Seeking Chemical Security SMEs for Bio-Chem Engagement Program (BCEP)

CRDF Global is seeking individual subject matter experts (SMEs) in a number of topic areas to support ongoing and future projects under the Bio-Chem Engagement Program (BCEP) program as well as other programs funded by the U.S. Department of State. Under this program, 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 proposal focuses specifically on chemical subject matter experts to support the chemical security and nonproliferation components of BCEP.

If you are applying on behalf of an organization rather than as an individual, please see the separate REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: Chemical Security Expertise – Organizations.

Individual SMEs will work with CRDF Global to provide subject matter expertise that supports successful delivery of program engagements and enables partners to strengthen their ability to prevent, detect, and mitigate chemical attacks and the proliferation of weaponizable chemicals. Individual SMEs will work under the close operational supervision of CRDF Global and the U.S. Department of State to provide varied types of support, across one or more technical areas, during program engagements.

Types of Engagement Support (include but are not limited to the following):

• 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 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 not limited to the following):

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

• Chemical Security Individual SME Checklist (included as an appendix to this RFP)
  • Must indicate by checking the respective boxes the Types of Support for which the individual applicant wishes to be considered, the Technical Areas the individual applicant is qualified to cover, and the Program Engagements for which the individual applicant wishes to be considered.
• Statement of Interest and Technical Capabilities
  • Must include the individual applicant’s specific areas of expertise, relevant experience/past performance, technical capabilities, and qualifications associated with the Types of Support, Technical Areas, and Program Engagements indicated in the Checklist.
• Current CV or resume demonstrating the individual applicant’s relevant qualifications, experience, and technical expertise
• Cost proposal
  • Must include the individual applicant’s proposed hourly rate
  • If the proposed hourly rate will differ by Type of Support, the individual applicant must explain the basis for the difference.
• Any applicable small or disadvantaged business designations, if relevant to the individual applicant’s business status.
• NAICS Codes, if applicable to the individual applicant’s business status: 541620 Environmental Consulting Services – Small Business Threshold $19 million; 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services – Small Business Threshold $19 million.