Inactive

This is a sources sought notice for information only. This sources sought is for the purpose of conducting market research to provide data for planning purposes. This sources sought synopsis announcem... This is a sources sought notice for information only. This sources sought is for the purpose of conducting market research to provide data for planning purposes. This sources sought synopsis announcement does not constitute a formal solicitation, and is not a request for proposal, request for quote, invitation for bid, does not obligate the government to award a contract, issue a solicitation, reimburse respondents for any proposal preparation and/or submittal costs, nor does its issuance in any way restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender. All potential sources with the capability to provide the requirements referenced in this sources sought are invited to submit, in writing, sufficient information within the 10 page limitations. This information should demonstrate the respondent's ability to fulfill the technical, delivery, and support requirements and be responsive to the technical questions in this RFI as indicated below. We will not answer technical questions or provide additional technical information at this time via this sources sought notice. A cover sheet which includes: Company Name Address Point of Contact E-mail Address Phone Number DUNS Number Primary Business and Market Areas Business Size and Socioeconomic Status (if applicable) Background The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF) conducts activities around the world in support of: (a) efforts to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and conventional weapons systems, and (b) the destruction of existing weapons, delivery systems, and production facilities. ISN/NDF occasionally learns of certain sites where (WMD), heavy conventional munitions or other dangerous materials are stored. Often these sites have inadequate measures in place to ensure their security. In such instances, ISN/NDF takes necessary steps to upgrade security at sites that are vulnerable to non-state actor acquisition or proliferation activities. Given the current geopolitical climate, the need to secure these sites adequately is of the utmost urgency to U.S. national security and interests abroad. Consequently, security upgrade work must often be performed with little advance notice. Additionally, the role of the NDF is to supplement US diplomatic efforts to promote bilateral and multilateral nonproliferation and disarmament activities through the development, execution, and implementation of carefully selected projects. When a potential host country provides the opportunity for the United States to help them remove, destroy, or otherwise disable dangerous weapons systems or associated infrastructure, it is important to be able to respond promptly. Therefore, it is imperative for the NDF to have the capability to support such efforts with little advance notice, without Western standard worksites or accommodations, and without a guarantee of privileges and immunities for government or contractor personnel in country. Additionally, the Department of State will not indemnify a Contractor for any losses due to third party claims. Scope The Contractor will provide a broad array of services in support of ISN/NDF efforts to assist host nations in removing, destroying, or disabling weapons of mass destruction (WMD)[1], conventional munitions, the associated production, storage, and/or transport infrastructure for the aforementioned threats, or other dangerous materials. The services, will include, but are not necessarily limited to, performance of work within the scope of the task descriptions and activities set forth below: Providing immediate expert consultation services, including rapid response and/or short-term technical market research and analysis. Developing detailed plans and proposals for the destruction, demilitarization, or removal of dangerous materials with complete and fully supported implementation strategies and options, budget details, and time schedules as well as assisting in full scale implementation of the plan and options. Preparation of reports providing a comprehensive analysis of technical approaches utilized based on stockpile configuration with supporting rationale and analyses of options and strategies, including a discussion of the relative advantages and disadvantages of the options; relative cost, performance, and schedule considerations; risk factors and potential mitigation strategies. Elimination and/or removal of WMD, delivery systems or conventional weapons. Performing site surveys. Advising U.S. Government representatives on the nature and condition of materials under consideration for site(s) locations. Performing inventories of designated materials. Preparation of detailed Work Plans and plan of execution for training and implementation; site specific details for the safe, secure, and complete elimination and disposal of WMD, delivery systems, conventional weapons, or their associated infrastructure. The availability of a cadre of capable experts who possess the expertise and knowledge of various methods that can be used to assist with the destruction or otherwise disablement of WMD; delivery systems; materials; equipment; production facilities; including a variety of mechanical, incendiary, explosive, and other techniques appropriate to the situation at hand. The Contractor must have personnel who are available immediately. The availability of a cadre of capable experts who possess knowledge of international transport systems for physical removal of any WMD and conventional weapons from a host country is also needed. The availability of a cadre of capable experts who can advise on destruction of production and storage facilities for these systems. The availability of a cadre of capable experts who possess the expertise to review technical data on diverse projects and provide practical advice and technical analysis to include the development of conceptual methods of elimination. Additionally, the experts must be capable of participating in any Department of State or interagency U.S. Government meeting as a technical expert and advisor on any topic related to the destruction and elimination of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear WMD and production facilities. The flexibility and capability of a cadre of experts appropriate to the situation at hand to travel with as little as 48 hours’ notice to countries where the U.S. Government cannot provide indemnification or guarantee legal protections; including privileges and immunities from host country civil and criminal laws, and Contractor personnel cannot be armed. Providing specialized training at a location or locations to be determined for a targeted audience of foreign host government officials and/or foreign contractors on subjects relating to the elimination and/or removal of WMD, delivery systems, conventional munitions and/or their associated production, storage, and transport infrastructure. Providing oversight and technical assistance in the logistical arrangement for procurement of packing materials and development of safe and secure methodologies and/or Concepts of Operations for the transporting of dangerous materials as directed by the NDF. Developing a work plan and a safety and health plan in conjunction with the foreign country’s host government, contractor, and subcontractor personnel. Arranging for emergency medical support as required. Providing perimeter security at disposal site(s), including fencing with lights for night security; along with electrical power and lighting for fire control, communications and other equipment in the crew shelter and a warning siren placed at the perimeter fence. Developing access control policies and procedures to ensure site security and procuring and installing appropriate infrastructure. If necessary, clear vegetation around the sites’ perimeter to prevent fires and to preserve visibility for security; and Following the completion of WMD elimination/removal operations, clearing of the associated site(s) of residue, metal scrap, or other hazardous materials by removing and properly disposing of same. Provide personal protective equipment, operational equipment, chemical, biological, radiological, and explosives (CBRNE) and other supplies and services to implementing partners worldwide. The following paragraphs contain a general description of the nature and array of tasks the Contractor shall perform carrying out the scope and range of activities set forth above under the scope, the performance details of which will be further delineated in Task Orders issued by the Government. Site surveys When directed by the Government and with as little as 48 hours’ notice, the Contractor shall travel to foreign areas to collect information sufficient to enable the Contractor to advise the U.S. Government of the anticipated scope of effort necessary to complete the proposed destruction, demilitarization, threat reduction, or removal activity. Services in this category may also include activities in the United States either preparatory to or separate from participation as part of a team travelling to potential host countries. Site surveys may include conducting an inventory of the weapons and/or material proposed for destruction, removal, threat reduction, and/or demilitarization. The Contractor will provide a report of each visit, and if directed, a written Concept of Operations appropriate for the situation. Concept design Using the results of the site survey, as well as other documents and personal evaluations, the Contractor shall produce a draft proposal, with various options, for eliminating and/or removing the items identified in the site survey. The candidate weapons may include weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems, conventional weapons, their associated production facilities, storage facilities, transport systems, propellants, warheads that may be high explosive, cluster, chemical or biological and other auxiliary equipment and subsystems. The draft proposal must include general timelines, and an estimated budget. Detailed proposal When directed by the Government, the Contractor will prepare a detailed proposal for eliminating dangerous materials and/or associated infrastructure located in a foreign country. This proposal must present process details, including drawings if appropriate, with fully supported cost and schedule estimates. The basis for the draft proposal may include site survey results, a previously completed concept design, or development of a completely new concept. Depending on conditions and circumstances, the Government may direct the Contractor to incorporate the results of a previously completed concept design, or to develop a completely new design. The processes incorporated into each proposal must conform to, or contain full justifications for where they depart from, appropriate recognized U.S. and international standards, such as: Underwriters Laboratories, U.S. Military standards for munitions storage areas, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for nuclear materials security, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), international treaties, etc. The proposed processes must also take into consideration the way the host country may implement them.