to U.S. national and economic security, and are required to fully harness the transformative power of technology. As citizens around the world eagerly seek increased Internet connectivity to access the tremendous opportunities afforded by digital transformation, the United States is working to ensure this connectivity is secure, meaningful, governed fairly, and serves the interests of its users. Foreign assistance programs aim to advance an affirmative vision of technology as a tool that supports collective security, prosperity, and democratic values.

More information on CDP is available at https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/deputy-secretary-of-state/bureau-of-cyberspace-and-digital-policy/.

The Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) is a global, interagency initiative led by CDP and the U.S. Department of State to promote an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable internet. DCCP provides foreign assistance to partner nations to promote investments in secure, diverse, and resilient information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure; support the adoption of inclusive, rights-respecting, multi-stakeholder models of internet governance; grow global markets for trusted ICT goods and services; and enhance cybersecurity. CDP foreign assistance programming follows these core tenets of DCCP. More information on DCCP is available at https://www.state.gov/digital-connectivity-and-cybersecurity-partnership/.

A2. Strategic Program Goals and Objectives This project should contribute to the following CDP strategic goals and objectives outlined in the Functional Bureau Strategy and four DCCP Pillars.

CDP Strategic Goals and Objectives:

Bureau Goal 1: Advance cyber and digital policies that align with U.S. national interests and foreign policy objectives.

· Objective 1.1: Deepen relationships with existing U.S. allies and partners, forge new partnerships, and engage with a range of countries to advance a common vision for the Internet and digital technologies.

· Objective 1.2: Leverage key multilateral fora to build relationships, advance U.S. policy priorities, and guard against positions that are counter to U.S. approaches to the Internet and digital technologies.

· Objective 1.3: Identify, enhance, cultivate, and develop strategic engagements across the private sector and multistakeholder communities.

· Objective 1.4: Increase secure and open digital connectivity and access to the Internet.

· Objective 1.5: Implement public messaging and public diplomacy programs to expand key audiences’ understanding and support of U.S. cyber and digital policies.

Bureau Goal 2: Integrate and elevate U.S. cyberspace and digital foreign policy through robust communication and collaboration with other elements of the Department and Interagency.

· Objective 2.1: Integrate cyberspace and digital policy knowledge, skills, and strategies throughout the Department of State.

· Objective 2.2: Elevate the State Department’s role within the Interagency to develop and implement U.S. cyberspace and digital foreign policy, assistance, and messaging.

DCCP Pillars:

Pillar 1: Build Connections by promoting investments in secure, diverse, and resilient ICT infrastructure.

Pillar 2: Advance an Open, Interoperable, Reliable, and Secure Internet by promoting inclusive, rights-respecting, multi-stakeholder models of internet governance and pro-competition, pro-innovation digital economy policies and regulations.

Pillar 3: Grow Global Markets for U.S. ICT goods and services, especially high-quality, interoperable, secure ICT equipment, software, and services.

Pillar 4: Enhance Cybersecurity by increasing adoption and implementation of cybersecurity best practices.

A3. Project Goals, Objectives, Expected Outcomes, Activities, Indicators, and Sustainability In awarding funds for this project, CDP expects that the activities and milestones listed below will be accomplished within the project’s period of performance.

This project should be designed to achieve the following high-level goal: Increase the capacity of low-, middle- and upper-middle income countries to participate effectively in international standards development processes for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Critical and Emerging Technology (CET), including but not limited to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Expanding the group of stakeholders who can participate effectively in international Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) in a way that is aligned with U.S. policy and international best practice will fortify U.S. advocacy of ICT and CET standards development approaches that are technically sound, rights-respecting, independent and responsive to broadly shared market and societal needs, and counter malign influence through building trust, enhancing partnerships, and bolstering support for and integrity of the private sector led standards development system.

Project Objective 1: Baseline Evaluation and Curriculum Development: Evaluate the current landscape of ICT and CET standards knowledge and capacities in low- and middle-income countries and design a training methodology and curriculum to increase the capacity of a diverse set of stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, academia, and government to participate in the standards development lifecycle.

Expected Outcomes

· Improved USG understanding of the greatest opportunities and needs for developing maturity in standards development.

· Training methodology and curriculum for foundational and advanced levels.

Activities and Deliverables

To achieve the expected project outcomes, the project must include the following:

· Baseline Analysis and Report: In order to identify the greatest opportunities and needs for developing maturity in standards development, the implementer will analyze existing capacities regarding ICT and CET standards (such as professional expertise, the use and application of standards, and participation in SDO) and develop a baseline report for each geographical region. The list of countries for the analysis must include (but not limited to) the following:

· Southeast Asia: Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste (observer).

· Sub-Saharan Africa: Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Togo, Tanzania, Seychelles, Nigeria, and Mauritius.

· North Africa and Middle East: Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait.

· Western Hemisphere: Brazil, Colombia, Chile.

· Europe: Estonia, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Armenia, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey.

· South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka.

· Develop an overall methodology, training curriculum, and plan of action on effectively and sustainably increasing the capacity of the analyzed countries to participate effectively in international ICT and CET standards development processes. This methodology should include a broad-based foundational training (Project Objective 2) and an advanced capacity building curriculum for a limited cohort of training participants (Project Objective 3). Consult with CDP to coordinate activities and target countries.

Project Objective 2: Broad-based Foundational Training: Using the baseline understanding and curriculum developed under Project Objective 1, increase the capacity of a diverse set of stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, academia, and government to participate in the standards development lifecycle, including identifying opportunities for standard review, engaging in pre-standardization research, proposing, and studying standards, and tactics for building consensus.

Expected Outcomes

· Greater understanding of pre-standardization activities, including the appropriate time to promote technologically sound and impartial ICT and CET standards development.

· Greater support for an international standards development process grounded in transparency, private sector leadership and public sector support, and diverse stakeholder engagement.

· Participation in international standards bodies discussion by targeted countries.

· Demonstrable evidence of increased inclusion in developing international standards in a way that supports the integrity, impartiality, and multi-stakeholder nature of the system.

· Greater alignment of the target-country's standards development with international best practices and U.S. national interests.

Activities and Deliverables

To achieve the expected project outcomes, the project must include the following:

· Collaborate with the State Department, via CDP, to identify global participants for in-person conferences that include diverse stakeholders currently involved in the development of ICT and/or CET Standards, including technical experts from academia, policy makers in donor countries, the diplomatic community, private sector, and civil society organizations.

· Execute in-person conferences (at least two per year) for each geographical region analyzed as part of Project Objective 1. Conference must include:

· (1) foundational concepts related to international standards, including the adoption and use of international ICT and/or CET standards and standards frameworks.

· (2) pre-standardization activities and research cooperation.

· (3) guidance and best practices related to the emerging technology and ICT standards ecosystem and its importance.

· Leverage Public Diplomacy related activities for raising awareness and informing / influencing the broader global public, about the importance of international ICT / CET standards and governing principles and promote the U.S. view either via media (online, traditional, social) channels and/or by leveraging the workshops and its participants.

· Development of a global alumni network of participants for follow-up coordination.

· Funding participants to travel and attend international standards conferences and holding post-conference briefings.

Performance Indicators

In addition to project-specific indicators to monitor key milestones and progress to keep the project on track, implementers will report against relevant indicators within the performance management plan CDP established under the auspices of the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Program (DCCP). DCCP indicators for this project will include:

· DCCP 1.8 Number of USG supported fora held to convene key stakeholders for technical assistance or to discuss telecom/ICT or digital issues or best practices.

· DCCP 2.1 Number of instances of U.S. telecom/ICT policy positions presented in international or regional fora by the U.S. or partner countries.

· DCCP 2.6 Number of people (and their country of origin) receiving USG assistance to participate in multilateral fora.

Note: Implementer will record the number of participants and country of origin of participants.

Upon final award, CDP and the selected partner will meet to discuss a final set of DCCP standard indicators as well as project-specific indicators.

Project Objective 3: Advanced Capacity Building: Develop a diverse and inclusive cohort of emerging economy standards professionals from the participants identified in Objective 2, who can effectively participate in or support their nations or organization’s role across international standards development organizations (SDOs) (e.g., ISO, IEC, 3GPP and the ITU-T).

Expected Outcomes

· Enhanced like-minded nations’ representation and potentially expanded number of countries that are aligned with our vision, thus creating greater influence in international standards governance and leadership.

· Deepened standards cooperation with allies and partners to support a robust standards governance process.

· Broader and more effective representation in standards development from emerging economies.

· Participant countries adopt international standards for domestic policies and laws.

Activities

To achieve the expected project outcomes, the project should coordinate with any NIST-related international workforce training for standards professionals, and must include the following:

· Collaborate with CDP and U.S. Embassies to identify a select cohort who will participate in advanced training and capacity building on standards development. Use the “training the trainer” approach wherever possible, leveraging existing training facilities if available.

· Develop and deliver at least two regional, in-person workshops / trainings a year with select members of the cohort identified in Objective #2. Coordinate logistics and develop content for the workshops / trainings. Workshops will aim to further engage in information sharing across various sectors and to identify necessary ICT and/or CET standards officials from partner nation regions. Regional, in-person workshop must include:

· Advanced discussion of subjects covered in foundational trainings under Program Objective #2.

· Assistance with the development of ICT and/or CET Standard materials.

· Table-top and simulation exercises on how to develop and implement standards.

· Course materials should be developed in a way in which they can be repurposed for other training activities as needed.

· In coordination with CDP, select an international SDO meeting for select members of the cohort to attend. Coordinate logistics for travel and workshops before, during, and after relevant SDO meetings or workshops with program participants.

· Follow-on activities post workshops including (but not limited to):

· Conducting virtual follow-on capacity building and other related knowledge-sharing activities (minimum two per year).

· Collecting, analyzing, and sharing qualitative and quantitative data regarding the workshops and their impact.

· Building an Alumni online network that provides a platform for continued collaboration, engagement, and sharing successes.

· Cultivating an alumni network building on the knowledge base developed through the project’s trainings and tailor alumni activities to address gaps or additional growth opportunities identified in the post-training surveys.

· Identifying professional development opportunities for alumni to continue work in developing and promoting international standards in their communities.

· Public Diplomacy related activities for sharing and promoting ICT and/or CET Standards and their governing principles either via media (online, traditional, social) channels and/or by leveraging the workshops and its participants.

· Funding travel and per diem support to send alumni to relevant international standards workshops, conferences, and other strategic engagements.

Performance Indicators

· DCCP 1.6 Number of people trained in telecom/ICT, digital, or cyber issues with USG support.

· DCCP 1.7 Number of people trained on telecom/ICT or digital issues who demonstrate improved knowledge or skill.

· DCCP 2.3 Number of non-state-owned Internet governance institutions strengthened or established with USG assistance.

Data should be disaggregated for each indicator as follows:

· Indicator 1.6 disaggregated per country / region

· Indicator 1.7 disaggregated per country / region

· Indicator 2.3 disaggregated by country / region

Sustainability/End State

As more countries and stakeholders from emerging economies are vested and participating in international standards setting activities, individual standards will be more inclusive and representative, providing a benchmark for trustworthiness within specific industries that will remain adaptable and technically applicable into the future. This will help minimize the risk of backsliding, to lower, less trusted standards, and assist with international interoperability and trusted suppliers of goods and services of the United States, its allies, and partners.

Once partners are invested in the international standards ecosystem, support the adoption of international standards in their economies. The United States as a key partner for emerging economies in international ICT and emerging technology development, allowing for sustained cooperation and coalition building across multiple standards fora, multilateral organizations, and trade and commercial dialogues.

KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Activity: A specific action undertaken over a specific timeframe through which inputs are mobilized to produce specific outputs. An activity can be a sub-component of a program, project, or process.

Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET): Advanced Computing, Advanced Engineering Materials, Advanced Gas Turbine Engine Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced and Networked Sensing and Signature Management, Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems and Robotics, Biotechnologies, Communication and Networking Technologies, Directed Energy, Financial Technologies, Human-Machine Interfaces, Hypersonics, Networked Sensors and Sensing, Quantum Information Technologies, Renewable Energy Generation and Storage, Semiconductors and Microelectronics, Space Technologies and Systems.

Goal: The highest-order outcome or end state to which a program, project, process or policy is intended to contribute.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT): Includes all categories of ubiquitous technology used for the gathering, storing, transmitting, retrieving, or processing of information (e.g. microelectronics, printed circuit boards, computing systems, software, signal processors, mobile telephony, satellite communications, and networks).

Monitoring: An ongoing system of gathering information and tracking performance to assess progress against established goals and objectives. Monitoring provides an indication of progress against goals and indicators of performance, reveals whether desired results are occurring, and confirms whether implementation is on track.

Objective: A statement of the condition or state one expects to achieve toward accomplishing a program or project goal.

Outcome: A result or effect that may be contributed to by the program or project, or attributable to the program or project. Outcomes may be short-term or long-term, intended or unintended, positive or negative, direct or indirect.

Performance Indicators: Performance indicators measure a particular characteristic or dimension of a project’s outputs or outcomes. Outputs are directly attributable to the project activities, while outcomes typically represent longer-term results to which a given program contributes but for which it is not solely responsible.

Program: A set of activities or projects that are typically implemented by several parties over an unspecified timeframe and may cut across sectors, themes, and/or geographic areas.

Project: A set of activities intended to achieve a defined product, service, or result within specified resources and implementation schedules. A set of projects makes up the portfolio of a program.