SOLICITATION_NUMBER_72044019R00003.pdf

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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72044019R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: November 2, 2018 CLOSING DATE/TIME: December 7, 2018

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) - Contracting Officer (CO)

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, Sections I through V 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 attached information.

Sincerely, Ken Seifert Contracting Officer USAID/Vietnam

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ATTACHMENT 1 72044019R00003

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72044019R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 2, 2018

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: December 7, 2018 at 1600 Hanoi time

4. POSITION TITLE: Contracting Officer

5. MARKET VALUE: Position is classified at GS-15 with annual salary range of

$105,123 - $136,659 per annum.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: one (1) year with one (1) one-year option periods.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Hanoi, Vietnam

The contractor will work from USAID offices in Hanoi, and will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

Quarterly trips within country of 3-5 days are expected.

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

II. The CO provides master-level acquisition and assistance planning advice and guidance to USAID/Vietnam Technical Offices, including advice on A&A policy and procedures in the design and implementation of Mission activities. The CO coordinates the development of A&A objectives for assigned portfolios in terms of potential implementing partner (IP) organizations, competitive issues, and socioeconomic issues, and identifies and constructs appropriate contract and/or grant instruments. Ensures A&A plans are current, have appropriate milestones, and related schedules are adequate. Alerts mission management of specific problems or anticipated needs and provides guidance on forthcoming actions or recommendations.

III. The CO reviews GLAAS Requisitions (REQs) requesting acquisition and assistance awards for major and complex programs/projects/activities and/or services.

The CO analyzes requirements, and determines instrument selection or approach, if SOWs or other PDs are complete, and if the request meets FAR, AIDAR, ADS, CFR, and/or other Mission, Agency, or USG policies; ensures that necessary Mission clearances have been obtained, and that waivers and other supporting documentation are complete; recommends

3 | P a g e revisions regarding SOWs or PDs, budgets, classification of terms, reporting requirements, and any special conditions, and ensures that required performance indicators are developed and included in the initial Request for Proposal or Request for Application; and, develops solicitation documentation in accordance with all appropriate regulations, selects and includes correct required clauses or provisions, and transmits solicitations for proposals or applications using Internet-based technology. The CO responds to offeror or applicant questions during the solicitation phase; and, determines the need for, and prepares, clarifying amendments as required for solicitation documents. As necessary, the CO holds pre-bid or consultative meetings with partners to fully explain the Agency and partner needs, and to discuss solicitation documents. The CO applies a high degree of judgment and analysis when deciding among and between competing and often conflicting regulations and objectives, where the activities involved include multi-million-dollar issues, often with significant political and/or legal implications.

c. The CO evaluates offers and applications for responsiveness to solicitations, and documents the relative strengths and deficiencies of each proposal or application; guides technical office staff and A&A staff in the practice of 'best value' selection, and in performance-based technical approaches (if applicable); and, obtains reports and references, ensuring that past performance of the offerors and applicants is relevant and reliable. The CO ensures that partners have adequate management, accounting, personnel, and procurement systems, and appropriate corporate leadership, resources, and quality control systems to satisfactorily carry out awards. The CO requests audit reports or pre-award surveys from the Office of the Inspector General, and/or the Defense Contract Audit Agency, and obtains clearance from the Department of Labor and/or the Small Business Administration on a variety of EEO and workplace issues. The CO analyzes cost proposals and technical scores from technical evaluation committees; and, based on the analyses, establishes the competitive range when appropriate. The CO performs analyses of cost issues, considering economic conditions and factors of material, labor, and transportation costs; examines cost and pricing data submitted by offerors to substantiate direct and indirect costs and profit; determines reasonableness of costs submitted; ensures data provided is consistent with USAID requirements on eligible geographic sources, and that salary structures are consistent with Agency policy; and, identifies circumstances that may require waivers. The CO coordinates issues of technical weakness and excessive cost with technical evaluation committee members prior to commencement of negotiations;

and, clarifies and, as necessary, instructs the members of technical evaluation committees on the USAID selection process. The CO designs the negotiation strategy, identifies areas subject to negotiation, and consults with technical specialists concerning data submitted by offerors; conducts extensive negotiations on cost and technical issues prior to award, presenting USAID issues of concern, and persuading offerors to upgrade technical deficiencies and reduce costs; requests submission of revised final proposals; coordinates the last stages of selection with technical office staff and/or the technical evaluation committee(s); and prepares appropriate contract instruments for award; negotiates grants and cooperative agreements with US-based and local PVOs and NGOs, colleges and universities, and other non-profit organizations; analyzes transactions to ensure compliance with Agency cost-sharing and registration policies, as well as local laws governing status; and, coordinates contracting activities with other government agencies, frequently negotiating and drafting interagency agreements. The CO executes award decisions, with all the appropriate supporting documentation, including the development of appropriate performance indicators, in conjunction technical teams; and, organizes and conducts orientation meetings with selected contractors and recipients, to ensure that

4 | P a g e mobilization efforts will be conducted efficiently, and that all terms and conditions of awards are clear and well-understood by all parties. The CO provides support debriefings to unsuccessful offerors and feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

d. The CO monitors award performance in relation to the completion schedule required by the contract or assistance instrument; ensures timely submission of technical progress reports, making periodic visits to awardee work sites, and representing the contracting office at performance-related meetings held by other Mission Offices; assists clients to develop appropriate indicators for work plans and award documents; ensures awardees are fully compliant with performance standards contained in the award, and seeks corrective action in cases of non-compliance; expedites change orders or revisions when circumstances require; and, issues ‘show cause' or ‘cure notices,’ and/or recommends termination of contracts for default or for convenience, and negotiates termination settlements.

e. The CO analyzes, and takes action to resolve, audit findings, such as cost items questioned or unresolved; supports recommendations with detailed analysis of each cost, category, or element as necessary; prepares necessary documents to resolve all aspects of audits, questioned or ineligible costs, and accounting issues; and, makes determinations as appropriate. The CO reviews completed (after full performance) award files to determine that all terms and conditions actions are satisfied, and that there are no pending administrative actions to be resolved; ensures that all file documents are signed, that there are no litigation actions pending, and that the award is complete in every respect and ready to be closed; and, ensures that awards nearing annual anniversaries or final completion have a completed performance report from the COR/AOR, and submits reports to the awardee for comment.

f. The CO provides training, guidance and mentoring to A&A staff on basic principles of USG and USAID acquisition and assistance, general procurement management, procurement policy direction, new/changed procurement policies, etc., as required.

g. As required, the CO may be called upon to provide information and advice to the Supervisory CO, technical offices, and Mission management on critical A&A issues, or on the effect of new or revised USG, USAID, or host-country requirements. The CO attends key Mission meetings on behalf of the OAA, as assigned.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All US citizens are eligible to apply.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: Ken Seifert at kseifert@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree in accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial mailto:kseifert@usaid.gov

5 | P a g e management, marketing, quantitative methods, and/or organization and management is required. NB: Additional education may NOT be substituted for Experience.

In addition, a full structured training program referred to as Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) is required. Documentation of training, certifications, and previous warrants required to qualify for the issuance of USAID USPSC Ad Hoc delegation of authority warrant ($10 M maximum level)) is required as evidence of qualification at time of application. (Educational requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position.)

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) experience as a Contracting Officer with the U.S. government, with complex pre-award, award, and post-award responsibilities. Additional experience may NOT be substituted for Education; work experience requirements must be met at the time of application for the subject position.

Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.

Demonstrated current knowledge of Federal regulations.

Demonstrated strong organizational skills, the ability to plan and provide required support for OAA in a timely and effective manner, and an ability to quickly assimilate information and quickly learn required procedures are required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills are also required, in addition to strong proofreading skills and attention to detail. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict confidentiality and high ethical standards throughout all phases of acquisition and assistance actions. In addition, the incumbent must be able to lead meetings at all levels, provide effective and tactful procurement ethics guidance to senior management personnel, and senior executives of private sector and non-governmental organizations and must be prepared to enforce ethical standards on these individuals if necessary. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Office suite is required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

1. Selection Process

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation factors. Applications from candidates which do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists.

If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidate must obtain security and medical clearance within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details to

6 | P a g e the selected candidate). A substantial delay in obtaining either security or medical clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

2. Evaluation Factors

Those applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as the applicant’s writing, presentation, and communication skills. To be considered for this position, as part of their applications, applicants are required to submit supplemental documentation, addressing each of the Evaluation Factors on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each factor described below. Responses are limited to 300 words per factor.

Applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria, listed in order of descending importance:

Technical Knowledge Demonstrated Adaptability and Innovative Thinking Communication and Interpersonal Skills

The factors will be the basis for scoring the applications and creating an initial ranking of candidates. Only the highest-ranked applicants (finalists) will be interviewed. Those finalists will also be evaluated on their interview performance, and, finally, satisfactory professional reference checks. In summary, the steps in the applicant rating system are as follows:

1. Meet education/experience requirements: pass/fail

2. Evaluation Factors

3. Interview Performance – of equal importance to Evaluation Factors

4. Reference Checks: Pass/Fail

IV. APPLYING

[In addition to the following text, Insert any offer instructions and forms as necessary or required, for example:]

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, item 11.

3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

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V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the 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. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

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

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

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC 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) https://aoprals.state.gov/

(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)

VII. TAXES

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

https://aoprals.state.gov/

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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

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 text as required.]

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

___End of Solicitation___ https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations