1 - SOL SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisor - 720BHA23R00009 CO signed.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: March 17, 2023 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: September 22, 2023, 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

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

720BHA23R00009

Attachment 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 17, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: This solicitation is open and continuous until September 22, 2023. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

April 17, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time June 30, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time September 22, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered for positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be canceled at the Contracting Officer’s discretion.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: FARO Recruitment Team, BHA.FARORecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Support Relief Group (SRG) Shelter and Settlements Advisor (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: This position can be filled at either the GS-12 ($71,099 - $92,429 ) or GS-13 ($84,546 - $109,908), or GS-14 ($99,908 - $129,878) equivalent level.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-12 will be considered for the GS-12 level positions. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-13 will be considered for the GS-13 level only. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-14 will be considered for the GS-14 level only.

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.

If the position is for a Washington based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C.

area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.

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

STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as part of the SRG. BHA intends to contract for these services for a maximum of 250 days per calendar year. Activation days vary but will not exceed 250 days during each contract year.

The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by BHA and the contractor. Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, BHA will contact the contractor and provide the following information:

1. Date contractor is needed to report to BHA or assignment in the field

2. Duration of Assignment

3. Place of Performance

The contractor will notify BHA within 24 hours of availability. At the time the contractor accepts the assignment, he/she is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment.

While the contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 250 days). The contractor shall notify BHA at the time of commitment if their existing schedule would preclude an extension. Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify the contractor from the assignment but will simply assist BHA in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if the contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, the contractor will be required to give BHA 10 days’ notice for release from the assignment.

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.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT

The Support Relief Group (SRG) is a program developed by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) to satisfy its growing need for surge capacity. In response to numerous disasters worldwide, it became clear that BHA could not find, in a timely manner, adequate staff to cover all positions in the field and in Washington, and to backfill for permanent staff deploying to the field. The SRG program brings on board select candidates who could work on a part-time intermittent basis, for no more than 250 days per calendar year, and who can be

3 | Page deployed within hours to facilitate BHA’s response to disasters, or to backfill staff in Washington and other locations. SRG positions are contracted for five years.

The activation of the SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisor will be coordinated with the Office of Technical and Program Quality’s (TPQ’s) Shelter and Settlements Team. The Shelter and Settlements Team supports BHA’s efforts to provide safer, habitable, and covered living spaces and settlements where affected households can resume critical social and livelihood activities.

This assistance focuses not only on reducing the immediate and short-term economic, social, and physical vulnerability of disaster-affected households and their communities, but - importantly -also lays the foundation for longer term recovery.

BHA requires the services of SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisors in order to meet its objectives of programming, monitoring, and evaluating BHA Shelter and Settlements programs.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

At the GS-12 Level:

● Provide technical assistance in assessment, design, planning, implementation, operations, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation regarding BHA’s Shelter and Settlements activities and interventions.

● Assist in the strategic planning and development of BHA’s and agency-wide Shelter and Settlements activities.

● Provide technical expertise to ensure that BHA Shelter and Settlements activities are sound, sustainable, and appropriate within the BHA mandate.

● Provide systematic analysis of available Shelter and Settlements tools and programmatic guidance.

● Assist regional teams and technical leads in assessing gaps and needs.

● Review and analysis of Shelter and Settlements efforts of other organizations.

● Assess priority countries for Shelter and Settlements interventions.

● Develop strategic, integrated, and comprehensive approaches to Shelter and Settlements.

● Review and comment on project proposals and regional strategies related to Shelter and

Settlements activities.

● Coordinate with the BHA Training Unit to incorporate Shelter and Settlements activities into various BHA training modules, as appropriate, in order to build capacity within BHA and among partner relief agencies.

● Identify potentially relevant and applicable concepts, theories, and practices and operationalize them to a given situation context.

● Identify potentially relevant and applicable urban planning concepts, theories, and practices and adapt them to sector activities to fashion comprehensive, coherent, rational, and implementable response programs to fulfill mission objectives.

● Identify potentially relevant and applicable engineering, building, and construction principles, practices, and methods (e.g., critical path methods, computerized drafting tools), and adapt them to the situation context of any given humanitarian shelter and settlements intervention.

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● Support the development of technical papers, guidelines, and informational publications to help lead and inform the sector and the population at large of shelter and settlement programs, strategies, and directions.

● Work with other USAID’s bureaus/offices, development community actors, and humanitarian community actors, to advocate and provide insight for the integration of Shelter and Settlements activities into development activities and identify ways to incorporate Shelter and Settlements Sector activities into early recovery and transition activities.

At the GS-13 Level:

● Conduct initial sector-specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities, both for the initial disaster response phase and for longer-term disaster risk reduction related to shelter and settlements sector activities. Assessments may be conducted at the local, regional, sub-regional, or national level, and may be related to disaster response or to comprehensive strategy development.

● Support BHA in emergency shelter sector discussions and activities, display expert technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a resource person for shelter and settlements.

● Contribute to BHA thinking on shelter and settlements sector activities, formulate shelter and settlements sector strategies and recommendations, and provide technical support for BHA field offices, other offices within USAID, and to BHA’s TPQ Office.

● Contribute to planning and decision-making on a wide range of shelter and settlements activities, both in the Washington, D.C. and in the field.

● Support U.S. Government (USG) emergency response activities within the shelter and settlements sector with the USAID Mission, other donor agencies, and the U.S. Embassy.

● Liaise with other humanitarian organizations (United Nations (UN), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations (IOs)) and host governments to coordinate BHA activities within the shelter and settlements sector with those of the wider humanitarian community.

● Provide technical review of submitted proposals and/or concept notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practice in the shelter and settlements sector.

● Monitor and evaluate BHA-funded shelter and settlements sector activities in relation to other sectors (e.g., protection, livelihoods, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), etc.). Work requires extensive experience in and understanding of integration with other sectors (e.g., protection, livelihoods, environment, WASH, health, DRR, etc.), as well as experience and understanding of transitional, recovery, and reconstruction issues related to shelter and settlements.

● Prepare written and oral reports on shelter sector activities and issues.

● Assist in workshops and support internal training on shelter and settlements to build capacity of BHA.

● Support shelter and settlements sector activities across a wide range of actors (UN, NGOs, IOs, host governments, etc.) to ensure consistency of programming.

● Work with local, national, international, and academic fora, host country officials, and civil society organizations, to include training and publication as part of education and outreach.

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At the GS-14 Level:

● Lead initial sector-specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities, both for the initial disaster response phase and for longer-term disaster risk reduction related to shelter and settlements sector activities. Assessments may be conducted at the local, regional, sub-regional, or national level, and may be related to disaster response or to comprehensive strategy development.

● Actively lead BHA in emergency shelter sector discussions and activities, serve as a USG shelter and settlements sector resource person, and display expert technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a primary resource person for shelter and settlements.

● Take technical leadership roles for BHA thinking on shelter and settlements sector activities, author shelter and settlements sector strategies and recommendations, and communicate technical support for BHA field offices, other offices within USAID, and to BHA’s senior management.

● Take the lead in planning and decision-making on a wide range of shelter and settlements activities, both in the Washington, D.C. and in the field.

● Facilitate and coordinate actual USG emergency response activities within the shelter and settlements sector with the USAID Mission, other donor agencies, and the U.S. Embassy.

● Liaise with other humanitarian organizations (UN, NGOs, IOs) and host governments to coordinate BHA activities within the shelter and settlements sector with those of the wider humanitarian community.

● Provide coordination and managerial oversight of BHA-funded shelter and settlements technical activities to ensure the proper use of BHA program funds.

● Provide technical leadership in review of submitted proposals and/or concept notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practice in the shelter and settlements sector.

● Take the lead in monitoring and evaluating BHA-funded shelter and settlements sector activities in relation to other sectors (e.g. protection, livelihoods, DRR, WASH, etc.).

Work requires extensive experience in and understanding of integration with other sectors (e.g., protection, livelihoods, environment, WASH, health, DRR, etc.), as well as experience and understanding of transitional, recovery, and reconstruction issues related to shelter and settlements.

● Author written and oral reports on shelter sector activities and issues which shows ability to articulate technical concerns to audiences not familiar with Shelter and Settlements.

● Conduct or support studies to examine market conditions for building materials and non-housing portions of the building stock in affected areas. Apply new developments in the shelter and settlements sector to BHA programming.

● Facilitate workshops and lead trainings on shelter and settlements to build capacity of BHA and its partners.

● Lead and facilitate shelter and settlements sector activities across a wide range of actors (UN, NGOs, host governments, etc.) to ensure consistency of programming.

● Provide shelter and settlements assessments following a disaster and decide on sector strategy and programming.

● Work entails engagement and representation at local, national, international, and academic fora, and with host country officials and civil society organizations, as well as

6 | Page other related activities, to include training and publication as part of education and outreach.

All GS Levels

● Sign up for and serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams

(RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

● As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. 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). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. 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.

● As needed, may serve on a temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs.

Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.

● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.

● Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, division, office, and Bureau objectives.

● Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to Bureau and TPQ programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas.

● Attend and actively participate in personal-development activities, such as anti-harassment and diversity training opportunities, brown bag sessions, working groups and/or focus group discussions.

● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

● The SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisors 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.

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SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Office of Field and Response Operations/Response Resources Division Director or his/her designee. When activated, the SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisor will be a part of TPQ’s Shelter and Settlements Team, receiving day-to-day guidance and management from the Shelter and Settlements Team.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

At the GS-12 and GS-13 Levels:

Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available; the USPSC consults with the supervisor to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. The USPSC is responsible for planning approaches or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.

At the GS-14 Level:

Supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.

The USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out programs, projects, studies or other work. Results are considered authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

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.)

At the GS-12 Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines:

construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least one (1) year was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment; architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, four (4) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least six (6) months was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

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At the GS-13 Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least two (2) years were obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, five (5) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least one (1) year was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

At the GS-14 Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of nine (9) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least three (3) years were obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least two (2) years was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

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

9 | Page https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far 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 asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract, if applicable.

● 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 evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses.

Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process. The rating factors are as follows:

MATRIX (30 points)

At the GS-12 Level:

Donor or Non-Profit Experience:

● Experience working in a humanitarian organization and supporting shelter and settlement in an emergency response. (10 points)

Teamwork:

● Experience working within diverse teams. (10 points)

Field Experience:

● International work experience in one of the following areas: construction, urban planning, architecture, or engineering. (10 points)

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At the GS-13 and GS-14 Level Donor or Non-Profit Experience:

● Experience working in a humanitarian organization and supporting shelter and settlement emergency responses. (8 points)

● At least 1 year of demonstrated experience working with or within the Global Shelter Cluster in a developing country. (4 points)

Teamwork:

● Experience working within diverse teams. (8 points)

Field Experience:

● International work experience in one of the following areas: construction, urban planning, architecture, or engineering. (paid)assist (8 points)

Representation/Communication:

● Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills in communicating error-free complex humanitarian topics to groups across a range of meeting types and range of participants. (2 Points)

Interview Performance (40 points)

Timed Writing Test (20 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

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.

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IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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. 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.

(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.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must 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.

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.

5. Ensure Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.* USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

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*See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.

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 http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

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. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

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:

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(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

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at:

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

2. PART 52 - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2 - Text of Provisions and Clauses

52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS, Alternate 70.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01c)

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(a) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of Clause) Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042

USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”.) In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying area is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

3. 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

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations

15 | Page https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix] 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 negotiations 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 negotiations 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 negotiations 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 negotiations with Contractor

4. 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 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.

5. 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.

6. 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:

16 | Page http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-services-contracts-ombudsman

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

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.”

17 | Page https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-services-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0

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 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

18 | Page 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]

APPENDIX 2

GP. 5 Leave and Holidays [Deviation (NOV 2021)]

(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, 40-hour workweek, which will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter workweek:

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—:

19 | Page

(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).

(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.