GS 15 Contracting Officer.doc

ISSUANCE DATE:

April 28, 2010

CLOSING DATE:

May 19, 2010, 5:00pm Eastern

SUBJECT: Solicitation No. 111-10-005 for U.S. Personal Service Contractor – Offshore Hire Senior Contracting/Agreement Officer, USAID/Armenia

Ladies/Gentlemen:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171) from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Senior Contracting/Agreement Officer at USAID/Armenia, under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation.

Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Send one set of U.S. Government OF 612 or SF 171. Resumes may be attached to the SF 171 or OF 612 and applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria. Incomplete or unsigned applications shall not be considered. These signed forms OF 612 or SF 171 must be mailed, delivered, faxed, or emailed (email applications must be signed) by the closing date and time specified in this solicitation to:

Attn. Narine Sarkisian

Acquisition Specialist USAID/Armenia

1 American Avenue

Yerevan 0082, Armenia

Fax: + (37410) 46-47-28

E-mail: nsarkisian@usaid.gov

Any attachments provided via e-mail shall be in Microsoft Word 2003 or pdf format, and not zipped. Note that attachments to e-mail must not exceed 3 MB in size. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications.

Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to:

Narine Sarkisian, USAID/Armenia Acquisition Specialist, nsarkisian@usaid.gov Armen Yeghiazarian, USAID/Armenia Acquisition Specialist ayeghiazarian@usaid.gov Telephone: +(37410) 49-44-66, or +(37410) 49-43-64, Fax: +(37410) 46-47-28

Sincerely, Narine Sarkisian

Acquisition Specialist USAID/Armenia

USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) – Offshore Hire, Senior Contracting/Agreement Officer, USAID/Armenia

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER:

111-10-005

2. ISSUANCE DATE:

April 28, 2010

3. CLOSING DATE:

May 19, 2010, 5:00pm Eastern

4. POSITION TITLE:

Senior Contracting/Agreement Officer at USAID/Armenia

5. MARKET VALUE:

Position is classified at GS-15 equivalent with an annual salary range of $99,628 to $129,517

6. CONTRACTING WARRANT:

Minimum of $1 million

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Two (2) years with possibility for extension

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Yerevan, Armenia

9. SUPERVISION:

Mission Director or Deputy Mission Director

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens

11. BACKGROUND:

USAID/Armenia stands at the forefront of the U.S. foreign policy agenda and plays a vital and integral part in our foreign policy objective to maintain regional stability and security in South Caucasus, to build democracy, to develop sustainable, broad-based economic growth, and to improve health and human services in a country strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Closed borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan have isolated Armenia, taxed its fragile economy, and impeded regional stability and economic integration in the region. The global economic downturn and financial crisis have hit Armenia especially hard, shrinking its economy by 15%, increasing poverty significantly, and exacerbating the need for health and social services. Recovery from the ruinous economic crisis, and resolution of the frozen conflict with Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and the closed border between Armenia and Turkey are the most pressing issues facing Armenia. USAID/Armenia manages a complex program, with a total FY 2010 operating year budget at $27 million. Its employees are organized into three technical offices implementing programs in Economic growth, Democracy and Governance, Investing in People, and three support offices (Program Office, Financial and Administrative Management Office, and Acquisition and Assistance Office (AAO).

As of March 2010, the combined value of all awards administered by AAO is about $200 million with 30 bilateral awards to 27 implementing partners. The qualified candidate will have the opportunity to serve in a dynamic Mission playing a critical role in U.S. foreign policy for Armenia.

The AAO headed by a USDH Regional CO consists of three FSN specialists and one Administrative Assistant. The USDH CO position for Armenia is currently vacant and this solicitation seeks to fill that position with a qualified USPSC CO.

11.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

A.

Basic Functions of the Position

The USPSC CO shall be responsible for provision of Acquisition and Assistance support to all USAID/Armenia’s programs. Through the application of specialized body of regulations and guidelines governing USAID direct acquisition and assistance instruments, the USPSC CO shall provide full range of pre-award and post-award procurement to all direct awards. Specifically, duties to be performed include but not limited to: (1) A&A planning; (2) Reviewing A&A requests and providing guidance; (3) Processing all necessary direct awards; (4) Ensuring documentation is prepared as required and the procurement processes are completed timely; (5) Providing training for Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Technical Representatives (COTRs/AOTRs), A&A Specialists, and implementing partners; and (6) Carrying out other special projects as may be assigned from time to time by the Mission Director and/or the Deputy Mission Director.

Contracting Warrant: The USPSC CO is expected to qualify for a contracting/assistance warrant of a minimum $1 million, in which case, the USPSC CO will have the authority to sign A&A instruments or other documents that require a warrant, and have the authority to make legal determinations that have the effect of binding the US Government.

B.

Major Duties and Responsibilities The USPSC CO is responsible for all pre-award and post-award functions involving highly complex negotiated procurements of significant importance to USAID. The USPSC CO must provide technical assistance necessary to execute a full range of procurement actions in support of USAID/Armenia. This support includes but is not limited to Task Orders, Delivery Orders, Grants and Cooperative Agreements, Fixed Price (including commercial contracts) and Cost Reimbursable Contracts, modifications to these instruments, and other miscellaneous administrative actions. The USPSC CO must conduct negotiations, prepare award documents and file documentation as required. The USPSC CO must also be available for consultation on acquisition and assistance issues.

Specifically, the USPSC CO:

I. Conducts Procurement Planning (25%)

· Serve as expert advisor on procurement planning and management to the front office.

· In line with the emphasis to use host country institutions and implementers, develop and implement a capacity building strategy for them. Assist the new implementers with indirect cost development

· Develop and improve Mission procurement planning and workload management systems;

· Participate in program planning, including reviewing and clearing related action memos, representing the OAA at program planning meetings, and identifying significant subsystems, components, equipment and services to be acquired under contract, grant, cooperative agreement or Inter-agency Agreement.

· Advises project personnel of the procurement instruments to be used and assists in the preparation of statements of work.

· Anticipate problems and provides advice to project personnel on effective implementation and time frames required.

· Develop objectives for the program in terms of competition and price range, and construct the contractual or assistance vehicle, which includes the use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside polices, and similar considerations.

· Prepare and maintain current A&A plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules, and keeps the Mission informed of anticipated workload demands.

· Provide counseling and training to new project/technical staff on USAID’s A&A regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) requirements.

· Collaborate with the technical offices in the development of evaluation criteria.

· Provide on-the-job training and mentoring to A&A specialists and assist in selecting appropriate developmental training.

· Provide advice to mission personnel on such issues as, but not limited to, resolution of special procurement problems associated with waiver requests, expediting of deliveries, apparent overlapping of responsibilities, and resolution of claims, determination of claims and disputes and resolution of questioned costs due to audit findings.

II. Analyzes Sources for the Items/Services Procured (10%)

· Develop new or innovative A&A plans, source selection plans, and terms, conditions, or financial arrangements that serve as models for future procurement; prepare solicitation documents; perform detailed analyses of all elements of cost in the proposals; and determine the competitive range and prepares defensible justifications when required.

· Conduct pre-proposal conferences with prospective contractors to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract.

· Issue necessary modifications to clarify questions concerning such topics as specification changes, language ambiguities, or clarification of contract clauses or subcontracts. Explore new and/or innovative procurement approaches to arrive at an equitable arrangement. In the absence of meaningful cost and price information, develop creative approaches to developing the necessary comparative data.

III. Negotiates Procurement of Products and Services Using a Variety of Instruments (25%)

· Plan negotiation strategy, coordinate the strategy with the negotiation team, and lead the negotiations which are conducted with contractors/grantees to develop the contract/grant prices and terms.

IV. Conducts Compliance Review (15%)

· Conduct in-depth compliance review and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract actions requiring higher-level approval. Responsible for contract administration sufficient to ensure contract terms and conditions are met and that the contractor delivers the required goods or services in a timely manner to achieve the objectives of the Agency's projects and programs. Responsibilities typically include periodic site visits, approval of changes to incremental funding, preparation of rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, coordination of time extension, incorporation of change orders, preparation of stop work orders, preparation of cure notices or show cause letters, and contract closeout.

· Advise technical offices and their implementers on their administration responsibilities contained in the instruments.

· Evaluate the adequacy of the recipient’s financial and procurement systems for areas such as personnel compensation, subcontracting/subgrant procedures, and financial management.

· Ensure the contractor's compliance with Cost Accounting Standards and requirements. Performs work associated with the analysis of automated contracting systems, or with providing advice and guidance on contracting and procurement issues including procurement using small/disadvantaged businesses.

· Terminates contracts for the convenience of the Government or default by the contractor. Responsible for the preparation of all documentation necessary to support and defend termination decisions. Negotiate termination claims.

· Resolve audit findings on post-award audits. Respond to protests by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history. Work with the Regional Legal Advisor (RLA) in preparing the Agency's position to support the Government's defense on protests to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

· Review grantee's procurement systems and procedures. In response to requests for review by grantees for the purpose of certifying their procurement system and procedures, conduct in-depth on-site evaluations of grantees contracts, contracting procedures, contract planning, competition, cost analysis, organizations, contractor qualifications, procurement and contract administration systems, and similar functions.

· Prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations to managers as a result of the reviews.

V. Monitors Contractor's Performance (20%)

· Perform contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements. Responsibilities typically include functions such as incremental funding, redirection of effort, coordination of time extension, incorporation of change orders, issuance of stop work orders, approval of progress payments, and final payment to the contractor.

· Independently review contractors performance through site visits, correspondence, and telephone conversation for completion of applicable contract clauses e.g., small business, patent rights, labor laws, and progress reports.

· Recommend issuing cure or show-cause notices when the contractor is not in compliance.

· Conduct contract reviews and assistance instrument progress to evaluate performance.

· Monitor contractor activities through personal contact or review to assure compliance with technical, financial, delivery, and other terms of the contract.

· Review official contract files to ensure no pending administrative action; contract is complete in every aspect and ready to close, and to obtain and approve all closeout documentation. Coordinate contract administration activities for long-term, extensive technical service contracts.

· Monitor contractor's performance on contract, regulatory, and statutory provisions through telephone conversations, correspondence, reports, vouchers, and visits. Monitor status of contract performance, approval of progress payments, reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals resulting from change orders, scheduling, problems that have arisen and proposed solutions, verification of deliveries, and similar activities.

· Interpret contract provisions for contractors and for the Mission, and provide appropriate advice and guidance.

VI. Conducts Policy Research, Analysis, and Interpretation (5%)

· Formulate new or improved contracting policies in a functional area of procurement, e.g., pre-award or price/cost analysis, including responsibility for formulating guidelines, implementing new developments, and providing policy interpretation to subordinate contracting activities.

· Recommend, develop, issue, and maintain procurement policies to ensure consistency in implementation.

12. POSITION ELEMENTS:

A. Supervision Received: Supervision will be provided by the Mission Director or Deputy Mission Director.

B. Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will provide supervision for three Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) Acquisition and Assistance Specialists and one Administrative Assistant.

C. Available Guidelines: Reference and guidance materials to be used by the USPSC CO in performing the duties described in this solicitation shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR)

USAID Automated Directive Systems (ADS)

USAID Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPD/CIB)

USAID Procurement Executive Bulletins (PEBs)

D. Exercise of Judgment: The employee exercises independent judgment and initiative as the sole procurement representative on the assistance objective team to 1) identify those aspects of regulations which apply to the particular procurement; 2) develop justification for adopting a procurement posture; 3) tailor provisions to meet special requirements and develop criteria or justifications involving contractor claims; and 4) to recommend the selection of winning contractors or grantees. S/he also determines and uses special clauses, clearances, and determinations applicable to certain procurements. The candidate should demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of USAID A&A policies and procedures, including but not limited to the available guidelines mentioned above, as well as the Federal Acquisition Regulations. It is also critical that the USPSC CO possesses the knowledge of USAID project development and implementation policies and practices.

E. Authority to make commitments: The USPSC CO will be authorized to make commitments on behalf of the US Government in accordance with the terms of his/her contracting/agreement warrant.

F. Nature, level and purpose of contacts: Contacts include international, national and local firms, small businesses, disadvantaged business firms, and other suppliers and non-governmental organizations. Typical contacts with implementing partners include officers and technical experts representing these organizations. The incumbent works with technical staff, attorneys, auditors, and others from within the Agency or other agencies. The contacts occur in moderately unstructured settings, with the roles and authorities being developed during the negotiation or discussion. The purpose of contacts with external groups is to conduct conferences, share USAID policies on recent procurement innovations, techniques and reforms, to conduct fact finding, negotiate contracts/grants, and modifications, and resolve numerous problems during contract/grant administration. Contacts with internal Mission teams are to advise on developing procurement plans and strategies leading to implementation. Contacts at host country counterpart institutions are to represent USAID overseeing briefing sessions by potential contractors, and ensure that the counterpart employees understand USAID procurement processes fully. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to meet and deal effectively with cooperating government officials, business and industry officials and Mission's staff at all levels.

G. Interpersonal Skills: The USPSC CO must exercise discretion and tact in a variety of stressful situations and when dealing with personnel to resolve challenges that arise during the course of the work, for which there often is not a clear solution. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills as the incumbent works with and coordinates with a broad range of Mission employees, partners, analysts, program implementers and senior officials in a multicultural setting.

13. QUALIFICATIONS / SELECTION CRITERIA:

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria. Reference checks will seek to corroborate candidate self-assessments against these criteria.

A.

Education and Training (30)

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is required. A graduate degree in a relevant field is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will have completed or has made substantial progress toward completing the requirements for certification under the USAID/OFPP FAC-C Certification Level III or equivalent. The candidate must qualify for USAID Acquisition and Assistance warrants in accordance with Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program (FAC-C) and USAID requirements.

B.

Prior Work Experience and Knowledge (50) Ten years of substantive and professional contracting and assistance program management is required. Such experience should include the full range of contracting and assistance responsibilities, including: acquisition and assistance award execution, administration, termination, cost and price analysis; procurement planning, and analysis and evaluation of proposals; negotiation of changes; execution of options; investigation and resolution of contractor delays; contractor performance appraisal; subcontractor surveillance; and, disposition of claims. Experience in planning, awarding and administering construction contracts is desired.

This requirement is for a senior position and the successful candidate must demonstrate a high level of technical knowledge and an understanding of the complex issues that can affect the implementation of foreign assistance programs. The successful candidate will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of USG acquisition and assistance procedures and a thorough knowledge and understanding of Federal contracting and procurement regulations, policies and practices; knowledge of cost principals, knowledge of cost plus/award fee and performance based contracting procedures is necessary. The ability to plan, organize, and manage complex negotiations is very important and experience that demonstrates pre-award negotiation skills is required. It is also important that the incumbent have knowledge of USG project development and implementation regulations and practices.

Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the ability to work within the regulatory context of the FAR is essential. In addition, knowledge of the following is preferred: USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR); USAID Contract Information Bulletins (CIBS) and Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs); Procurement Executive Bulletins (PEBs); the USAID Automated Directive System (ADS); Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars; and, Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations as applicable to USAID.

Knowledge of the USAID Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) is desirable.

C.

Abilities and Skills (20)

The candidate must: be able to work in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines; have good teamwork and interpersonal skills; be able to communicate complex policy and programmatic issues; be able to maintain and adhere to high standards of professional conduct; be able to function as a team leader during contract negotiations, and personally negotiate the majority of assigned acquisition and assistance actions. The candidate must be skilled in managing and coordinating activities in procuring a variety of actions concurrently.

The candidate selected must have the ability to provide technical and administrative supervision of A&A staff and their work assignments, to formulate and monitor their completion of training plans, to manage their performance evaluations and award nominations and to promote their overall professional development.

Excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as an excellent ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into cohesive, polished documents are required; there is no requirement for local language proficiency. Proficiency in standard operating and application software (Windows, Microsoft Word, and Excel) is required.

Maximum points available: 100 14.

TERM OF PERFORMANCE/Compensation:

The base term of the contract will be for 2 years with a possible extension contingent on availability of funds, USG requirements and incumbent performance. The position has been classified at a U.S. Government GS 15. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within that pay band, depending on qualifications and previous salary history. It is unlikely that an individual will be selected who does not already have the prior training and experience to fully perform at the GS 15 equivalent level, or who in some other way does not fully meet all requirements for the position. However, should such an individual be offered a position, the offered salary may be at less than the GS 15 pay band. In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees, will be added.

15.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES:

The selected candidate must be able to obtain both a security clearance and a medical clearance for Armenia.

The security clearance involves a comprehensive investigation performed by the appropriate U.S. Government agency.

Details on how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit clearance and security clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

16.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore US PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

A. BENEFITS:

Employee's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Annual Salary Increase

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service (if applicable)

B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

Post Allowance (Section 220)

Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

Post Differential (Chapter 500)

Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

Danger Pay (Section 650)

Educational Allowance (Section 270)

Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

Educational Travel (Section 280)

C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

17.

APPLYING

Qualified individuals are requested to submit:

1. A completed and signed U.S. Government Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171 available at the USAID websites: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html, http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp, or at Federal offices (please send signed and scanned copy if applying by e-mail). Applicants are encouraged to include additional pages to OF-612 to provide complete information on their work experience;

2. A curriculum vitae and a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria;

3. Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance (if possible for the last ten years), and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

4. Applications may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing time and date to:

Narine Sarkisian

Acquisition Specialist

USAID/Armenia

1 American Avenue

Yerevan 0082, Armenia

Fax: + (37410) 46-47-28

Or e-mail:

nsarkisian@usaid.gov and ayeghiazarian@usaid.gov All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. Applications received after the submission date and time shall be considered late and will not be considered for award. Equipment failures by the applicant networks or potential employer are not acceptable reasons for late submission.

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The selection will be based on the panel evaluation of the applicants vis-à-vis selection criteria mentioned previously. Only qualified candidates meeting all the requirements for the position will be contacted. Applicants should also note that the salary history for the purpose of the OF-612 is the salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the forms. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

USAID reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation.

Point of Contact:

Narine Sarkisian, USAID/Armenia Acquisition Specialist, nsarkisian@usaid.gov 18.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/

1. Optional Form 612 or Standard Form 171.

2. Contractor Physical Examination (DS 1843 and DS 1622 Forms) **

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security)

(SF-86), or **

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

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

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

19.

POLICY GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO PSCS

1. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) and CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which AAPDs and CIBs apply to this contract.

2. AIDAR: The Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D - Direct USAID Contracts With U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents for Personal Services Abroad found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf is the primary regulation governing USPSCs for USAID.