AA Specialist soliciation.pdf

29 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi 0131, Georgia Tel: (995 32) 254 4000 Fax: (995 32) 254 4145 www.usaid.gov/Georgia

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72011420R00011

ISSUANCE DATE: July 28, 2020

CLOSING DATE/TIME: August 27, 2020 (17:00 Georgian time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation #72011420R00011 for a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), GS-15 Senior Regional Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

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.

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 the Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Cynthia Rogers Supervisory Regional Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72011420R00011

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 28, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 27, 2020 (17:00 Georgian time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: All questions related to this solicitation should be sent via email to HR-tbilisi@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Regional Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: USD 109,366 to USD 142,148 equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: intermittent eleven months.

The Mission anticipates two three-months assignments in Georgia for a total of six months over the course of the eleven month period. Desired coverage will be conducted in-person. However, if remote coverage is necessary due to travel restrictions, the contractor must agree to be fully available during normal working hours in Georgia.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Tbilisi, Georgia. Frequent travel to Armenia and Azerbaijan may be required, subject to restrictions.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: US Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful offeror must be able to obtain a U.S. Government “Secret” level clearance. If the clearance is not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Regional Contracting Office provides acquisition and assistance services to USAID Missions in three Caucasus countries (Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan).

Background

USAID/Caucasus, located in Tbilisi, Georgia, serves as USAID’s bilateral Mission to Georgia and provides contracting, financial management, executive office, and legal services to the USAID

Missions in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The three countries are positioned between Russia and the Middle East and, by virtue of geography, stand at a critical intersection of U.S. geostrategic interests.

These interests include countering regional resurgence of anti-democratic authoritarian regimes, combating terrorism, and ensuring access to vital energy supplies. In recent years, the Kremlin’s increasing assertiveness has negatively impacted each country in the region and countering aggression is a centerpiece of each Mission’s strategy.

Georgia is a key ally in promoting democratic governance, free markets, and countering extremist threats. The U.S. Government has invested more than $4 billion in Georgia since its independence in 1991. Despite significant advances in recent years, major development challenges remain, including instability from unresolved conflicts with Russian-backed breakaway regions and weak economic growth. Azerbaijan’s programs are designed to counter Kremlin and Iranian influence by directly helping marginalized rural citizens through entrepreneurial, agricultural and community development programs. Implementation of Mission programs is challenged by a restrictive operating environment that is counter to democratic principles and values. Armenia presents another development challenge due to its unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan, the influence of a diverse diaspora, and its close association with Russia. USAID/Armenia works closely with the Government of Armenia in agriculture, health, civil society, and governance, with a focus on government-to-government activities and cooperation with local partners. Collectively, the three Caucasus Missions have a staff of 28 Foreign Service Officers, 11 U.S. Personal Services Contractors, and 93 local staff.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The USPSC Regional Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will serve in the role of Regional Contracting Officer, reporting to Georgia’s Supervisory Contracting Officer, and providing the full range of acquisition and assistance support to USAID Missions in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. S/he counsels Mission leadership, Office Directors, Contracting and Agreement Officer Representatives on a myriad of policy, law, regulation and agreement-level issues. S/he is an active member of assigned activity design teams, providing guidance and leadership on future award designs.

Acting within his/her individual warrant authority, the Specialist has the authority to bind the agency contractually and to resolve disputes arising under agreements under their administration.

The Regional Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will guide the work of FSN RCO Specialists for awards under his/her administration. S/he will provide mentoring to RCO staff and trainings related to OAA topics of interest to RCO and the Mission. The position will maintain communication with Chiefs of Party for awards under his/her administration and will be required to go on monitoring site visits on an as-needed basis. Contact with the Office of Inspector General is required on an as-needed basis.

The Regional Contracting Office consists of 5 Foreign Service National staff in Georgia, one Foreign Service Contracting Specialist (unwarranted officer) and two Foreign Service Contracting Officers. The RCO also provides guidance to two FSN A&A Specialists resident in Armenia and one in Azerbaijan.

Position elements:

Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position:

The incumbent is expected to perform under general administrative discretion with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment; perform work of outstanding difficulty and responsibility; and have formal decision-making authority in broad program areas. To fully succeed in this position, any incumbent must have obtained extensive training and experience so that they are able to exercise independent judgement, demonstrate leadership and exceptional performance. Furthermore, the position will have a significant influence on the entire implementing partner activity portfolio of the USAID missions of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Level of complexity for work assignments:

The incumbent will need to exhibit mastery of specialized knowledge required for the position and a very broad field of expertise in acquisition and assistance award and administration in an overseas, multi-cultural context.

Knowledge level required:

The incumbent will need to have mastered acquisition and assistance knowledge at the agency policy level and at the federal regulation level. To be effective, the position will require mastery-level knowledge of the USAID Program Cycle to be able to advise and make appropriate decisions on current award management and new activity design. This knowledge must be in line with the latest guidance offered by the agency and law. Mastery-level knowledge is also required of the local political context as each RCO-awarded activity is a reflection of a foreign policy commitment made on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent will report directly to the Foreign Service Officer/Supervisory Contracting Officer.

S/he is expected to work with a high degree of independence and must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance and little or no follow up. Work produced by the employee is considered authoritative.

S/he must be proactive and self-directed.

Guidelines for the required work, including reporting requirements:

Acquisition and assistance support is guided by federal law, regulation, agency policy and mission orders. In addition, some aspects of the job are not directly covered or instructed within the formal regulations such as Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) and the Agency Secure Image and Tracking System (ASIST). Policies and procedures are also often implemented on an interim basis through notices and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPD) or Procurement Executive Bulletins (PEBs). The Regional Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist must have a very sound understanding of this wide variety of regulations and be able, based on experience, to interpret the intent of what at times can be very confusing and contradictory regulations/guidance.

Complexity of the work environment or its potential effect on the position’s responsibilities:

The Regional Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist duties are varied among the multiple complex areas of contract and grant administration, procurement, and contract and grant formation.

Furthermore, although a broad array of performance guidelines exists, these guidelines are in a near-constant state of change or revision. Therefore, significant problems encountered will require thorough research and consideration to resolve.

Scope and effect of the work performed:

As a Mission expert on all aspects acquisition and assistance support, the incumbent’s recommendations will be given substantial weight in final Mission decisions outside those decisions that are made within RCO. The incumbent is expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of and apply the principles of customer service, as well as sound managerial, analytical, negotiation and interpersonal skills. The incumbent is expected to analyze and interpret pertinent policies for local application, to articulate these policies and their application to USAID A&A operations, and to put into effective practice USAID regulation and directions.

Level and purpose of contacts:

The Regional Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will closely liaise with the three Mission Directors, Deputy Mission Director, Regional Legal Officer, and missions Office Directors and will provide expert advice of the missions’ senior management teams. Contact with the Office of Inspector General may be required. Furthermore, the position will be required to meet with corporate leadership and Chiefs of Party of implementing partners.

The Regional Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will oftentimes be required to deliver controversial messages to implementing partners on areas of low performance. The position may also need to advise on disciplinary measures for Agreement and Contracting Officer Representatives who are not adhering to their delegated responsibilities. Acting with their warrant authority, the RCO Specialist will have the authority to resolves disputes arising from agreements under their supervision.

Supervision or oversight the position has over others:

The Specialist will not formally supervise any positions but is expected to provide oversight and guidance to A&A Specialists and AOR/CORs working on awards under his/her administration.

Support Items:

The USPSC will be provided with adequate support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be eligible for consideration for this position, the offeror must meet the following minimum qualifications:

U.S. citizenship is required.

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Law, Public Policy, International Relations, Public Administration, Business, Finance, Accounting, Management, or a related field is required.

Ten years or more years of on-the-job experience that directly relates to Federal Government procurement rules and regulations and federal financial assistance under 2 CFR 200 and 700 (or its predecessors) in a position with duties equivalent to the GS 1102 job. A minimum of five years of performing this work overseas is required.

Current ability to obtain a USPSC limited warrant (the checklist is available on the below link): https://pages.usaid.gov/system/files/aa_new_warrant_guidelines_final_0.pdf

Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.

Security and medical clearances: The ability to obtain the required security and medical clearances in a reasonable timeframe is considered a minimum qualification. See section V.

The offeror must not be listed as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: All the offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum requirements as set in the section II above, may be further evaluated through the review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see section IV below) and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. The additional evaluation may include technical tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest ranked offeror. Reference checks may be conducted for the highest-ranked offeror. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations will be conducted with the most qualified/highest-ranked offeror at the conclusion of evaluations.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

To be considered for this position, offerors must meet the minimum qualifications noted above.

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria/ranking factors to a maximum score of 100 points:

Previous Work Experience (40%):

Experience in design, procurement, award, and management of a wide range of types of USAID acquisition and assistance instruments, demonstrated successful experience overseas in acquisition and assistance including technical oversight of FSN acquisition and assistance specialists and contracting/agreement officer’s representatives. This experience must have come while serving as a warranted Contracting Officer.

Knowledge (30%):

A thorough knowledge of U.S. Government regulations for acquisition and assistance, including the federal acquisition regulations and USAID-specific policies and regulations. This knowledge will be needed to effectively supervise all aspects of acquisition and assistance within the assigned portfolio and ensure that these activities support the organizations’ achievement of critical, high profile objectives.

Excellent communication, writing, analytical and social/interpersonal skills, demonstrating diplomacy and an ability to communicate and diplomatically represent a U.S. Government organization’s mission, core values and ethos to a wide array of key partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries both within and outside the U.S. Government, with host government officials, U.S. Government-implementing partners, and others.

Skills and Abilities (30%):

Managerial experience, including the ability to lead, train, supervise and work independently in difficult overseas environments with minimal supervision or guidance. The incumbent should have a demonstrated ability to lead a team, exercising sound judgment with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to handle requests and complaints with patience and diplomacy.

Ability to plan, procure, and administer large acquisition and assistance activities in a timely manner.

Ability to apply governing contracting regulations, procedures, and policies to individual complex acquisition and assistance programs.

An ability to effectively interact with high-level representatives of the US and business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and host governments throughout the Caucasus Region.

Relevant federal government training and certifications to demonstrate eligibility to obtain a contracting warrant.

Total Possible Application Points: 100

Reference Verification (Pass/Fail)

USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicant(s) in person or by phone.

IV. APPLYING

Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted via email to the Point of Contract in Section I: HR-tbilisi@usaid.gov

Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position in this Solicitation.

Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the following documents:

1. Completed and signed form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services

Contracts,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

2. A cover letter and current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) containing sufficient relevant information that respond to the minimum requirements of the position (education and experience)

3. Additionally applicants are required to submit a document addressing each of the selection criteria describing specifically what relevant experience, knowledge and skills the applicant has received relevant to each selection criteria described above, providing periods of performance where possible. Responses are limited to 300 words per selection criteria.

4. A minimum of three and a maximum of five professional references from the last five years.

Offerors must provide email addresses and current telephone numbers for all references provided.

5. Statement of Availability: a written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

1. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306)

2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561)

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

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 & Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable).

VII. TAXES:

USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, Medicare and as applicable U.S. state income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO

PSCs

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

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

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

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUAN

TIT Y

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRIC

E (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

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 18-02 REVISED This AAPD extends and revises implementation of medevac regulations for USPSCs and TCNPSCs under AIDAR Appendix D and J, § 12, clauses #25 in Appendix D, and #21 in Appendix J. – December 18, 2019

- AAPD 15-02-Revised 2 This AAPD extends implementation of the USAID policy for Leave and Holidays, including family and medical leave, by deviation from AIDAR Appendix D, § 12, clause (GP) #5. This policy is effective as indicated on page 2, section II, of the AAPD

- AAPD 10-01 Changes in USG reimbursement amounts for health insurance and physical examination costs- 01/08/10

- AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility – October 30, 2006

- AAPD 06-08 AIDAR, APPENDICES D AND J: Using the optional schedule to incrementally fund contracts – June 23, 2006

- CIB 99-15 Changes to AIDAR Concerning Resident Hires and Deviations – 08/99

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.