72053823R00001 - SOLICITATION - DAS EXO signed.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72053823R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: January 20th, 2023

CLOSING DATE: February 17th, 2023, 16:30 AST

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Development Specialist 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 attached information.

Sincerely, Samuel Carter, Supervisory Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT I

I. GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. SOLICITATION NO: 72053823R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 20th, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 17th, 2023, 4:30pm

AST

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Roxsana Soto, Human Resources Specialist, rosoto@usaid.gov

Soraya Morillo, Sup. Executive Specialist., smorillo@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Development Specialist Advisor (DSA)

6. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent ($99,908.00 – $129,878.00 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the official USAID worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years from the date of appointment, with the possibilities of extension up to five years. Any option to renew is based on need of the position and funds availability. The Personal Services Contract will commence on/about February 2023 through o/a August 2023. The specific number of days to be worked will be determined by mutual agreement between the contract employee and the Mission.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Georgetown, Guyana

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens only

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The USAID Mission to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC) supports climate resilience, environmental protection, natural disaster preparedness and response, clean energy transition, and reducing crime and violence through assisting at-risk youth, primary education, and COVID prevention and awareness, throughout the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, a region covering 11 countries and five U.S. Embassies. Initiatives and programs are managed jointly by a technical team spread between Bridgetown, Barbados and Georgetown, Guyana with overall management responsibility held in Bridgetown.

To support these efforts, USAID/ESC requires contracted services of a development assistance professional with strong leadership, teamwork, and skills to advise on USAID activities mainly in

Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. Additionally, a key responsibility of the Development Specialist Advisor (DSA) would be to liaise with the U.S. Embassies in Georgetown, Port of Spain, and Paramaribo, and keep the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission informed of USAID programs as requested by the Regional Representative. The Specialist’s responsibilities would require engagement with the Government of Guyana, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of Suriname officials, donors, the private sector, and other key partners, as appropriate. A critical role that this person will perform will be USAID’s primary lead representative with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), USAID’s principal development partner in the region. The position reports to the USAID Regional Representative for USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

Coordinated by the Regional Representative and in close consultation with the Program Officer, and General Development Officer, the candidate will advise, inform and make recommendations regarding development matters to the U.S. Ambassador and the wider U.S. Embassy Country Team in all three countries. He/She shall also provide similar inputs in discussions with other donors and counterparts; and represent USAID in the three countries to other donor agencies, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, and the host country government. This will include drafting and occasionally delivering public remarks during USAID sponsored public events, representing USAID at -donor-agency meetings, and attending high-level events with senior officials of the governments of the three countries and CARICOM.

The individual should research, identify, analyze and prepare reports on key political/social, trade/economic, defense/security issues and emerging trends and contacts of interest/relevance to USAID; effectively use and contribute to the mission’s map of relationships with various stakeholders, decision-makers, policy makers, thinkers and influencers; use this network proactively to ensure smooth access for the USAID/ESC mission staff; communicate and coordinate with other USAID/ESC staff, USAID/Washington, officials in government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies, business associations, and private sector institutions involved in the economy; deliver written and oral briefings to officials of governmental organizations, business associations, multilateral institutions, international and national organizations, Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), and other stakeholders on policy, strategy and program issues as it affects the ESC economy.

a) Coordination (80%)

The Development Specialist will need to maintain excellent communication and coordination with the office in Barbados to ensure he/she has a clear understanding of the strategy, approach, and risks of all issues relevant to the position. He/She must have sound knowledge of the various activities being carried out by implementing partners in the relevant countries, drawing on partner reports and including results, and compiling and providing summary reports to the interagency and ESC. The incumbent is expected to develop relationships with all relevant colleagues from offices such as Department of State Political and Economic Offices from the DoS, and the Offices of the Defense Attaché (DAT) and of Security Cooperation (OSC) from DoD, as well as other US agencies in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. He/She will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Contribute to shaping USAID policies on economic growth and poverty reduction including commenting on countries’ strategic and operational documents, preparing reports to Front Office, USAID senior management, and external audiences, and liaising with external partners.

• Advise and inform the U.S. Ambassador and Country Team in each of the three southern countries on relevant matters: provide strategic guidance, analysis, advice, and recommendations regarding development issues to the U.S. Ambassador and the wider U.S. Embassy Country Team.

Also, provide similar inputs in discussions with other donors and counterparts.

• The Specialist should closely coordinate with the USAID/ESC Program Office on interacting with the Embassy’s Public Affairs Specialists (PAS) in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago to ensure USAID messaging is meeting USG communication goals and objectives.

• Liaison with CARICOM; Ministries in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago; and other Development Partners in the three countries. Build and maintain strong relationships with government officials including senior advisors and officials at ministerial level, representatives from the university and research community. Maintain collaborative working relationships with private business, banking and donor community as needed to perform responsibilities. As needed, serve as the Mission’s focal point on committees and working groups organized within the USAID Mission, by other donors or CARICOM, on matters related to the strategy and goals of the USAID Mission in the country areas of responsibility.

• Conduct analysis on development assistance issues including donor coordination.

Maintain dialogue with key donors to stay abreast of developments and emerging cross cutting issues which include but are not limited to economic conditions, institutional reforms, good governance, gender, and security.

• Participate in outreach program coordination. This may include drafting and delivering public remarks during USAID sponsored public events, representing USAID at heads-of-donor-agency meetings, and attending high-level events with senior Government officials.

b) Economic Analysis/Advisory (20%)

• Serve in an advisory capacity to the Mission for strategy and program design, evaluation and performance monitoring, and activity implementation by providing relevant economic information and analysis. This could include, inter alia, analysis and reporting on current economic conditions, the countries in the Caribbean’s fiscal policy; trade and investment policies;

multi-donor initiatives and positions; and private sector and civil society initiatives with implications for poverty reduction.

• Analyze economic policies and economic trends for their impact on ESC's economic development and their potential implications for USAID program and results achievement.

Prepare reports and briefing materials on economic issues and developments as appropriate and useful to U.S. Mission and its partners.

• Work closely with senior management team members from the US Embassy and USAID to analyze the economic situation and advise the Mission on issues affecting U.S. Mission programs and results achievement.

• Serve as an advisor to the Mission’s designated Private Sector Liaison officer to ensure coherent and effective private sector partnerships are developed to support the mission’s activities.

The incumbent will exercise delegations of authority granted to PSC senior technical staff, as described in Mission Orders however, he/she will have no authority to commit USG funds.

3. Supervisory Relationship

The Development Specialist Advisor is directly supervised by the Regional Representative for USAID/ESC. Performance will be evaluated based on specific work objectives/benchmarks pre-determined with the USAID/ESC management team in Barbados.

4. Supervisory Controls

The incumbent is not expected to supervise any staff.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in international business, International Finance, Economics/private sector development, International Development and related fields.

Prior Work Experience: 10 years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in the management of development assistance, humanitarian or conflict-prevention programs or related work required. This should include experience with donor agencies, host-government organizations, non-government organizations, or private-sector institutions. Strong preference for candidates with experience working with Departments of State and or Defense. Significant experience in economic growth, or energy and/or environment programming (required).

Significant experience in program design, and monitoring and evaluation (desired). Familiarity with USG/USAID regulations is highly desirable. Latin America and Caribbean experience (highly desired) development related fields.

Skills and Abilities: Proven ability to communicate and work cross-culturally at a high level, in a challenging and ever-changing environment (required); excellent written and oral communications skills in English (required); strong interpersonal skills, team player, and the proven ability to multi-task. (required); knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications (required). The incumbent must be capable of working independently on a number of tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision. The incumbent must be able to identify, mobilize, and effectively draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission and other USAID offices. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to participate actively in meetings as appropriate with the Embassy, USAID/Washington representatives, other donors, counterpart government officials, partners, and technical experts. Demonstrated capability for perceptive analysis. Ability to develop and maintain a network of experts and partners in technical and geographic areas. Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills are required. The incumbent must possess excellent communication skills. English fluency (Level IV) coupled with excellent written and spoken English language skills are critical for job success.

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Offerors will be evaluated and ranked on the extent and quality of their education, professional work experience, technical knowledge, and professional presentation as they relate to this position against the following criteria:

1. Professional Experience (40 points): The incumbent must have a minimum of ten

(10) years' experience working with USG and development work, of which eight (8) years is relevant overseas experience.

2. Education (10 points): A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in International Business, International Finance, Economics/private sector development, International Development related fields.is required. (Educational requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position.)

3. Language Proficiency - English (20 points): The incumbent must possess excellent communication skills. English fluency (Level IV) coupled with excellent written and spoken English language skills are critical for job success.

4. Technical knowledge, Skills and Abilities (30 points): The incumbent should have specific knowledge and understanding of US development policies and processes and how an overseas development mission functions. S/he must demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge of development, with a preference for development assistance, humanitarian or conflict-prevention programs. Experience and being able to work with donor agencies, host-government organizations, non-government organizations, or private-sector institutions is critical to this role. Knowledge of the ESC’s economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics and of the history of development assistance activities in the region is desired. A good understanding of the economic development sector including business enabling environment, public financial management, agriculture, and private sector led competitiveness and growth as well as knowledge of energy is desirable.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

Maximum Points Available: 100

Professional Experience: 40 points Education: 10 points Communication skills: 20 points Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 30 points Total: 100 points

After the closing date for receipt of offers, a committee will be convened to review offers and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Offers which do not meet the required qualifications will not be scored. Only shortlisted offerors will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors.

As part of the selection process, finalist offerors may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID's discretion. Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists. If an offeror does not wish USAID to contact the current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the offer's cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the offeror. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their offers.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

Security and Medical Clearance Requirements

The applicant selected to fill this position must be able to obtain a security clearance/employment authorization which involves the applicant's comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency.

The applicant selected to fill the position must also receive medical clearance to work worldwide including random drug test for illegal drug use. Details of how to obtain such clearance will be provided after selection and acceptance of the job offer.

The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Submission of a résumé alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section.

Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

Interested individuals meeting the Minimum Qualifications above are required to submit the following:

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. Cover letter and current résumé/curriculum vitae (CV). The CV/résumé must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in http://www.usaid.gov/forms accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing.

2. Applicants must provide a minimum of three references within the last ten years from the applicant’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives.

References should be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

3. 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.

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

5. 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:

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 found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(1) AID 309-2

(2) Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86)*

(3) Authority for Release of Information (AID 610-14)*

(4) Foreign Residence Data (AID 6-85)*

(5) Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended*

(6) Notice Required by The Privacy Act of 1974*

(7) Fingerprint Cards (FD-258)*

(8) Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561).

Forms 2 through 8 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI .BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

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

ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) . Please note that due to the length of the contract, some of these allowances would not apply.

(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. 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.

(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 (AAPSs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with individuals available at https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/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 5CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Legal%20Research%20Search%20Collection?Op enForm

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/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Legal%20Research%20Search%20Collection?OpenForm https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Legal%20Research%20Search%20Collection?OpenForm https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov