Role Overview

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Global Acquisitions, is seeking qualified Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Other Special Services (MELOS) professionals to participate in the shaping of a new Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is a critical market research initiative designed to gather comprehensive industry feedback before the formal solicitation is drafted. We are not currently accepting applications for a direct hire at this time; rather, we are soliciting capabilities statements, white papers, and feedback from experienced contractors, consulting firms, and independent experts who specialize in international development, program evaluation, and institutional learning. Your expertise will directly influence the scope, structure, and technical requirements of a multi-million-dollar contract framework intended to support U.S. diplomatic and development missions globally, including complex environments such as Cuba and other priority regions.

Industry Context

The Bureau of Global Acquisitions operates at the nexus of foreign policy and operational execution, ensuring that the Department of State can deploy rapid, effective, and compliant technical assistance worldwide. As global challenges become increasingly interconnected—spanning cybersecurity, digital transformation, governance, and economic resilience—the need for robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks has never been greater. The MELOS contract aims to establish a vehicle through which the Department can quickly onboard specialized services to assess program impact, conduct real-time data analytics, and facilitate adaptive management. This initiative reflects a shift toward evidence-based diplomacy, where foreign assistance is continuously measured against strategic outcomes, and learning is institutionalized across bureaus and embassies.

Scope of Work and Technical Requirements

Respondents to this SSN should have deep expertise in the following areas and be prepared to demonstrate relevant past performance:

Designing and implementing comprehensive M&E frameworks for U.S. government-funded international development programs, including logical frameworks (logframes), theories of change, and results matrices aligned with the Department’s Foreign Assistance Standards.
Conducting rigorous quantitative and random control trial (RCT) evaluations, quasi-experimental designs, and mixed-methods research to measure program efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
Developing and deploying digital data collection platforms, including ODK, KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, and Power BI dashboards, to enable near-real-time performance tracking and adaptive decision-making in the field.
Providing technical assistance in institutional learning and knowledge management, helping embassies and program offices translate evaluation findings into actionable policy recommendations and operational pivots.
Leading complex performance evaluations, impact assessments, and special studies across sectors such as democracy and governance, economic growth, education, health, and cybersecurity/cyber capacity building—particularly in sanctioned or highly sensitive environments like Cuba.
Managing large-scale data sets using statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS, Python) and ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable U.S. federal privacy laws.
Coordinating with diverse stakeholders, including USAID, MCC, DOD, international NGOs, host-country governments, and local civil society organizations, to ensure cultural sensitivity and political feasibility of evaluation designs.
Authoring high-quality evaluation reports, peer-reviewed publications, and technical briefs suitable for congressional testimony, senior leadership briefings, and public dissemination.
Building local M&E capacity through training-of-trainers (TOT) programs, mentoring national staff, and developing sustainable data ecosystems that persist beyond the life of the project.
Integrating cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, social inclusion (GESI), environmental sustainability, and conflict sensitivity into all phases of the program cycle.

Work Environment and Engagement Model

Given the global footprint of this contract, the engagement model will likely feature a blend of remote work, short-term technical assistance (STTA) travel, and potential long-term field postings. The Department anticipates a high degree of flexibility, with contractors often operating in non-permissive environments where security protocols, diplomatic sensitivities, and rapid response capabilities are paramount. Teams will be expected to collaborate across time zones using secure communication platforms and adhere to strict information security clearance procedures. The work culture emphasizes intellectual rigor, methodological innovation, and a commitment to advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives through empirical evidence.

Required Qualifications and Experience

To be considered a viable candidate for this future solicitation, your organization or individual profile should meet the following criteria:

Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning within the international development or diplomacy sector, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior technical advisory role.
Demonstrated past performance on contracts of similar size, scope, and complexity with U.S. federal agencies (Department of State, USAID, MCC) or major international donors (DFID/FCDO, EU, World Bank, UNDP).
Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in international relations, public policy, economics, statistics, program evaluation, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Professional certifications such as Certified Evaluation Professional (CEP), PMP, or specific training in qualitative/quantitative research methodologies are highly desirable.
Fluency in English is required; professional proficiency in Spanish, Arabic, French, or other languages relevant to priority regions (e.g., Latin America, Middle East, Africa) is a significant asset.
Experience operating in or managing programs in Cuba, Venezuela, or other sanctioned/complex political environments will be viewed as a distinct competitive advantage.
Hold an active U.S. security clearance (Secret or Top Secret) or the ability to obtain one rapidly is strongly preferred due to the sensitive nature of certain assignments.
Proven ability to manage multi-million-dollar budgets, subcontractor networks, and complex deliverable schedules simultaneously.

Technical Tools and Platforms

Expertise in the following tools and platforms will be essential for delivering high-quality MELOS services:

Data Collection & Survey Tools: ODK Build, KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, CommCare, Magpi.
Statistical Analysis: Stata, R (RStudio), SPSS, Python (Pandas, NumPy), NVivo, Dedoose for qualitative analysis.
Data Visualization & GIS: Tableau, Power BI, ArcGIS, QGIS, Kepler.gl.
Project Management: Microsoft Project, Jira, Asana, Smartsheet, Monday.com.
Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, Slack (within secure environments).
Document Management: Confluence, SharePoint Online, Google Workspace (for unclassified contexts).
Cybersecurity & Digital Tools: Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks (NIST), digital development principles (Principles for Digital Development), and secure data transmission protocols.

Benefits and Strategic Partnerships

While this is not a direct employment opportunity, successful engagement as a prime or subcontractor on the eventual MELOS IDIQ vehicle offers significant strategic benefits. Contractors will gain access to a steady pipeline of high-visibility task orders, the opportunity to shape U.S. foreign assistance policy, and the prestige of partnering with the U.S. Department of State. The contract will likely feature competitive fee structures, provisional indirect cost rates, and opportunities for both large businesses and small/disadvantaged business set-asides to promote a diverse vendor pool. Furthermore, this engagement provides unparalleled networking opportunities with global development leaders and the chance to work on the front lines of diplomatic efforts in critical regions.

How to Respond and Next Steps

This is a Sources Sought Notice and not a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). Interested parties are encouraged to submit a capabilities statement (not to exceed 10 pages) outlining their relevant experience, past performance references, technical approach, and any recommendations for the contract structure. Submissions should be sent electronically to MELOS@state.gov with a copy to cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk (for UK-based or cyber-specific inquiries). Please reference “MELOS SSN Response” in the subject line. The Department also welcomes informal feedback, white papers, and industry day participation. All responses will be reviewed carefully to inform the acquisition strategy. Direct questions regarding the scope or technical requirements may be directed to the same email addresses. The Department of State reserves the right to hold one-on-one meetings with potential vendors following the review of submitted capabilities. We look forward to your innovative ideas and partnership in advancing evidence-based diplomacy.