2023 Solicitation PMI Advisor-Niger.pdf

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72068324R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 22, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 26, 2024- 11:59 p.m. (GMT)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: usaidniamey-hr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Presidential Malaria Initiative Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($99,908 – $129,878 per annum) (Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.)

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Niamey, Niger with possible travel as stated in the Statement of

Duties.

Overseas USPSCs (and TCNPSCs not subject to the local compensation plan,) 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: Immediate upon receipt of security/medical clearances. The base period will be for one year, estimated to start on o/a March 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise four (4) additional option periods of one (1) year for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a March 2024 to February 2025 Option Period 1: o/a March 2025 to February 2026 Option Period 2: o/a March 2026 to February 2027 Option Period 3: o/a March 2027 to February 2028 Option Period 4: o/a March 2028 to February 2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens, Third Country Nationals

Hiring Preference: In order of preference, U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first. Only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citize3ns and permanent legal residents) will the offers from Third Country Nationals be considered. Reference ADS 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret clearance in case of US Citizens and Facility Access/Moderate Risk Public Trust in the case of US Residents and Third Country Nationals.

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11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Background

The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is an interagency initiative led by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The PMI Strategy for 2015-2020 takes into account the progress over the past decade and the new challenges that have arisen. Malaria prevention and control remains a major U.S. foreign assistance objective and PMI’s Strategy fully aligns with the U.S. Government’s vision of ending preventable child and maternal deaths and ending extreme poverty. It is also in line with the goals articulated in the Roll Back Malaria Partnership’s second-generation global malaria action plan, Action and Investment to defeat Malaria (AIM) 2016-2030: for a Malaria-Free World and WHO’s updated Global Technical Strategy: 2016-2030. Under the PMI Strategy 2015-2020, the U.S. Government’s goal is to work with PMI-supported countries and partners to further reduce malaria deaths and substantially decrease malaria morbidity, towards the long-term goal of elimination.

Niger was selected as a PMI focus country in Fiscal Year 2017. The PMI/Niger program will be managed by a three-person team which includes (at a minimum) one offshore hire USAID Resident Advisor, one offshore hire CDC Resident Advisor, and one locally engaged Malaria Specialist. These full-time in-country PMI team members will work with the Government of Niger to oversee the $18 million annual U.S. Government investment in Niger.

Malaria remains a major public health issue and is endemic throughout the country. Malaria is the primary cause of illness in Niger accounting for 28% of all illness in country. According to Niger’s Annual Health Statistic Report 2016, there were 3,374,678 simple malaria cases, 172,407 severe malaria cases, and 1,561 malaria deaths. According to Niger’s National Malaria Strategic Plan (MSP) between 2014 and 2015, children under five years of age accounted for about three-fifths of the burden of disease (62.43%) and about three-quarters of malaria-related mortality in the country (74.65 %). The country is divided into three malaria strata/zones which are referred to as hypo-endemic, meso-endemic, and hyperendemic, and are defined by the length of their malaria transmission seasons. The majority of Niger’s population, 94%, lives in the two southern zones where malaria is most prevalent.

Position Description

The Senior Malaria Advisor shall provide specialized, senior-level technical expertise in malaria, as well as leadership, guidance, and overall direction on the development and execution of the PMI in collaboration with the PMI CDC Malaria Advisor. The Contractor shall liaise with backstops for the PMI in USAID Washington, CDC counterparts in country and Atlanta, and USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s activities related to malaria control. These responsibilities include providing expert malaria technical guidance and advice to national malaria control program and district level counterparts, and other malaria control partners, including other United States Government (USG) entities working in malaria prevention and control. The Malaria Advisor shall exercise extensive independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, in representing the USG in critical technical and policy forums, in resolving problems and conflicts, and in taking steps necessary to meet deadlines.

The Senior Malaria Advisor will also represent USAID at functions; approve policy documents; provide technical guidance and/or directly manage contracts and grants; budget; and develop planning documents and workplans.

The incumbent must possess specific technical expertise in the area of malaria treatment, prevention and control and possess an understanding of the social, economic and cultural determinants and implications of the epidemic in Niger and neighboring countries, as well as have the experience and skills required to help formulate the USG position on malaria and make important policy decisions as a key representative of the USAID/Niger country office.

Specifically, the Advisor shall:

● Ensure that all activities are consistent with internationally accepted technical best practices for malaria control and relevant to the specific epidemiology of Niger;

● Collaborate with senior staff of the NMCP and other partners, such as the Global Fund (GF), WHO, UNICEF, World Bank (WB) and NGOs and FBOs to design, plan and implement malaria prevention and control activities consistent with the malaria control coverage needs identified by the strategy and plans of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) and PMI;

● Coordinate with other partners and support efforts to address malaria control delivery gaps and help build technical and managerial capacity within the NMCP at the national, district and lower levels;

● Provide technical support to all partners and managerial support as needed during the designing and implementation phases of the project to ensure the quality of interventions supported and that programmatic targets are met;

● Work with suppliers and partners to ensure that programmatic commodities are purchased in a timely and cost effective manner. Also, ensure that the absorptive capacity exists in implementation sites to receive, manage and distribute these items effectively.

● Ensure that malaria activities are integrated into overall USAID-supported health activities and to coordinate these activities with the NMCP and MOH to avoid duplication of effort and programming gaps;

● Ensure full accountability and value for money of funds provided by the President’s Initiative on Malaria. Ensure that financial and technical reports on the President’s Malaria Initiative in Niger are prepared and submitted as required;

● Assist the NMCP and Ministry of Health (MOH) in ensuring effective communication and coordination between Roll Back Malaria and Global Fund partners, including donor agencies and other stakeholders working on malaria control in Niger;

● Ensure effective coordination between MOH departments related to malaria prevention and control in Niger. These departments include MOH Senior Management, NMCP, Maternal and Child Health (DSME), Statistics and Disease Surveillance and Response (DSS/RE), Nutrition and Child Survival (DANSE), Community Health (DSC), Public Health Laboratory (LANSPEX), and others as appropriate;

● Work with the NMCP and other partners to develop and execute a monitoring and evaluation plan to be implemented through existing MoH systems and existing USG supported mechanisms. Carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ascertain all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly and ensure programmatic quality and value for money are maintained.

Duties and responsibilities

The Senior Malaria Advisor, in collaboration with the PMI CDC Technical Advisor, shall oversee the technical design, planning, implementing, and monitoring of the PMI. S/he shall work with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor as a team in liaising with backstops for the PMI in USAID Washington, counterparts at CDC Atlanta, USAID personnel working within and overseeing the Mission’s activities related to malaria control and providing technical and managerial support to the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) Director and the staff and helping to build capacity within the NMCP. In addition, the Malaria Advisor shall represent USAID and the USG on various national and international technical and policy forums.

Specifically, the Senior Malaria Advisor shall provide:

● Technical Leadership (30%) The incumbent, working in collaboration with the NMCP and PMI staff in the US, will be responsible for developing and providing expert malaria technical guidance and advice to guide planning and implementation of malaria control interventions. The incumbent will be responsible for developing annual work plans in line with PMI objectives and goals. This will include but is not limited to case management of malaria in health facilities at the community level, distribution of LLINs through health facilities, large-scale campaigns, and the private sector, intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, indoor residual spraying, and developing information, education and communications materials to promote the use of these interventions.

● Management of Activity Implementation (25%) The incumbent, in collaboration with the NMCP, will be responsible for the overseeing the management of projects being implemented under the PMI. This includes but is not limited to malaria prevention and control activities such as behavior change and communication activities, bednet purchase and distribution through the existing health services at the community level, antimalarial drug purchase and distribution through the existing health services, IPT coverage and the diagnosis and treatment of acute malaria, and the indoor residual spraying conducted under the initiative. The incumbent, in collaboration with the PMI CDC Resident Advisor, will also be responsible monitoring and reporting the results of all PMI activities. The Malaria Advisor shall manage and oversee services and deliverables provided by contractors and grantees, in accordance with USAID program management regulations and procedures, and practices.

● Partner Relationships (25%) Successful performance in this position depends upon establishing and maintaining productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the MOH, provincial governments, World Bank, Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, other Donors, and NGOs dealing with issues focusing on malaria, The Advisor shall, therefore, develop and maintain relationships with these partners and stakeholders in order to effectively assure that all of USG PMI’s activities are complementary and enhance all other malaria activities being implemented in Niger. The incumbent will participate in meetings hosted by the NMCP on malaria.

● Coordination with other PMI Personnel (10%) The incumbent will be required to communicate regularly and work jointly with other members of the USAID/Washington Global Health Bureau, USAID/Niger Health team, and CDC Atlanta.

● Monitoring and Evaluation (10%) Monitoring and evaluation is a key component of the PMI. The Malaria Advisor shall be responsible for working with the PMI CDC Malaria Resident Advisor developing a monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the PMI targets, as well as ensure that PMI partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities. It is also expected that the Malaria Resident Advisor shall provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the MOH, the NMCP and other partners to monitor inputs and outcomes, progress towards RBM goals, and how to execute it jointly.

If a third country national (TCN) PSC is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN contractor must provide at least twelve (12) days a year of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the contractor’s progress toward achieving this training deliverable.

Position Elements

Supervisory Relationship: This position will report directly to the Health Office Director.

Supervisory Control: It is not envisioned that this position will supervise anyone.

If a third country national (TCN) is selected for an award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 20 days /40 hours of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC’s progress toward achieving this training deliverable.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education Minimum of a master’s degree in public health international health, or social sciences from a recognized institution and/or clinical qualifications. Specialized experience in malaria is required in areas including but not limited to vector control, entomology, clinical case management of malaria, and epidemic surveillance and forecasting.

Experience The incumbent will have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and managing malaria and other/or health programs in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with African experience. Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required. Preference will be given to those candidates with proven knowledge and experience with USAID programs, procedures and systems for program design, procurement, implementation, management, and monitoring.

The incumbent will also have the following:

(a) Analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required improving the policy environment related to malaria in Niger. Management skills required to develop and implement effective malaria prevention and treatment program activities involving financial and human resources. Administrative skills are required to assist in the oversight of cooperating agency technical advisors and institutional contractors.

(b) Skill in conceptualizing programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation. The candidate must be able to integrate short and long‑range objectives of the USAID Health Team and the PMI with the cultural/organizational needs of the government.

(c) Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; experience in designing and evaluating malaria activities in Africa. The incumbent must have proven skills in capacity building and mentoring local staff in a developing country.

(d) Demonstrable skills are required in working effectively with health personnel of diverse cultural backgrounds, negotiating agreements on matters of program strategy and performance, writing, administration, and management. Ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues related to malaria control.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills are critical to this position. The incumbent must have the following:

(a) Must be able to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners, and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is a must.

(b) Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical health information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.

Language Communication & Computer Skills

The incumbent must have:

(a) Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing in English and French at the 4/4 or equivalent level. Demonstrated ability to make sensitive oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior USG and GOS officials and donors.

(b) Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Have superior verbal communication skills to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. Ability to communicate technical information to health and non-health audiences.

Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.

(c) Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS and other statistical and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position.

Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.

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 Process

After the closing date for receipt of application, a Selection Committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Incomplete applications from applicants will not be scored. As part of the selection process, only shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an oral interview.

Applicants meeting the required minimum qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

Evaluation factors

Education (20 points) Minimum of a master’s degree in public health, international health, or social sciences from a recognized institution and/or comparable clinical qualifications.

Experience (45 points) The incumbent will have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and managing malaria and other/or health programs in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with African experience. Specialized experience in malaria is required in areas including but not limited to vector control, entomology, clinical case management of malaria, https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far and epidemic surveillance and forecasting. Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem-solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required. Preference will be given to those candidates with proven knowledge and experience with USAID programs, procedures and systems for program design, procurement, implementation, management, and monitoring.

The incumbent will also have the following:

(a) Analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required improving the policy environment related to malaria in Niger. Management skills required to develop and implement effective malaria prevention and treatment program activities involving financial and human resources. Administrative skills are required to assist in the oversight of cooperating agency technical advisors and institutional contractors.

(b) Skill in conceptualizing programs, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their management and implementation. The candidate must be able to integrate short and long‑range objectives of the USAID Health Team and the PMI with the cultural/organizational needs of the government.

(c) Knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; experience in designing and evaluating malaria activities in Africa. The incumbent must have proven skills in capacity building and mentoring local staff in a developing country.

(d) Demonstrable skills are required in working effectively with health personnel of diverse cultural backgrounds, negotiating agreements on matters of program strategy and performance, writing, administration, and management. Ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues related to malaria control.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills (20 points) Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills are critical to this position. The incumbent must have the following:

(a) Must be able to work effectively with a broad range of USG personnel and partners and have demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is a must.

(b) Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical health information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, research, and administrative matters.

Language Communication & Computer Skills (15 points) The incumbent must have:

(a) Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely – both orally and in writing in English and French at the 4/4 or equivalent level. Demonstrated ability to make sensitive oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior USG and GOS officials and donors.

(b) Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Have superior verbal communication skills to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners, and team members. Ability to communicate technical information to health and non-health audiences. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.

(c) Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook, Access, SPSS and other statistical and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.

TOTAL: 100 points

USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to: usaidniamey-hr@usaid.gov with the Solicitation number in the application submission.

Qualified applicants are required to submit:

1. A Cover letter with current résumé/curriculum vitae (CV) attached. The CV/résumé must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing selection criteria.

2. Applicants are required to provide a minimum of five (5) references within the last ten (10) years from the applicant's professional life namely individuals who are not family members or relatives.

References should be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant's work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

3. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, etc. Offerors are required to complete and sign the AID 309-2 form.

USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S.

Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE AND/OR UNSIGNED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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.

1. Medical History and Examination form (DS-6561)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-

Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

3. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

4. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

VI. BENEFITS

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

A. 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

B. 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

For USPSCs

(a) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

For Resident Hire US or TCNPSCs https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

If a TCN or Resident Hire USPSC is selected for this position the benefits will be adjusted as per Mission and AIDAR policy.

VII. TAXES

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

TCNPSCs are subject to an individual’s country tax laws and should follow tax requirements of their country of origin.

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

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

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and With a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar.

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

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

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-service-contracts-ombudsman

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

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted to participate in the oral interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

END OF SOLICITATION