19AQMM24N0035 – Global Peace Operations Initiative Capacity Building Assistance in Malawi.

This is a sources sought notice for information only. This is not a request for proposal or quotation or an announcement of a solicitation. This sources sought request for information 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.

Context.  The Malawi Defense Force (MDF) contributes one (1) Battalion to the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Recently, the MDF been working with the Southern Africa Development Community and has agreed to commit forces to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC mission) in efforts to restore peace and security in eastern DRC which has seen an increase in conflict and instability despite the efforts of MONUSCO. The MDF has committed one (1) Battalion to this effort as well. The MONUSCO mission is drawing down and all forces are expected to be out of the country by the end of 2024 although this timeline is fluid.  In addition to broader capacity building, GPOI assistance will primarily focus on supporting the MDF’s pre-deployment training for MONUSCO and SAMIDRC once the drawdown of MONUSCO forces is complete.

Malawi is a key peacekeeping partner, ranking in the top 25 largest contributor out of 123 states, with 757 military and police peacekeepers deployed as of December 2023.  Despite Malawi’s longstanding commitment to supporting peacekeeping missions, units deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) have demonstrated some conduct and discipline issues and lack of awareness for the Protection of Civilians.  Additional emphasis on these topics is crucial to ensure the MDF avoid some of the pitfalls other units operating in the eastern part of the DRC have faced.  

The MDF has trainers capable of conducting effective individual and collective unit training and we have seen substantial progress throughout the years. They have benefitted greatly from advanced instructor training skills and development of a training management process. The Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) located in Salima is an established facility and is connected to the national electrical grid as well and has sufficient potable water to support soldiers while undergoing pre-deployment training (although the camp does suffer from frequent power outages). One of the alternate training locations, Machinga Hills, is much more austere with some open sided classrooms but does not have electricity or running water available. Recently, the MDF has begun using Mzuzu training area in place of Machinga as it more closely resembles the environment in the DRC. Mzuzu lacks classrooms but is close in proximity to 3rd Malawi Rifle Battalion who can provide logistical support during the Mzuzu portion of PDT.

Through GPOI assistance, the U.S. Government seeks to build Malawi’s capacity to effectively prepare, deploy, and sustain its peacekeepers.  Accordingly, the approach to all tasks shall be designed to enhance the MDF’s ability to plan for and execute pre-deployment training on their own for their peacekeeping units while being able to flexibly adapt to changes to Government requirements in a timely manner. PDT is also delivered in conjunction with the British Peace Support Team (BPST) who has a longstanding relationship with the MDF, and the government of Brazil who provides jungle operations trainers.

Purpose.  The overarching purpose of this project is to build the MDF’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 Malawi 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.

This is not a solicitation, there is no guarantee that a solicitation package be issued as a result of this announcement, and no award shall be made as a result of this announcement.  In the event that a solicitation is developed, it will be assigned a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) number or Request for Quotation (RFQ) and the announcement will be published on SAM.gov.

RESPONSES DUE

For the purposes of this acquisition the applicable NAICS code is 611519.  Responses are requested no later than 10:00 AM April 24, 2024. Direct expression of interest as well as required documentation should be submitted in writing, via email, to IP Contracting Team [email protected]. All prospective offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of all other information pertaining to the synopsis and solicitation.

RESPONSE SUBMISSION INFORMATION

All potential sources with the capability to provide the requirements referenced in this RFI are invited to submit, in writing, sufficient information within the page limitations listed below. 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 request for information notice.  Responses to this RFI shall include the following:

1. A cover sheet which includes:
   • Company Name
   • Address
   • Point of Contact
   • E-mail Address
   • Phone Number
   • Unique Entity ID
   • Primary Business and Market Areas
   • Business Size and Socioeconomic Status (if applicable)

1. Relevant Project Experience (two (2) page limit):
   • The potential offerors need to demonstrate that they possess, within the last five years, experience similar to that described in this specified source sought category.
   • Experience described above needs to include the offeror’s role, primary contractor, or sub-contractor. Each project experience needs to include the contract number, the US Agency or private company that awarded the contract and contract monetary value.  
   • The potential offerors need to document experience in coordinating with host nation government(s) to plan the work and mitigate or solve potential issues;
   • Experience in providing supplies and services to support training activities and in importation of materials, equipment, manpower, and any other necessary resources required for the completion of projects.

1. Capabilities of Successfully Completing projects:

• Ability to obtain business license/permit in Malawi required to operate;
• Ability to provide all required services, manpower, and materials;
• Ability to provide and deliver required materials and equipment to projects located in Malawi;
• Capabilities to import all required material and equipment through either sea or air transportation to Malawi;
• Ability that, should a solicitation be issued in the future for this requirement, offerors should declare if the offeror is applying as a primary contractor, a joint venture or partnership or other as applicable to their submission.   
• Ability that, should sub-contractors figure into an offeror’s plans, the offeror will be expected to specify what percentage of work will be tasked to assigned sub-contractors.

Period of Performance

The proposed period of performance is a one-year base period and three one-year option years.