USPSC-Senior Regional Food for Peace Officer - Washington, DC
Added: Feb 29, 2016 11:37 am Request for a U.S. Personal Service ContractorPosition Title: Senior Regional Food for Peace OfficerDuty Office: DCHA/FFPSolicitation Number: SOL-OAA-16-000049Salary Level: GS-14 Equivalent: ($108,887.00 - $141,555.00) Washington LocalityIssuance Date: February 29, 2016Closing Date: March 21, 2016 Closing Time: 12:00 P.M. ESTDear Prospective Applicants:The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Senior Regional Food for Peace Officer under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation.Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your application, your resume must include:(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.(c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.(e) U.S. Citizenship.Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.2. Responses to the Quality Ranking Factors: Each applicant's supplemental documentation must specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitationAdditional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Your complete resume and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs must be emailed to: FFPPSC@usaid.gov.Any questions on this solicitation should be directed to Isidore Emmanuel at the email address notice above. Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.Sincerely, Artaveya J. Carter Contracting Officer1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-OAA-16-0000492. ISSUANCE DATE: February 29, 20163. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONSMarch 21, 2016 12:00 P.M. EST4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Regional Food for Peace Officer (GS-14)5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 Equivalent: ($108,887 - $141,555) Washington Locality. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate's past salary, work history and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years with the option to renew for up to tee additional years based on obtaining at least a "fully successful" level of performance in the annual evaluation.7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C., with possible field trip assignments.8. STATEMENT OF WORKBACKGROUNDThe Office of Food for Peace (FFP) in the U.S. Agency for International Development Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) is the largest provider of food assistance in the world. FFP annually provides close to $2 billion of food assistance, including some 1.5 million tons or more of in-kind Title II food assistance valued at more than $1.6 billion and reaching 46 million beneficiaries in 48 countries. Since 2010, FFP has complemented its provision of Title II in-kind food assistance with an Emergency Food Security Program (EFSP) utilizing at least $300 million in International Disaster Assistance (IDA) funds annually, which allows for local and regional purchase of food outside of the United States and closer to the emergency setting, as well as market based approaches such as cash transfer or food voucher programs that facilitate access to food.In addition to emergency response, FFP provides support for development food assistance programs which aim to address the underlying causes of food security. Taken together, the in-kind and cash- based programs provide an impressive array of tools to combat hunger and malnutrition overseas. Programming is facilitated by state of the art early warning systems, a changing in-kind food assistance basket that includes more nutritious products, and a modern supply chain management system that allows for rapid movement of commodities. Programming approaches are evolving to focus increasingly on building the resilience of conically vulnerable populations, especially those in arid lands who face increasing cycles of drought, and improving nutrition with a special focus on women and children under two.Food for Peace works closely with many other parts of USAID, especially the Bureau for Food Security, which plays a key role in implementing the President's Feed the Future initiative, and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, which leads on disaster response around the world. Food for Peace employs a staff of over 50 in Washington and also has officers posted abroad.More Information on FFP is available at: http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security/food-assistance9. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITYDuties and ResponsibilitiesThe incumbent of this position may work on either of the Geographic Divisions that exist in FFP - East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) or Global (non-ECSA) and accordingly will report to the Division Director that supervises the geographic division assigned to.The incumbent manages selected geographical area international food assistance programs designated to combat hunger and malnutrition in emergency and development situations thus resulting in lives saved and suffering reduced. The incumbent may serve as a Team Leader for a rapid on-set or protracted emergency. In the function of Team Leader, the incumbent is responsible for assuring that the work of the assigned team is carried out by performing a range of coordinating and supportive duties and responsibilities.A. Core Duties and Responsibilities1. Guides and provides technical support for country backstop officer(s) (CBO) and country office assessments of food assistance needs in assigned region. In consultation with team, identifies analytical and program gaps and proposes ways to address them. Links CBOs to other technical assistance to assure high quality analysis and programming.2. Works with CBOs and regional staff to develop strategic approaches to food security programming. Strategies should be informed by ongoing development work.3. Reviews and provides advice to senior managers on proposed regional and country allocations of funding, and works with FFP senior leadership to obtain necessary resources.4. Assures terms and conditions for food assistance strategies, proposals and programs, are consistent with FFP's strategy, FFP and Agency policy and legislative guidelines and adhere to accepted programming principles and practices. Regularly liaises with policy, grants services, technical and other FFP teams to keep abreast of key issues that should inform CBO and sub division work.5. Guides CBOs to assure proper coordination with USAID field staff, other USAID offices and bureaus in Washington, Public International Organizations (PIOs), NGOs and others to ensure complementarity and appropriateness of FFP programs. Engages directly with these entities for priority issues jointly identified with CBO.6. Assures proper level FFP representation in USAID and interagency working groups on contingency planning, development of new initiatives, foreign aid coordination for region assigned.7. Maintains liaison with senior officials from within USAID, the U.S. government, PIOs and NGOs to keep them fully informed about FFP programs, policies and procedures, and to discuss and resolve mutual problems.8. Travels abroad as needed with CBO to facilitate "on the job" training and assure CBOs understand range of analytical and oversight functions needed across the program cycle.9. Travels independently as needed to provide guidance to USAID Missions regarding strategy development, program planning, and implementation and monitoring the effectiveness of food assistance programs, as well as to engage foreign government officials and implementing partner representatives on food assistance matters.10. Provides senior leadership with cross country analysis of food assistance operations in the region, assuring consistency of approach, and rationalization of resource funding levels and types across the portfolio.11. Develops recommendations on a wide range of policy topics relating to the use of food assistance resources in the use and implementation of food assistance programs.GuidelinesPertinent sources of information consist of the FFP authorizing and appropriating laws and legislative initiatives, FFP issued guidelines and information bulletins, and USAID Agency and Bureau rules and regulations that govern the use of the U.S. food assistance programs. The incumbent must exercise considerable judgment in determining the application of current legislative provisions and executive policies to assigned responsibilities. The incumbent is expected to be innovative and original in formulating new or improved approaches to problem resolution.Supervisory Controls:The incumbent works under the supervision of a Division Director, DCHA/FFP. The incumbent exercises independence and initiative in defining and carrying out duties, with the incumbent prioritizing overall objectives and managing available resources. The incumbent develops deadlines for activities and other specialized tasks and is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts that arise, and coordinating the work with others as necessary. The incumbent interprets policy on own initiative and in terms of established objectives. Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress in the achievement of objectives and advised of potentially controversial matters. Completed work is reviewed after completion in terms of effectiveness in advancing USAID's Food Security policy, DCHA/FFP's strategic plan and Bureau objectives as enunciated in the annual results reports and resource request submissions.ComplexityAt the GS-14 level, duties vary that require different process, methods, and substantial depth of analysis. The incumbent must work with a range of people from the Program Operations and Policy and Technical divisions, field staff, other bureaus within USAID, Response Management Team (RMT), Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), host country government representatives, international organizations, and with the State Department and the Department of Agriculture.Scope and EffectAt the GS-14 level, work typically includes planning, organizing, directing, designing, and resolving critical problems or developing new theories affecting the work of other experts. Work typically requires formal responsibility for leading teams, guiding the work of others, and coordinating with other professionals and technical staff.At the GS-14 level, the incumbent analyzes food assistance and nutrition needs, recommends and implements strategies, and manages FFP-funded programs undertaken by NGOs, WFP, and UNICEF. Work entails conducting extensive field monitoring to determine the feasibility of various and advanced approaches to define concepts and criteria for future programs or to resolve problems in current programs. Work may require serving as acting team leader.Personal ContactsAt the GS-14 level, contacts are with high-ranking officials outside of USAID at national or international levels in highly unstructured settings.The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of food security and nutrition related activities with awardees and other donors specific to FFP-funded interventions to ensure clear understanding of USAID/FFP programs and priorities.10. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDSWork is primarily performed in an office setting. The requirement for field trip assignments to provide administrative support to meetings or conferences may expose the successful candidate to difficult working surroundings and security risks during the course of travel.11. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.12. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITIONEDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITIONA. Minimum QualificationsEducation/Experience: Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.At the GS-14 level, the incumbent will have:• Bachelor's degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field and a minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in international development or relief;OR• Master's degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field and a minimum of least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in international development or relief;AND• At least tee (3) years of experience working on food security or international food assistance;• At least two (2) years of experience working of prior supervisory experience;• At least two (2) years of overseas professional experience in a developing country.B. Selection Factors: Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. Selection factors include:• Applicant is a U.S. citizen;• Submission of a current resume, with complete contact information;• Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs);• Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance; and.• Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.Applicants not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further.QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)The following selection factors and required skills are listed below and will be the basis for the evaluation of all applications. All applications will be evaluated and scored based on the documentation submitted with the application, the following factors, and the performance in the interview. In order to effectively carry out the responsibilities of this position, the knowledge and skills listed below are required:• Knowledge of food security issues and food assistance programming in the context of disasters, complex emergencies and developmental relief settings. (20 points)• Ability to develop policies, strategies, programs and procedures related to the effective use of the food assistance. (20 points)• Skill in leading a team to accomplish programmatic objectives, develops staff skills, and appropriately delegate responsibilities. (20 points)• Ability to undertake complex planning, budgeting and programming in a continuously changing environment and to undertake cross cutting analysis to draw conclusions about FFP approaches across country operations. (20 points)• Knowledge of the legislative requirements, policies, regulations, mandates and objectives of the FFP Program and how it relates to advancement of the Agency's and U.S. government's foreign assistance objectives. (10 points)• Ability to coordinate and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to counterparts - PIOs and NGOs, and senior officials, on policy and program matters. (10 points)Total Possible Points: 100 .BASIS OF RATING: Applications that meet the minimum requirements will be further evaluated based upon the information provided in the QRF documentation submitted at the time of application. Those applicants determined as competitively ranked may also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.DOCUMENT SUBMITTALSWhere and How to ApplyVia email: FFPPSC@usaid.govTo apply, qualified individuals are required to submit:1. A cover letter specifying for which grade level you are applying, and a brief rationale supporting your selection.2. A current resume, with complete contact information3. Supplemental documentation specifically addressing the Selection Factors and the QRFs shown in the solicitation.The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. FFP/USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. USAID reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.FFP/USAID reserves the right to make additional selections from this solicitation.NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within six months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained within six months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and the position you are applying for on your application, and as the subject line in any email.NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATIONThis 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 application.NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERSAll individuals contracted as US PSCs are required to have a DUNS Number. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number and PSCs are not required to register with CCR.For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number (10/2003) https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCsForms outlined below can found at:http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do1. AID 302-32. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).Forms 1 tough 5 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) and ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCsCIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer tohttp://transition.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract.AAPD 06-10 - PSC MEDICAL PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITYAAPD No. 06-10 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 1 to the solicitation.AAPD 15-02 LEAVE AND HOLIDAYSAAPD No. 15-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 2 to the solicitation.FAR 52.222-50 - COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONSFAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 3 to the solicitation.BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:BENEFITS:Employer's FICA ContributionContribution toward Health & Life InsurancePay Comparability AdjustmentAnnual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)Eligibility for Worker's CompensationAnnual & Sick LeaveALLOWANCES (if Applicable).*(A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).(C) Post Allowance (Section 220).(D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).(E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).(F) Education Allowance (Section 270).(G) Education Travel (Section 280).(H) Post Differential (Chapter 500).(I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and(J) Danger Pay (Section 650).* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and MedicareALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. ATTACHMENT 1ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVE (AAPD) NO. 06-10PSC MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITYGeneral Provision 22, MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY(OCTOBER 2006)(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16FAM 116 available at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam/c23002.htm.Note: Personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below. The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. "MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES."(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer's liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision 10, Travel and Transportation Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled "Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation." In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under General Provision 10, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member. In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor's invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or tough any other available debt collection mechanism.(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual's behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/dependent.(i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s). ATTACHMENT 2APPD 15-02 LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS(a) Annual Leave(1) The contractor is not entitled to annual leave if the period of performance of this contract is 90 days or less. If the contract period of performance is more than 90 days, the contractor shall earn annual leave as of the start date of the contract period of performance as specified in paragraph (a)(2) below.(2) The contractor shall accrue annual leave based on the contractor's time in service according to the following table:Time in Service Annual Leave (AL) Accrual Calculation0 to 3 years Four hours of leave for each two week periodover 3, and up to 15 years Six hours of AL for each two week period (including 10 hours AL for the final pay period of a calendar year)over 15 years Eight hours of AL for each two week periodUSAID will calculate the contractor's time in service based on all the previous service performed by the contractor as a: 1) USAID PSC (i.e., the contractor has served under any USAID personal services contracts of any duration covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory provision applicable to USAID); and/or 2) former U.S. Government (USG) direct-hire, under either civilian and/or military service.(3)(i) AL is provided under this contract for the purposes of affording necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the USAID Mission or USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall develop an AL schedule early in the contractor's period of performance, taking into consideration project requirements, employee preference, and other factors. All AL earned by the contractor must be used during the contractor's period of performance. All AL earned by the contractor, but not taken by the end of the contract, will be forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of AL, the Contracting Officer may approve the contractor taking AL during the concluding weeks of the contractor's period of performance.(ii) As an exception to 3(i) above, the contractor may receive a lump-sum payment for leave not taken. To approve this exception, the contractor's supervisor must provide the Contracting Officer with a signed, written Determination and Findings (D&F). The D&F must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking AL, and the Contracting Officer must find that these facts and circumstances were not caused by, or were beyond the control of, the contractor. This leave payment must not exceed the number of days which could be earned by the contractor during a twelve-month period.(4) With the approval of the Mission Director or cognizant AA, as appropriate, and if the circumstances warrant, a Contracting Officer may grant the contractor advance AL in excess of the amount earned, but in no case may the Contracting Officer grant advance AL in excess of the amount earned in one year or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. The contractor agrees to reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advance AL provided during the contractor's assignment under the contract.(5) Applicants for PSC positions will provide evidence of their PSC and/or USG direct-hire service - civilian and/or military experience, as applicable, on their signed and dated application form required under USAID policy. By signing the appropriate form, the applicant attests to the accuracy of the information provided. Any applicant providing incorrect information is subject to the penalty provisions in the form. If required to satisfy due diligence requirements on behalf of the Contracting Officer, the contractor may be required to furnish evidence that verifies length of service, e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or signed contracts.(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as USAID U.S. direct hire employees. Sick leave is earned at a rate not to exceed four (4) hours every two (2) weeks for a total of 13 work-days per year. Unused sick leave may be carried over under an extension or renewal of this contract with the same individual for the same work. Otherwise, sick leave will not be carried over from one post to another or from one contract to another. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave upon completion of this contract.(c) Home Leave.(1) Home leave is leave earned for service abroad for use only in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions and territories. (2) A USPSC who has served at least two years overseas at the same USAID Mission, under the same contract, as defined in paragraph (c)(4) below, and has not taken more than 30 work days leave (annual, sick or LWOP) in the U.S. may be granted home leave in accordance with the following:(i) if the USPSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for an additional two (2) years under the same contract, the USPSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days; or if the USPSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved in writing by the Mission Director prior to the USPSCs departure on home leave, the USPSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days.(ii) if the USPSC is returning to a different USAID Mission under a USAID personal services contract immediately following completion of the USPSC's home leave, for an additional two (2) years under contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one (1) year, as approved by the Mission Directors of the "losing" and "gaining" Missions, the contractor will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of not more than 20 work days. When the PSC is returning to a different USAID Mission, the former Mission will pay for the home leave regardless of what country the PSC will be working in following the home leave;(iii) if home leave eligibility is based on (c)(2)(ii) above, the USPSC must submit written verification to the losing Mission at the time home leave is requested that the USPSC has accepted a USAID personal services contract at another USAID Mission following completion of the home leave;(iv) travel time by the most direct route is authorized in addition to the number of work days authorized for home leave;(v) home leave must be taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions or territories, and any days spent elsewhere will be charged to annual leave (AL.) If the PSC does not have accrued AL, the PSC will be placed on LWOP.(vi) if the PSC does not complete the additional service required under (c)(2)(i) or (ii) (that the Contracting Officer finds are other than for reasons beyond the PSC's control), the cost of home leave, travel and transportation and any other related costs must be repaid by the PSC to the Government.(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (c)(2) above, that the USPSC must have served two (2) years overseas under personal services contract with the same Mission to be eligible for home leave, the USPSC may be granted advance home leave subject to all of the following conditions:(i) Granting of advanced home leave would in each case serve to advance the attainment of the objectives of this contract; and(ii) The USPSC has served a minimum of 18 months in the Cooperating Country under this contract; and(iii) The USPSC agrees to return to the Cooperating Country to serve out the remaining time necessary to meet two (2) years of service overseas, plus an additional two (2) years under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission. If approved in advance by the Mission Director, the USPSC may return to serve out any remainder of the two (2) year requirement for service overseas, plus an additional period of not less than one (1) year under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission.(4) The period of service overseas required under paragraph (c)(2), or paragraph (c)(3) above, will include the actual days in orientation in the U.S. (less language training). The actual days overseas begin on the date of arrival in the cooperating country inclusive of authorized delays enroute. Allowable annual and sick leave taken while overseas, but not LWOP, shall be included in the required period of service overseas. An amount equal to the number of days of annual and sick leave taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions or territories will be added to the required period of service overseas.(5) Salary during the travel to and from the U.S., for home leave will be limited to the time required for travel by the most expeditious air route. Except for reasons beyond the USPSC's control as determined by the Contracting Officer, the USPSC must return to duty after home leave and complete the additional required service or be responsible for reimbursing USAID for payments made during home leave. Unused home leave is not reimbursable under this contract, nor can it be taken incrementally in separate time periods.(6) Home leave must be taken at one time, and to the extent deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer, an USPSC in the U.S., on home leave may be authorized to spend not more than five (5) days in work status for consultation at USAID/Washington before returning to post. Consultation at locations other than USAID/Washington as well as any time in excess of five (5) days spent for consultation must be approved by the Mission Director or the Contracting Officer.(d) Home Leave for Qualifying Posts (HLQP). USPSCs who ordinarily qualify for home leave and have completed a 12-month assignment at one of the USAID qualifying posts (currently Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan) are entitled to take ten (10) workdays of leave in addition to the home leave an USPSCs is normally entitled to under the contract in accordance with sub-paragraphs (c)(1) - (6) above. This additional home leave is provided pursuant to an amendment to the Foreign Service Act of 1980 signed by the President on June 15, 2006.There is no requirement that an eligible USPSC take this additional leave; it is for optional use by the USPSC. If an eligible USPSC elects to take HLQP, the USPSC must take ten (10) workdays of home leave. If the USPSC is returning to the United States and not returning overseas to the same or different USAID Mission, HLQP will not apply.This new home leave policy is also extended to qualifying Third-Country National PSCs (TCNPSCs) who have an approved exception under AIDAR Appendix J, sec. 4(c)(2)(ii)(B), to apply specific provisions from AIDAR Appendix D, and whose contract includes this General Provision. However, TCNPSCs will be granted "country leave" vice home leave. The application, requirements, and restrictions will be the same as for USPSCs, but the time taken by a TCNPSC will be taken in the TCNPSC's home country or country of recruitment rather than in the United States, its commonwealths and territories.(e) Holidays and Excused Absences. The contractor shall be entitled to all holidays and or excused absences granted by the USAID to U.S. direct-hire employees.(f) Military Leave. Military leave of not more than 15 calendar days in any calendar year may be granted to a contractor who is a reservist of the U.S. Armed Forces. The contractor must provide advance notice of the pending military leave to the Contracting Officer or the Mission Director as soon as known. A copy of any such notice must be part of the contract file.(g) Leave Without Pay (LWOP). LWOP may be granted only with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission Director, unless a USPSC is requesting for such leave for family and leave purposes under paragraph (i) below.(h) Compensatory Time. Compensatory time leave may be granted only with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission Director in rare instances when it has been determined absolutely essential and used under those guidelines which apply to USAID U.S. direct-hire employees.(i) Family and Medical Leave (FML)(1) USAID provides family and medical leave (FML) for eligible USPSCs working within the U.S., or any Territories or possession of the United States, in accordance with Title I of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, and as administered by the Department of Labor under 29 CFR 825. USAID is also extending FML to eligible USPSCs working outside the U.S., or any Territories or possession of the U.S., in accordance with this paragraph (i) as a matter of policy discretion. (2) FML only applies to USPSCs, not any other type of PSC.(3) To be eligible for FML, a USPSC must have been employed (i) for at least 12 months by USAID; and (ii) for at least 1,250 hours of service with USAID during the previous 12-month period. The specific eligibility criteria and requirements are provided in USAID policy.(4) In accordance with 29 CFR 825.200(a) and USAID policy, an eligible USPSC may take up to 12 workweeks of leave under FMLA, Title I, in any 12-month period for the following reasons:(a) The care of the USPSC's newborn child.(b) The care of the USPSC's newly placed adopted or foster care child.(c) The care of the USPSC's spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition. (d) The USPSC's own serious health condition.(e) A qualifying exigency arising from the USPSC's spouse, child or parent in active duty military status.(f) Other qualifying exigencies as determined by the Department of Labor.(5) In accordance with 29 CFR Part 825.207, the USPSC may take LWOP for FML purposes. However, the USPSC may choose to substitute LWOP with accrued paid leave, including accrued annual or sick leave, or compensatory time earned under this contract. If the USPSC does not choose to substitute accrued paid leave, the CO, in consultation with the USPSC's supervisor, may require the USPSC to substitute accrued paid leave for LWOP. The CO must verify the accuracy of the USPSC's accrued paid leave request and obtain the required certifications for approval of FML in accordance with the stated USAID policy.(6) FML is not authorized for any period beyond the completion date of this contract.(7) When requesting FML, the USPSC must demonstrate eligibility to the USPSC's supervisor by completing USAID's FML request forms, including certifications and other supporting documents required by USAID policy.(8) The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL's) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Publication 1420 explains the FMLA's provisions and provides information concerning procedures for filing complaints for violations of the Act.(j) Leave Records. The contractor shall maintain current leave records for himself/herself and make them available, as requested by the Mission Director or the Contracting Officer.[END PROVISION] ATTACHMENT 3FAR 52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (FEB 2009).(a) Definitions. As used in this clause-"Coercion" means-(1) Teats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person;(2) Any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform anact would result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person; or(3) The abuse or teatened abuse of the legal process."Commercial sex act" means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to orreceived by any person."Debt bondage" means the status or condition of a debtor arising from a pledge by the debtor ofhis or her personal services or of those of a person under his or her control as a security for debt, ifthe value of those services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debtor the length and nature of those services are not respectively limited and defined."Employee" means an employee of the Contractor directly engaged in the performance of workunder the contract who has other than a minimal impact or involvement in contract performance."Forced Labor" means knowingly providing or obtaining the labor or services of a person-(1) By teats of serious harm to, or physical restraint against, that person or another person;(2) By means of any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that, if theperson did not perform such labor or services, that person or another person would sufferserious harm or physical restraint; or(3) By means of the abuse or teatened abuse of law or the legal process."Involuntary servitude" includes a condition of servitude induced by means of-(1) Any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that, if the person did notenter into or continue in such conditions, that person or another person would suffer seriousharm or physical restraint; or(2) The abuse or teatened abuse of the legal process."Severe forms of trafficking in persons" means-(1) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or inwhich the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or(2) The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor orservices, tough the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntaryservitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."Sex trafficking" means the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of aperson for the purpose of a commercial sex act.(b) Policy. The United States Government has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding trafficking in persons. Contractors and contractor employees shall not-(1) Engage in severe forms of trafficking in persons during the period of performance of the contract;(2) Procure commercial sex acts during the period of performance of the contract; or(3) Use forced labor in the performance of the contract.(c) Contractor requirements. The Contractor shall-(1) Notify its employees of-(i) The United States Government's zero tolerance policy described in paragraph (b) of thisclause; and(ii) The actions that will be taken against employees for violations of this policy. Suchactions may include, but are not limited to, removal from the contract, reduction in benefits,or termination of employment; and(2) Take appropriate action, up to and including termination, against employees orsubcontractors that violate the policy in paragraph (b) of this clause.(d) Notification. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer immediately of-(1) Any information it receives from any source (including host country law enforcement) thatalleges a Contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee has engaged inconduct that violates this policy; and(2) Any actions taken against Contractor employees, subcontractors, or subcontractoremployees pursuant to this clause.(e) Remedies. In addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contractor's failure to comply with the requirements of paragraphs (c), (d), or (f) of this clause may result in-(1) Requiring the Contractor to remove a Contractor employee or employees from theperformance of the contract;(2) Requiring the Contractor to terminate a subcontract;(3) Suspension of contract payments;(4) Loss of award fee, consistent with the award fee plan, for the performance period in whichthe Government determined Contractor non-compliance;(5) Termination of the contract for default or cause, in accordance with the termination clause ofthis contract; or(6) Suspension or debarment.(f) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f), in all subcontracts.(g) Mitigating Factor. The Contracting Officer may consider whether the Contractor had a Trafficking in Persons awareness program at the time of the violation as a mitigating factor when determining remedies. Additional information about Trafficking in Persons and examples of awareness programs can be found at the website for the Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at http://www.state.gov/g/tip.
SOL-OAA-16-000049 US Agency for International Development Washington Office
2/29/16, 11:37 AM