Notice ID:  19AQMM24R0101

Related Notice:  19AQMM24N0004

Description

This pre-solicitation notice provides notice of the Government's intent to issue a solicitation seeking potential sources capable of management, training, personnel, equipment, training support materials, technology, supplies, and incidentals necessary to meet the performance objectives of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), a U.S. Department of State security assistance program focused on building international peacekeeping capacity worldwide in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).  Performance objectives are as follows:

The Togo Armed Forces (in French - Forces Armées Togolaises (FAT)) will hereafter be referred to as the FAT in this SOW.  The FAT contributed a battalion to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).  After full withdrawal from MINUSMA, the FAT is willing to provide force(s) to any other UN mission they may be asked to participate in.  In addition, they will train a unit to be part of an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Standby Force, if asked to participate. Following the GPOI program’s overarching program objectives, the FAT demonstrates sound capability to effectively train and operate peacekeeping forces. Normally, the FAT senior headquarters leadership is able to coordinate the majority of the resources required for effective training, however past history shows that U.S. assistance is sometimes needed to help meet timelines. In general, training starts on time; however occasional delays occur when local trainers arrive late. In terms of local trainer capacity, the FAT is capable of effective training with many individual trainers clearly demonstrating a high standard of training delivery. There are many that demonstrate technical competency but are less effective in execution and delivery. Overall, the FAT express positive attitudes, try their best, and are genuinely engaged in delivering or participating in trainings. The focus for training includes building the capacity of FAT training cadre through:

1. Ensuring FAT trainers address the key training objectives for each course of instruction.
2. Coaching the more effective FAT trainers to mentor their less proficient colleagues.
3. Mentoring less effective FAT trainers with training delivery to help improve confidence.
4. Mentoring, advising, and assisting the FAT trainers in executing training in which the trainers are less proficient or lack adequate number of trainers.

The overarching purpose of this project is to build the FAT’s capacity to prepare, deploy, and sustain effective peacekeeping forces in support of UN-mandated tasks.  The activities in this SOW shall complement broader GPOI programming efforts and support U.S.  Government (USG) peacekeeping policy priorities for Togo and the region.  Required tasks, as described in the Scope of Work, consist of three (3) distinct but interconnected activities:

• The development and delivery of high-quality training that is informed by the latest UN policy, doctrine, and guidance and that incorporates partner nation doctrine, processes, practices, and lessons learned; mission-specific and responsive to changing mission trends; adaptive to both formal classroom and field training environments; and carried out using sound adult learning principles with consideration for a variety of trainee skill levels to execute a combination of classroom, hands-on learning/practical exercises, and field training exercises.
• Strategic, responsive, collaborative, and respectful mentorship and engagement before, during, and after training activities which builds partner confidence, addresses unique training requirements, and develops institutional capacity to advance the partner toward self-sufficiency and improved operational readiness.
• Procurement and delivery of equipment and supplies for use in pre-deployment training the same way that partner employs the equipment and supplies in the mission.  Training aids and support material should be introduced for added realism and scenario flexibility.  The partner’s peace operations training center (POTC) staff should be capable of maintaining, repairing, accounting, issuing, and storing equipment, supplies, and training support material after the completion of training as specified by the contract.

Place of performance: The places of performance for all tasks are Lomé, Togo and the POTC Lomé.

Period of Performance: The contract shall be effective on the date of the Contracting Officer's signature, and shall remain in effect for a twelve month base period and three (3) twelve month option periods, if exercised.

Competition Procedures: 100% Small Business Set-Aside

Basis of Award: Best Value Trade Off

Contract Type: Hybrid (Firm Fixed Price and Cost No Fee)

The approximate acquisition schedule is as follows: The synopsis will be posted for at least fifteen (15) days.  On or about April 19, 2024, the Government plans to post the solicitation on http://sam.gov. No paper copies will be mailed. Once posted, offerors will have approximately thirty (30) days to submit proposals. All dates are subject to change.

The Question and Answer (Q&A) period opens with the posting of the solicitation and ends on the date specified in Section L of the solicitation. All announcements and amendments made to the solicitation will be posted to http://www.SAM.gov. Only emails following the Q&A instructions in Section L of the solicitation will be accepted. No other emails or phone calls will be accepted.

Offerors shall be knowledgeable in written and spoken English and possess all appropriate permits and licenses to perform the required work in Panama. Offerors shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award.