SOL__72064124R00002 Global Health Security _GHSec_Lead Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72064123R00002

ISSUANCE DATE: January 8, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: February 7, 2024/23:00 GMT

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S./Third Country National Personal Services Contractor

(US/TCN PSC) as Global Health Security (GHSec) Lead Advisor

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1, Sections I through V of this solicitation.

Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit

USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of any offer.

All offers must be submitted to the Point of Contact via email: accrapsc@usaid.gov

Only shortlisted offerors will be contacted.

Any questions must be directed in writing to accrapsc@usaid.gov mailto:accrapsc@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1 SOL #72064124R00002

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.:7206414R00002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 8, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 7, 2024, 23:00

GMT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/West Africa, Accra; e-mail at accrapsc@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Global Health Security (GHSec) Lead Advisor, USAID/Ghana.

6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604- $135,987 equivalent to GS-14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, estimated to start o/a 03/2024 with an option of three (3) one-year extensions for a maximum of five (5) years. Exercise of options will depend on continuing need of services, availability of funds, successful performance, and requisite approvals.

Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise the additional option periods for up to three (3) years for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a 03/2024 to 03/2026

Option Period 1: o/a 03/2026 to 03/2027

Option Period 2: o/a 03/2027 to 03/2028

Option Period 3: o/a 03/2028 to 03/2029

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Ghana, Accra

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens (including Lawful Permanent Residents) or

Third Country Nationals.

Hiring Preference:

In order of preference, U.S. Citizen (including Lawful Permanent Residents) offers will be evaluated first and only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S.

Citizens (including Lawful Permanent Residents) that offers from Third Country

Nationals (TCN) will be considered. References 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. BACKGROUND

USAID’s Global Health Security (GHSec) portfolio works to strengthen countries’ multisectoral capacities to reduce the risk and impact of emerging and reemerging disease threats that are of greatest public health concern. The program emphasizes country capacity building and systems strengthening in a series of critical health security technical areas, including zoonotic disease prevention and control, national laboratory systems, infectious disease surveillance, health workforce, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial resistance.

These capacities are multisectoral in nature, including the public health, animal health, and environmental sectors in a One Health approach. Activities are implemented at the national, subnational, and community levels. GHSec embraces the One Health approach, recognizing the critical role that wildlife, livestock, other domestic animals, and the environment play in emerging zoonotic diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential and antimicrobial resistance.

Other important aspects of the GHSec program include the identification and minimizing of zoonotic disease spillover risks at their source in animals and a comprehensive approach to antimicrobial resistance that includes the livestock, agriculture, and environment sectors.

USAID’s GHSec portfolio also leverages other USAID programs in the areas of health system strengthening, food security, economic growth, and disaster assistance. For example, healthy animals provide a safe and nutritious food supply component, as well as jobs and livelihoods, all along the value chain from producer to final consumer.

Livestock industries are huge contributors to national economies. Ensuring that animals are safely and economically managed and food is safe for human consumption not only minimizes the risk of transferring zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance but also greatly assists with enhancing partner countries’ capacity for agricultural development and participation in international trade. Other Global Health infectious diseases initiatives such as malaria, tuberculosis, PEPFAR, and neglected tropical diseases also contribute to reaching GHSec targets.

The GHSec Lead Advisor will support USAID’s contribution to the Global Health

Security global initiative that was launched in 2014. The GHSec’s goal is to advance a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats and to elevate global health security as a national leaders-level priority. The GHSec supports technical areas that work across human health, animal health, and other sectors to help countries to achieve GHSec objectives and to meet country requirements for the WHO’s International Health

Regulations (IHR) and related animal health regulations. Progress toward achieving the

GHSec targets and objectives is measured by WHO’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE), a tool that consolidates the GHSec and IHR metrics into specific technical areas.

Under the direct supervision of the Health Office Director or their designee, Infectious

Diseases Team Lead, the GHSec Lead Advisor is responsible for leading USAID’s contributions to GHSec in collaboration with USAID/Washington’s GHS Team. The

GHSec Lead Advisor will coordinate USAID partners, provide recommendations regarding GHSec challenges, ensure effective implementation of GHSec projects, build relationships with Government of Ghana (GoG) counterparts, and liaise with multiple inter-agency, USAID/Washington, and regional counterparts involved in GHSec. Strong interpersonal skills as well as spoken and written communication abilities, are required.

The incumbent will also supervise one or more Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs).

2. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The GHSec Lead Advisor will work in collaboration with the USAID/Washington

GHSec team and with regional colleagues to implement USAID activities, ensuring alignment with government of Ghana priorities. The Advisor will ensure effective U.S.

Government (USG) interagency coordination and work closely with USAID colleagues and other USG partners, particularly CDC and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) offices working in Ghana at the national and sub-national levels, which also provide support for GHSec implementation. The U.S. State Department provides important support for in-country USG interagency collaboration.

Working as part of the Embassy Accra GHSec Team within the Health Office, the

USAID GHSec Lead Advisor will complete the following duties and responsibilities:

A. Ensure implementation and coordination of USAID GHSec activities with USAID’s existing GHSec program and with other USG agencies on GHSec-related activities.

Maintain strong partnerships between agencies as well as implementing partners of respective agencies and build strong partnerships with other development partners in

Ghana:

1. Represent USAID in the USG GHSec interagency. Work collaboratively with USG agencies while representing USAID priorities.

2. Maintain frequent, regular, and ad hoc meetings with USG partners including CDC, NAMRU-3 and other Embassy agencies to discuss activities and maintain coordination and to keep each other informed on changes to GHSec activities.

3. Work collaboratively with USG agencies to develop annual GHSec work plans to ensure coordination of USG GHSec supported activities and to avoid duplication.

4. Provide technical expertise to USAID and USG leadership for GHSec technical areas of work.

5. During disease outbreaks in which the government requests support from USAID and other partners, ensure that USAID’s efforts are coordinated to support the national government.

6. Establish Partner/Donor coordination and collaboration mechanisms to advance

GHSec in Ghana. Such partners include USAID partners, other donors, the

Government of Ghana, private sector, international and local NGOs, and multilateral organizations.

B. Liaise between the Mission in Ghana and USAID Washington:

1. Report on activities in Ghana to USAID GHSec Washington-based and regional team members.

2. Assist the Agreement Officer’s Representatives and Contracting Officer’s

Representatives (A/CORs) by monitoring and guiding implementing partner activities to ensure consistency with project objectives and to ensure that activities contribute to advancing Ghana’s targets, including GHSec and JEE metrics.

3. Report on GHSec activities.

4. Work with USAID’s GHSec Team to identify new opportunities and activities to contribute to Ghana’s GHSec efforts. This includes activity design, assessments, and scoping of new opportunities.

C. Serve as A/COR and/or Activity Manager for GHSec Activities implemented in country.

1. For bilateral mechanisms, serve as A/COR and/or Activity Manager, ensuring effective coordination and implementation.

2. For HQ-based mechanisms, serve as an Activity Manager, working closely with the

A/COR to ensure effective implementation of GHSec activities in country.

D. Serve as USAID’s representative on technical working groups with Ghanaian counterparts related to GHSec activities. Build and maintain strong relationships with multiple government of Ghana Ministries and Agencies:

1. Represent USAID on donor/government coordination groups related to emerging infectious diseases and other GHSec activities.

2. Develop relationships with animal, environment, and public health ministries and

USAID regional bureaus.

E. Provide coordination across all USAID GHSec activities in Ghana:

1. Establish and maintain coordination networks among USAID implementing partners in Ghana whose activities are related to GHSec. Facilitate opportunities for USAID implementing partners to collaborate and leverage each other’s activities.

Communicate and promote to Implementing Partners (IPs) USAID’s expectations for

IPs to function as a cohesive program working together to advance GHSec targets in

Ghana, in consultation with relevant A/COR.

2. Use the coordination network to facilitate the GHSec IPs successful completion of work plan activities and to maximize USG investments.

3. Engage with IPs and multi-sectoral Ghanaian and other stakeholders to promote the skills, capacities and environment in Ghana across the ministries to investigate diverse and complex conditions that resemble pathologic patterns that will or could affect public health.

4. Provide technical guidance to USAID IPs to promote and leverage existing USAID activities and the contributions of other stakeholders in Ghana to achieve JEE targets.

F. Coordinate multiple reporting requirements that require input and clearance from diverse stakeholders.

1. Lead development of USAID contributions to semi-annual GHSec Progress Reports and annual work plans.

2. Apply a strong knowledge of assessments and scoring related to GHSec Joint

External Evaluation Reports.

3. Provide weekly/bi-weekly updates to the Embassy inter-agency GHSec Team.

4. Develop weekly updates for USAID/Ghana Front Office on GHSec progress, events and upcoming visitors.

G. Serve as Duty Officer for the embassy as requested

4. POSITION ELEMENTS

Supervisory Relationship:

This position reports to the Infectious Diseases Team Lead. The GHSec Lead Advisor should be able to operate independently and require little supervision in carrying out routine responsibilities. The incumbent will supervise one or more FSNs and/or other personnel.

Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Infectious Diseases Team Lead.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EVALUATION/ SELECTION

FACTORS

Minimum Qualifications

The successful applicant must have the following minimum qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study pertinent to the specialized field, including but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, Epidemiology, public health, social science or infectious disease, plus nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working in One

Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bilateral or multilateral donor in development programming is required. Developing country work experience is required.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including, but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, Epidemiology, public health, social science or infectious disease, plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in One

Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bilateral

OR

Ph.D. with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, Epidemiology, public health, social science, or infectious disease, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in One

Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bilateral

Language:

Fluency in English is required.

III. EVALUATION 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 (5 points): The candidate must have a degree in veterinary medicine (DVM), medical doctor, or a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, or a relevant technical field.

Additional evaluation points will be given to offerors who exceed the minimum requirement.

Experience (12 points): The incumbent is required to have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in One Health, Animal Health, Public Health, or Epidemiology. Prior https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far experience working with a bilateral or multilateral donor in development programming is required. Direct experience working on the GHSec activities or implementation is also required.

Communication (8 points): The candidate must be fluent in both spoken and written English.

Given the nature of the position, effective written and oral communications are critical to perform successfully in this position. The candidate should have a demonstrated ability to produce professional quality analytical pieces and make oral presentations. The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively with Mission employees; local government officials at the

Senior Minister level; international and local organizations, donors and other embassies; and various Washington based U.S. Government agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) (20 points): Professional knowledge of a broad range of infectious disease, one health, antimicrobial resistance, health systems, and development issues; knowledge of Ghana, preferably Ghanaian or African cultural/work environment.

Knowledge of how to engage with senior level executives and officials in government and development sector contexts, and to build trust-based relationships with senior-level executives.

Knowledge of how to engage with technology entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators.

Knowledge of how to work with stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

The applicant must possess strong management, negotiation, collaboration, team building, networking and interpersonal skills. The candidate must have a proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal skills are required to establish and maintain strong contacts with counterparts both inside and outside of USAID and in order to explain USAID objectives and procedures to government officials, private businesses, corporations, foundations, NGOs, and other non-traditional development organizations. The incumbent must also have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills in scientific approaches and in analysis of development activities and policies. Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels.

Basis of Evaluation

The initial evaluation of applications will be based on the weight assigned for professional experience including education, experience, communication, KSAs, that will be out of 45 points.

The weight assigned for professional experience will be used to set a competitive range. Those candidates in the competitive range will be contacted for the interview (55 points). The overall assessment based on weight assigned for the evaluation criteria during the initial evaluation and the interview will determine the final candidate. Therefore, the final rating and ranking for the offerors will be based on the initial evaluation of applications and the interview.

Summary of the Offeror Rating System/Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

• Professional Experience – 45 points

Education – 5 points

Experience – 12 points

Communication – 8 points

Knowledge, Skill and ability – 20 points

• Interview Performance – 55 points

• Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail no points assigned.

Grand Total Possible Points - 100

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 Section I.

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

4. A Cover Letter of not more than one (1) page.

5. A current CV/resume. The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the Offers 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. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on CV.

6. Applicants also must address the above Evaluation Factors, in a Summary Statement to be included in the Offers. This Summary Statement, limited to 500 words per factor, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The

Summary Statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page.

7. Applicants must provide a minimum of three (3) professional references, one (1) of which must be a current or former supervisor. USAID reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history. If the offeror had a previous position with USAID, the TEC and/or CO may obtain reference checks from the previous supervisor(s) or CO(s). Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

8. Copies of diplomas, certificates or relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the

CV/resume.

9. Applicants must provide their full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers

(if available) and email address and should retain for their records copies of all http://www.usaid.gov/forms enclosures that accompany their submission.

10. Submit applications via email to accrapsc@usaid.gov

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. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (AID 309-2);

2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62); *

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

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

5. Finger Print 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

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

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

*Note: A US citizen’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized

Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

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

(c) Post Differential (Chapter 500) http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT

CLAUSES

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

a. 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.

b. 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:

ITEM NO SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) QTY

UNIT UNIT

PRICE

AMOUNT (F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

2 LOT $ TBD $TBD at

Award after negotiations

1001 Option 1 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at

Award after negotiations

2001 Option 2 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at

Award after negotiations

3001 Option 3 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at

Award after negotiations https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms

c. 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.

d. 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 .

e. 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/partner-with-us/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman/psc-ombudsman.

f. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION

(JUN 2023)

[END OF SOLICITATION]

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman/psc-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman/psc-ombudsman