Signed SOL SRG HA 720BHA21R00055-ext.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA21R00055

ISSUANCE DATE: June 29, 2021 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 20, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Support Relief Group (SRG) Humanitarian Advisor (HA) under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (beta.SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov

720BHA21R00055

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b& sysparm_search=kb0013183

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received.

Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers.

Your complete resume must be emailed to:

FARO Recruitment Team E-Mail Address: BHA.FARORecruitment@usaid.gov Website: www.BHAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the FARO Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely, Sonja Stroud-Gooden Contracting Officer

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Digitally signed by Sonja Stroud-Gooden Date: 2021.06.21 15:41:55 -04'00'

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA21R00055

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 29, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: This solicitation is open and continuous until July 20, 2022. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

August 3, 2021 (Deadline Extended), 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time November 19, 2021, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time March 21, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time July 20, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered for positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be cancelled at HBMO’s discretion.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: FARO Recruitment Team, BHA.FARORecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Support Relief Group Humanitarian Advisors (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: $93,907 - $122,077 equivalent to GS-14 (not eligible for locality pay)

Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years.

STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as part of the SRG. BHA intends to contract for these services for a maximum of 250 days per calendar year. Activation days vary but will not exceed 250 days during each contract year.

The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by BHA and the contractor. Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, BHA will contact the contractor and provide the following information:

1. Date contractor is needed to report to BHA or assignment in the field

2. Duration of Assignment

3. Place of Performance

The contractor will notify BHA within 24 hours of availability. At the time the contractor accepts the assignment, he/she is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment.

While the contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that

3 | Page the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 250 days). The contractor shall notify BHA at the time of commitment if their existing schedule would preclude an extension. Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify the contractor from the assignment but will simply assist BHA in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if the contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, the contractor will be required to give BHA 10 days’ notice for release from the assignment.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian assistance overseas in response to all types of international disasters, including slow-onset disasters such as droughts or famine, natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, or man-made disasters such as conflict or war. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas:

● Humanitarian Response activities comprise needs-based humanitarian assistance provided to save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies. Humanitarian assistance is grounded in humanitarian principles and is directed toward the most vulnerable populations.

● Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) activities will set the initial foundations for longer-term recovery as appropriate, and will work in close conjunction with humanitarian assistance. Early recovery is an approach that supports communities impacted by crises to protect and restore basic systems and service delivery. Early recovery builds on humanitarian response efforts and establishes the initial foundations of long-term recovery. Early recovery activities are implemented for a specified, appropriate timeframe that assists populations recovering from an identifiable shock. Risk reduction is the prevention of new and reduction of existing disaster risk and management of residual risk, which contributes to strengthening resilience and to the achievement of sustainable development. Resilience is the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

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BHA has seven offices, as follows:

The Bureau’s three geographic offices are: (1) Office of Africa; (2) Office of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and (3) the Office of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

Each geographic office designs, provides, and assesses humanitarian assistance for their respective regions, including assistance related to responding to, recovering from, and reducing the risk of man-made and natural disasters, while linking with other USAID investments that build resilience.

The Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC) shapes and influences USAID’s role within the international humanitarian system; leads engagement on a range of policy, programmatic, and operational issues; and positions the Agency to influence collective response to emergency needs across the globe.

The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads the Bureau's efforts to provide high-quality programmatic and technical leadership, oversight, and guidance. In addition, TPQ leads the Bureau’s external engagement with academia and coordinates research to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of humanitarian and multi-year programming.

The Office of Humanitarian Business and Management Operations (HBMO) is responsible for maintaining 24/7 operability by providing leadership, planning, quality assurance, technical expertise, and process management. HBMO ensures effective stewardship of the Bureau’s support services, including workforce planning, staffing, financial management, internal controls, facilities operations and infrastructure.

The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) leads and manages operational assistance and the purchase and delivery of goods and services in response to declared foreign disasters and international humanitarian needs in key functional areas, including supply-chain management, procurement, logistics, oversight, and operational coordination with the U.S. military.

FARO VALUES

FARO team members ensure that the following division values are incorporated into all aspects of work:

1. Spiritus Operandi/Espirit De Ops

● Demonstrating trust and openness among staff by assuming the best regarding our colleagues’ intentions and efforts.

● Acting with eagerness and willingness to support one another and work together on tasks.

● Maintaining top-down and bottom-up transparency while promoting a strong work ethic as paramount.

● Demonstrating that optimism, humor, and perspective are powerful components of success, even in crisis-driven work.

2. Positive Interactions

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● Owning how FARO is perceived by others to ensure people maintain a positive impression of the division by treating everyone, regardless of seniority or organizational affiliation, in a professional, courteous, and respectful manner.

● Building a reputation that when FARO is on an issue, it’s going to get addressed.

● Doing our jobs consistently, competently, and effectively, with a focus on results.

● Paying attention and listening mindfully to others, with the intent to really understand how they view a situation and what issue they are trying to address.

● Exhibiting partnership and enthusiasm in helping others solve problems; including delivering hard messages with a smile.

3. Competency

● Adopting flexible and creative solutions to provide partners and beneficiaries with quality, effective, consistent, and timely results.

● Maintaining proficiency and leadership in our areas of expertise, through engagement, training, field deployments, and exposure to other communities of thought.

● Holding a long-term strategic perspective in the face of current crises.

● Maintaining a global and functional focus for the office.

4. Resourcefulness

● Using innovating contracting, engagement, administrative, and programmatic approaches to meeting emerging requirements, while being flexible to changing needs.

● Reaching out within the office, agency, interagency, and community beyond to seek innovative and creative solutions.

● Proactively seeking and embracing positive change in order to provide and better service to our customers and stakeholders.

● Viewing challenges as opportunities and focusing on finding a solution rather than just highlighting complications or issues.

5. Staff Depth and Sustainability

● Cultivating a breadth of experience and expertise by hiring individuals from diverse professional, cultural, and experiential backgrounds.

● Proactively developing relationships with other industries and communities in order to learn and innovate.

● Encouraging staff to service in a variety of roles, through staff rotations, shadowing, mentoring, and FARO liaison positions.

● Continuing to support and staff responses through a variety of hiring mechanisms and resources.

● Achieving response readiness while prioritizing personal life for both self and team members.

● Bolstering staff wellness by incorporating flexible work schedules, leading to increased staff dedication, high-quality work, and flexibility.

6. Commitment to Safety and Security

● Recognizing that staff safety and security is everyone’s responsibility and enables BHA access in the field.

● Holding as a hallmark an underlying orientation towards managing risk for staff.

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● Preparing staff through training, mentoring, standard operating procedures, and provision of contextual knowledge.

● Displaying professional conduct and integrity during crisis response operations.

● Advocating for professional assessments of security risks prior to deployment of staff.

INTRODUCTION

The Support Relief Group (SRG) is a program developed by BHA to satisfy its growing need for surge capacity. The primary roles of SRG staff include intermittent backfill for permanent staff overseas, covering vacancies domestically, and responding to numerous disasters worldwide in a timely manner. In general, about half of all SRG activations are domestic and half are overseas in various capacities. The SRG program brings on board select candidates who work for discrete periods, on an intermittent basis for no more than 250 days per calendar year, and can be deployed within hours to facilitate BHA’s response to disasters, or to backfill staff in Washington and other locations. SRG staff can be used for as little as a day or up to several months at a time.

The SRG program is managed by the Surge Staffing Team in the FARO Response Resources Division. This team maintains information for all SRG personnel, providing information to the rest of BHA on their availability, skills, and previous BHA experience. The Surge Staffing Team assists the other offices within BHA in choosing the best qualified SRG staff for any specific task, and provides administrative and personnel support to existing SRG staff. Each SRG incumbent will provide enhancement to the BHA team according to his/her skills. They will be considered part of BHA/Washington resources that can be deployed worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

BHA needs to maintain a roster of SRG Humanitarian Advisor personnel to provide the Bureau, in particular the Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs and Communications (G3PC) with surge capacity during periods of increased activity to provide technical advice and assistance for the analysis of policy issues ranging from displacement and humanitarian principles to disaster risk reduction, and will fulfill coordination roles in the field and in Washington, D.C. for disaster response. These positions will help the organization lead on policy issues and assist in planning for BHA strategies and responses to humanitarian crises, as well as advocate and educate on humanitarian issues, and help prepare key briefings and policy guidance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The USPSC can be based either in Washington or overseas, but will be most likely utilized to backstop within the U.S. The position is required to provide additional staff resources during times of heavy workloads within the G3PC Division.

The SRG Humanitarian Advisor may perform the following tasks as needed by BHA:

● Research, analyze, and develop policy recommendations on specific issues and matters relating to humanitarian affairs, in partnership with G3PC Divisions.

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● Serve as Deputy Manager for Coordination or Outreach Coordinator on Response Management Teams (RMTs) in Washington, or in other capacities as appropriate.

● Represent BHA in international and USG interagency forums on disaster response and humanitarian issues.

● Represent BHA at donor meetings covering a broad range of humanitarian issues.

● Assist in conducting specialized humanitarian training on the international humanitarian architecture.

● Attend various international humanitarian meetings, including meetings with United

Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donors, and other country representatives and provide authoritative information and views to formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues for the USG.

● Work cooperatively with relevant USG offices and serve as a lead point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.

● Represent USAID at meetings with the UN, international organizations, and other donors and other conferences sponsored by members of the international community, and provide guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiate strategies, and in consultation with USAID/Washington conduct negotiations with the donor community and make recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID.

● Work with counterparts in other donor organizations at the most senior levels to exchange information, establish meetings on specific donor issues, solicit publications, and collect information on training opportunities and coordinate these activities with relevant USAID officers.

● Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with U.S. Mission to the UN offices and relevant USG offices and serve as a lead point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.

● Coordinate with other federal agencies on international disaster responses and plan and organize regular meetings on disaster response and disaster risk reduction with the USG interagency.

● Provide skilled support to BHA/G3PC humanitarian policy, training, programs, public-private engagement, communications, and interagency teams and serve as a backup staff resource to BHA’s domestic and internationally-based staff.

● Engage in appropriate training either as a participant and/or trainer.

● May serve as needed, on Washington-based RMTs, which provide services and support to

Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

● May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.

● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure

8 | Page performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and report to the FARO/Response Resources Division Chief or his/her designee. During activation, day to day work is under the general supervision of the G3PC Division Chief or designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

Supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.

The USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out programs, projects, studies or other work. Results are considered authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

13. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

14. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, including but not limited to: international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, public policy, etc. Must have a minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working on international emergency response, humanitarian assistance and/or on humanitarian policy issues. Experience working for the USG or with an international organization required.

OR

Master’s degree in any discipline, including but not limited to: international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, public policy, etc. Must have a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working on international emergency

9 | Page response, humanitarian assistance and/or on humanitarian policy issues. Experience working for the USG or with an international organization 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.

SELECTION FACTORS

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.

● Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented

Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the life of the contract.

● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM

The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:

Professional Experience (10 points):

● Direct donor-based experience with USG international humanitarian agencies such as

USAID or Department of State or other international disaster response organizations.

● Experience managing humanitarian interventions in an international disaster context across the entire disaster management cycle to include emergency response, early recovery, and disaster risk reduction.

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● Specific experience managing humanitarian policy interventions including coordination efforts, strategy development, representing a humanitarian organization, resource prioritization, program development, and program management.

Management/Supervisory Experience (10 points)

● Demonstrated experience managing a diverse staff of varied nationalities and cultural backgrounds working in a constant state of complex, international humanitarian crisis.

● Experience managing a diverse team of program, technical, and administrative staff, including senior U.S. and/or international professionals, working in a constant state of in complex, international humanitarian crisis.

Skills and Abilities (10 points)

● Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with host or foreign governments at senior levels in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations.

● Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with other donors and diplomatic missions at senior levels in the midst of international humanitarian crisis situations.

● Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to work effectively with international NGOs humanitarian partners at senior levels in the midst of humanitarian crisis situations.

● Demonstrated diplomatic, interpersonal, and representational skills in order to effectively achieve humanitarian objectives within the USG at senior levels, including with senior executive branch staff in the midst of international humanitarian crisis situations.

Interview Performance (50 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (20 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the

11 | Page ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (beta.SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS

Via email: BHA.FARORecruitment@usaid.gov

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NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.

NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained within six months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.

NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS 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.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: Registration for a DUNS number is FREE.

For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Unique Entity Identifier at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204 and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204 or www.sam.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 be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

1. Resume.

2. USPSC Offeror Form (AID 309-2)

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). **

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

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

6. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

7. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). **

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** Forms 3 through 7 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an offeror is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

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

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 Lodging Allowance (Section 120).

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220).

(d) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).

(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 (Section 650).

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

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“General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

ADS 309 – Personal Services Contracts can be found at:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf

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

Five Year Table – Support Relief Group Humanitarian Advisor

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTIT

Y (C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Year 1 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0002 Base Year 2 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0003 Base Year 3 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0004 Base Year 4 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0005 Base Year 5 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

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 06-10 – PSC MEDICAL PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY

AAPD No. 06-10 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 1 to the solicitation.

AAPD 15-02 – Authorization of Family and Medical Leave for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (USPSCs) AAPD No. 15-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 2 to the solicitation.

AAPD 18-02 REVISED - Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services

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AAPD No. 18-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 3 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.222-50 – COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

FAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 4 to the solicitation.

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 .

ALL QUALIFIED OFFERORS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE,

COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION,

NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT

FACTOR.

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ATTACHMENT 1

USPSC PROVISION “MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER

2006)

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below.

The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC)

SERVICES.”

(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).

(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

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(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision 10, Travel and Transportation AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6 Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.”

In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under General Provision 10, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member.

In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

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(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/dependent. (i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 7 Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

[End of Provision]

ATTACHMENT 2

GP 5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (DEC 2017)

(Pursuant to class deviation #M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-18-1c)

(a) Annual Leave

(1) The contractor is not entitled to annual leave if the period of performance of this contract is 90 days or less. If the contract period of performance is more than 90 days, the contractor shall earn annual leave as of the start date of the contract period of performance as specified in paragraph (a)(2) below.

(2) The contractor shall accrue annual leave based on the contractor’s time in service according to the following table:

Time in Service Annual Leave (AL) Accrual Calculation 0 to 3 years Four hours of leave for each two week period over 3, and up to 15 years Six hours of AL for each two week period

(including 10 hours AL for the final pay period of a calendar year) over 15 years Eight hours of AL for each two week period

USAID will calculate the contractor’s time in service based on all the previous service performed by the contractor as a: 1) USAID PSC (i.e., the contractor has served under any USAID personal services contracts of any duration covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory provision applicable to USAID); and/or 2) former U.S. Government (USG) direct-hire, under either civilian and/or military service.

(3)

(i) AL is provided under this contract for the purposes of affording necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the USAID Mission or USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall develop an AL schedule early in the contractor's period of performance, taking into consideration project requirements, employee preference, and other factors. All AL earned by the contractor must be used during the contractor’s period of performance. All AL earned by the contractor, but not taken by the end of the contract, will be forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of AL, the Contracting Officer

19 | Page may approve the contractor taking AL during the concluding weeks of the contractor's period of performance.

(ii) As an exception to 3(i) above, the contractor may receive a lump-sum payment for leave not taken. To approve this exception, the contractor's supervisor must provide the Contracting Officer with a signed, written Determination and Findings (D&F). The D&F must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking AL, and the Contracting Officer must find that these facts and circumstances were not caused by, or were beyond the control of, the contractor. This leave payment must not exceed the number of days which could be earned by the contractor during a twelve-month period.

(4) With the approval of the Mission Director or cognizant AA, as appropriate, and if the circumstances warrant, a Contracting Officer may grant the contractor advance AL in excess of the amount earned, but in no case may the Contracting Officer grant advance AL in excess of the amount earned in one year or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. The contractor agrees to reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advance AL provided during the contractor’s assignment under the contract.

(5) Applicants for PSC positions will provide evidence of their PSC and/or USG direct-hire service - civilian and/or military experience, as applicable, on their signed and dated application form required under USAID policy. By signing the appropriate form, the applicant attests to the accuracy of the information provided. Any applicant providing incorrect information is subject to the penalty provisions in the form. If required to satisfy due diligence requirements on behalf of the Contracting Officer, the contractor may be required to furnish evidence that verifies length of service, e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or signed contracts.

(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as USAID U.S. direct hire employees. Sick leave is earned at a rate not to exceed four (4) hours every two (2) weeks for a total of 13 work-days per year. Unused sick leave may be carried over under an extension or renewal of this contract with the same individual for the same work.

Otherwise, sick leave will not be carried over from one post to another or from one contract to another. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave upon completion of this contract.

(c) Home Leave.

(1) Home leave is leave earned for service abroad for use only in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions and territories.

(2) A USPSC who has served at least two years overseas at the same USAID Mission, under the same contract, as defined in paragraph (c)(4) below, and has not taken more than 30 work days leave (annual, sick or LWOP) in the U.S. may be granted home leave in accordance with the following:

(i) if the USPSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for an additional two (2) years under the same contract, the USPSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days; or if the USPSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved in writing by the Mission Director prior

20 | Page to the USPSCs departure on home leave, the USPSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days.

(ii) if the USPSC is returning to a different USAID Mission under a USAID personal services contract immediately following completion of the USPSC's home leave, for an additional two (2) years under contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one (1) year, as approved by the Mission Directors of the "losing" and "gaining" Missions, the contractor will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of not more than 20 work days.