Solicitation Accounting Specialists.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72028024R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: 08/01/2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 08/15/2024

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) and Third Country National Personal Services Contractor (TCNPSC)- Accounting Specialists (2 positions)

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 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 underrepresented 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 costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in this solicitation.

Sincerely, Signature

Kevin Sarsok Contracting Officer

72028024R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO: 72028024R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 08/01/2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 08/15/2024, 17:00 Hrs.

(Frankfurt, Germany time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Middle East Regional Platform (MERP) HR , e-mail:

usaidmerpjobs@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Accounting Specialists (2 positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: $56,528.00- $73,484.00 equivalent to GS-10.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The incumbent is required to Remote Work from the residence country of the candidate other than the USA. "The place of performance shall be remote at the location of his/her primary place of residence, with routine travel to client missions and/or Frankfurt to perform duties. The contractor should be available and is expected to travel as much as is needed based on the needs of the supported units and the Middle East Regional Platform and as directed by the Regional Controller. In general, travel requirements will be known and communicated at least four weeks in advance of the actual travel. At a minimum, quarterly travel may be required to client missions with an expectation of four to six weeks of travel during a 12 month period. TDY duration will normally range between 1 - 2 weeks depending on the task at hand but could be longer or shorter depending on requirements."

The selected candidate is expected to work eight hours per day out of which the incumbent should preferably be available during the core working hours of Middle East Regional Platform (MERP) which is 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Frankfurt, Germany time) excluding half an hour lunch time. Applicants are expected to be 'telework ready' with a computer system, internet and other necessary equipment required to perform his/her work effectively.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with the option to extend for up to four additional years., estimated to start in October 2024.

“The base period will be One year, estimated to start on/a October 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for [set time period(s)] for the date(s) estimated as follows:”] Base Period: October 2024 to October 2025 Option Period 1: October 2025 to October 2026 Option Period 2: October 2026 to October 2027 Option Period 3: October 2027 to October 2028

Option Period 4: October 2028 to October 2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents, or both types of persons (USNs) are eligible offerors per AIDAR 702 and Appendix D. Third Country Nationals TCNs are also eligible offerors.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Public Trust (facility access)

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Frankfurt Support Center (FSC) encompasses three distinct units in Frankfurt:

● The Middle East Regional Platform (MERP)

● The M Bureau's Overseas Support Office (OSO)

● A sub-office of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

USAID/MERP/Regional Financial Management Office (RFMO) provides the full range of financial management services customarily required by USAID missions overseas. Specifically, the MERP/RFMO supports priority, limited- and non-presence ME Bureau missions, including Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, and Syria. The MERP/RFMO also supports the M/OSO, the OIG in Frankfurt, and MERP.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

The primary functions of the Accounting Specialist are accounting, budgeting, and reporting under the direction of the Regional Controller and in coordination and direction of the Deputy Regional Controller(s) for their respective portfolios and, in the future, a Chief Accountant.

1) Regional Controller(s) for their respective portfolios and, in the future, a Chief Accountant.

1) Accounting, Reporting, and Analysis.

Reviews and analyzes various commitment, obligation, and disbursement documents such as personnel actions, purchase orders, miscellaneous obligating documents, memorandums of understanding, travel authorizations, leases, applications for allowances, etc. Provides the initial Financial Management Office review and recommendations for commitment (funds available) to RFMO management with amounts allowed and/or available in the accounting system and in line with budget priorities. Assigns an object class code to all obligating documents. Establishes and maintains control sheets for the Mission's various Miscellaneous Obligation Documents to account for commitments made under these obligations. Conducts quarterly reviews of unliquidated obligations (Section 1311 review) and takes appropriate action to de-obligate funds no longer required. Monitor the status of expired obligations and obligations nearing expiration. Executes the de-obligation of funds. Prepares and posts upward and downward adjustments to accommodate exchange rate fluctuations. Assists on the quarterly data call reports to USAID/Washington. Establishes and maintains supporting records and documentation to support each accounting entry in the Phoenix financial system and the Agency Secure Image and Storage Tracking System (ASIST). Serves as the backup to the Senior Accountant and other accounting staff during absences.

2) Budget Formulation and Analysis

Monitors execution of the annual operational expenses budget, notifying the cognizant Controller and other offices of budgetary constraints, and proposes solutions/adjustments based on mid-year and ongoing reviews. Incorporates changes of the planned budget and quarterly spend plans to meet new or modified assumptions throughout the year. Helps to calculate and verify the allowances and entitlements for local and offshore US Personal Services Contractors and Third Country National employees.

3) Support to Other Offices/Mission

Coordinates with the Executive Office (EXO) during the Purchase Order/contract closeout process. Advises EXO on the preparation and maintenance of budget requests and supporting documentation. Assists EXO staff in preparing quarterly estimates of accrued expenditures for operating expense records, including documentation requirements. Liaises with Washington and other USAID missions regarding cost-sharing for USDH transfers. In coordination with the RFMO management, documents policies, and procedures governing the accounting function of the Financial Management Office. Considers areas of possible enhancement of accounting operations and recommends improvements in efficiency and internal control.

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable) Not applicable

4. Supervisory Relationship

After initial training, work independently with minimum supervision, set priorities, and establish deadlines. Supervision, as needed, is received from the USDH or FSN supervisor. Work is generally assigned in terms of desired work objectives and outcomes. Work is reviewed regarding the results achieved and meeting overall goals and priorities. The Supervisor provides policy guidance when needed.

5. Supervisory Controls

Direct Supervision of staff is not contemplated. However, the incumbent may serve as a trainer and mentor for other staff in similar positions in OUs served by MERP.

“If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least insert number of days/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

a. Education: A four-year university degree with a concentration in accounting, business, and economics, or a Chartered Certified Accountant qualification (ACCA) or Certified Public Accountant (US), is required.

b. Prior Work Experience: At least 10 years of professional accounting experience is required, experience with the United States Government is preferred.

c. Language Ability: Excellent written and oral English language communications skills.

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.

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.

The following factors are listed in descending order of importance and will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application.

USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

USAID is dedicated to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in the workplace. As such, all workforce members are expected to foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All workforce members are also expected to adhere to https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://my.usaid.gov/DEIA?check_logged_in=1 equal employment opportunity policies and value diversity and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.

To that end, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. During the interview process, questions will be asked intended to explore the candidate’s experience, job knowledge, and skills in regard to the requirements and functional role of the position. There will also be at least one question regarding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) concepts. Please review the link for further information on DEIA at USAID.

Applicants who clearly meet the skills and qualifications requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses submitted with the applicant's application.

Applicants are required to address each of the following 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. The evaluation factors will be used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to perform a writing/editing exercise, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office application software. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills.

Applicants who clearly meet the eligibility requirements will be ranked based on the below Evaluation Factors. The applicants will further be competitively ranked based on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating System is as follows:

Evaluation Factors (100 points):

Prior Work Experience: 40 points Knowledge: 30 points Skills and Abilities: 30 points

Interview Performance (100 points):

Interview questions may include the following areas:

● Interpersonal skills

● Work effectively in a team environment

● Strategy formulation and implementation

● DEIA

https://my.usaid.gov/DEIA?check_logged_in=1

● Demonstrate ability to communicate information to both technical and non-technical audiences, and achieve consensus on policy and administrative matters

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

“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

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

**Documents to submit: Please send TWO copies of your CV:

1. one CV with identifying information and

2. one CV anonymous - No identifying information - only use your initials (no names, marital status, photos etc)

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:

●Security Eligibility/Clearance ●Medical Clearances and Certifications

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, if eligible)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(f) Leave and Holidays

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

VII. TAXES

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

TCNPSCs funds for Social Security, retirement, pension, vacation or other cooperating country programs as required by local law shall be deducted and withheld in accordance with laws and regulations and rulings of the cooperating country or any agreement concerning such withholding entered into between the cooperating government and the United States Government.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

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

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

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.

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

[For a contract with one or more option periods, use the table below instead of the above (Option Periods below are illustrative):]

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F) http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/forms

(A) (B)

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 negotiation s 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 negotiation s with

Contractor

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 negotiation s 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.

[The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant AIDAR deviation or other policy text as applicable by the type of USPSC.]

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/resources_standards-of-conduct.

5. PSC Ombudsman http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct

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.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference [Insert the applicable FAR date in the format 3-LETTER MONTH, 4-DIGIT YEAR]

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED

APPLICATION

JUN,

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman