Sol - Sr. QI Advisor Re-Ad Final - CO Signed.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72067421R00016 RE-AD

ISSUANCE DATE: January 25, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: February 24, 2024 (17:00 Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) and Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (TCNPSC)

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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

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

Sincerely, Ifeoma Ezeh Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72067421R00016 RE-AD

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067421R00016 RE-AD

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 25, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: February 24, 2024

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Kim Sias email at ksias@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Sr. Quality Improvement Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $123,041 - $159,950 equivalent to GS-15

Final compensation will be negotiated within the above 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/Southern Africa, Pretoria

Overseas USPSCs [and TCNPSCs not subject to the local compensation plan] may be authorized telework or remote work only from a location within 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 and ADS 309 man.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be two years, estimated to start in June 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period: June 2024 to June 2026

Option Period 1: June 2026 to June 2027

Option Period 2: June 2027 to June 2028

Option Period 3: June 2028 to June 2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (U.S.) Citizens and Third Country Nationals (TCN) (if an applicant qualifies as a Resident Hire, they will be treated as such).

o U.S. CITIZEN: U.S. national (USN) means an individual who is a U.S. citizen, or a non-U.S.

citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

mailto:ksias@usaid.gov o THIRD COUNTRY NATIONAL: Third Country National (TCN) means an individual (i) Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident alien of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty, and (ii) Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S. Government expense.

o RESIDENT HIRE: Resident hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

“If a third country national (TCN) is selected for the award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 5 hours per 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.

Position Overview: The Senior Quality Improvement (QI) Advisor (Senior Advisor) will provide technical leadership to drive USAID/Southern Africa’s Quality Improvement Agenda. This will require significant stakeholder engagement and project management, including an emphasis on delivering technical assistance to build the capacity of individuals, local organizations, and the Government of South Africa. The Senior Advisor, working with the Senior HIV Treatment Advisor, will provide leadership and serve as the subject matter expert for USAID/Southern Africa’s HIV clinical care and treatment portfolio’s Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement agenda. The individual will support the Care and Treatment Team with setting strategic technical and programmatic direction for the HIV care and treatment portfolio, including Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), pediatric ART, TB/HIV care and treatment, and clinical lab services. The Senior Advisor interacts with the USAID team as well as technical representatives of other U.S. government (USG) agencies, Government of South Africa (GoSA) counterparts, Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), international donors, and other key development partners.

The individual will support the Care and Treatment Team with setting strategic technical and programmatic direction for the HIV care and treatment portfolio, including Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), pediatric ART, TB/HIV care and treatment, and clinical lab services.

The purpose of the work is to plan and carry out assignments that lead to the development and implementation of a variety of important programs/projects/activities. The work involves establishing criteria (e.g., developing guidance or procedures for major activities); formulating programs and projects; assessing program effectiveness; investigating or analyzing unusual conditions or questions; or, providing advisory or services to host-country counterparts, implementing partners, USAID Mission personnel, other host-country representatives.

The purpose of the work is to investigate, analyze, review, plan, and advise on various unusual, controversial, or technically difficult development problems or conditions. Work results are critical to the successful completion of diverse PEPFAR projects or programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strengthen project management and oversight of the implementation of HIV/AIDS programs:

• Provide technical leadership to HIV care and treatment activities.

• Provide technical leadership in the utilization of routine (weekly, monthly, and quarterly) monitoring data for quality improvement activities.

• Provide technical guidance to care and treatment partners through regular service and data quality assessments, site visits, review of program reports, and frequent interaction with partners and stakeholders.

• Regularly review and disseminate research, evidence, and best practices that directly contribute to improved quality of the HIV response in South Africa.

• Improve quality of USAID/Southern Africa’s HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs:

• Provide technical expertise to USAID on the implementation of high-quality clinical care services and programs for PMTCT, pediatric and adult ART, TB/HIV, and laboratory services within health facilities.

• Advise care and treatment partners in the development of QI plans that utilize routine program data for implementation decisions that yield improved results.

• Lead the development of recommendations for implementing partners and Ministry of Health counterparts to improve quality within HIV care and treatment at home, community, and facility levels.

• Provide technical advice to the host country government and USAID implementing partners on issues within the continuum of clinical and support services, particularly those addressing quality of HIV treatment.

• Conduct data and trend analysis to provide technical recommendations that improve the performance of HIV care and treatment programs at the national, district, and site levels.

• Contribute to timely and accurate documents for Mission reporting, administration and planning needs, including the Country Operational Plan (COP), Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, and Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports and Portfolio Implementation Reviews.

2. Improve leadership and contributions to the strategic direction in the interagency PEPFAR space:

• Provide technical leadership on care and treatment quality-related issues, including participating in the PEPFAR care and treatment Technical Working Group (TWG) to improve data use for decision making in HIV programming.

• Develop collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders (the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Commission, UN Agencies and other donors) dealing with HIV care and treatment and quality improvement. A particular emphasis will be to develop relationships with provincial and district health officials.

• Frequently engage with various stakeholders, delivering technical assistance to build the capacity of individuals, local organizations, and the Government of South Africa to use real-time program monitoring data for improved management of HIV programs.

Job Knowledge: The incumbent should have knowledge of HIV/AIDS clinical care and treatment program design, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in resource-limited environments, as well as knowledge of HIV/AIDS epidemiology, especially of the South African HIV/AIDS context, and current strategies for care and treatment. The incumbent requires advanced computer skills in office software applications. The incumbent should be able to work independently, as well as a team member, in carrying out the duties described above.

Skills and Abilities: This position requires strong operational and analytical skills as well as strong management, facilitation, coordination, and interpersonal skills. The incumbent must be experienced in working with and briefing high-level officials in host country government, development institutions, and USG. The incumbent must have strong verbal skills and ability to communicate and present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical colleagues through precise reports and briefings. The incumbent should be able to work effectively with superiors, subordinates, colleagues, and partners alike. S/he must have excellent writing and oral communication skills and be able to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical colleagues through precise reports and briefings.

S/he must have the ability to obtain, analyze, synthesize, and disseminate data, and present findings in both oral and written form.

The advisor should have management skills to develop, implement, and oversee HIV programs, including internal financial and administrative management and interaction with partners, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment, and proactively work to achieve consensus on policy, project, and administrative matters and meet deadlines.

Supervision Received: The Advisor works under the general supervision of the Care and Treatment Team Lead in the Health Office at USAID/Southern Africa. The supervisor sets the overall assignment objectives, program emphasis, and resources available. The Advisor and the supervisor, in consultation, develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The Advisor will have a substantial amount of independence and accountability in determining the day-to-day requirements of the position.

The Advisor, having developed expertise in the program area, has continuing responsibility for independently planning and carrying out important programs or projects; determining the approach to be taken and the methods to be used; resolving most of the conflicts that arise;

coordinating the work with others as necessary; and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. The Advisor keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and problems with far-reaching implications.

Completed work is reviewed for conformance to overall requirements, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness in meeting objectives.

Guidelines: Guidelines consist of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); AID Acquisitions Regulations (AIDAR; AID Automated Directives System (ADS Series); Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs); Office of Procurement Acquisition Memorandum (OPAMS); U.S. Department of State Standardized Regulations; Federal Travel Regulations; Office of Management and Budget (OMB); Circulars and Controller General Decisions, USAID Mission Orders, Project Papers, Mission Strategy, and other documents available, USAID policies and procedures, Technical Documents and Policy Papers, that are usually applicable but are stated in general terms and require adaptation and/or interpretation for application to the issues at hand. The Advisor uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from, refining, or extending traditional methods and practices, or in developing and recommending new or substantially changed methods, criteria, or policies.

Contacts: The persons contacted include persons from outside USAID, some at the highest level of engagement. Typical of contacts at this level are those with persons in their capacities as technical representatives of other USG agencies, Government of South Africa (GoSA) counterparts, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), international donors, UN Agencies, and other key development partners.

The purpose of contacts is to influence, motivate, or persuade persons or groups who are typically skeptical, resistant, or uncooperative, and who must be approached skillfully to obtain the desired effect (e.g., negotiating milestones or timetables; influencing or persuading USAID stakeholders to agree to use new or improved techniques); representing USAID, as a member of a committee, on controversial topics; justifying the feasibility and desirability of plans or proposals that significantly affect current practices; etc.

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

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, an applicant must have the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: The job holder must have a master's degree in public health, international development, clinical medicine, nursing, social science, or health science.

• Prior Work Experience: The job holder must have a minimum of 15 years of relevant technical experience in oversight, development, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs.

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 following factors, and points for each, will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always guaranteed. USAID may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror.

FACTOR #1 - Prior Work Experience - 30 points

● Technical experience in oversight, development, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs that involve coordination between international agencies, donors, and implementing partners.

● Experience working with PEPFAR and U.S. Government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and programs.

● Experience working with high-level officials.

FACTOR #2 – Job Knowledge - 30 points

● Knowledge of HIV/AIDS clinical care and treatment program design, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in resource-limited environments.

● Knowledge of HIV/AIDS epidemiology, especially of the South African HIV/AIDS context, and current strategies for care and treatment.

● General knowledge of South African public sector health system and its affiliated agencies, donors, and related private sector programs

FACTOR #3 – Skills & Abilities - 40 points

● Strong operational and analytical skills as well as strong management, facilitation, coordination skills.

● Ability to present technical information through precise reports and briefings.

● Ability to obtain, analyze, synthesize, and disseminate data, and present findings in both oral and written form.

● Management skills to develop, implement, and oversee HIV programs, including internal https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far financial and administrative management.

Total possible Factor points: 100 Interview points – 100

Selection Process:

• After the closing date for receipt of applications, applications will be reviewed for submission requirements and the established minimum requirements for the position. Applications that meet the minimum requirements will be forwarded to a Technical Evaluation Committee or TEC. The TEC will review each of the forwarded applications against the established evaluation criteria to develop a shortlist of applicants to be tested and possibly interviewed.

• Shortlisted applicants may be further evaluated. Assessments to include English writing, computer and other technical skills may be administered to determine competitively ranked applicants for possible interviews. Competitively ranked applicants may be interviewed.

Reference checks will be made only for the interviewed applicants.

• Following the interview, during which the applicant will be evaluated against the established criteria, the TEC will make a preliminary determination of applicants to be considered for employment and conduct and document reference checks. Please note that references may be solicited from current as well as former supervisors in addition to the references you provided in application packages. References will only be solicited for those interviewed applicants who are being considered for ranking. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about their past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

• Based on this final input, the TEC will make its final decision on applicant ranking and submit a selection memo to the Contracting Officer (CO) for final determination on whether an offer of employment will be made. Unsuccessful applicants who were interviewed will be contacted and advised of their non-selection. As a positive medical clearance and security certification are a condition of employment, the selected candidate will undergo a stringent investigation prior to employment with USAID/SA.

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

• Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts, available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient http://www.usaid.gov/forms relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Written responses to Factors 1, 2 and 3.

• Proof of Eligibility (AEFM): Provide one of two documents that specifically names the applicant and provides proof of American Eligible Family Member (AEFM) status: 1) Travel orders of a sponsoring employee who is assigned (not TDY) to the U.S. Mission to South Africa under COM authority, or 2) an approved Form OF-126, Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report (or other agency equivalent), of a sponsoring employee who is assigned (not TDY) to the U.S. Mission to South Africa under COM authority, and is residing at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad.

• Proof of Eligibility (Work Permit): For those applicants who do not hold AEFM status, proof of US citizenship, as well as proof of eligibility to work within the Republic of South Africa, is required.

• References: Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

• Security Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain appropriate security determination. Instructions for obtaining the security determination will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded.

• Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID309-2.

• 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.

• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number on submitted documents.

Methods of application submissions: For applicants to be considered for this position the following guidelines will be adhered to and forms completed, signed and submitted to jobapplications@usaid.gov, to allow the evaluation committee to thoroughly and objectively review your application vis-a-vis the requirements of the position.

mailto:jobapplications@usaid.gov

For queries please contact: Ms. Kim Sias, Human Resource Assistant, ksias@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms:

1. AID 309-2

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

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

4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258). **

** Forms 2 through 4 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 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), 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) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post Differential (Chapter 500) mailto:ksias@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(h) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

If a TCN or Resident Hire USPSC is selected for this position the benefits and allowances will be adjusted as per Mission and AIDAR policy.

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. A TCN will be eligible to pay taxes as specified by their respective country.

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 .

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), 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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

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)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT (F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/forms

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor

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/OGE%20Regulations

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 more 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.

52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023)

END OF SOLICITATION

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCombudsman@usaid.gov