INL/Guyana & INL/Suriname: Gold Smuggling Traceability

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

The U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), seeks a U.S. vendor to develop and implement a comprehensive gold traceability application. This initiative, "From Pit to Port," aims to track gold from extraction to export in Guyana and Suriname, preventing illegal gold from entering legal markets and incentivizing formal mining activities. The project addresses challenges posed by illicit gold mining and smuggling, which fuel transnational criminal networks and deprive countries of tax revenue.

• Software/Application Development: Design and develop a robust, mobile-capable platform for end-to-end gold traceability ("pit to port"). The Guyana application should be in English, and the Suriname application in Dutch. Key capabilities include digital certification with QR codes, real-time monitoring, flagging of illicit gold, and strong data security.

• Application Rollout, Training, and Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and implement a comprehensive training program for government officials, miners, and other stakeholders. This includes tailored modules, in-person workshops, user manuals, and ongoing technical support to ensure effective adoption and sustainability.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data-Driven Decision Support: Establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the application's performance and impact. Provide technical assistance for data analysis, reporting, and integration into policy and enforcement strategies. Collaborate with ministries to integrate application data with satellite imagery for detecting illegal mining.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Estimated May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027 (Base Year 1), with potential for three additional one-year option periods, not to exceed three years total.

• Place of Performance: Remote with occasional on-site requirements in Guyana and Suriname.

• Work Plan: Vendor will develop a work plan in consultation with and approved by INL.

• Decision Making: Program, budgetary, and staffing decisions will be made by the vendor's PM and SME(s) in consultation with INL.

• Deliverables: Include a Quality Assurance & Surveillance Plan, Weekly Progress Reports (upon request), Monthly Monitoring Reports, Quarterly Evaluation Reports, a one-time Project Impact Assessment Report, and Incident Reports.

Not specified in this document.

• The vendor will first develop and implement the application for Guyana, then adapt the model for Suriname.
• Government information and property will not be provided.
• The contractor is responsible for providing meeting materials and facilitation support for all meetings.

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to gather information from qualified vendors capable of designing, implementing, and sustaining a comprehensive gold traceability application. The goal is to track gold from "pit to port" and prevent illegal and foreign gold from entering legal markets in Guyana and Suriname. This initiative aims to incentivize formal mining activities, enhance transparency, enforce compliance, and disrupt transnational criminal activity in the gold supply chain.

• Background: Illicit gold mining and smuggling in Guyana and Suriname fuel criminal networks, deprive countries of revenue, and create vulnerabilities exploited by criminal organizations. A lack of effective traceability enables illicit activities.

• Scope of Work: A U.S. vendor will collaborate with Guyanese and Surinamese ministries and associations to design, implement, and sustain a gold traceability application. The project includes software development, stakeholder training, and monitoring/evaluation. The application will initially be developed for Guyana and then adapted for Suriname.

• Vendor capabilities in designing, implementing, and sustaining gold traceability applications.

• Approach to delivering the solution (methodology, platforms, strategy).

• Capability for stakeholder training and ongoing monitoring/evaluation.

• Approach to ensuring long-term sustainability and in-country support.

• Relevant technical standards, certifications, or qualifications.

• Examples of past performance in similar areas (supply chain traceability, software development in developing countries, work with government agencies, illicit trade projects).

• Core competencies and realistic performance timelines.

• Non-binding price range estimates.

• Recommendations on risk, feasibility, ambiguities in the draft SOW, and potential quality assurance approaches.

• Deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT.

• Method: Email only to WeselyCJ@state.gov.

• Subject Line: "RFI – Strengthening Gold Traceability in Guyana and Suriname".

• Page Limit: 20 pages (excluding cover page and table of contents).

• No extensions will be granted.

Vendors must possess a CAGE code, valid UEI, be registered in SAM, and not appear on the Excluded Parties List at the time of any future solicitation.

• Responses are for information and planning purposes only and are not offers.
• The government will not reimburse response costs.
• The government may refine requirements and acquisition strategy based on RFI feedback.
• A draft Statement of Objectives (SOW) is attached and may be revised based on feedback.