USPSC_PCO_Solicitation_RFP_72044019R00005.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development 15/F Tung Shing Square Building 2 Ngo Quyen Street Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: + 84-24-3935-1260 Fax: + 84-24-3935-1265 http://www.usaid.gov/vietnam

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72044019R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: January 30, 2019

CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 03, 2019 at 1600 Hanoi local time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) - PEPFAR Country Coordinator

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, /s/

Michael Capobianco Contracting Officer USAID/Vietnam

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1) SOLICITATION NO.: 72044019R00005

2) ISSUANCE DATE: January 30, 2019

3) CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 03, 2019 at 1600 Hanoi local time.

4) POSITION TITLE: PEPFAR Country Coordinator

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: two (02) years with three (03) one-year options

7) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Hanoi, Vietnam

The contractor will work from USAID office in Hanoi in the PEPFAR Coordination Office, 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

Introduction and Background:

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government (USG) initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world.

This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives.

PEPFAR is the cornerstone and largest component of the U.S. President’s Global Health Initiative. With a special focus on improving the health of women, newborns and children, the Global Health Initiative’s goal is to save the greatest number of lives by increasing and building upon what works and, then, supporting countries as they work to improve the health of their own people.

The PEPFAR program in Vietnam, under the leadership of the U.S. Ambassador, combines the talents of the staff and partners of the Department of State, Departments of Defense (DOD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and USAID to implement an integrated program covering HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, as well as health systems strengthening.

These entities have come together to create a program that supports existing activities in Vietnam and has allowed for a rapid, unprecedented expansion of HIV/AIDS services to key populations across Vietnam.

Vietnam grew substantially in its first five years reaching $90 million by FY 2011, and is now with the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP) 2018 in an aggressive two-year surge to reach sustainable epidemic control in two priority regions containing over half of the epidemic in Vietnam. At the same time, PEPFAR Vietnam is committed to supporting the Government of Vietnam (GVN)’s success in sustainable financing, with social health insurance as the backbone of financing the HIV program. Active leadership from the PEPFAR Country Coordinator will be critical to maintaining an interagency, “one USG” approach in program focus while also focusing the team on sustainable priorities in a declining budget environment. Managing internal and external relationships will be a high priority for the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM)/ Chief of Mission (COM), the Country Coordinator, and the PEPFAR Management Team (MT).

General Principles and Functions:

The PEPFAR Coordinator will serve as the coordination leader for activities funded under PEPFAR in Vietnam. Priority areas of responsibility include:

● Serving as the primary point of contact and coordinator of activities related to PEPFAR programs in Vietnam. The PEPFAR Coordinator plays a critical role in the planning, implementation and reporting on interagency program performance;

● Supporting the Ambassador/DCM as the head(s) of the in-country PEPFAR program and final decision-maker(s) for PEPFAR in Vietnam;

● Ensuring communication and effective deliberation regarding PEPFAR guidance from Washington for program plans and activities to be submitted to the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) for approval;

● Facilitating communication between and among the various USG departments and agencies;

● Coordinating, facilitating, communicating, negotiating and ensuring implementation and follow-up of technical recommendations for programs in the Country Operational Plan (COP); the Coordinator is, in general, not a technical director of PEPFAR programs;

● Representing the Ambassador/DCM, as necessary, with external partners to include government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the press;

● Under the direction of the Ambassador/DCM, responsible for the establishment, organization, functioning, and reporting of the PEPFAR MT in achieving the objectives of PEPFAR Vietnam;

● In collaboration with Agency leads, ensuring adequate leadership of the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to include periodic rotation of TWGs leadership, promotion of Foreign Service National (FSN) leadership, where appropriate, reporting by the TWGs to a PEPFAR Steering Committee and the MT, with particular regard for membership, agendas and setting/achieving objectives;

● Providing appropriate reporting to all members of the PEPFAR interagency team with the Washington-based Country Support Team Lead and other staff at the OGAC.

● Receiving copies of internal agency communications from USAID, CDC, SAMHSA, Departments of Defense and State, related to matters of the PEPFAR program, in the areas of strategy development, program implementation, management, budgeting and staffing;

● Serving as the primary liaison and advocate for the PEPFAR Vietnam program with OGAC in Washington, DC;

● Ensuring proper coordination and communication between the PEPFAR interagency team and the various coordinating bodies in Vietnam, including the GVN, Ministry of Health, UN agencies and major donors (Global Fund, World Bank, Department for International Development (DFID), etc.); and

● Leading the coordination and development of the annual Country Operational Plan (COP) and the submission of quarterly and annual reports and other documentation as required by OGAC.

In addition, in consultation with the MT, s/he will provide advice and counsel to the COM and DCM, as well as other Agency leads, on all matters related to HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The principal duties and responsibilities of the PEPFAR Country Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Act as primary liaison and coordinator for:

● Promoting communications between OGAC Team and the COM/DCM, Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City and PEPFAR interagency team;

● Facilitating communications between the COM/DCM, other Embassy offices, other (non-

PEPFAR) USG agencies or sections, and PEPFAR USG staff, PEPFAR implementing partners and GVN officials;

● Ensuring horizontal information sharing between in-country agency leads;

● Coordinating the PEPFAR Vietnam team’s response to important developments, activities, policy guidance from Washington, consultation and agreements from senior GVN officials, and collaboration with international agencies, bi-lateral donors and other partners;

● Informing the COM/DCM of substantial policy or program issues, new developments and successes, as well as constraints to achieving the program goals;

● Liaising with specific and agreed upon ministries/offices to promote maximum collaboration and cooperation between major international initiatives in HIV/AIDS, including the Global Fund, World Health Organization, UNAIDS and Clinton Health

Access Initiative, as well as the Informal Ambassador’s/UN Heads of Agency Group on AIDS and the Development Partners Group; and

● Supporting representational activities, in collaboration with the agencies and partners, with regard to preparing speeches for delivery by the COM/DCM, creating background materials for key PEPFAR activities, supporting the development of materials for the Public Affairs Section, and staffing VIP and Congressional visitors.

B. Coordinate the development of the annual Country Operational Plan (COP). COP development requires ongoing coordination and is a year-round activity. The COP reflects the implementation of the strategic plan and its development includes managing thrice-yearly reprogramming activities with OGAC.

C. Facilitate the development and implementation of a unified PEPFAR program that maximizes the comparative advantages and competencies of participating USG agencies, achieves maximum results related to the PEPFAR goals and GVN objectives related to the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS and is optimally responsive to the public health needs of those the country.

● Manage the operational and strategic planning to ensure the development of a balanced

PEPFAR program; and

● Mediate interagency conflict as it arises in the planning and/or implementation process.

D. Work closely with the PEPFAR Strategic Information team and other technical teams to coordinate and report program results as well as conduct strategic exercises to evaluate program progress and success and maintain a calendar of important benchmarks to ensure the program is on schedule.

E. Facilitate interagency process on program activities and results which include:

● Convening, chairing and recording regular meetings of the MT, PEPFAR steering committee, and the broader PEPFAR interagency team.

● Promoting regular meetings and the maintenance of records of PEPFAR technical working groups;

● Overseeing development and submission of the semi-annual and annual reports and regular reporting to the COM/DCM and OGAC.

● Facilitating timely financial and programmatic reporting by all participating USG agencies and their implementing partners.

F. Liaise with the GVN, major donors, USG implementing partners and other relevant players as necessary to provide clear and consistent information on the PEPFAR program and to ensure that PEPFAR is complementary to national HIV/AIDS efforts.

G. Manage and coordinate interagency and OGAC clearance of TDYs and dissemination of technical assistance results and findings, with regard to joint program coordination, development, reporting and implementation.

H. Support efforts of USG agencies to recruit qualified local staff and engage new, especially indigenous, partners to build Vietnamese capacity and to sustain the results achieved under PEPFAR.

I. Prepare and disseminate periodic internal and external updates/status reports on PEPFAR in-country activities to inform host country government partners, non-governmental implementing partners, stakeholders and appropriate media channels to the general public.

J. Maintain communications between PEPFAR and all USG partners on a regular basis.

K. Manage the daily operation and management of the PEPFAR Coordination Office, including the Ambassador’s Small Grants Fund for Public Diplomacy.

10) POSITION TITLE OF DIRECT SUPERVISOR:

Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), US Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam

11) SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The position will be directly supervised for operational and program activities by the DCM and COM in the US Embassy in Vietnam. As such, the Coordinator represents the DCM or Ambassador in managing the complex processes associated with planning, implementing and monitoring the results of PEPFAR across the participating USG implementing agencies.

USAID, the employing agency, will manage administrative and contractual requirements (personnel files, payroll, approval of overtime/comp time, etc.). The incumbent is expected to work independently, taking initiative under general supervision of the DCM/COM in the structure of the PEPFAR Partnership Framework, OGAC strategy and the interagency management approach. S/he will work closely with all members of the PEPFAR MT, which is a key body for providing strategic direction and oversight of implementation and evaluation of PEPFAR-funded activities. The MT is led by the Coordinator and includes representatives from the DOD, CDC, SAMHSA, and USAID.

12) SUPERVISION/OVERSIGHT OF OTHERS:

This position is designated as supervisory. The incumbent will supervise one Deputy Coordinator, one public diplomacy specialist and one administrative assistant. The Coordinator will supervise up to three Foreign Service National (FSN) Vietnamese staff.

13) AVAILABLE GUIDELINES:

The incumbent is required to understand Mission and all agency-specific policies and procedures, which govern Project Activity Management in addition to the established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats for USG. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect overall HIV/AIDS activities, including but not limited to the USG procurement regulations and information systems. In addition, the PEPFAR agencies’ technical staff and counterparts are available as resources to provide advice and guidance.

14) EXERCISE OF JUDGEMENT:

The incumbent is required to exercise independent judgment and ingenuity to interpret and develop applications and guidelines in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent, balanced judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. In addition, considerable judgment is required in working effectively with officials of the Ministries and the private sector, and coordinating multi-sectoral efforts in support of objectives, and in collecting, analyzing and reporting on progress of activities and recommending project actions. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to USG Code of Ethics and Conduct.

15) AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS:

The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit funds on behalf of the USG.

16) NATURE, LEVEL, AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:

The incumbent will be required to maintain solid working relationships with high level personnel within and outside the US Mission. The incumbent will be required to work closely with OGAC, US Embassy and other USG agencies, national governmental officials, non-governmental officials, private sector representatives, other foreign donor institutions and other local and international groups. The established method of communication/contact will be in person, by phone or through written communications. The purpose of contact will be: 1) to maintain open lines of communication in support of HIV/AIDS issues; 2) to maintain regular communications regarding the timely management of activity functions and procedures; 3) to collect, obtain, and verify factual information pertaining to program/project planning and implementation; 4) to track existing activities in HIV/AIDS on a regular basis.

The purpose of contacts will range from simple information gathering to assisting in the development of complex programs and documents with various partners. Consultations between the incumbent and partners can be held for explaining and assisting with strategizing project proposals and objectives, securing cooperation, resolving problems, obtaining or furnishing information, and persuading USG staff and counterparts to take actions and accept recommendations.

17) AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

United States Citizens

18) PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

19) POINT OF CONTACT:

Michael Capobianco at mcapobianco@usaid.gov and Huyen Dang at hdang@usaid.gov.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Qualifications:

This position requires a highly qualified and experienced individual with exceptional interpersonal skills, the ability to foster teamwork, strategic thinking, and also understand the technical requirements to achieve the PEPFAR goals in Vietnam. Consensus building is a critical skill. The incumbent must be familiar with and be able to work well in an overseas environment and with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental counterparts. The PEPFAR Program Coordinator shall have the following qualifications.

Note that in order to be considered those marked “required/requires” must be met.

1) Education:

● Minimum Education Required: Masters Degree in Public Health or a related field(s).

2) Relevant Experience:

● Minimum Experience Required: At least 5 years of increasingly responsible experience working internationally in management of public health programs is required.

● Preferred Qualifications: Significant experience in PEPFAR programs is highly desired.

Prior experience in the Asia region is a plus.

3) Technical Knowledge: Knowledge in public health issues and knowledge of donor, bilateral or multilateral assistance programs required. HIV/AIDS knowledge is preferable.

4) Skills and Abilities: The incumbent is required to:

● Possess strong negotiation, analytical and program coordination skills;

● Be capable of developing and coordinating programs, time-sensitive plans and complex work projects involving multiple USG, Vietnamese government agencies and private sector groups;

● Demonstrate leadership and supervisory skills to manage and direct other professional staff;

● Demonstrate fluency in the English language. Incumbent must be able to communicate (both verbally and in writing) effectively and accurately with 1) all categories of PEPFAR employees; 2) local government officials at the Minister level and lower; 3) numerous international and local organizations, donors and other embassies; 4) various Mission and Washington based USG agencies and 5) the general public. Vietnamese language is a plus.

B. Other Requirements: The incumbent must also be:

1) A US Citizen;

2) In possession of, or able to obtain, facilities access authorization in order to perform under the contract.

3) In possession of, or able to obtain, a medical clearance. The successful applicant must receive medical clearance for serving in Hanoi, Vietnam. Details of how to obtain US

Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted;

4) Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary;

5) Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

1) Selection Process

After the closing date, applications will be initially screened to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. Applications from candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be reviewed and evaluated by an interagency committee in accordance with the evaluation factors. 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 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.

The following factors are listed in descending order of importance:

1. Skills and Abilities

2. Relevant Experience

3. Technical Knowledge

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/relevant years of experience requirements: pass/fail

2. Evaluation Factors (Skills and Abilities, Relevant Experience, and Technical

Knowledge): combined, are of equal importance to Interview Performance

3. Interview Performance: of equal importance to Evaluation Factors

4. Reference Checks: Pass/Fail

IV. APPLYING

1) Applications should include the following, with the applicant’s name clearly marked on every page:

a. Cover letter (no more than one page);

b. Most current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume (no more than 2 pages);

c. 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 the applicant has received relevant to each evaluation factor described above. Responses are limited to 300 words per factor;

d. Salary history for the prior three years captured in a Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17 form available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-1420-17);

e. Contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) for at least three references with knowledge of the applicant's prior work skills; and,

f. 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 19. Late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

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

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) Fingerprint 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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-1420-17 http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(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)

(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.

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 .

4) Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs 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___ http://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations http://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations