Solicitation - Senior HIV-AIDS Clinical Advisor EXO signed.pdf

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT T+ (809) 567-7775

Avenida República de Colombia #57 RNC: 4-30-00171-6 Altos de Arroyo Hondo, Santo Domingo, D.N. drinfo@usaid.gov Dominican Republic, 10605 USAID.GOV | @USAID

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051723R00001 - 0001

ISSUANCE DATE: March 20, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 21, 2023, at

4:30PM ET

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Citizen / Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (US-TCN PSC) – Senior HIV/AIDS Clinical Advisor GS-14

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, Samuel Carter

Contracting Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72051723R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72051723R00001 - 0001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 20, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 21, 2022, at 4:30PM

ET

4. POINT OF CONTACT:

Roxsana Soto / Soraya Morillo USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-368-7101 Cell Phone Number: 809-754-8570 E-mail: rosoto@usaid.gov E-mail: smorillo@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior HIV/AIDS Clinical Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $99,908.00 – $129,878.00 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The position will be based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (02) years, with option to extend for three (03) additional years in one-year increments. Exercise of options will depend on continuing need of services, performance, and funding.

Base Period: o/a July 2023 - July 2025 Option Period 1: o/a July 2025 – July 2026 Option Period 2: o/a July 2026– July 2026 Option Period 3: o/a July 2027– July 2028

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens and Third Country Nationals are eligible offerors. TCNPSC under this solicitation are eligible for benefits in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J, sec. 4(c)(2)(ii)(B)).

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities Access. The selected applicant must be able to obtain and maintain an employment authorization security clearance as provided by

USAID.

mailto:rosoto@usaid.gov mailto:smorillo@usaid.gov

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is at the forefront of the U.S.

government (USG) response in the fight against HIV and AIDS. USAID is a key partner in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and works closely with other USG agencies on this initiative in more than 90 countries. The Dominican Republic’s PEPFAR portfolio, implemented by USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the State Department, has recently undergone a significant pivot to focus more effectively for epidemic control among specific priority population groups. In order to position itself to implement a rapid and high quality expansion of PEPFAR clinical services to serve hard to reach populations, USAID is seeking a Senior HIV/AIDS Clinical Senior Advisor to join the USAID Health and HIV Office team. In FY22, the Health and HIV team managed an annual budget of $14 million in HIV/AIDs funds and $4.5 million in COVID-19 funds. The HIV/AIDs program incorporates programs in behavioral and biomedical prevention, care and treatment, health systems strengthening, and OVC and community care focused on vulnerable and hard to reach populations, specifically Individuals of Haitian descent living in the DR.

Since March 2020, USAID/DR has been working with the Government of the Dominican Republic (GoDR) to a) reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, mitigate transmission, and strengthen health systems to effectively respond to pandemic threats, and b) accelerate access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination. USAID has supported several COVID- 19 related activities, including but not limited to: strengthening laboratory diagnostics to manage large-scale testing; promoting risk communication and engagement with communities to encourage public health actions needed to raise awareness and counter misinformation; preventing and controlling infections in health facilities; improving the management of severe and non-severe cases of COVID-19; supporting surveillance, rapid response, and emergency operations; and supporting supply chain coordination.

The Sr. HIV/AIDS Clinical Advisor (“Senior Advisor”) will provide a management role as a team lead and through technical implementation of USAID’s site and above-site HIV portfolio, including HIV care and treatment, HIV testing and counseling (HTC), care and support, and health systems strengthening within USAID. S/he will serve as the Agency’s representative in interagency discussions. The Senior Advisor will provide technical expertise grounded in strong medical knowledge, previous clinical experience, and demonstrated public health understanding to lead the design, integration and implementation of HIV and AIDS care and support programs and build strong linkages between HIV treatment and other clinical services supported by USAID. S/he will also serve as technical lead and manager for USAID activities related to global health threats, including COVID-19.

1. General Statement of purpose of the contract:

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Advisor, working with the Health Office Director, will serve as the subject matter expert and technical leader within USAID/DR for the HIV clinical continuum including community and facility based HIV case-funding, linkage to treatment, and continuity of treatment and viral suppression services. In addition s/he will oversee the health systems strengthening activities that serve to remove operational bottlenecks and/or strengthen clinical care activities. S/he will provide technical and managerial support on programs providing testing, linkage to treatment, and continuity of treatment and viral suppression for those at risk of HIV and those living with HIV/AIDS. S/he will be a subject matter expert on how to best reach and retain vulnerable and priority populations living with stigma and discrimination. S/he will also work with technical representatives of other USG agencies, GoDR counterparts, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC), international donors, and other key development partners. Finally, S/he will take a lead role on COVID-19 and health system strengthening activities related to emerging and re-emerging global health threats.

2. Statement of duties to be performed:

A. Technical Leadership

• Provide on-going leadership, technical assistance, technical direction, and consultation to direct staff, the broader USAID HIV team, interagency PEPFAR team, the Government of DR (GoDR), and implementing partners on the development and implementation of the continuum of HIV clinical, support services, and systems strengthening in accordance with global, PEPFAR, and USAID guidance.

• Supervise a clinical team of up to four local staff comprising technical and administrative support specialists.

• Build technical and management capacity of Health and HIV Office staff to lead different components of HIV/AIDS and other health programming through training, mentorship, and ongoing performance management.

• Conduct data and trend analysis, and provide technical recommendations to improve the performance of clinical care and treatment programs at the national, provincial, site and community levels. Lead the HIV clinical team to analyze routinely reported program results across the clinical cascade and use data to redirect implementation as needed. Identify areas of weakness on a regular basis, at least monthly, and devise improvement plans.

• Provide USAID expert technical and programmatic advice on the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of HIV and AIDS programs, particularly those for adult care and treatment.

• Lead clinical inputs to the USAID and PEPFAR business processes- quarterly data review presentations and country operational plan inputs.

• Analyze, synthesize and disseminate findings and best practices to the Mission, Government of the Dominican Republic, and its partners.

• Participate in the review and evaluation of existing policies and guidelines on continuum of HIV clinical services and other relevant policies/guidelines, providing recommendations and suggesting modifications to existing policies/guidelines or the creation of new policies/guidelines to support and/or enhance USAID HIV activities.

• Provide USAID expert technical direction and programmatic management on the planning, design, and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of health system strengthening activities, including but not limited to those related to emerging and re-emerging global health threats.

• Develop and deliver relevant presentations, reference materials, speeches and prepare reports and other documents as required.

B. Project Management

• Serve as Activity Manager and/or Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR)/Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) for assigned USAID awards and activities.

• Provide support in managing HIV clinical contracts, grants or cooperative agreements, including work plan development, monitoring of budgets allocated to USAID clinical partners;

review of budget for appropriateness, monitor the use of funds for adherence to proposed activities, quarterly review of budget status and outlays, and providing advice for realignment of budget, and accruals.

• Provide technical advice and direction to grantees and contractors on management and implementation of grants, contracts and/or cooperative agreements to ensure consistency with PEPFAR policies and GODR policies and regulations.

• Review the technical quality of projects in the field by conducting site visits, meeting with program planners and managers in the field, providing expert technical assistance, monitoring progress, and reviewing and analyzing results.

• Provide regular status reports on progress for all projects under his/her responsibility and prepare the required reports on clinical care issues. This will include mandated quarterly country operational plan (COP) reports and briefings to the PEPFAR Oversight and Accountability Response Team (POART) on results, as well as weekly and monthly partner data reviews.

C. Administrative Management

• Ensure the maintenance of files, including all site visit reports, progress meeting reports, and other reports. Ensure up to date clinical information, including PowerPoint presentations, success stories, site visit reports, data quality sheets and other documents are kept as required.

• Maintain financial and expenditure spreadsheets and track all treatment, testing and care expenditures to ensure compliance with PEPFAR guidelines.

D. Partner Relationships and Coordination

• Develop collaborations with counterparts in USG (i.e. CDC, DOD and S/GAC), international agencies (esp. Global Fund), and Government of the Dominican Republic (i.e. Ministry of Health, National Health System, National AIDS Council, etc.).

• Serve on relevant PEPFAR, COVID-19, and health system strengthening interagency and/or National Working Groups and participate in other related collaborations within USAID and interagency.

3. Supervisory Relationship:

The incumbent will report to the Health and HIV Office Director or her/his designee at the USAID/DR Mission. S/He is expected to work independently in carrying out responsibilities. The incumbent is expected to be able to exercise considerable independent judgment in carrying out assigned tasks and to be able to function effectively within a multicultural and interagency environment. As a technical advisor, s/he should work independently on key tasks, and also keep managers and colleagues fully apprised of the status of work assignments. Assignments are often self-generated in response to goals and objectives to be achieved with expected results. S/He functions as a part of USAID/Dominican Republic’s Development Objective team for Health.

4. Supervisory Controls

The incumbent will supervise a team of up to four people; two (02) PMS Care & Treatment positions, one (01) PMA Field Specialist and one (01) Supervisory PMS HIV/AIDS position. The incumbent Will review completed work, provide instructions to supervised staff, and be responsible for the mid-term and annual reviews and any required coaching/mentoring of these staff. Supervision duties as provided in USAID ADS and other agency guidelines and policy.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

Prior Work Experience:

• Experience in providing clinical care to HIV/AIDS patients

• Minimum ten(10) years of experience in public health programs with emphasis on infectious diseases and HIV, with at least three (3) years of experience working on health care delivery in an international or resource challenged setting. Experience in PEPFAR and/or LAC countries preferred.

• Minimum of three years supervisory experience.

Education:

• MD/DO/MBBS/MBCHB or equivalent medical or nursing degree with experience in international health care and support delivery

• Master’s in Public Health or a related field with an emphasis on infectious diseases preferred.

Language Proficiency:

Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish.

Knowledge:

• Ability to develop and monitor clinical components of HIV strategic plans, develop innovative solutions and meet targets

• Knowledge of and familiarity with international treatment initiatives and organizations and the ability to interact successfully with senior level representatives and high level government officials of international and host country governmental and nongovernmental agencies, multilateral and bilateral organizations.

• Knowledge of the issues involved working in limited resource environments.

• Knowledge of U.S. Government legislation relating to development assistance and

USAID programming policies, regulations procedures, and documentation.

• General knowledge of public sector health systems and its affiliated agencies, donors, and related private sector programs.

Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work cross-culturally with diverse teams.

• Ability to work in a fast-pace environment

• Supervision, performance management, and mentorship skills

• Excellent analytical written and oral communication skills

• High degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop and present work and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs

• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time

• Strong skills in the operation of computers and software program applications authorized for use (including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word and related logistics software for management, forecasting, etc.) are required

• Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, required to establish and maintain a wide range of senior-level and working-level contacts with HIV/AIDS programs in government, nongovernmental, and private-sector circles.

• Ability to work effectively within team and interagency environments.

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.

• Education (10%)

• Work Experience (25%)

• Technical Knowledge (30%)

• Abilities and Skills (35%)

USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country national (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,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

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

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

4. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria.

5. Applicants are required to provide a cover letter addressing how they meet the requirements of each criterion listed and submit three to five professional references with complete contact information.

6. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. Form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals”, form attached.

2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843) **

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF-86) ** or

4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) **

5. Fingerprint Card (FD-258) **

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

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 and Sick Leave

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.

(A) Temporary lodging allowance (Section 120), ³

(B) Living quarters allowance (Section 130), ³

(C) Post allowance (Section 220), ³

(D) Supplemental post allowance (Section 230), ³

(E) Separate maintenance allowance (Section 260),4

(F) Education allowance (Section 270),4

(G) Educational travel (Section 280),4

(H) Post differential (Section 500), http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101.

https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101.

https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=239&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=241&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=245&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=215&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=249&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=250&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=260&menu_id=75

(I) Payments during evacuation/authorized departure (Section 600), and

(J) Danger pay (Section 650).

³Mission Directors may authorize per diem in lieu of these allowances.

4These allowances are not authorized for short tours (i.e., less than a year).

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. PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses

52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin

Islands; and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=266&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=271&menu_id=75 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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of clause)

3. 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:

4. 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 .

5. 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.

6. PSC Ombudsman. 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/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

END OF SOLICITATION

https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov