72048219R00003_Complete_Solicitation_for_USAID_Burma_Senior_Acquistition_and_Assistance_Specialist.pdf

ATTACHMENT 1

Solicitation for Off-Shore US/TCN Personal Services Contractor for the position of Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

1. SOLICITATION NO.: SOL-72048219R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 04, 2019

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 03, 2019 at 4:00 P.M. Burma Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

5. MARKET VALUE: $89,370 - $116,181 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year starting on/about June 01, 2019 to on/about May 31, 2020 with the possibility of 2 one year extensions depending on the need for continuation of services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Burma

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to United States Citizens (A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States) and Third Country Nationals. U.S. citizens applicants will be considered first before TCN applicants are considered. Only short-listed candidates will be considered for an interview.

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: USG Facility Access Clearance

10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will provide expert technical competence and leadership support to the Mission’s OAA as follows:

1. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will provide technical assistance to

USAID/Burma in the execution of program/project-funded contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, and inter-agency agreements, including providing staff support on all aspects of procurement and contract management relating to and affecting USAID assistance programs, policy and project planning, design, implementation and evaluation. The incumbent participates in project and mission policy formulation, project design resource assessments, sector analyses, and other studies. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will serve as a contractual advisor to major development program initiatives and in the Mission. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will prepare and negotiate modifications of basic contractual text, terms and conditions, specifications, scopes of work, program descriptions, and costs in the full range of award instruments. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will plan for and provide A&A management support to accomplish program objectives, and provide proper and timely administration of all assigned A&A awards to include clarifications and interpretations of directive correspondence, and other miscellaneous administrative modifications to procurement instruments. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will seek resolution and settlement of contract disputes, termination and settlement of A&A instruments, close outs, and reporting of contractor performance. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will compose and prepare all manner of A&A correspondence.

2. The majority of the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist’s responsibilities will be in direct contracting and administration of large, complex foreign assistance implementing programs. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist’s responsibilities will encompass the negotiation, award, administration, and management of both Assistance and Acquisition-type instruments to accomplish development projects.

Specifically, in all cases the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will supervise and prepare pre-award documents, conduct negotiations, and prepare award documents and award file documentation in final form for the review and signature of Contracting/Agreement Officer. These documents involve an obligation of potentially tens of millions of dollars in U.S. Government funds. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist must be available for consultation on contracting issues with USAID/W and Mission senior management and technical staff, other in-country U.S. Government officials and representatives (Ambassador level and below), Government of Burma (GOB) officials (Minister level and below), implementing partners (CEO level and below), and others, as required. This effort requires extensive knowledge of Federal and USAID regulations, and the associated governing guidance (e.g., the FAR and USAID Supplement (AIDAR), CFR, OMB Circulars, FAM, and FTR) for all types of A&A awards.

3. In addition to the execution of contracts and modifications as identified above, the Senior

Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will also research issues contained in, and draft responses to, items of correspondence as assigned. Examples include, but are not limited to: subcontract consent requests, salary approvals, equipment approvals, etc., on a wide variety of contract and assistance awards.

4. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will serve as a senior and trusted policy and technical advisor to the Contracting Officer, USAID/Burma core Leadership and the U.S. Mission to Burma staff on all manner of A&A issues. The incumbent will speak for the Contracting Officer on technical A&A matters, as directed by the Contracting Officer or as required.

USAID/Burma is a relatively new Mission. As such, the Specialist will provide on-the-job training on A&A matters to all mission staff, especially DO team staff and Contracting and Agreement Officer’s Representatives. The Specialist, under the CO’s supervision and direction, will also create a series of training session for Mission staff on relevant A&A topics.

5. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will actively participate in the mentoring of the OAA Team’s staff, which includes Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will be required to assist in creating a supportive work environment that values diversity, and elicits the highest possible level of performance from the assigned OAA staff; set clear individual and team work objectives; ensure that the staff carries out those assignments; and, as required, evaluate staff performance, formally and by providing timely ongoing feedback.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The primary location of work will be the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon, Burma. Work in the office is expected to be mostly sedentary. Secondary locations will include implementing partner offices and field offices, project site field locations, the location of program beneficiaries in rural and in urban areas, Government of Burma departments and NGOs, as well as attendance at conferences and training.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: Scott Spencer, sspencer@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The Senior A&A Specialist shall have the following qualifications.

Education/Training: A Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited U.S. college/university degree (equivalency accreditation if a non-U.S. institution is required) in accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, organization and management, or a related field is required.

Post graduate work in one of the fields is desirable but not required.

Must have completed courses for a FAC Level Two Certification

Work Experience: Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of direct U.S. Federal Government contracting experience in complex pre-award, award, and post-award responsibilities involving Acquisition and Assistance.

Communications: Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading of English language is required. English writing skills and ability to analyze and justify A&A decisions according to regulation must be excellent as work assignments include decision documentation review and drafting.

Knowledge: An extensive knowledge of USG, Federal regulations, procedures for a broad range of acquisition instruments and assistance agreements are required. This includes a knowledge of award contracts, standards and U.S. Federal specifications; knowledge of U.S. and local business practices and procedures; knowledge of local and regional market conditions and norms;

knowledge of cost principles and requirements, cost/pricing structures and negotiation methods and techniques.

Skills and abilities: The ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills and ability to plan and provide required acquisition/assistance support for USAID/Burma in a timely and effective manner are required. Good analytical, negotiation, and time management skills are required, with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail are required. 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. The incumbent shall be required to apply highly specialized contracting skills and knowledge involving complex agreements.

Past Performance: Demonstrated success in the areas of quality of work, reliability, knowledge of rules and regulations, communication, mentoring and training of local staff.

Supervision Received: The Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will be supervised with respect to work responsibilities by the OAA Office Director based in Rangoon. The incumbent’s work objectives will be jointly developed between the incumbent and the supervisor.

Supervision Exercised: No direct supervisory authority is included in this position; however, Incumbent will be responsible for mentoring and training other Acquisition and Assistance staff.

The Incumbent may be required to fulfill administrative supervisory duties where the CO is away from the office, including approval of timesheets.

Exercise of Judgment: The Senior A&A Specialist must exercise independent judgment and provide guidance to others and is required to handle all work independently, according to policies, previous training, accepted practices, and programmatic guidance. The exceptional exercise of judgment and discretion is required given the sensitive nature of contracting procedures.

Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The employee will work with all levels of USAID offices including senior management in Burma. From time to time the incumbent will have high-level working contacts with U.S. embassy officers, host government officials, PVOs, NGOs, and private sector entities to fulfill the major duties and responsibilities of this contract. Often these contacts will be of a sensitive nature, and discretion is required.

Authority To Make Commitments: The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) (USAID/Burma) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Education: 20 points Job Knowledge and Prior Work Experience: 60 points Other Skills and Abilities: 20 points Total points: 100 points

Education and Training (20 points):

A Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited four-year U.S. college/university degree (equivalency accreditation if a non-U.S. institution is required) in accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, organization and management, or a related field is required.

Post graduate work in one of the fields is desirable but not required.

Completion of FAC-C Level 2 Certification training is required.

Job Knowledge and Prior Work Experience (60 Points):

Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of direct U.S. Federal Government contracting experience in complex pre-award, award, and post-award responsibilities.

A&A Competency Requirements : Applicants must demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following A&A competencies: knowledge of FAR, USAID A&A regulations, and agency-specific policies and procedures; knowledge contract types and possession of requisite skills for the particular A&A assignments (e.g. task orders, commercial items, etc.); analytical skills to review of a statement of work (or program description) for contractibility, consistency, readability and completeness; ability prepare solicitations and review and assist in the development of instructions for offerors/applicants and evaluation criteria; verbal skills sufficient to present information to A&A staff and other Mission (non-procurement) personnel

Other Skills and Abilities (20 points):

Applicants must demonstrate their skills, and abilities in advanced conceptualization, analyzing and organizing a large amount of complex information simultaneously, and strategic planning.

Attention to detail and an ability to work calmly and skillfully under pressure are essential.

Ability to analyze business proposals and negotiate to orchestrate “win-win” settlements between disparate parties is required. The abilities to organize and manage a large volume of work;

establish and sustain high-level missions/agency, host country/business community relationships;

and collaborate with, lead and supervise professional-level staff are required.

Skills in researching, preparing and presenting oral and written reports and ability to influence opinions of others are necessary.

Required computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, web-based applications, and data base front-end programs.

Fluency in spoken and written English at Level 4 is required.

IV. APPLYING

A. Qualified applicants are required to complete and submit the offer form “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals” (AID 309-2) form available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms and the following information:

B. Applicants must also include a curriculum vitae (CV) to include the following:

1) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held);

2) Education: high school, name, city and state, date of diploma or GED; colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours);

3) Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions);

job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor;

4) Other Qualifications: Other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title & year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested).

5) Applicants are required to provide three references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers.

All of the above information must be included in the application package in order for the package to be considered complete.

If encumbered, this position is intended to be temporary. The position will include a requirement to train a Cooperating Country National (CCN) employee to assume the duties of the position. A work development plan will include measurable deliverables and an estimated time for training the CCN employee.

Interested candidates should send the above information electronically:

usaidburmapsc@usaid.gov. Subject of email must be as follows: “U.S. PSC Offshore Senior Acquisition &Assistance Specialist, GS-14”. (Be certain to sign form AID 309-2). Unsigned or incomplete applications will not be considered. Uploaded file may not exceed 25 MB. USAID will only confirm receipt and print out the electronic submission. USAID will not ensure quality or completeness of electronic files attached to e-mails. The applicant assumes all risk related to an electronic submission.

Applications must be received no later than the due date and time of this solicitation. Late applications or delayed electronic submissions will not be accepted.

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 Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

3. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS

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 (USPSCs)

(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)

* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an offshore U.S/TCNPSC is normally authorized the following allowances:

a. Post Differential (Section 500)

b. Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220)

c. Payments During Evacuation (Section 600)

d. Education Allowance (Section 270)

e. Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

f. Educational Travel (Section 280)

3. Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside in accordance with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. Some benefits may be adjusted according to the applicants residency status.

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 PSC 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 .

AAPD10-03 AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits for Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs -- 04/12/10

AAPD 10-01 Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts for Health Insurance and Physical Examination Costs – Personal Services Contracts (“PSC”) with U.S. Citizen

AAPD 06-11 Home Leave and Revised General Provision 5, Leave and Holidays AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical expense payment responsibility AAPD 06-07 AIDAR, Appendix D:

Contract budget, salary determination and salary increase

AAPD 06-01 Medical evacuation insurance

CIB 01-10 Revision of medical clearance process – PSC with U.S. Citizens

CIB 01-07 Clarification of the extension/renewal policy regarding PSCs Solicitation USPSC CIB 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process – PSCs with U.S. Citizens CIB 00- 03 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts

CIB 99-22 PSC Policy

CIB 98-23 Guidance regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements CIB 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for PSCs

CIB 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs CIB 98-11 Determining a Market Value for Personal Services Contractors Hired under Appendix D.

CIB 97-17 PSC’s with U.S. Citizens or U.S. resident aliens

CIB 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contracts

CIB 94-09 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

CIB 93-17 Financial Disclosure requirements under a Personal Services Contract

CIB 89-29 Use of Government Bill of Lading for Transportation of Personal Service Contractor (PSC) Household Effects, Unaccompanied Baggage and Privately Owned Vehicles

Various Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertain to Personal Services Contracts can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/subject.html#psc

Additionally, AIDAR Appendixes D that applies to PSCs can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf

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 .

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