Public Affairs Operations-Afghanistan

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.2., the purpose of this notice is to synopsize the following requirement for the Headquarters Resolute Support Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications (RS DCOS COMM). The mission is to plan, conduct, and synchronize communication activities to proactively inform local, regional and international media, and counter misinformation in the media leveraging all available means and platforms. Implicit in this mission is properly resourcing Government Public Affairs Personnel and equipment to commands throughout Afghanistan. The Government will not accept automated translation or translation through an automated process during the efforts of this contract. The contractor will be expected to provide culturally-attuned, native language outreach to Afghan audiences, media and GIRoA officials.

The Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI) intends to issue a solicitation for a non-personal services contract to provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform strategic communications advisement and support services, except as specified as government furnished property and services at Resolute Support (RS) Headquarters. Kabul, Afghanistan.

ACC-RI estimates solicitation release on or about 24 January 2017. However, this date is subject to change. ACC-RI intends to conduct a full and open Lowest Price Technically Acceptable competition to award a single firm-fixed-unit-price cost reimbursable hybrid contract. The period of performance is anticipated to be one base year plus four one-year evaluated option periods, and will include the FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend.

The primary locations will be Headquarters (HQ), Resolute Support, USFOR-A, HQ, the Afghan Ministry of Defense, and the Afghan Ministry of the Interior, Kabul, Afghanistan, but the contract may require temporary duties at other U.S. bases throughout the AOR.

ACC-RI intends this contract to be staffed with U.S. Nationals and Host Country Nationals. Interested parties must be able to demonstrate the existence of a current U.S. facility clearance to the SECRET level in accordance with DODD 5220.22, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, at the time of proposal submission. This SECRET level clearance will also apply to all U.S. contractors having access to classified information. ACC-RI will NOT assist organizations in obtaining the required Facilities Clearance.

This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Proposal or Invitation for Bid, nor does it restrict the Government to a specific acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. This synopsis does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor to pay for any costs incurred as a result of this notice. All future notices for this effort will be published under solicitation number W560MY-16-R-0004.

If you wish to view a copy of the draft PWS, please e-mail your request to Nancy DeBo at nancy.b.debo.civ@mail.mil by 1700 Eastern Standard Time (EST), 14 December 2016. Please include the solicitation number in the subject line of your e-mail.
All questions/comments concerning the draft PWS shall be submitted via e-mail to Nancy DeBo at nancy.b.debo.civ@mail.mil by 1700 EST 22 December 2016. A subsequent amendment to this synopsis will address all questions/concerns received by the deadline.