Seeking qualified contractors, including research organizations, think tanks, consulting firms, and other relevant entities, with demonstrated expertise in open-source intelligence

CRDF Global seeks qualified contractors, including research organizations, think tanks, consulting firms, and other relevant entities, with demonstrated expertise in open-source intelligence (OSINT), security analysis, and research on private military and security companies (PMSCs), to conduct targeted open-source research and analysis. The selected contractor will support a research effort focused on Chinese PMSC deployments in Africa. The project will generate structured, open-source insights into the activities, capabilities, and operational patterns of Chinese PMSCs, as well as their broader implications for regional security environments and bilateral relationships.

CRDF Global seeks a qualified contractor to conduct structured open-source research addressing critical gaps in understanding Chinese PMSC deployments across African contexts.
Working under CRDF Global’s technical direction, the contractor will:
• Conduct open-source research and analysis on Chinese PMSC activities in Africa, including guarding, training, and any involvement in kinetic or security operations
• Identify and assess the types of equipment, capabilities, and operational models employed by Chinese PMSCs
• Analyze the role of intermediaries, state-linked entities, and commercial actors supporting PMSC deployment
• Examine how PMSC presence aligns with or influences China’s bilateral relationships with host countries, including economic, political, and security dimensions
• Assess the relationships between PMSC activity and local security environments, governance structures, and economic conditions
• Develop case studies highlighting specific deployments, operational patterns, or notable incidents
• Synthesize findings into structured analytical outputs designed to support policy and programmatic decision-making