DRG-CLM 7200AA25R00030 Labor Specialist USPSC Solicitation.pdf

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

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA25R00030

ISSUANCE DATE: 01/21/2025

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 02/21/2025

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, 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 the 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, Mir Ershadullah Contracting Officer

Solicitation #7200AA25R00030 USPSC – Labor Specialist

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

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA25R00030

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 01/21/2025

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 02/21/2025 at 3 PM EDT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Jonathan Bui, e-mail at jbui@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Labor Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $120,579 - $156,755 per year equivalent to GS-13 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.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, with up to three one-year option periods, estimated to start on within 45 days of receiving notification that required security clearance has been obtained. Based on the Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for one year for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period TBD

Option Period 1 TBD

Option Period 2 TBD

Option Period 3 TBD

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Washington with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions. Telework may be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

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

10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BACKGROUND

This position is part of the CLM Office in the DRG Bureau, which focuses on promoting democratic governance, driving relevant research, and supporting over 90 field missions worldwide to develop and implement programs. USAID’s DRG sector includes support for good governance, rule of law, elections and political processes, civil society and media, human rights, and other DRG fields.

USAID currently manages over $1.7 billion a year on a broad range of democracy programs covering justice, human rights, citizen security, civil society, media, local government, legislatures, constitutional reform, political parties, elections, anti-corruption, and anti-trafficking in persons. These efforts are critical to improve government effectiveness, accountability, transparency and legitimacy, and to ensure citizens are empowered to play a role in public affairs and the decisions that affect their daily lives. They also underpin the sustainability of the Agency’s socio-economic development sectors. The DRG Bureau leads the Agency in supporting overall efforts to advance democracy, human rights, and governance.

The DRG Bureau’s annual budget is over $268 million, with over 150 staff, comprising U.S.

Direct Hires (USDHs), contractors, and Fellows. The DRG Bureau currently has nine technical offices: Management and Cadre Support (MCS); Civil Society, Labor and Media (CLM); Anti- Corruption Center; Global Trends and Technology (GTT); Democratic Elections and Political Processes (EPP); Governance (GOV); Justice, Rights, and Security (JRS); Policy, Learning, and Integration (PLI); and Program Office. The DRG Bureau’s goal is to lead USAID’s efforts to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development. The DRG Bureau achieves this through high quality support to USAID Missions, generating and disseminating knowledge on best practices, and providing leadership on DRG to the wider USG and the international development community.

The DRG/CLM Office provides technical leadership and support on strengthening capacity, effectiveness, and sustainability of civil society, media, and labor to USAID Missions and Washington Bureaus, other USG entities, and the broader DRG community. This office supports specific USAID development programs that promote respect for the freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, including those that advance internet freedom, positive youth development and digital democracy, and promote healthy information ecosystems. The functions of the DRG Bureau and the CLM Office are described in USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) ADS 101.

The world is facing an evolving landscape for global labor rights, including the impacts of the COVID pandemic, climate change, authoritarian incursions on freedom of association, technology and the platform economy. These trends have exacerbated challenges to ensuring

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov decent work globally through worker organizing, collective bargaining, legal advocacy, gender equity, and the inclusion of marginalized groups.

USAID seeks a development professional who is a subject matter expert on labor rights programming and labor-related topics, including the issues outlined above. This position is located in the DRG Bureau. As a direct report to the CLM Office Director, or their designee, the Labor Specialist provides support to the CLM Office, other DRG Bureau offices, USAID Missions, and the Agency to advance thinking and approaches regarding labor programming as they relate to civil society, media, and democratic systems. The Labor Specialist will support the Labor Team to integrate labor issues with broader USAID development objectives to elevate labor issues within the Agency and enhance the impact of USAID programming across sectors.

The Labor Specialist will also advance the DRG Bureau’s labor learning efforts to address gaps in knowledge, identify issues and trends, and collect best practices relevant to labor rights programming.

Duties and responsibilities of the position:

The Labor Specialist will be a subject matter expert on worker empowerment, labor rights, and advancing international labor standards globally across multiple sectors who demonstrates a keen sense of discernment and the ability to exercise sound judgment in a fast moving environment. The Labor Specialist will demonstrate a track record of navigating challenges with a strategic and thoughtful approach and is expected to take initiative and show innovation and resourcefulness in recommending new or improved approaches.

The Labor Specialist will have strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills and a willingness to function in a collaborative and collegial environment. The Labor Specialist will demonstrate sensitivity to others, balanced judgment, and an inclusive approach to teamwork.

The Labor Specialist will have the ability to work in a fast-paced, fluid environment, re-prioritizing actions and adjusting workload as needed. The Labor Specialist is expected to take initiative and be innovative and resourceful in recommending new or improved approaches.

The Labor Specialist’s position includes the following responsibilities:

Program Planning and Design, Policy Development, and Management

• Serves as Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), Alternate AOR, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Alternate COR, and/or activity manager for DRG Bureau programs, including for projects under the Global Labor Program.

o Reviews and provides feedback and guidance on annual work plans, implementing partner reports, and budgets, in accordance with USAID policies and procedures.

o Maintains award files using Agency systems and ensures compliance with award management requirements.

o Serves as a primary liaison with implementing partners and ensures projects

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

o Coordinates programming with intra-agency, inter-agency, and other donors.

Collaborates with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance on award management issues.

o Successfully completes a required certification program in accordance with Agency policy to serve as AOR/COR.

• Report on labor indicators and budget requests through standard Agency processes including the Operational Plan, Congressional Notifications, and the Performance Plan and Report.

• Provides cutting edge technical support to Missions and Washington operating units on key issues regarding labor rights. This can include support for assessments and/or new activity design; drafting relevant documents; monitoring, learning and evaluation; and assisting in the review and selection of programming.

• Advances USAID strategy to include developing and advocating for the inclusion of approaches informed by evidence and the latest thinking on labor issues.

• Liaises with colleagues across the Agency and the inter-agency as appropriate to inform and strengthen the DRG Bureau’s approaches regarding labor rights as they relate to DRG issues.

• Supports USAID’s participation in meetings with USG agencies and key stakeholders on labor-related issues.

o Assists the Labor Team and other DRG Bureau staff with briefings as appropriate to Congress, the National Security Council, State Department, and donors on USAID labor programming and labor rights issues in key countries.

o Prepare talking points, speeches, and other briefing materials on labor-related issues as needed.

o Collaborates with USDH employees on clearance of communications that reflect a final policy, planning, or budget decision of the Agency.

Learning and Capacity-Building

• Supports the CLM Labor Team to incorporate technical, contextual, and experiential approaches regarding labor rights as they relate to DRG technical issues and programming with USAID Missions and across the DRG sector, the Agency and interagency.

• Executes tasks to support the CLM Labor Team’s efforts to advance the DRG Bureau’s research and learning agenda on labor issues, including collating existing quantitative and qualitative data, identifying data gaps, and supporting a strategy and implementation plan to fill them.

• Manages, tracks, and reports progress on the DRG Learning Agenda related to labor rights and related issues.

• Researches and assesses think tank, academic, implementing partner, donor and other resources to produce technical guidance on best practices, evaluation findings, and new innovations in labor and/or related subjects, including developing programming toolkits and guides, evaluations of interventions, training, e-learning, workshops, and facilitated

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov learning conversations as appropriate, and integrating other capacity building opportunities in the implementation of DRG programming.

Teamwork/Customer Service

• Works effectively and collaboratively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and opinions.

• Utilizes strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships within the team as well as with other teams, OUs and Missions;

• Creates collaborative and collegial environment; shows sensitivity to others; and uses balanced judgment.

• Support the work of the DRG Bureau by providing labor-related input into responses to requests for information; backstopping specific country DRG programs; integrating labor into DRG objectives; participating on regional teams; and participating on intra-Bureau and intra-agency task forces and working groups.

• Assist with DRG Bureau-wide projects, initiatives, and activities, as needed.

Responsibility for Decision Making

The Labor Specialist will be a subject matter expert on labor programming and labor-related development issues. The position will advise USAID Missions and Washington Operating Units on issues including, but not limited to, forced labor, labor migration, the integration of labor issues into other development sectors, international trade policy, worker organization capacity building, labor law, and international labor standards. The Labor Specialist will also provide technical guidance to USAID missions and Washington Operating Units on developing and adapting labor programs to evolving contexts, issues, and trends. The Specialist will be well-versed in labor-related academic research, issues, and trends, including the emerging debates on the effects of technology on labor markets, the Future of Work, and Just Transitions. The Labor Specialist is expected to carry out a diverse set of work assignments related to USAID's labor rights approaches and priorities in collaboration with the members of the CLM Labor Team, including contributing to research; programming; training; monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); and policy. The Labor Specialist will perform their duties under administrative direction from the Supervisor of the CLM Labor Team and in technical consultation with the Labor Team, with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in areas such as program and project management.

Knowledge Level

The Labor Specialist will be a subject matter expert on worker empowerment, labor rights, and advancing international labor standards globally across multiple sectors. The Labor Specialist will also demonstrate expertise in labor programming and labor-related topics, such as forced labor, labor migration, and the integration of labor issues into other development sectors, international trade policy, worker organization capacity building, and aspects of labor law. The Labor Specialist will understand development program management principles. The Labor

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

Specialist will be adept at assessing unique cultural and political contexts to develop and adapt programming approaches appropriate to complex circumstances. USAID will rely on the Labor Specialist to provide evidence-based recommendations, guidance, and solutions to development challenges related to labor, including the management of inter-agency priorities and the various needs of host-country stakeholders.

Supervisory Controls

The Labor Specialist’s supervisor is the Supervisor of the CLM Labor Team or their designee. The Labor Specialist serves as a member of the CLM Labor Team and CLM Office, and as appropriate, coordinates with other USAID operating units as a representative of the DRG Bureau and the CLM Office. The Supervisor sets overall objectives. The Supervisor and the Labor Specialist will develop a work plan. As a subject matter expert, the Labor Specialist independently plans, designs and carries out activities, studies and programs/projects.

Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements, or expected results.

The Labor Specialist develops deadlines for activities and other specialized tasks and is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts that arise, and coordinating work with others as necessary. The Labor Specialist interprets policy in terms of established objectives and keeps their supervisor informed of progress in the achievement of objectives and of potentially controversial matters.

Performance Guidelines

The Labor Specialist uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or in researching patterns and trends to develop new methods, criteria or proposed policies. The Labor Specialist must have specialized expertise in labor rights issues as they apply to DRG objectives and/or international development more generally. Assignments are generally received in terms of general objectives and priority actions involving labor programming or agency tasks related to labor programming or policy issues. Administrative policies and precedents are applicable but are stated in general terms (i.e Agency policy). Guidelines are scarce or of limited use. Pertinent sources of information consist of the DRG Bureau Annual Report, the DRG Bureau’s Users Guide, the DRG Strategy, the Department of State and USAID Joint Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026, and USAID Agency rules and regulations.

Complexity

The Labor Specialist will work in an office and occasional field setting with other colleagues. The Labor Specialist will have the ability to work in a fast-paced, fluid environment, re-prioritizing actions and adjusting workload as needed.

The Labor Specialist undertakes a wide range of duties that require the exercise of judgment, the interpretation of policies and practices, and their relevance to a new problem or situation.

https://www.usaid.gov/results-and-data/planning/joint-strategic-plan/fy-2022-2026

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

Decisions that must be made involve major areas of uncertainty in approach, methodology, interpretation and evaluating processes. The Labor Specialist typically identifies and develops methods to resolve problems or cope with issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal program goals and objectives. The Labor Specialist is expected to carry out a diverse set of work assignments related to USAID's approaches with little technical oversight but significant consultation, including research; programming; training; and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). The Labor Specialist will assist in providing cutting edge technical support to Missions and Washington operating units on key labor issues as they relate to civil society, development outcomes, democratic systems, and related issues. The Labor Specialist is expected to be innovative and original in recommending new or improved approaches to achieve problem resolution.

Scope and Effect

The Labor Specialist contributes to the CLM research agenda as one of the DRG Bureau’s recognized subject matter experts on labor. In collaboration with the Labor Team, the Labor Specialist applies state-of-the-art knowledge of labor-related academic research, issues, and trends, including the emerging debates on the effects of technology on labor markets and the Future of Work, to advance knowledge and enhance the work of the CLM Office, the DRG Bureau, and the Missions that we serve. The Labor Specialist applies the latest research to adapt labor training for Agency staff and supports the delivery of labor training. The Labor Specialist will lead and support efforts regarding project design, implementation, monitoring, learning and evaluation. The Labor Specialist’s work involves establishing criteria, formulating projects, assessing program effectiveness, or investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems or questions. The Labor Specialist will support team members to establish criteria, assess program effectiveness, and contribute to analysis on the landscape impacting USAID’s work. The Labor Specialist’s work outputs will support both Agency efforts as well as those of the broader development community. Assignments, particularly those related to providing technical guidance to central and Mission-based programming, will require the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Purpose of Contacts

Professional contacts are with individuals or groups from inside and outside of the agency who work on labor rights and labor issues and related topics. The Labor Specialist is responsible for liaising with a variety of Agency and external actors in order to ensure efficacious use of DRG programming assistance resources. This includes implementing partners, interagency and intra-agency entities, other donors, and external stakeholders as appropriate to the subject matter.

The Labor Specialist will engage with a variety of individuals and groups from USAID including DRG Bureau leadership and Mission leadership - typically through meetings, calls, and consultations (on an as-needed, as-appropriate basis) - as an important step in advancing USAID’s approach, research agenda, and programmatic priorities related to labor issues.

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

Contacts are generally for the purpose of information-sharing, program coordination and collaboration, policy implementation, identification of opportunities and constraints to cross-cutting programs, exchanging best practices, joint field support and training, and coordination on research platforms and monitoring and evaluation systems. The Labor Specialist enhances and coordinates effective working relationships across sectorial lines, identifying important areas of interaction and impact between program areas and ensuring that programs are managed to gain the greatest possible benefit from such interactions. The Labor Specialist must be skillful in determining the appropriate approach in negotiating and persuading others, and in establishing rapport in order to gain and relay information.

Physical Demands

The work is generally performed in an office environment, is sedentary, and does not pose undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Offeror is a US Citizen or a US Resident Alien (green card holder).

Education/Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign educational institution with study in a pertinent field, such as: international relations, public policy, sociology, law, economics, or other social science.

• Four (4) years of experience in international development work relevant to labor rights.

This must include:

• Two years of program management experience.

• Two years of overseas experience in global majority country contexts, either virtual or in-person. Virtual overseas work is defined as work that would have been conducted in an overseas location if not for the global COVID pandemic.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign educational institution, preferably in the social sciences or other relevant field.

• Six (6) years of experience in international development work relevant to labor rights.

This must include:

• Two years of program management experience.

• Two years of overseas experience in developing country contexts, either virtual or in-person. Virtual overseas work is defined as work that would have been conducted in an overseas location if not for the global COVID pandemic.

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

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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Each sub-factor will be weighted equally within the rating factor. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will select candidates to interview based on a preliminary review of applications. References will be checked only for those candidates interviewed. The TEC 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.

The Evaluation Factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.

Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Applicants will address factors 1 through 4.

The candidate with the highest overall score will be selected based on the criteria below:

1. Technical Expertise (30 points)

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to analysis and provide recommendations on a wide-range of issues concerning labor rights.

• Demonstrated experience with and/or awareness of cutting edge research and best practices regarding labor and DRG issues.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to developing capacity building materials.

• Experience in global majority country contexts preferred.

2. Program Management Experience (30 points)

• Demonstrated experience in developing DRG programs relevant to labor rights including program design and procurement.

• Demonstrated experience managing and monitoring DRG programs relevant to labor rights such as the implementation of programs, tracking budgets, and reporting on progress.

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

• Demonstrated experience with program assessments and/or evaluations.

• Experience in global majority country contexts preferred.

3. Communication (20 points)

• Demonstrated experience communicating orally to internal and external stakeholders, and to a range of audiences at various levels (e.g., senior officials, peers, and non-technical audiences).

• Demonstrated experience contributing to the analysis and synthesis of information for use by principals by producing written materials such as briefers, memos, and talking points

4. Teamwork (20 points)

• Demonstrated experience working effectively with multicultural teams in a fast-paced, fluid environment.

• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and constructively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and opinions and promoting inclusive work environments.

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses.

Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Selection and/or Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

QRF 1: Technical Expertise: 30 points QRF 2: Program Management Experience: 30 points QRF 3: Communication: 20 points QRF 4: Teamwork: 20 points

Should they occur, Interviews with individual Offerors who are invited will be evaluated to determine the highest ranked Offeror based on the QRFs listed above. Offerors may receive a maximum of 100 points, at the interview stage. Interview scores, should interviews be conducted, will be added to the offeror’s initial score, for a total of 200 points overall.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

The most qualified offeror may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. USAID will not pay for

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, offers (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the offerors writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an offeror has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive offerors USAID reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. USAID reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically via e-mail to the Point of Contact specified in Section I, item 4.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please clearly reference the solicitation number in the offer, and in the email subject line of the submission.

Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

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. Unsigned forms will not be accepted.

2. Complete resume. Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the education and experience requirements as stated in the solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

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. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week may 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. Upon request, transcripts and/or certifications must be submitted.

3. List of References. Offerors must submit three (3) professional references, who are not family members or relatives, who have knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in this solicitation. At least one (1) reference must be from a direct supervisor (current or prior). Submitted references MUST include the following

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

(a) Name of reference;

(b) Offeror’s relationship to the reference;

(c) Title of reference at current job;

(d) Reference current telephone number; and

(e) Reference current email address.

USAID reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history.

4. Supplemental document specifically addressing each of the three QRFs stated in this solicitation. The supplemental document must:

● Address each of the Evaluation and Selection Factors.

● Describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards the Offeror has received that are relevant to each factor.

● Cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor.

● Contain no more than 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the 500-word limit will neither be read nor scored.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered.

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.

NOTE REGARDING UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT: All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. Registration information is available at www.sam.gov and further guidance will be provided to the selectee regarding UEI and SAM registration.

NOTE: Registration for a UEI number and registration in SAM is FREE.

Interested offerors are highly encouraged to initiate the registration process early to avoid any delays during contract award.

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

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

In conformance with ADS 309.3.1.14, USAID will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the necessary forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

5. Forms related to Security and Access including:

a. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

b. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) or Questionnaire for Non-

Sensitive Positions

c. Fingerprint Card

6. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form)

7. Medical History and Examination Form (Prior to TDY)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

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 Quarter 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)

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

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

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

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION) (B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT (F)

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

• Award Type: Cost

• Product Service Code: [e.g.

R497]

• Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

• Award Type: Cost

• Product Service Code: [e.g.

R497]

• Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor https://usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

• Award Type: Cost

• Product Service Code: [e.g.

R497]

• Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

• Award Type: Cost

• Product Service Code: [e.g.

R497]

• Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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

AAPD 22-02 Telework and Remote Work Policy for U.S. Personal Services Contracts with Individuals

Revised AIDAR Clause GP4 based on Class Deviation No. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-11c

1. Work Schedule and Compensation (Pay Comparability and Locality Pay Adjustments) (JUL 2007) [Deviation (JUL 2022)]

a) Work Schedule. The contractor's work schedule shall not be less than 80 hours per pay period, unless otherwise provided in the Contract Schedule, and shall coincide with the work schedule for those employees of the USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office, or the Cooperating Country agency most closely associated with the work of this contract. If the contract is for less than full time (80 hours per pay period), the annual and sick leave earned shall be prorated (see the General Provision of this contract entitled Leave and Holidays).

b) USAID promotes telework and remote work as workplace flexibilities for contractors.

However, telework and remote work are arrangements to facilitate the accomplishment of work. The ability to telework or remote work is not a right or an entitlement and not all PSC positions will be conducive to telework or remote work. Telework and remote http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov work are discretionary tools and may be terminated for business reasons, performance, operational needs, or a contractor’s failure to comply with policy directives and required procedures and protocols. For a position that is authorized for remote work, an approved alternative worksite for the contractor will be approved in the Schedule of the contract. For positions that are not authorized for remote work, the contractor may be authorized to telework at the Agency’s discretion based on Agency policy as from time to time amended. If the position is suitable for telework, as telework is not a right or entitlement and is discretionary, the contractor must receive approval from their supervisor by submitting a Telework Agreement in accordance with Agency policy.

c) Locality Pay. A contractor based in the United States who is not authorized to remote work will be entitled to locality pay based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite.

A contractor based in the United States who is authorized to remote work will be entitled to locality pay based on the rate for the approved alternative worksite as specified in the Schedule of the contract. Any change to the approved alternative worksite will require a contract modification and may result in a change to the compensation as the locality pay will be adjusted accordingly.

A contractor serving abroad is not authorized to receive locality pay.

d) Compensation (Pay Comparability) Adjustments. The contractor's compensation shall be adjusted to reflect the pay comparability adjustments, which are granted from time to time to U.S. direct-hire employees by Executive Order for the statutory pay systems (usually in January). Any adjustments authorized are subject to the availability of funds and shall not exceed that percentage stated in the Executive Order granting the adjustment. Further, the adjusted compensation may not exceed the annual “USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST)”, which is equivalent to the maximum rate for agencies without a certified SES performance appraisal system (or the equivalent hourly rate).

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AAPD 21-05: Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

GP 5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (NOV 2021)

(Pursuant to class deviation #M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-1c)

(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.

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(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--:

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

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

(i) The date fixed by the approving official as the termination date of the exigency of the public business or other reason beyond the contractor’s control, which resulted in the forfeiture; or

(ii) The end of the contract, whichever is earlier.

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

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

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

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

(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as USAID direct-hire employees. The contractor will accrue sick leave at a rate not to exceed four (4) hours every two (2) weeks for a maximum of thirteen (13) work-days per year based on a full-time, 40-hour workweek, and the rate of accrual will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter workweek. The contractor may carry over unused sick leave from year to year under the same contract, and to a new follow-on contract for the same work at the same place of performance. The contractor is not authorized to carry over sick leave to a new contract for a different position or at a different location. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave at the completion of this contract.

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

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

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions, or territories will not be counted toward the required twenty-four (24) months of service abroad.

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

(A) Two (2) years, or

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

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

(iv) If the contractor agrees to meet the continued performance conditions of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause and will be relocating to a different USAID Mission under a new USAID personal services contract immediately following the completion of home leave, the contractor may be granted twenty (20) workdays of home leave. USAID will provide the contractor these twenty days of home leave under this contract, not under the new contract.

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

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

(i) Granting of advanced home leave would serve in each case to…