72066321R00013 Combined USPSC and TCN Senior AA Specialist 3 25 2021.docx

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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066321R00013

ISSUANCE DATE: 03/25/2021

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 04/23/2021

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor and Third Country Nationals (US/TCN PSC)

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 offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Annmarie McGillicuddy

Supervisory Executive Officer U.S. Agency for International Development US Embassy Entoto Road P. O. Box 1014 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel. : 251-11-306002 Fax : 251-11-242438 Website: www.usaidethiopia.org USA Address:

2030 Addis Ababa Place Washington, DC 20521-2030

ATTACHMENT1 72066321R00013

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066321R00013

2. ISSUANCED ATE:03/25/2021

3. CLOSINGDATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 04/23/2021 (5:00pm Ethiopia’s local time.)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Annmarie McGillicuddy, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, email at addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $93,907 to $122,077 equivalent to GS-14. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For two years, with three renewable one-year option periods up to a maximum of five years. Estimated to start on 07/12/2021.

The base period will be 07/12/2021- 07/11/2023, estimated to start on 07/11/2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for [set time period(s)] for the date(s) estimated as follows:

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with likely travel within Ethiopia and Djibouti

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, and Resident Aliens.

For USPSC:

· Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (“green card holder”);

· U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States;

· Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER;

· Be able to obtain facility access authorization;

· Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;

· Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;

· Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

For TCN PSC:

· Be a Third Country National. Third Country National means an individual: (1) Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty (Ethiopia), and (2) Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S. Government expenses;

· Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER;

· Be able to obtain facility access authorization;

· Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;

· Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested;

· Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

TRAINING REQUIREMENT: If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least one day a week of 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.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access. The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract: The Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will be located in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and will report to the Supervisory Contracting Officer (or his/her designee) within the USAID/Ethiopia Mission. Specifically, the Senior A&A Specialist ensures that all of USAID/Ethiopia’s (and USAID/Djibouti’s and USAID/African Union’s, as applicable) A&A obligations and awards’ terms and conditions effectively support the respective Mission’s Development Objective teams in achieving implementation of the Mission strategy. The incumbent ensures that all A&A activities conform to the defined Development Objectives of the Mission, serves as a core team member of the Mission’s technical teams providing guidance and oversees all acquisition and assistance related matters, as well as contributes to overall Mission teamwork. The incumbent will be responsible for all pre-award, post-award and close out functions involving negotiated procurements of significant importance to the Agency. The Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will be responsible for planning, developing, soliciting, negotiating, managing, awarding and advising on procurement and contract management in relation to the Mission's assistance programs in Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union (as assigned). The Senior A&A Specialist will participate in actions - from project design through negotiation, administration and close-out. The Senior A&A Specialist must provide technical assistance necessary to execute a full range of procurement actions in support of USAID activities in Ethiopia/Djibouti/African Union (as assigned) that are served by the USAID/Ethiopia contracting office. The Senior A&A Specialist must also be available for consultation on acquisition and assistance issues for other USAID activities (e.g., field support activities). Incumbent may mentor and conduct on-the-job training to junior/less experienced staff on A&A policies and practices.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The Contract Specialist will provide technical competence and leadership support to the Office in the following ways:

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable): N/A

4. Supervisory Relationship:

The PSC will receive supervision, policy direction, and guidance from the Office Director, or his/her designee.

5. Supervisory Controls:

The PSC is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative. Such initiative is critical to the success of the assignment; however, the actions and decisions of the PSC will be discussed with the Office Director.

Overall management of the Office is in a collaborative team environment, with the PSC participating fully in the process. Specific work plans and anticipated results are developed in consultation with USAID/ Ethiopia’s OAA. The PSC performs many assignments independently, providing leadership to others involved in the management of USAID/ Ethiopia’s OAA, and in the development, design, and drafting of the acquisition instruments. The work is reviewed in terms of achievement of established milestones, and the appropriateness of program/project activity focus.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained, unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether they have met the minimum qualifications listed below. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening.

EDUCATION: Baccalaureate degree among these disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Completion of Federal Acquisition Certification – Contracting (FAC-C) Level II or higher.

WORK EXPERIENCE: A minimum of fifteen years of substantive and professional contracting or procurement work is required. Previous experience in an overseas environment is preferred. Experience must include the full range of contracting responsibilities, including acquisition and assistance award execution, administration, termination, cost and price analysis; procurement planning, and analysis and evaluation of proposals; negotiation of changes; execution of options; investigation and resolution of contractor delays; contractor performance appraisal reports; resolution of claims and contractor disputes. Experience shall demonstrate knowledge of contracting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; the ability to lead others; knowledge of cost principles; knowledge of cost plus/award fee and performance based contracting procedures; and, the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Experience that demonstrates pre-award negotiation skills and demonstrated experience in making formal presentations 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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The TEC will conduct interviews with all offerors in the competitive range and provide the final rating and ranking of the offerors based on the interview. The CO will also consider findings from the reference checks as part of the responsibility determination.

HIRING PREFERENCE: 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.

SELECTION FACTORS:

EDUCATION (10 points): Baccalaureate degree among these disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Completion of Federal Acquisition Certification – Contracting (FAC-C) Level II or higher.

EXPERIENCE (30 points): A minimum of fifteen years of substantive and professional contracting or procurement work is required. Previous experience in an overseas development environment is preferred. Experience working in Ethiopia is desirable. Experience must include the full range of contracting responsibilities, including acquisition and assistance award execution, administration, termination, cost and price analysis; procurement planning, and analysis and evaluation of proposals; negotiation of changes; execution of options; investigation and resolution of contractor delays; contractor performance appraisal reports; resolution of claims and contractor disputes. Experience shall demonstrate knowledge of contracting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; the ability to lead others; knowledge of cost principles; knowledge of cost plus/award fee and performance based contracting procedures; and the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Experience that demonstrates pre-award negotiation skills and demonstrated experience in making formal presentations is required.

SKILLS and ABILITIES (20 points): Must be able to work in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. Must have good teamwork and interpersonal skills. Must be able to communicate complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues in a manner understandable by knowledgeable laypersons without oversimplifying. Must be able to maintain and adhere to high standards of professional conduct. Must be able to function as a team leader during contract negotiations, and personally negotiate the majority of assigned contracts. Skill to manage and coordinate activities sufficient to contract a variety of actions concurrently is essential. Versatility in the use of computers, especially Word and EXCEL is a must. The ability to plan, organize, and manage complex negotiations and meetings is very important. Leadership and supervisory management skills are desired. Proven ability to train/transfer knowledge regarding USG contracting rules, regulations, procedures, proposal evaluation, contract creation, and monitoring. Manage workload while adhering to established deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE (20 points): Knowledge of procurement regulations and contracting principles including the latest acquisition procedures and techniques is required.

An understanding of U.S. Government procurement rules and regulations is imperative. Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the ability to work with the regulatory context of the FAR. Knowledge of the USAID’s Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDS) and Contract Information Bulletins (CIBS), and the ability to work with the regulatory context of these Agency policies. Knowledge of USAID’s Agency Automated Directives Systems (ADS) regulations; specifically, all 300 series references.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS (20 Points): Fluency in both spoken and written English is required. Demonstrated ability to write and edit complex letters, emails, and memorandums. A sound ability to produce cohesive, polished documents is required. Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally, in-writing and presentation) complex ideas and information.

BASIS OF RATING: The initial evaluation of applications will be based on the weight assigned for education and experience that will be out of 40 points. The weight assigned for education and experience will be used to set a competitive range. Those candidates in the competitive range will be contacted for the interview (60 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 base on the initial evaluation of applications and the interview.

The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

Education – 10 point Experience – 30 points Initial evaluation – 40 points Skills and Abilities: (20 points) Knowledge: (20 points) Communication Skills: (20 points) Interview Performance – 60 points Total possible points: 100 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:

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. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

4. Letter of Application and current resume.

5. Application must be submitted ONLY via addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov and the email subject must say –: 72066321R00013 Senior Acquisition and Assistance Management Specialist. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.

6. Please submit the application only once; and

7. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time).

IV. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

V. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(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 (if applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

(a) Temporary Quarters 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)

VI. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable state income taxes.

VII. 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. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1availableat https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

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 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

END OF SOLICITATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

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