Solicitation DOC Advisor.docx

SOL-687-HR-18-001

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Advisor

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission to Madagascar (USAID/Madagascar), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with the Attachment information. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

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

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

Sincerely, Linda Gregory Contracting Officer

72068720R00003

U.S. Agency for International Development

C/O AMERICAN EMBASSY

B.P. 5253 – Antananarivo 101

MADAGASCAR

Tel: 261 20 23 480 00 Fax: 261 20 23 480 35 www.usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT

Solicitation for USPSC Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Advisor, GS-13

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER 72068720R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE November 9, 2019

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME November 23, 2019 – For U.S. Residents of Madagascar November 30, 2019 – For international offerors only FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS 18:00 local time

5. POSITION TITLE Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: From $76,687 to $99,691 per annum equivalent to GS-13. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Madagascar U.S. Embassy Lot 207 A, Point Liberty Andranoro Antehiroka Antananarivo 105 Madagascar With possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: This vacancy is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent U.S. residents. Applications will be accepted from resident and offshore candidates.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility & Computer Access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. Basic Function Of Position

The United States Agency for International Development Mission to Madagascar, USAID/Madagascar, with an annual program budget of approximately $74 million, includes program objectives in health, food security, and the environment. The Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Advisor is responsible for coordinating and managing all outreach and communications for the entire USAID assistance program in Madagascar. S/he assists the Mission to establish and implement a schedule of public outreach events. S/he also assists the Mission in complying with communications standards and recommended best practices established the USAID Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs and by the US Department of State. This includes ensuring that communications and events about program progress and successes are produced regularly and conform to guidelines for timeliness, style, format, and content. The DOC Advisor coaches staff to establish and accomplish learning objectives as well as transfer knowledge to local hire staff.

The DOC Advisor manages a wide range of public-information and outreach activities in support of USAID/ Madagascar's programs and objectives, targeting information to specific audiences in both the United States and Madagascar, in accordance with the Mission's public strategy and evolving circumstances. S/he serves as the Mission's principal liaison with all mission teams, implementing partners, and the Embassy Public Affairs Section on the development and implementation of the Mission's overall communications strategy, including the formulation of mission-wide messages. The DOC Advisor collaborates closely with, and follows media policy set by, the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer on all media outreach, interagency events, and VIP visits. It is therefore critical that the incumbent is able to develop strategic messaging which is politically sensitive, nuanced and shapes opinions. The DOC Advisor also serves as the primary liaison with USAID's Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), and with the relevant communications teams based in the Agency's headquarters in Washington, DC, USA.

The DOC Advisor interacts with senior managers throughout the Embassy, with local and international press contacts, and with senior Government of Madagascar and visiting U.S. Government (USG) officials. The DOC team advises and works closely with implementing partners on production of videos, stories and other publicity materials and on the planning and logistics for outreach and local media events which are numerous due to limited mass media and internet access around the country. Use of social media is increasingly important for messaging and it is essential that the incumbent is well versed in all mediums and able to produce products in house. The DOC also collaborates closely with technical offices and implementing partners, providing oversight, advice and guidance in developing and implementing the Mission's Development Outreach and Communications Strategy.

B. Major Duties And Responsibilities

Management and Coordination

• Work closely with USAID Mission teams, partners and the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section, to provide oversight, advice, and guidance to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S. development and humanitarian assistance efforts and special initiatives in Madagascar, as defined by the Chief of Mission and USAID Mission Director, and to set priorities for USAID media and public outreach accordingly.

• With input from Mission staff, update and implement a communications strategy to promote a better understanding of and support for USAID programs to various audiences. The Mission Communications Strategy should take into account the cost/benefits of particular inputs to outputs in order to optimize communications tools and distribution to the broadest numbers of priority audiences possible. Recommend approaches designed to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S. development assistance by various audiences in Madagascar. Explore, recommend, and apply a variety of formats for promoting Mission programs and activities through outlets such as public events, radio, television, and print media. Identify communications strategies for key audiences.

• Develop an annual work plan with input from technical offices and ensure that roles/responsibilities are executed as planned. Conduct periodic reviews of implementation at least semi-annually and update with input from Mission staff.

• Manage any communications-related contracts for services to implement the strategy, such as events management, photography, video production, advertising, translation, and so forth. When warranted, develop and execute blanket purchase agreements for these services. Incumbent will manage DOC annual budget and performance monitoring.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for USAID/Madagascar in planning and execution of site visits for official, high-level visitors from Congress, USAID/Washington, and other agencies. Be responsible for leading coordination and working with technical offices to ensure that logistic arrangements, briefing materials, schedules, and outreach materials conform to requirements.

Public Information and Publicity Materials

• Support the USAID Mission by overseeing the drafting, editing, and dissemination of timely and accurate information, fact sheets, press releases, responses for requests for information, and other public-information materials relating to USAID/Madagascar activities. These documents must be written in clear, concise English, prepared for both reporters and general audiences, and designed for print, video, public talks and web use.

• Prepare submissions for USAID internal, USG interagency, and public-information platforms including the Administrator's Blog and social-media outlets in Madagascar and Washington.

• Serve as a resident expert on USAID branding and style guidelines, ensuring regulations are implemented. Recommend revisions and appropriate action.

• Manage preparation and maintenance of the standard information package on USAID’s programs in Madagascar for briefings and for distribution to the public and journalists, and for USAID/Washington, Department of State, Congress, and other agencies. These materials include scene setters, program briefing papers, project status reports, maps, photos, information about other donors, and general information about Madagascar.

• Direct the development and maintenance of public-relations materials in English and in French and Malagasy, including fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, presentations, web materials and other visual displays on USAID's programs and objectives.

• Possess the ability to guide a strategic, rather than programmatic communications plan. In other words the incumbent is able to guide and develop means of messaging which go beyond reporting. This will be realized through use of the right channels and usages of multiple mediums.

Media Relations and Press

• Promote separate, pro-active, targeted, information and media outreach activities for Madagascar and the United States. These activities are designed to push accurate information about USAID programs deep into local, regional and national markets in the United States, Madagascar and elsewhere, through advertisements, bill boards, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, public service announcements, and other outlets.

• Serve as the Mission's point of contact with U.S. and international news organizations and represents the Mission to the Chief of Mission and the Embassy Public Affairs Office in matters pertaining to USAID public affairs.

• Oversee monitoring of Madagascar and U.S. news coverage and reports on placement of USAID-related articles in the Madagascar and U.S. press to the Embassy, Mission, and Washington.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all USAID/Madagascar activities and monitor the public events calendar.

• Oversee writing and distribution of press releases and follow up to encourage and support news coverage.

• Coordinate with technical offices, Embassy's PAS, and USAID/Washington to produce and release accurate, timely, useful and well-written information to local and international news outlets.

• Advise and work with Embassy PAS to expand opportunities for coverage of USAID assistance. This responsibility may include: arranging briefings, interviews, and tours of USAID projects; escorting journalists; and recording activities.

• Market USAlD/Madagascar to target audiences in country though various news media.

Public Events, Activities, and Interaction with USAID Offices and Implementing Partners

• Represent the Mission at the senior level on public-affairs and outreach matters with other branches of the USG, the Government of Madagascar, the U.S. Military, other donor nations, the UN, World Bank, and other groups and institutions.

• Direct and coordinate USAID/Madagascar's public events, including ceremonies, conferences, openings, and ribbon-cuttings.

Supervisory Role:

Advise, oversee and transfer knowledge to Development Outreach and Communication specialists at the Mission and in the field. Monitor and evaluate progress toward communications objectives as outlined in the Mission-approved Communications Strategy.

C. Supervisory Relationship

Incumbent works with minimum direction from the Supervisory Program Officer, who provides overall objectives, may suggest approaches to consider, and reviews completed reports and other assignments. Incumbent is expected to use initiative and sound judgment in planning and carrying out assignments and to function with substantial independence. S/he is expected to be able to plan work for a time horizon of up to one year. Work is evaluated for effectiveness of results, quality of insights and analysis, professionalism, and compliance with prevailing policies, regulations, directives and objectives.

D. Supervisory Controls

Incumbent fully supervises one locally hired DOC assistant. Incumbent will set overall objectives and resources available; employee consults with incumbent to develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. Provides technical guidance related to language training and communications outreach to Mission staff, particularly professionals who work in program and support offices and their supervisors. The incumbent is expected to coordinate with Mission staff and partners in producing communication materials.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education Bachelor's degree or equivalent in journalism, public administration, or an area relevant for international development programs.

b. Prior Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years or progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations or journalism.

c. Language Proficiency

· Minimum requirement is Level V (native proficiency) in English. At this level, which is a US government standard for language proficiency, a person has complete native fluency in English.

· Minimum requirement is Level II (limited working proficiency) in French.

d. Clearances

The ability to obtain medical and security clearances in a timely manner 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 who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated, through their offer package, based on the factors listed below. Offerors must address each factor on a separate sheet describing specifically the experience, training, and/or education that s/he has relevant to each criterion. The committee may conduct interviews of the most highly ranked candidates before making a selection recommendation to the Selecting Official. The successful candidates will be selected based on a review of their qualifications, work experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities; interview; and the results of reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed.

1- Education (10 points): up to five points will be given for a degree in public relations or communications specifically; up to five points will be given for an advanced degree in related area.

2- Experience (30 points): up to ten points will be given for relevant experience beyond seven years; up to ten points will be given for relevant experience in a developing country; up to ten points will be given for relevant experience working with foreign or international development activities or organizations.

3- Language (10 points): up to ten points will be given for French language above the II level.

4- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (50 points)

a) Demonstrated creative and analytical skills in oral and written communications, especially in the areas of media formats such as press releases, websites, feature articles, and briefing materials. (10 points)

b) Demonstrated knowledge of standard computer applications, such as Microsoft suites. (10 points)

c) Demonstrated familiarity with website development and video and photo editing. (10 points)

d) Demonstrated ability to manage complex tasks, to meet deadlines, to manage multiple priorities, and to deliver products that meet professional standards. (10 points)

e) Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain a network of professional contacts, to work collaboratively with colleagues, and to provide effective leadership in a multi-cultural setting. (10 points)

Total possible points = 100

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

1. AID 309-2, Offeror Information For Personal Services Contract Form

Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit a hand-signed form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts”, available at the USAID website, on www.usaid.gov/forms. Offerors are required to sign and scan the certification at the end of the form.

2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Offerors will submit a resume or a curriculum vitae containing the following information:

a) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip/postal code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, and if applicable highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held);

b) Education: date of diploma or GED; colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours);

c) Work Experience: provide the following information for each of your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties and accomplishments (do not send job descriptions), employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor. In addition, offerors should highlight or make special note of relevant significant awards and achievements. This may include information that was listed in the AID 309-2 form.

3. Appendix

Supplemental document specifically addressing the selection factors listed in the solicitation. Include other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, such as job-related training courses (title and year), job-related skills, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested).

4. Reference Persons

Offerors are required to provide five (5) reference persons who are not family members or relatives, with working telephones and email contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about offerors past performance and abilities. Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists. If an offeror does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference check, this should be stated in the offeror’s AID 309-2 form and/or resume. The interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication with the offeror.

SUBMISSION OF OFFER

· Offers must be submitted to the e-mail address: antananarivoUSAIDHR@usaid.gov

· Subject line of your e-mail should read: “SOL-DOC Advisor [your name]”

· E-mail attachments should be in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (.pdf) and/or Word format (.doc or .docx)

· Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the Selecting Official (SO) informs the successful Offerors about being selected for the positions advertised, the SO will provide the successful Offerors instructions about how to complete the following forms. Other additional forms may be required to be completed.

· DS 6561, Pre-Assignment for Overseas Duty for Non-Foreign Service Personnel. Found at http://www.state.gov/m/med/c35188.htm

· AID 6-1, Request for Security Action

· OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment

· SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions or

· SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

· SF-87, Finger Print Card

· AID 500-4, Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, as Amended

· AID 6-85, Foreign Activity Data

· OF-126, Residence and Dependency Report

· SF-144, Statement of Prior Service - Worksheet

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

· USPSC hired offshore:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC hired offshore 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), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600).

· Resident hire USPSC:

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

1) Employee’s FICA Contribution (for USPSC)

2) Annual Contribution towards Health and Life Insurance

(a) 72% of health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $20,399 for a family and $7,266 for employees without dependents)

(b) 50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $500)

3) Pay Comparability Adjustment - Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs

4) Worker’s Compensation

5) Annual merit increase

6) Vacation and Sick Leave.

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

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

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms .

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.

· AAPD 18-05: Designation of USPSCs and CCNPSCs as Contracting Agreement Officers

· AAPD 18-02: Changes to the Medevac Policy for USPSCs and TCNPSCs

· AAPD 16-03: REVISED AIDAR Deviation from Appendices D and J for the continuation of Expanded Incentive Awards for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals

· AAPD 15-02: REVISED Extends Implementation Of The USAID Policy For Leave And Holidays, Including Family And Medical Leave

· AAPD10-01: Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts For Health Insurance And Physical Examination Costs

· AAPD 06-10: PSC Medical Expense Payment

· AAPD06-08: Using the Optional Schedule to Incrementally Fund Contracts

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.

END OF SOLICITATION

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