1. Solicitation-Regional Humanitarian Advisor-GS-14.docx.pdf

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USPSC Regional Humanitarian Advisor Federal contract opportunity
Solicitation number
7200AA24R00029
Issued by
US Agency for International Development

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This solicitation seeks offers for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor position as a Regional Humanitarian Advisor in Nairobi, Kenya. Offerors must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain a Secret security clearance. The period of performance is five years with an estimated start date of 145 days after the closing date of April 19, 2024. The position pays between $104,604 and $135,987 per year and involves coordinating humanitarian assistance across East, Central, and Southern Africa on behalf of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. Responsibilities include program management, needs assessments, grant oversight, and representing USAID with partners. Offerors must meet minimum qualifications of education and experience in humanitarian aid or related fields and submit all required application materials by the closing date. USAID will evaluate offers based on the criteria in the solicitation.

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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00029

ISSUANCE DATE: March 5, 2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 19, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor

(USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Joy Burriss Contracting Officer Office of Acquisition & Assistance

(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov

JOY ANITA BURRISS

(affiliate)

Digitally signed by JOY ANITA BURRISS (affiliate) Date: 2024.03.05 11:32:16 -05'00'

SOL 7200AA24R00029 - Regional Humanitarian Advisor - BHA

Table of Contents

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 3

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION 6

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS 7

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER 9

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD 10

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES 10

VII. TAXES 11

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES, AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs 11

APPENDICES 14

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ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00029

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 5, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 19, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Africa Recruitment Team, BHA.AfricaRecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Regional Humanitarian Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604 - $135,987 equivalent to GS-14 (not eligible for Locality Pay)

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya

There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will include formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training. After completion of initial training, the Regional Humanitarian Advisor will be assigned to the place of performance.

Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

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11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helping people in need become more self-reliant. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas: 1) Humanitarian Response during emergencies and 2) Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience activities to address longer-term recovery after emergencies. You can learn more about BHA on our website.

The Office of Africa (OA) assesses, designs, and provides humanitarian assistance to partners and communities responding to, recovering from, and reducing the risk of natural disasters and complex emergencies, while linking with other USAID investments that build resilience. To achieve these objectives, humanitarian experts based overseas coordinate with local authorities and USAID Missions, while humanitarian experts based in Washington D.C. coordinate with USAID Regional and Pillar Bureaus.

The Office of Africa in Washington consists of five (5) geographic divisions: East Africa; Central Africa;

Sudans; West Africa; and Southern Africa, as well as a Management and Integration Team (MIT) that is responsible for supporting the management needs of the office and ensuring integration of policies and practices between OA and the rest of BHA. Overseas, OA has three (3) Regional Offices: Regional Office Southern Africa (ROSA), West Africa Regional Office (WARO), Sudans, East, and Central Africa Regional Office (SECARO), which support our bilateral teams in various missions through Africa. These teams are responsible for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance through grants and cooperative agreements to non-governmental organizations (NGOs); international organizations (IOs) including United Nations (UN) agencies; and to other partners to ensure the implementation and delivery of this assistance. These teams also oversee BHA Office of Africa’s nonresponse efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience, and humanitarian transition.

BHA’s DIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY

Your Uniqueness is Welcome Here!

It takes talented people with unique experiences to provide the best humanitarian aid possible. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. We strive to create an inclusive workplace, where everyone brings their authentic selves to work. We invite you to join us in providing humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate the suffering around the world.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

The Regional Humanitarian Advisor (RHA) will be responsible for regional program analysis and strategy development for BHA’s Sudans, East, and Central Africa Regional Office (SECARO) in Nairobi, Kenya. The RHA will maintain close coordination and collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, U.S. military representatives, and other United States Government (USG) interagency partners, other donors, government officials, IOs, NGOs, and the UN, in responding to humanitarian needs and sudden-onset disasters across the affected region and in relevant regional offices. Because of the substantial coordination requirements of this position, an individual with a highly collaborative work style is necessary. The RHA must be prepared to function effectively in a challenging and restrictive work environment and be willing to strictly adhere to the U.S. Embassy security guidelines. Working directly

4 | Page under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Office Director or their designee, the RHA will work in close collaboration with a team that may include other RHAs, Senior Humanitarian Advisors, Humanitarian Program Officers, Technical Specialists, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Advisors, Regional Team Leaders, Humanitarian Assistance Officers, Program Assistants, Foreign Service Nationals, and others depending on the work assigned.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Specifically, the RHA will be responsible for the following:

Contextual Specialty:

● Serve as an expert on humanitarian and resilience issues, priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities in the region of responsibility related to DRR, innovation, private sector engagement, and other cross-cutting humanitarian issues.

● Provide expert guidance on political, humanitarian, organizational, structural, and stakeholder interests specific to the region of responsibility.

● Identify opportunities to expand support across the region to cross cutting issues that bring together humanitarian, resilience, and recovery programming, while working closely with humanitarian structures to support opportunities for cooperation between humanitarian and development portfolios.

● Provide substantive guidance in the preparation of regular strategic and analytical reports on current or anticipated emergencies, as well as comprehensive preparedness documentation on assigned countries.

Portfolio Management:

● Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of BHA’s program strategy and the implementation of the resulting grants and contracts in geographic or thematic areas of responsibility.

● Guide regional team efforts to develop appropriate programmatic strategies for disaster responses and DRR efforts in the area of responsibility.

● Support growth opportunities across the geographic areas of responsibility in areas such as innovation and private sector engagement, and regularly identify linkages within USAID Missions for this work.

● Review grant applications for conceptual soundness, technical feasibility, and alignment with budget constraints for disaster assistance/emergency activities, resilience programming, and recovery.

● Identify opportunities for multi-year programs to respond to Agency priorities across the humanitarian to development spectrum, including supporting the design and review of applications for this kind of programming.

● Lead/conduct initial assessments to identify humanitarian needs and/or DRR opportunities in current disaster contexts or locations with high vulnerability.

● Support the development of more holistic DRR and resilience strategies across the region, working with teams to identify opportunities for integration of this programming.

● Monitor ongoing humanitarian response and DRR activities to validate that objectives are met, and beneficiaries are served.

● Lead the development of country, issue, or DRR and/or resilience specific strategies across the region of responsibility, as well as timely revision of these strategies as contextual realities shift.

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● Support knowledge sharing and the maximization of technical expertise across the region, including MEAL support to portfolios.

● Assess implementation approaches and strategies on an ongoing basis and make recommendations for appropriate shifts in approach or resource allocation.

● Participate in the development of in-country recommendations on difficult resource and programmatic trade-offs within the region.

Representation:

● Develop and maintain relationships with representatives of host governments, donor governments, IOs, NGOs, U.S. embassies, and USAID missions to ensure efficient and coordinated humanitarian response and DRR activities.

● Represent USAID in joint efforts to design, develop, and implement humanitarian, DRR, and/or resilience strategies and intervention with local governments, donors, partners, and UN organizations, as appropriate.

● Advise regional officials, including host country authorities and other USAID officials on disaster response, mitigation, and risk reduction efforts, including the review of sector disaster response and DRR plans.

● Work with local and regional institutions and private/public sector organizations to incorporate DRR into appropriate programs.

Leadership:

● Support regional team efforts to develop current and future strategic direction for the regional office to include programmatic, liaison and representational prioritization, and human and financial resource requirements.

● Participate in a leadership role in office-wide policy initiatives to ensure overseas perspectives are well-represented.

● Serve as a peer-mentor for program staff working to increase exposure and experience in overseas and in-country humanitarian, DRR, and resilience operations.

● As needed, lead an ethnically and culturally diverse team of program, technical, and/or administrative staff.

● The RHA does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.

General Duties:

● This position is expected to be able to qualify, train for, and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington D.C. or in/near the affected area for 4 to 6 weeks (or more) intervals. These can either be Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and/or Response Management Teams (RMTs). DARTs are deployed overseas in response to disasters, providing staff an opportunity to operate overseas for an extended period of time (e.g., 6-8 weeks). RMTs are based in Washington, D.C. and provide services to support DARTs, such as coordination and external engagement, communications, planning, logistics, travel coordination, or other similar duties (depending on the RMT role).

● As needed, may serve on temporary short-term assignments (“detail”) on other teams within the office or bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the position’s scope of work. This position requires up to 40% travel.

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● As needed, staff is expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees.

Training will be provided.

● The PSC may be expected to obtain an Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification. The AOR/COR oversees agreements and/or contracts. This includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, monthly status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, financial/budget reports, contractor performance evaluations, and compliance. More information about the AOR/COR responsibilities and related requirements can be found in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter. In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.

● In times of emergency humanitarian assistance, the PSC will serve on temporary details within the bureau. Duties performed while on detail will correspond to the level and market value for the position and the work specified to be performed in the Statement of Duties.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the BHA Nairobi-based Regional Office Director for SECARO or his/her/their designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The supervisor provides administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.

USPSC independently plans, designs, and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for administering the program/project.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested is primarily sedentary and does not involve undue physical demands. Work is primarily performed in an office setting.

During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

● A High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least ten (10) years of experience in any combination of general experience with humanitarian or development focus and responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing and evaluating programs.

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OR

● A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least six (6) years of experience in any combination of general experience with humanitarian or development focus and responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing and evaluating programs.

OR

● A Master's degree in any discipline with at least four (4) years of experience in any combination of general experience with humanitarian or development focus and responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing and evaluating programs.

AND

Specialized Experience

● International experience managing, supporting, or directly implementing humanitarian assistance, emergency management, relief, DRR, post-emergency rehabilitation, recovery, or resilience.

● Experience with program management and design.

● Experience leading, facilitating meetings, or representing teams at official functions.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

SELECTION FACTORS

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.

● Complete resume submitted. See section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be

8 | Page asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance and maintain it throughout the life of the contract. More information on medical clearance classifications can be found in 16 FAM

211.2 Clearance Classifications or the Department of State webpage on medical clearances.

● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM

The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:

BASIS OF RATING (HOW YOU WILL BE SCORED)

Education and General Experience

Required years of general experience and education Pass or Fail

Specialized Experience Experience in required specialized skills, industry knowledge to complete the duties/tasks

30 points

Offeror Interview Validation of required skills and knowledge for suitability for the position.

60 points

Professional Reference Checks

Written confirmation of current or previous professional colleagues or supervisor.

10 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)

Offerors must provide their references to BHA upon request no later than seven (7) days from the initial request. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the offeror being removed from consideration for this solicitation. In addition, the Agency has the right to seek any additional feedback on the offeror as needed.

SCORING OF OFFERORS

Specialized Experience: 30 points

Interview: 60 points

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References: 10 points

TOTAL: 100 points

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews.

Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection.

Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during the future phase of the selection process.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Documents submittal via email: BHA.AfricaRecruitment@usaid.gov

1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

4. Specialized Experience Requirement Verification. Offerors are required to download and complete the Specialized Experience Requirement Verification form in order to be considered.

Please download, complete, and submit with the application package.

a. GS-14: Specialized Experience Requirement Verification Form

5. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, 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. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. 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.

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(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.

6. 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 nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.

7. 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; the offer may be rescinded.

8. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION: 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.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

Forms outlined below can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at https://www.opm.gov/forms/standard-forms/

1. Resume.

2. USPSC Offeror Form (AID 309-2)

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). **

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **

5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **

6. Fingerprint Card (FD-258). **

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7. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). **

** Forms 3 through 7 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an offeror is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

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) Leave and Holidays

2. ALLOWANCES

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(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).

(j) Danger Pay. (Section 650).

VII. 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/ads/policy/300/aidar

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2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Year 1 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiation s with Contractor

0002 Base Year 2 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiation s with Contractor

0003 Base Year 3 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiation s with Contractor

0004 Base Year 4 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiation s with Contractor

0005 Base Year 5 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiation s with Contractor

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

AAPD 06-10 – PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility AAPD No. 06-10 is hereby incorporated as Appendix 1 to the solicitation.

AAPD 21-05 – Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (Revision 1) AAPD No. 21-05 is hereby incorporated as Appendix 2 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.222-50 – Revised Combating Trafficking in Persons FAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Appendix 3 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application.

FAR Clause 52.204-27 is hereby incorporated as Appendix 4 to the solicitation.

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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.

5. PSC Ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information:

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-services-contracts-ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov

6. FAR Revisions Incorporated by Reference

52.225-13 RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PURCHASES Feb 2021

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED

APPLICATION

Jun 2023

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APPENDIX 1

USPSC PROVISION “MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006) MEDICAL EXPENSE

PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). 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 AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6 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

15 | Page 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 through 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 AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 7 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).

[End of Provision]

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APPENDIX 2

GP. 5 Leave and Holidays [Deviation (NOV 2023)]

(a) Annual Leave

(1) The contractor may accrue annual leave at the rate specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this clause as follows:

(i) If the contract period of performance is ninety (90) calendar days or more, and the contractor's performance is continuous for the contract period of performance, the contractor is entitled to accrue annual leave as of the start date of the contract.

(ii) If the contract period of performance is ninety (90) calendar days or more, and the contractor's performance is not continuous during the contract period of performance, the contractor is entitled to accrue annual leave only for each instance of continuous performance of ninety (90) calendar days or more.

(iii) If the contract period of performance is less than ninety (90) calendar days, the contractor is not entitled to accrue annual leave.

(2) The rate at which the contractor will accrue annual leave is based on the contractor's time in service according to the table of this paragraph (a)(2). The accrual rates are based on a full-time, 80-hour biweekly pay period,which will be prorated if the contract provides for shorter work schedule:

Time in Service Annual Leave (AL) Accrual Rate 0 to 3 years 4 hours of leave for each 2-week period over 3, and up to 15 years 6 hours of AL for each 2-week period (including

10 hours AL for the final pay period of a calendar year) over 15 years 8 hours of AL for each 2-week period

(i) USAID will calculate the time in service based on all the previous service performed by the contractor as—:

(A) An individual personal services contractor with USAID for any duration covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory authority applicable to USAID; and/or

(B) A former U.S. Government (USG) direct-hire civilian employee; and/or

(C) An honorable active duty member of the uniformed services based on the definition in 5 U.S.C. 2101(3).

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(ii) In addition to the information certified by the contractor in their Offeror Information form, the contracting officer may require the contractor to furnish copies of previously executed contracts, and/or other evidence of previous service (e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214 or 215) to conduct the due diligence necessary to verify creditable previous service.

(3) Annual Leave is provided under this contract primarily for the purposes of providing the contractor necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the Supervisor, must develop an annual leave schedule early in the period of performance, taking into consideration the requirements of the position, the contractor's preference, and other factors. The maximum amount of annual leave that the contractor can carry over from one leave year to the next is limited to 240 hours. The contractor's unused annual leave balance in excess of the 240 hour maximum at the end of the last pay period of each leave year will be forfeited, unless the requirements of the position precluded the contractor from taking such leave. The contractor may be authorized to restore annual leave for exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the contractor. The restoration of annual leave may be approved only by the USAID Administrator, cognizant Assistant Administrator or Head of an Independent Office reporting directly to the USAID Administrator, and cannot be delegated further. Annual leave restored must be scheduled and used no later than either the end of the leave year two years after either—

(i) The end of the leave year two years after the date fixed by the approving official as the termination date of the exceptional circumstances beyond the contractor's control, which resulted in the forfeiture; or

(ii) The end of the contract.

(4) The contractor must use all accrued annual leave during the period of performance. At the end of the contract, the contractor will forfeit any unused annual leave except where the requirements of the position precluded the contractor from taking annual leave. In this case, the contracting officer may authorize the following:

(i) The contractor to take annual leave during the concluding weeks of the contract, not to exceed the period of performance; or

(ii) Payment of a lump-sum for annual leave not taken based on a signed, written determination and findings (D&F) from the contractor's supervisor. The D&F must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking annual leave, and the contracting officer must find that the contractor did not cause, or have the ability to control, such facts and circumstances. This lump-sum payment must not exceed the number of days the contractor could have accrued during a twelve (12)-month period based on the contractor's accrual rate.

(5) The contractor may be granted advanced annual leave by the contracting officer when circumstances warrant. Advanced leave must be approved by the Mission Director, cognizant Assistant Administrator, or Head of an Independent Office reporting directly to the Administrator, as appropriate. In no case may the contracting officer grant advanced annual leave in excess of the amount the contractor can accrue in a twelve (12)-month period or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. At the end of the period of performance or at termination, the contractor must reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advanced annual leave provided to the contractor under the contract.

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(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as USAID direct-hire employees. The contractor will accrue sick leave at a rate not to exceed four (4) hours every two (2) weeks for a maximum of thirteen (13) work-days per year based on a full-time, 80-hour biweekly pay period, and the rate of accrual will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter work schedule. The contractor may carry over unused sick leave from year to year under the same contract, and to a new follow-on contract for the same work at the same place of performance. The contractor is not authorized to carry over sick leave to a new contract for a different position or at a different location. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave at the completion of this contract.

(c) Home Leave. (1) The contractor may be granted home leave to be taken only in the U.S., its commonwealth, possessions, or territories, in one continuous period, under the following conditions:

(i) The contractor must complete twenty-four (24) continuous months of service abroad under this contract, and must not have taken more than thirty (30) workdays leave (annual, sick, or LWOP) in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions, or territories. The required service abroad will include the actual days in orientation in the U.S. (excluding any language training), travel time by the most direct route, and actual days abroad beginning on the date of arrival in the cooperating country. Any annual and sick leave taken abroad, excluding leave without pay (LWOP), will count toward the period of service abroad. Any days of annual and sick leave taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions, or territories will not be counted toward the required twenty-four (24) months of service abroad.

(ii) The contractor must agree to return immediately after completing home leave to continue performance for an additional—

(A) Two (2) years, or

(B) Not less than one (1) year, if approved in writing by the Mission Director before the contractor departs on home leave.

(iii) If the contractor agrees to meet the conditions in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause above by returning to the same USAID Mission under this contract or a new contract, the contractor may be granted thirty (30) workdays of home leave.

(iv) If the contractor agrees to meet the continued performance conditions of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause and will be relocating to a different USAID Mission under a new USAID personal services contract immediately following the completion of home leave, the contractor may be granted twenty

(20) workdays of home leave. USAID will provide the contractor these twenty days of home leave under this contract, not under the new contract.

(v) If home leave eligibility is based on paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this clause, prior to departure on home leave, the contractor must submit to the contracting officer at the current Mission, a copy of the new contract with a special award condition in the contract Schedule indicating the contractor's obligation to fulfill the commitment for continued performance in accordance with paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this clause, the contractor may be granted advanced home leave subject to all of the following conditions:

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(i) Granting of advanced home leave would serve in each case to advance the attainment of the objectives of this contract; and

(ii) The contractor has served at least eighteen (18) months abroad, as defined in paragraph (c)(4) of this clause, at the same USAID Mission under this contract, and has not taken more than 30 work days leave (annual, sick or LWOP) in the U.S.; and

(iii) The contractor agrees to return immediately to the same Mission to complete the time remaining to meet the twenty-four (24) month period of service required for home leave, which begins after the contractor returns from home leave, plus an additional—

(A) Two (2) years, or

(B) Not less than one (1) year, if approved by the Mission Director, under the current contract, or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission, before the contractor departs on home leave.

(3)(i) Home leave must be taken only in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions, or territories.

Any days spent in any other location will be charged to annual leave, or if the contractor does not have accrued annual leave to cover these days, the contractor will be placed on LWOP.

(ii) Travel time by the most direct route is authorized in addition to the home leave authorized under this “Leave and Holidays” clause. Salary during travel to and from the U.S. for home leave will be limited to the time required for travel by the most direct and expeditious route. Additional home leave travel requirements are included in the “Travel and Transportation Expenses” clause of this contract.

(iii) Except for reasons beyond the contractor's control as determined by the contracting officer, the contractor must return abroad immediately after home leave to fulfill the additional required continued performance of services for any home leave provided under this contract, or else the contractor must reimburse USAID for the salary and benefits costs of home leave, travel and transportation, and any other payments related to home leave.

(iv) Unused home leave is not reimbursable under this contract.

(4) The contracting officer may authorize the contractor to spend no more than five (5) days in work status for consultation at USAID/Washington while on home leave in the U.S., before returning abroad. Consultation in excess of five (5) days or at locations other than USAID/Washington must be approved in advance by the Mission Director or the contracting officer.

(d) Home Leave for Qualifying Posts. (1) If the contractor ordinarily qualifies for home leave and has completed a 12-month period at one of the USAID qualifying Missions, as announced by the Department of State or USAID, the contractor is entitled to ten (10) workdays of home leave in addition to the home leave the contractor is normally entitled to in accordance with paragraph (c) of this “Leave and Holidays” clause.

(2) There is no requirement that an eligible contractor take this additional home leave for qualifying Missions; it is for use at the contractor's option. If the contractor is eligible and elects to take such home leave, the contractor must take all ten (10) workdays at one time in the U.S. under the conditions described in paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4) of this clause. If the contractor is returning to the U.S. and not returning abroad to the same or different USAID

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Mission, the contractor is not eligible for home leave for qualifying Missions, and this paragraph

(d) will not apply.

(e) Holidays and Administrative Leave. The contractor is entitled to all holidays and administrative leave granted by USAID to U.S.

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