The Department of Defense (DoD), US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), has a continuing requirement for Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) Training Support.

This contract was initiated in 2002, following the loss of active-duty role player support to the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and the lack of manpower required to increase the throughput of the course. The original contract provided a combination of role player, base station communications, logistics, and observer/controller direct support to training exercises conducted by the 1st Battalion 1st SWTG(A). The contract was renewed in 2008, and the contract model was transferred from U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) – Contracting to be executed by the Program Executive Office for Simulations, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) through the Warfighter Focus contract. This contract was put into place to allow other organizations to contract “over and above” the base contract and to minimize administrative costs. Subsequently, nine other contracts were added to the original base contract to consolidate training support within one umbrella contract. In 2009, the contract was greatly expanded to include opposing forces (OPFOR) and Guerilla role players due to the loss of the availability of other ARSOF organizations to support training. In 2012, additional previously separate contracts were consolidated from multiple enduring requirements to increase contracting efficiencies wherever possible. This contract includes previously authorized but separate contract requirements: SFQC Training Support, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Support, 18A Cultural Adaptive Response Training (CART), 18A Advanced Special Operations (ASO), Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Training Support, Civil Affairs (CA) Training Support, and Range 37 and Camp Mackall Support. The purpose of the Army Special Operations Forces Training Support Contract (ARSOF-TSC) is to provide role player and direct support to field and situational training exercises in all ARSOF courses.ct.

• The ARSOF-TSC provides exercise management, role player, subject matter expertise and training support for assessment, selection, and training conducted by 1st Special Warfare Training Group (SWTG) (Airborne). Training support is for field and situational training exercises and provides the depth and realism necessary to portray an adaptable training environment that focuses on achieving a desired outcome. This approach to training builds initiative, adaptability, and self-confidence of the students.
• Provide in-role instruction during training events by subject matter experts. Subject matter expert role players must have operational experience coupled with years of instructor experience before they are capable of effectively teaching in role. This type of role play instruction allows for a free-play exercise that is reactive to the performance of the student and allows them a guided experiential learning event to unfold so that each exercise becomes a unique learning environment specifically suited to the performance and capabilities of the student.
• Provide basic role player support to training events. Professional role player support is critical to human terrain assessment and training events. These events require role players that understand the scenario and can react to a wide variety of responses from candidates or students and can then adjust appropriately depending on the desired outcome of the learning event. Role players must understand how to engage students at the appropriate level of intensity and then adjust responses based on the performance of the student. Experienced role players understand the intent, mechanics, and flow of each exercise. This knowledge allows for instructors to be fully engaged in the instruction rather than dedicating hours to directing backside support resulting in dozens of supervisory hours saved during the execution of each exercise.
• Provide support elements for Range 37 and Camp Mackall. The Exercise Support Cell (ESC) provides direct support to training through numerous activities, i.e., general maintenance and repairs, building of training aids, basic industrial skills to include carpentry, wood working, metal working, etc.
• Provide management for all contracted personnel for exercise role player support as well as support elements. Contracted managers are crucial to the successful support of this contract due to the complexity of multiple simultaneous events and support activities. Managers shall be flexible and adapt to changing requirements as the Program of Instruction (POI) is adapted to the contemporary operational environment.