Seeking Organizations to Provide Chemical Security Expertise for Bio-Chem Engagement Program (BCEP)

CRDF Global is seeking organizations to provide subject matter expertise and implementation support across a number of topic areas for ongoing and future projects under the Bio-Chem Engagement Program (BCEP), as well as other programs funded by the U.S. Department of State. Under BCEP, CRDF Global engages chemical and biological industry, academia, law enforcement, and government partners worldwide to strengthen their ability to prevent misuse of sensitive data, biotechnologies, dual-use chemical and biological equipment and materials, and scientific expertise for theft, diversion, and/or misuse by adversarial actors against Americans and American interests at home and abroad. The program also enhances efforts to detect and deter chemical and biological weapons (CBW) use by strengthening detection capabilities, early warning networks, and attribution capacities “left of boom,” and it supports compliance with and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).

This RFP focuses specifically on organizations with chemical subject matter expertise that can support the chemical security and nonproliferation components of BCEP.

If you are seeking to apply as an individual rather than as an organization, please see the separate REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: Chemical Security Expertise – Individuals.

Selected subcontracted organizations (Contractors) will work with CRDF Global to provide subject matter expertise that supports successful program engagements and helps partners strengthen their ability to prevent, detect, and mitigate chemical attacks and the proliferation of weaponizable chemicals. Contractors will work under the close operational supervision of CRDF Global and the U.S. Department of State and may provide different types of support across one or more technical areas during program engagements.

Types of Support / Tasks (including, but are not limited to the following and correspond to the Tasks listed below and in the Chemical Security SME Checklist):

• Development and delivery of presentations, case studies, exercises, and technical material
• Facilitating and/or contributing to technical discussions
• Implementing workshops and trainings worldwide
• Providing consultative services
• Conducting open-source research

Technical Areas (including, but are not limited to the following):

Regulatory, Compliance & Legal Frameworks

• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) compliance and implementation
• CWC scheduled chemicals
• Chemical Weapons (CW) related sanctions

Industry, Supply Chain & Trade Security

• Chemical security
• Chemical supply chain security
• Know-Your-Customer and due diligence programs
• Verification of suspicious purchases
• Dual-use chemicals and equipment for pharmaceutical-based agent (PBA) production
• Licit and illicit trade of hazardous chemicals
• Red flags and typologies of high-risk companies
• Insider threat
• Benefits and risks of AI
• S.-informed industry standards and best practices
• Interagency coordination models (Government-Industry)

Detection, Investigation & Response

• Detection and preparedness of chemical attacks
• Investigation and crime scene management for chemical attacks
• Investigation and disruption of CW-related procurement activities

Proliferation & Chemical Agent Expertise

• CW proliferation pathways, including land, air, and maritime trafficking routes
• Central nervous system-acting (CNS-acting) chemicals

Program Engagements (including, but are not limited to the following):

• Workshops and trainings
• Conferences
• Online courses and webinars
• Meetings
• Technical consultancies
• Open-source research

• Chemical Security SME Checklist (included as an appendix to this RFP)
  • Must indicate by checking the respective boxes the Type of Support for which you wish to be considered, the Technical Areas which you are qualified to cover, and the Program Engagements for which you wish to be considered.
• Statement of Interest and Technical Capabilities
  • Must include specific areas of expertise, experience/past performance, capabilities, and qualifications associated with the Types of Support, Technical Areas, and Program Engagements indicated in the Checklist.
• CV(s) or brief biographies (e.g. 3-5 sentences) of Contractor subject matter experts, faculty, or personnel proposed.
• Cost proposal
  • Must include proposed hourly rate of the subject matter experts, faculty, or personnel proposed.
  • Must include any proposed institutional indirect rate.
  • If proposed hourly rates differ by Type of Support, please explain the basis for the differences.
• Any Small or Disadvantaged Business Designations (Veteran Owned, HUB Zone, Women Owned, Disadvantaged Businesses)
• NAICS Codes: 541620 Environmental Consulting Services – Small Business Threshold $19 million; 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services – Small Business Threshold $19 million.