Solicitation for USPSC position of Program Support Specialist GS-11
SOLICITATION NO: 72039119R00007 ISSUANCE DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2019 CLOSING DATE: 11:59 PM ISLAMABAD TIME ON MARCH 3, 2019 OPEN TO: U.S. CITIZENS SUBJECT: USAID/ PAKISTAN - SOLICITATION FOR UNITED STATES PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC), PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST, GS-11 EQUIVALENT Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing services as described in the attached solicitation. Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I tough V of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer. The selected offeror must be able to undergo a thorough background check and obtain a United States Government (USG) security clearance and a Department of State medical clearance. USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: In selecting personnel there will be no discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, politics, marital status, physical handicap, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization. Sincerely, Adonis Mello Deputy Executive Officer, Office of Executive Management USAID/Pakistan U.S. Agency for International Development Embassy of the United States of America, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad Tel: [+92] 51 208 0000 Fax: [+92] 51 208 8061 www.usaid.gov/pk I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72039119R00007 2. ISSUING DATE: February 13, 2019 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 3, 2019 (11:59pm Islamabad time) 4. POSITION TITLE: Program Support Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: $53,062- $68,983 per year (equivalent to GS-11). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The USPSC contract will be for an initial One (1) year period, with four (4), one-year option years. Option years may be exercised based upon satisfactory contractor performance, mutual agreement between the Contractor and USG, continued Mission requirements and the continued availability of funds. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Islamabad, Pakistan - with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties 8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: SECRET 9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens 10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: A. Basic Function of the Position: The incumbent will serve as a Program Support Specialist in Islamabad. S/he reports to the Deputy Mission Director within the USAID Executive Secretariat. S/he provides office Administrative support to the Mission Director's Office, which in addition to the Director includes Four Deputy Mission Directors (one based in Karachi) i.e., the senior leadership team; Resident Legal Officers; an Innovation and Partnership Unit; and locally engaged executive support staff positions. The incumbent is a member of the Executive Secretariat, which is a functional team within the Mission Director's Office comprising executive support staff, U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (EFM) positions. The Executive Secretariat administers communications, information, and recommendations to aid the Mission Director's decision-making process on programs and operations, and facilitates communication between the USAID Front Office and Mission Staff, the U.S. interagency including liaison with the Embassy Executive Secretariat, the public, the GOP, and other development partners and stakeholders. B. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The Program Support Specialist supports the senior leadership team on a variety of complex and sensitive program, operational, and logistical issues. The Specialist provides office operations support for USAID's programming and management processes within the Director's Office and engages in liaison functions. The incumbent oversees clearances and approvals of documents to and from the Mission Director or Deputy Mission Director and, in the process, builds strong partnerships with USG counterparts. S/he demonstrates tact and good judgment in interactions with high-level USAID Management and other USG leadership, and with implementing partners, the public, other donors, and GOP counterparts. In the absence of the Supervisor or others within the Executive Secretariat, the incumbent may on a limited basis provide functional coverage, within the parameters of the below duties and responsibilities. The incumbent's specific duties and responsibilities within the USAID Executive Secretariat include: 1. Liaison with the Embassy Executive Secretariat, the Regional Security Office, and the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs (OAPA) - 25% The incumbent's core duties will require coordination with the Embassy's Executive Secretariat and the Regional Security Office given their strategic nexus within the USG's operations in Pakistan. S/he will maintain excellent relations with staff in both offices for timely coordination of actions between them and the USAID Director's Office. Specific items that go to and tough the Embassy Secretariat include: Diplomatic Notes, Request letters for meetings with GOP officials, itineraries of USAID VIP visitors, and others. The incumbent drafts or edits such documents and forwards them to the Embassy Executive Secretariat for action. Oftentimes, the incumbent coordinates with the Embassy Secretariat and the RSO on visits that require Control Officers. On such occasions, the incumbent may serve as Control Officer or work with Control Officers that the Front Office appoints to manage important visits to Islamabad. Visitors that require a Control Officer include the Secretary of State, the USAID Administrator, Congressional Delegations, and other senior USAID leadership visitors. During such visits, the incumbent collaborates with supporting offices to develop itineraries for the visitors, ensures that USAID/Pakistan's priorities are addressed and that the visitors have secure, quality interactions with implementing partners and beneficiaries, as well as Mission staff as required. 2. Coordination with the DOC Office - 10% The incumbent coordinates with the Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) unit to proactively suggest events and participants which may involve the U.S. Embassy, GOP officials, civil society leaders (NGOs, think-tanks, university professors); journalists (Pakistani and international TV, print and journals); and representatives of the business community (CEOs, Chamber of Commerce, etc.). When such events are high-level and require the Ambassador's or Deputy Chief of Mission's awareness or clearance, the incumbent works with the Embassy Secretariat to inform the Embassy Front Office to obtain such clearance. Such occasions usually require RSO clearance and as such necessitate close coordination with the RSO. 3. Document Quality Control - 15% The incumbent serves as a quality control point of contact for written materials such as speeches, event checklists, briefing papers, decision memos, design documents, Cables, statements for bilateral and multilateral public events and meetings, that pass to and tough the Director's Office. S/he assists in the preparation of special reporting, planning, operational, and policy documents for the Office of the Director, and coordinates inputs from a variety of drafters. S/he ensures that documents and reports comply with agency guidance. S/he provides general quality control of the final products and facilitates the development and standardization of document formats, including provision of writing guides, to assist drafters. S/he coordinates with USG personnel within and outside the Mission to facilitate cross-team consensus for speedy and appropriate clearance of documents. The incumbent will require in-depth knowledge of relevant Mission Order procedures and Embassy formats and processes required for internal USG correspondence, particularly with the Ambassador's office. S/he will track and facilitate designated Mission priority actions requiring the clearance of one or more offices, or requiring cross-team consensus, to ensure a timely completion and submission of tasks. 4. Executive Secretariat Writer/Editor - 25% The incumbent drafts, reviews, analyzes, and/or revises documents produced by various offices to ensure that (a) the style and manner of presentation of the information suit the media in which they are to appear; (b) the subject matter is sufficiently clear, and (c) it fulfills its information objective. The incumbent ensures that final documents are well organized, follow appropriate formats, contain the required information, and are clearly written. S/he also interprets and communicates agency guidelines to other writers in the Mission in order to improve the quality of submissions to the Front Office. S/he should be familiar with the broad range of key sources of information for Agency and Embassy policies and procedures as well as the Mission's development programs. The incumbent works closely with all Mission staff and serves as an important resource person on matters related to Mission reporting requirements. 5. Support to Front Office hosted events - 10% In cooperation with the Office of Executive Management, the incumbent coordinates planning of special events on behalf of the Director's Office, including hail and farewell events, team-building activities that involve Mission staff, and luncheons or working breakfasts/dinners, Mission-wide town hall meetings and other Front Office hosted official events. S/he also works with the DOC office to prepare invitation lists for Ambassador-hosted events. The incumbent must use judgment and creativity in interpreting and adapting guidelines and, in many instances, must establish criteria and propose new ideas for resolving problems. S/he must have the ability and the flexibility to complete assigned tasks and respond to new requirements on extremely short notice. 6. Support to other Executive Secretariat Functions - 15% On a limited, ad-hoc basis, and/or in the absence of the Supervisor, the incumbent will support other Executive Secretariat functions to include: a. Support to the Vetting Unit: Provide support to the Mission's Vetting Support Unit (VSU) with records management to facilitate approval of proposed awards and sub-awards. Periodically the incumbent may provide liaison services between the VSU and the Front Office, assist with and occasionally oversee maintenance of the priority Vetting request list, coordinate with the Office Directors and Office of Acquisitions and Assistance for Vetting Request Impact Statements, communicate with Mission Technical Offices, and brief the Deputy Mission Director(s) on the status of vetting priority lists as needed. b. Management of the Pakistan Taskers and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline Mailboxes: The incumbent periodically may support with or oversee management of the Pakistan Taskers and the OIG Hotline mailboxes to ensure timely responses to correspondences. The taskers-mailbox often receives email taskers from Washington, which need to be sorted and directed to the appropriate personnel within the Mission. while performing this role, the incumbent ensures that taskers are completed, and obtains the necessary clearances on time before completed responses sent back to Washington. On an ad-hoc basis, the incumbent may also be required to provide, organize, and/or facilitate periodic informal training sessions to Mission staff regarding the aforementioned areas of responsibilities in order to share best-practices, inform staff of regulations/policies, further the professional development of the staff, and/or to improve internal efficiency of the Mission. C. Direct Supervisor: Deputy Mission Director, Office of Director, Islamabad, USAID/Pakistan. D. Supervisory Control: Minimum. The position receives supervisor, administrative direction, and guidance from the Deputy Mission Director, but is expected to act independently and with minimal supervision in day-to-day work. 11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands 12. POINT OF CONTACT: Completed offers (including required documents - see section IV below) must be submitted electronically to: islamabad@usaid.gov. When submitting an application, the solicitation number and the title of the position must be mentioned in the subject line. Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to Samina Riaz, Human Resources Specialist, Pakistan, phone: 92-51- 201-4975, fax: 92-51-233-8061, and to Hina Junaid, Human Resources Assistant, Pakistan, phone: 92-51- 201-5473, fax: 92-51-233-8062, E-mail: islamabad@usaid.gov. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION Education: A Bachelor's degree in management, communications, business, economics, political science, area studies, and/or other field relevant field related to international development studies is required. Work Experience: minimum of two years of experience in one or a combination of the following areas, in any industry/arena, is required: program operations/management, office management, legislative assistant, public relations, and/or an inter-agency or inter-government coordination role in which writing and/or editing in English constitutes a significant element of the position. Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation. Visas, Security and Medical clearances: The ability to obtain the required visas and security and medical clearances in a reasonable timeframe is considered a minimum qualification. See Section V. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors and tough review of the offeror's submitted required documents (see section IV below). Those highest-ranked offerors will be considered within the competitive range, and may be further evaluated tough interviews and technical tests to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offeror. Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offeror at the conclusion of evaluations and as part of the responsibility determination process, prior to negotiations. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations will be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offeror who has successfully passed the responsibility determination process. Education (10 Points): A Bachelor's degree in management, communications, business, economics, political science, area studies, and/or other field relevant field related to international development studies is required. Additional education, such as a Master's degree or second Bachelor's degree, in any of the aforementioned fields is desired. Work Experience (40 Points): A minimum of two years of experience in one or a combination of the following areas, in any industry/arena, is required: program operations/management, office management, legislative assistant, public relations, and/or an inter-agency or inter-government coordination role in which writing and/or editing in English constitutes a significant element of the position. Additional experience in the aforementioned areas, especially working overseas and/or with the USG, is highly desirable. Knowledge (20 Points): Knowledge of administrative and managerial techniques as well as general knowledge of the function and operation of foreign aid programs, particularly in the Pakistan context is highly desired. Skills, and Abilities (30 Points): English Language Proficiency: Excellent written and oral communication skills in American English is essential and high desirable, especially the ability to develop concise, well-written documents geared toward a variety of audiences and at different levels of technical complexity under time constraints. It is essential that the applicant can effectively communicate and give written and oral feedback to colleagues on their written work. The successful offeror should be able to quickly develop a working knowledge of available sources such as development-related information on the programs, policies, research, and functions of USG agencies at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, as well as understand general relationships among agency programs and related issues and practices. Computer Skills: high proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of programs, (specifically Word and PowerPoint) and strong aptitude for learning new technologies is desirable. Organizational, Teamwork, and Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team setting and with diverse stakeholders, including those at the highest levels, is highly desirable. The incumbent should be able to develop and maintain contacts with officials toughout USAID, the USG, and with external partners. Furthermore, the incumbent should also be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission and from Washington in order to accomplish his/her duties. The incumbent should possess excellent time management, organizational, and planning skills as well as and the ability to work effectively under pressure to carry out specific, results-oriented tasks under constraints of time, information, and logistics. Ability to function effectively in cross-cultural work environments is highly desirable. Total points = 100 IV. APPLYING 1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit all the following documents and information in order to be considered for the position: a. Completed and signed form AID 302-3,"Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts," available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 . Only include base salary information in box 4 of sections B and C. Do not include bonuses, differentials, cost of living allowances, or other types of compensation. During negotiations, salary history may be verified tough pay slips, earnings and leave statements, or other appropriate documentation. b. A cover letter of no more than two (2) pages that demonstrates how the Offeror's qualifications meet the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation. Excess pages (beyond 2) will not be read or considered. c. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than tee (3) pages which, at a minimum, describes education, experience and career achievements relevant to the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation. Excess pages (beyond 3) will not be read or considered. d. Names of tee professional references that have knowledge of the offeror's ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation, including current and accurate contact information. This information may be included in in cover letter, resume/CV, or in a separate document. e. The offerors should be registered in SAM and have a DUNS number. Incomplete/un-signed offers will not be considered. 2. Offers containing all required documents must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to the email Point of Contact in Section I, item 12. 3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors should prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. V. PRE-AWARD DOCUMENTATION / LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO (or his/her designee) will provide the successful Offeror instructions of how to complete and submit all required forms, to include the below: 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) 4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) 5. Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Visa application forms Timely and accurate completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Visas and Security and Medical Clearances. Failure of the selected offeror to accurately complete and submit required documents in a timely manner may be grounds for the CO to rescind any conditional pre-contract offer letter and begin negotiations with the next most qualified/highest ranked offeror. Selected offerors who are unable to obtain required Visas, Security and Medical Clearances in a reasonable timeframe will be considered un-qualified for this position. Within 2 weeks after written notice from the CO that all required Visas and clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the CO in writing, the selected offeror shall proceed to Islamabad, Pakistan to perform the services specified in section I, item 10. VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave (g) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service per Post policy 2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable)*: (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Education Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10)Education Travel (Section 280) * Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) Islamabad currently has a 25% Post Differential allowance and 35% Danger Pay, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. U.S. Resident hire PSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances. Pakistan is a no-dependent post - meaning that, except in very limited situations, spouses or domestic partners are not allowed to co-habitat (e.g. live with) employees. More information regarding housing and security policies can be shared with offerors during interviews. VII. TAXES USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, "Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad," including contract clause "General Provisions," available at: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at: http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs AAPDs/CIBs specifically applicable to this position include: AAPD 16-03: Expanded Incentive Awards for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals AAPD 15-02 REVISED - Continuation of Deviation from the 'Leave and Holidays' clause, including Family and Medical Leave, for U.S. Personal Services Contractors AAPD 10-03 Amendment 1: AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs AAPD 10-03: AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs AAPD 10-01: Personal Services Contracts -- Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts for Health Insurance and Physical Examination Costs AAPD 06-10: PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch," available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .
72039119R00007 US Agency for International Development Pakistan
2/13/19, 3:33 AM