Sol_72062024B00001 USPSC_TCNPSC -Senior Strategic Information Advisor GS 14.docx

Attachment 1 Solicitation No. 72062024B00001 Senior Strategic Information Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062024B00001

ISSUANCE DATE: April 05, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: Open Until Filled

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)/Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (TCNPSC) Senior Strategic Information Advisor - USAID/Nigeria.

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), seeks 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 Contract specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Janine A. Scott Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062024B00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 05, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE: Open until Filled

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Elizabeth Morris, e-mail at Abujahr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Strategic Information Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604 to $135,987 equivalent to GS-14. The 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. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

Overseas USPSCs and TCNPSCs not subject to the local compensation plan may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location with the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years period, estimated to start o/a July 2024.

“The base period will be two (2) years, estimated to start on/about July 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three (3) years for the date(s) estimated as follows.”

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Citizens (including lawful permanent U.S. residents) or Third Country Nationals.

Hiring Preference:

In order of preference, U.S. Citizens (including lawful permanent U.S. residents) offers will be evaluated first. Only when it is determined that there is no qualified U.S. Citizen (including lawful permanent U.S. residents) will offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) be considered. References ADS 309.3.1.4 and 309.3.1.10.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: USPSCs – Secret; TCNPSCs – Facility Access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

The HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) (HAT) Office supports USAID/Nigeria’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), approved in August 2020, with the goal of a healthier, more educated, prosperous, stable, and resilient Nigeria. This includes Development Objective 2: A healthier, better educated population; and Development Objective 3: strengthened accountable, inclusive, and responsive governance. The HIV and TB portfolio particularly contributes to: IR 2.1 by ensuring improved health and disease outcomes of priority populations in targeted states; and IRs 3.2 Enhanced civic voice and accountability, and 3.4 Increased accountability and effectiveness of public institutions, by working with all levels of government to strengthen management and operational capacities; encourage reforms to better prioritize, allocate, and disburse budgets for services delivered to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens; and mobilizing civil society to advocate for an adequate supply of quality, affordable services. In addition to HIV and TB programming, USAID/Nigeria invests in maternal and child health, reproductive health and family planning, nutrition, and malaria programming managed by USAID’s Health, Population, and Nutrition (HPN) Office. USAID/Nigeria health programs are closely coordinated with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Walter Reed Institute for Army Research- Africa (WRAIR-A), and other USG agencies and donors. In FY23, the HAT Office managed a budget of $253 million and has 38 approved staff positions.

The Senior Strategic Information (SI) Advisor leads the SI team and will be responsible for providing technical guidance to all HIV and TB activities including surveillance and surveys, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E), targeted evaluations, health informatics, and data analysis. S/he will directly supervise up to eight professional-level staff specializing across multiple aspects of data management. The Advisor has overall responsibility for the design and implementation of systems for data collection, management, analysis, reporting, informatics, and evaluation; and plays a lead role in developing annual operational plan targets which guide the PEPFAR and TB programs each year. S/he provides leadership to SI efforts for the inter-agency PEPFAR/Nigeria program, valued at $396 million annually, as a co-chair of the SI technical working group. S/he will serve as a key strategic information expert and primary USAID contact for strategic information strategies and implementation for PEPFAR programs, as well as the development of protocols for public health evaluations, data analytics and use.

The Senior SI Advisor maintains highly collaborative interagency relationships and ensures that data generated by program monitoring and other SI systems are of high quality and use for program planning, policy development, advocacy, and program evaluation. The Senior SI Advisor ensures the review of monthly performance data and presentation of performance data to the HIV and TB team management, interagency leads, USAID and the Global Health Security and Diplomacy Bureau (GHSD).

S/he will provide advice, guidance, and coordination to the Government of Nigeria (GON), ministries, departments and agencies and other collaborating organizations in the implementation and strengthening of strategic information systems for PEPFAR and TB programs. S/he plays a lead role in improving the capacity of host government organizations to routinely collect, manage, analyze, and report data in a timely, accurate and reliable manner. S/he coordinates with GON, donors including the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; UNAIDS; and other collaborating organizations. The Advisor may also serve as COR/AOR for USAID activities engaged specifically in strategic information.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The Senior Strategic Information Advisor has advanced expertise in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, data collection, management, analysis, reporting, informatics. The Advisor has responsibility for independently planning and carrying out important programs/projects and activities; determining the approach to be taken and the methods to be used; resolving or referring conflicts and questions as needed; coordinating work with others; and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. S/he keeps supervisors informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and problems with far-reaching implications.

The Advisor has a leadership role in the HIV and TB Office as the senior most technical expert in all aspects of monitoring and evaluating of HIV programs and in surveillance. S/he works in close coordination with all HIV/AIDS team members, other Mission staff including the program office, key USG agencies and other stakeholders and be responsible for, or provide support for, a variety of institutional components in the area of strategic information.

The Advisor has the following specific responsibilities:

● Strategic and Technical Leadership (45%)

The Advisor provides strategic technical leadership and expertise within the Office of HIV and TB on program monitoring and evaluation; data use and analysis on large, complex data sources; surveillance and health informatics to the USAID Mission, the broader USG interagency and host country stakeholders. S/he is a key member of the Mission’s M&E Team coordinated by the Program Office; a reviewer of Mission evaluation designs and reports; and a participant on Mission evaluation teams. S/he guides USAID implementing partners (IPs) and collaborates with development partner stakeholders and host country counterparts on mutually identified critical operational research and/or targeted public health evaluation questions; provides assistance in development of strategies and protocols to address those questions; and helps disseminate findings to the broader community within USG, development partners and host country stakeholders. As a technical expert, the incumbent contributes technical and managerial expertise to strengthen SI technical expertise and leadership skills. S/he serves as a resource person and conducts training for Office of HIV and TB staff on the importance, value, and application of data for regular partner performance management and sector strategy development.

The Advisor provides technical input into the development of public health evaluations, operational research, program assessments, and national surveys as and when required. S/he maintains familiarity with current literature and best practices relevant to health systems strengthening and integrated service delivery for HIV and TB programming in Nigeria.

● Program/Project Management (40%)

In keeping with USAID/PEPFAR policies and programming guidelines, the SI Advisor conceptualizes programs and projects focusing on transition to local partners, sustainability, and government ownership. S/he provides technical assistance to GON counterparts to build capacity for strategic information, monitoring and evaluation, and surveillance.

The Advisor helps to ensure that HIV/TB programs are in line with the latest GHSD guidelines and are well coordinated with, and integrated into, GON frameworks. S/he develops the capacity of staff in the Office of HIV and TB to effectively manage program/projects, providing guidance on project management approaches, resources, and tools. The Advisor assists CORs/AORs by interfacing directly with implementing partners on data reported to USAID or to the GON; addresses program-related vulnerabilities; and shares pertinent information on other development partner programs. The incumbent conducts regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries. S/he provides technical support to specific program/project activities to improve integrated service delivery of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs. This includes conducting site visits to help ensure progress toward agreed-upon goals, targets, and objectives; as well as review of project/program work plans, budgets, performance monitoring plans, quarterly and annual reports, and other key documents as needed to ensure effective and efficient health systems strengthening and integrated service delivery. Serving as a team leader, the Advisor is expected to have direct supervision of four team members and indirect oversight of the team. S/he plans and delegates work across the team, supports professional development of team members, and ensures prioritization of the team’s efforts.

● Representation and Public Speaking (15%)

The SI Advisor participates in, and contributes leadership to, committees and work groups with other USG agencies, the GON, and other key stakeholders involved in strategic information, monitoring and evaluation, and surveillance for HIV/TB. S/he adapts global evidence to the Nigerian context with the aim to implement more effective strategies through programs/projects in Nigeria, thereby increasing the impact of USAID/PEPFAR investments in Nigeria. The incumbent develops and presents research publications and abstracts. S/he also presents USAID program performance results, research results and M&E plans to USAID/Washington, USAID/Nigeria, and USG interagency stakeholders as well as external audiences that consist of other development partners, GON, USG counterparts from other countries, USAID IPs, and other stakeholders.

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable): The selected candidate will be required to complete the one-week mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) course prior to proceeding to USAID/Nigeria. FACT is a mandatory course for service in Nigeria.

4. Supervisory Relationship: The SI Advisor will directly supervise 4-8 CCNPSC staff, including providing overall policy guidance and coordinating the work of the staff to achieve program objectives. The Advisor will provide technical support to the work of HIV and TB sub-units and individuals in order to help achieve Office and Mission objectives.

5. Supervision Controls: The Advisor will be supervised by the HIV and TB Office Director or his/her designee. The supervisor will provide guidance and specific assignments when required. Performance will be evaluated annually based on accomplishments against planned work objectives. The Advisor will provide written and oral reports as requested.

“If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.”

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Education: The minimum education requirement for this position is a master’s degree in public health, international public health, health informatics, statistics, epidemiology, or other related degree.

B. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic information, monitoring and evaluation or related work experience is required. A minimum of seven years progressively responsible experience with an international or development partner or equivalent is required. Experience in managing a team is required.

C. Job Knowledge: The Senior SI Advisor requires a sound knowledge of SI best practices in a developing country and demonstrated competency in health informatics and the use of data gathering and analytic tools. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of best practices in program monitoring and evaluation; data use and analysis; and surveillance.

D. Skills and Expertise: The Senior SI Advisor must have interpersonal skills to maintain and establish working relationships with HIV/TB team and other stakeholders. S/he must have the ability to develop a working knowledge of USG and USAID regulations. Verbal communication skills must be sufficient to explain complex data analyses and interpret PEPFAR, priorities, and concerns. Writing skills must be sufficient to prepare and edit regular and ad hoc reports with minimal editorial changes, an understanding of USAID and USG monitoring and evaluations indicators, and advanced ability to use IT/software specific to health programs including statistical packages.

E. Language Proficiency: English level IV proficiency (speaking, reading, writing) is required.

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.

Offerors that meet the minimum requirements, as outlined in this solicitation, will be evaluated, and ranked based on the following adjectival evaluation criteria and characteristics:

EVALUATION CRITERIA / ADJECTIVE DEFINITION

Exceptional

· A comprehensive and thorough application of exceptional merit.

· Offeror meets and fully exceeds the Government expectations and presents a very low risk or no overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that may exist.

Very Good

· An offeror demonstrating a strong grasp of the requirements of the position.

· Offeror meets position requirements and presents a low risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that exist.

Satisfactory

· An offeror demonstrating a reasonably sound application and a good grasp of the position requirements.

· Offeror meets position requirements and presents a moderate risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Strengths outweigh weaknesses.

Marginal

· The offeror shows a limited understanding of the requirements.

· Offeror meets some or most of the position requirements but presents a significant risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Weaknesses equal or outweigh any strengths that exist.

Unsatisfactory

· The offeror does not meet the position requirements.

· Presents an unacceptable degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

· Deficiencies and significant weaknesses demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Government’s needs.

· Weaknesses and or deficiencies significantly outweigh any strengths that exist.

The evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Finalists will be invited for interviews during the selection process. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors. USAID/Nigeria reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked offerors and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (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 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 Attachment 1.

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

4. A signed cover letter of no more than three (3) pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation factors of the position.

5. A Curriculum Vitae/Resume which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements. Electronic copies of diploma, certificates and relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the CV/Resume.

6. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references that have knowledge of the Offeror’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references.

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

1. DS-1843 Medical History and Examination - for individuals aged 12 and older.

2. DS-1622 Medical History and Examination - for children aged 11 and younger.

3. DS-3057 Medical Clearance Update (MCU).

4. SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

5. OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment.

6. SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions.

7. SF-87, Fingerprint Card.

8. AID 6-85, Foreign Activity Data

* 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:

BENEFITS: (as applicable):

(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) Leave and Holidays.

ALLOWANCES: (If applicable):

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 Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120).

(b) Cost of Living Allowance (Chapter 210).

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220).

(d) Post Differential (Chapter 500),

(e) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600),

(f) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare, and applicable State Income taxes. TCNPSCs are required to pay income taxes of his/her country of origin.

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, and Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts with a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

2. 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:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

(F)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

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 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/resources_standards-of-conduct.

5. 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.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

USAID is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We encourage all eligible applicants of any of the above-mentioned groups to apply.

[END OF SOLICITATION]

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