72DFFP18R00007_SOL_Sr._Contract_Specialist_040918_Final_(1).pdf

Request for Personal Service Contractor

United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance

Office of Food for Peace

Position Title: Senior Contract Specialist Solicitation Number: 72DFFP18R00007 Salary Level: GS-13 Equivalent: $96,970 – $126,062

Issuance Date:

Closing Date:

Closing Time:

(Includes Washington, D.C. locality pay) April 09, 2018 April 30, 2018

4:00 P.M. EST

Dear Prospective Applicants:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Food for Peace (FFP), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Senior Contract Specialist under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the attached solicitation.

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

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

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

(See sample resume on www.ffpjobs.com)

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. 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) Names and contact information (phone/email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Current and/or previous supervisors may be contacted for a reference.

(d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(e) U.S. Citizenship

Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should 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. Responses to the Quality Ranking Factors: Each applicant’s supplemental document must address the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation.

Solicitation for a USPSC Senior Contract Specialist

72DFFP18R00007

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3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3: Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed and scanned. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

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.

Registration information is available at www.sam.gov and further guidance will be provided to the selectee regarding DUNS and SAM registration.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. FFP reserves the right to select additional candidates if vacancies become available during future phases of the selection process.

Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email when application materials have been received. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Your complete resume, scanned AID 302-2 form, and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs must be emailed to:

FFP PSC Recruitment Team E-Mail Address: ffprecruitmentteam@usaid.gov

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to FFP PSC Recruitment Team via the information provided above. Further guidance on applying, including a sample resume, can be found at www.ffpjobs.com.

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 application.

Sincerely, Renee Newton Contracting Officer

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1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72DFFP18R00007

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 9, 2018

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:

April 30, 2018, 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Contract Specialist

5. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated at the GS-13 ($96,970 – $126,062) equivalent level, including Washington, D.C. locality. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background. Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One (1) year, with four (4) one year option periods.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C.

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret level security clearance

9. AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizen

10. STATEMENT OF WORK:

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Food for Peace (FFP) is the largest provider of food assistance in the world. FFP works together with others to reduce hunger and malnutrition and assure that adequate, safe and nutritious food is available, accessible to and well-utilized by all individuals at all times to support a healthy and productive life. Each year on average FFP provides more than $2 billion of food assistance, reaching 45-55 million beneficiaries in approximately 50 countries.

Food for Peace works in both emergency and development contexts, with emergency and recovery activities comprising 80 percent of total spending. Through its emergency activities, FFP strives to provide food assistance to save lives, reduce suffering and support the early recovery of populations affected by both conflict and natural disasters.

FFP also recognizes that repeatedly responding to emergencies is not sufficient to end hunger and increase food security. FFP development activities help chronically food insecure populations reduce their long-term need for food assistance by strengthening the capacity of developing societies to ensure access to food for their most vulnerable communities and individuals, especially women and children. FFP also helps individuals and communities better withstand future shocks through resilience-building activities.

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Food for Peace works closely with many other parts of USAID, especially the Bureau for Food Security, which plays a key role in implementing the President’s Feed the Future initiative, and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, which leads on disaster response around the world. Food for Peace employs a staff of over 100 in Washington and also has officers posted abroad.

More Information on FFP is available at: https://www.usaid.gov/food-assistance

INTRODUCTION

The primary purpose of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance is to provide professional expertise in the acquisition and assistance field to the USAID Technical Teams in order to acquire goods and services to allow the Technical Team to reach their goals and objectives. The Senior Contract Specialist is responsible for ensuring that acquisition instruments are completed, negotiated, executed and administered in a timely and effective manner that ensures implementation leading to the most efficient and effective achievement of results. The Senior Contract Specialist has thorough understanding and knowledge of acquisition laws, principles, policies, regulations and procedures to plan and manage acquisition instruments, which have a variety of multi-million dollar funding levels; are of critical importance and require the resolution of various issues and problems for which few precedents exist. The Senior Contract Specialist is expected to successfully manage all stages of the acquisition process to ensure compliance with Federal Regulations and Agency policy and procedures.

OBJECTIVE

The USPSC serves as a Senior Contract Specialist in the Management Bureau, Office of Acquisition & Assistance. The USPSC is responsible for all pre-award and post-award functions involving highly complex negotiated procurements of significant importance to the Agency.

Requirements of the contracts (including USPSC Contracts) and Interagency Agreements are typically highly specialized and involve complex systems or sensitive international programs.

Given the nature of its mandate, FFP requires a high-volume of procurement support that is critical to the Agency, highly visible, and often urgent. The USPSC must excel at working in a fast-paced, dynamic and demanding setting.

11. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Under the direct supervision of M/OAA/AFP, the Senior Contract Specialist will perform the following duties:

At the GS-13 Equivalent level:

Contract/Assistance Compliance Review

Conduct in-depth compliance review and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract actions requiring higher-level approval;

Monitor all acquisition and assistance strategy and documents and instruments for a variety of highly specialized, complex, and unique contracts and agreements for a variety of programs that involve a broad spectrum of systems;

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Support Contracting/Agreement Officer by providing contract/agreement administration sufficient to ensure terms and conditions are complied with and that the contractor/recipient delivers the required goods or services in a timely manner to achieve the objectives of the Agency's projects and programs. Responsibilities to include:

o Review of changes to incremental funding, preparation of rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, coordination of time extension, incorporation of change orders, preparation of stop work orders, preparation of cure notices or show cause letters, and contract closeout for Contracting/Agreement Officer review and approval;

o Conduct periodic site visits under the direction of the CO/AO;

o Advises Office of Food for Peace, contractors/recipients, on their administration responsibilities contained in their award documents;

o Evaluate the adequacy of the contractor's and recipient’s business management systems for areas such as personnel compensation, subcontracting procedures, and financial management;

o Ensure the contractors and recipient’s compliance with Cost Accounting Standards or other cost principles and requirements applicable to them;

Prepare termination of contracts for the convenience of the Government or default/cause by the contractor for the review and approval by the Contracting Officer. Prepare all documentation necessary to support and defend termination decisions by the Contracting Officer. Negotiates termination claims;

Assist the Contracting Officer in resolving audit findings on post-award audits;

Draft, for the Contracting Officer, responses to protests by researching, analyzing and developing necessary documentation and history;

Work with the Agency’s Office of General Counsel (GC) in preparing the Agency's position, and Contracting Officer reports, to support the Government's defense on protests to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO);

Review grantee's procurement systems and procedures. In response to requests for review by grantees for the purpose of certifying their procurement system and procedures, conducts in-depth on-site evaluations of grantees contracts, contracting procedures, contract planning, competition, cost analysis, organizations, employee qualifications, procurement and administration systems, and similar functions and make recommendations to the Contracting/Agreement Officer; and

Review third-party contracts submitted by grantees to ensure compliance with requirements for solicitation and award of third-party contracts. Reviews include all types of contracts (fixed price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-award-fee, incentive provisions, escalation provisions, etc.) for the procurement of major systems, research and development, equipment, construction, services and supplies.

Monitor Contractor's Performance Perform contract administration activities for significant, highly specialized procurements involving long-term, extensive technical service contracts and/or cost type contracts.

Contract types vary with the complexity of the acquisition and the best interests of the government, ranging from Firm-Fixed-Price through Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee types;

Responsible for contract administration sufficient to ensure that contract terms and conditions are met and that the contractor delivers the required goods or services in a

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Independently review and monitor contractor's performance on contract, regulatory and statutory provisions through telephone conversations, correspondence, reports, vouchers, and visits;

Independently monitor status of contract performance, review for approval of progress payments, reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals resulting from change orders, scheduling, problems that have arisen and proposed solutions, verification of deliveries, and similar activities;

Prepare for the Contracting Officer and other officials of the agency, interpretations of contract provisions as applicable to contractors, and provide appropriate advice and guidance;

Conduct in-depth analyses of contractors' financial and management systems and facilities for ability to perform and for compliance with Government/contractual requirements;

In consultation with M/OAA Supervisory Contracting Officer/Branch Chief, advise FFP Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs)/Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) on issues arising during contractor performance to develop solutions related to contractor performance; and

Review Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARS) written by the COR and ensure that the reports are approved timely in the CPARS system.

Procurement Program Planning Work

Develop new plans, schedules or methods to accommodate changing program requirements for acquisition as well as assistance programs for new or complex programs with ability to multi-task within varying assignments. Responsible for procurement planning activities in FFP, which may include reviewing project papers and representing M/OAA at program planning meetings and regular status meetings;

Identify within assigned major program(s) those significant subsystems, components, equipment and services to be acquired by contract, grant, cooperative agreement or Interagency Agreement;

Develop objectives for the program in terms of competition and price range, and construct the contractual or assistance vehicle, which includes the use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside polices, and similar considerations;

Prepare and maintain current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules and keep M/OAA management informed of anticipated workload demands;

Anticipate problems and provide advice to FFP project personnel on effective implementation and time frames required to ensure they are met. When designated by the Contracting Officer as their representative, serve on project review committee(s) in an advisory capacity;

Advise FFP program officials, in project planning meetings, of the procurement and assistance instruments to be used. Advise FFP AORs/CORs in the drafting of effective statements of work, program descriptions, evaluation criteria, proposal instructions, application guidelines and other supporting documents for Request for Applications (RFAs), Request for Proposals (RFPs), Task Order, Inter Agency Agreement and/or any other procurement instruments;

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Prepare solicitation documents;

Provide guidance to new FFP staff on USAID regulations and Automated Directive

Systems (ADS), USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) requirements;

Serve as Senior Contract Specialist responsible for major FFP programs by directing and leading lower graded specialists assigned to the project by reviewing their work and providing on-the-job training;

Provide services to FFP field personnel during disaster responses by advising on resolution of special procurement or assistance problems associated with waiver requests, expediting of deliveries, apparent overlapping of responsibilities, and resolution of claims;

Assure that all information regarding the status of assigned procurement and assistance actions are in the Global Acquisition & Assistance System (GLAAS) databases and/or current systems as applicable for completion of work tasks; and

Prepare and maintain award files in ASIST.

Analyze Sources for the Items/Services Procured Develop new or innovative acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions or financial arrangements that serve as models for future major acquisitions;

Survey the market to locate new procurement sources and determine the availability of items or services with specialized requirements;

Perform detailed analyses of all elements of cost in contractor proposals;

Assist the Contracting Officer in the determination of the competitive range and prepares defensible justifications when required;

In coordination with FFP program staff, conduct pre-proposal conferences with prospective contractors to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract. Similarly, draft requests for applications for awards under assistance;

Obtain appropriate data from business and technical officials;

Draft necessary modifications to clarify questions concerning such topics as specification changes, language ambiguities, or clarification of contract clauses or subcontracts;

Explore new or innovative contracting approaches to arrive at an equitable contract arrangement; and In the absence of meaningful cost and price information, develop creative approaches to developing the necessary comparative data.

Negotiate Procurement of Products and Services Using a Variety of Contract Types Serve as lead negotiator responsible for a significant program or for major procurements, which may include several types of instruments such as RFAs and RFPs;

Plan the negotiation strategy, coordinate the strategy with the negotiation team, and lead the negotiations which are conducted with contractors/grantees to develop the contact/grant prices and terms;

Manage the acquisition and assistance process from inception through negotiation, award, and administration and ultimately, close-out and make awards recommendation to the Contracting/Agreement Officer; prepare agreement and contractual instruments including

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PSCs for signature by the Contracting/ Agreement Officer; prepare the memoranda of negotiation, organize and prepares pre- and post-award debriefs;

Coordinate with the FFP program team on a variety of contracts and assistance instruments requiring the development of new or modified evaluation criteria, reporting requirements, and contractual arrangements;

Forecast labor and material costs when unknowns are involved, locating or developing sources, developing approaches for procurements lacking precedent, and resolving major differences in the interpretation of the statement of work during discussions and negotiations; and

Negotiate and assist the Contracting Officer in executing Participating Agency Services Agreements (PASA) and Resource Support Services Agreements (RSSA) within delegated authority and in accordance with statutory and procedural regulations and general agreements with other Federal agencies. Negotiations include prices, terms, special conditions, and amendments. Coordinate PASAs and RSSAs with officials in participating Federal agencies and with Mission officials, as necessary.

Policy Research, Analysis, and Interpretation Analyze a variety of contracting policy issues and problems and identify alternative courses of action;

Provide technical advice to FFP staff and CO/AO on matters pertaining to contracting policies and provides advice upon request regarding specific situations or problems and upon receipt of changed procedures involving regulations, laws, and good business practices;

Respond to protests, by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history in conjunction with the Contracting Officer; and

Provide guidance and review of debrief letters.

Other

The USPSC serves as a Senior Contract Specialist in the Management Bureau, Office of Acquisition & Assistance, primarily supporting the acquisition portfolio of FFP within DCHA Bureau (M/OAA/DCHA) and, on a limited basis, other DCHA-related activities.

Attend FFP trainings as necessary to better understand programmatic aspects of the office and how this translates into procurement requirements;

Conduct brown bags and other informational sessions to educate FFP staff on changes in procurement policy or other relevant subject matter; and

As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office not to exceed six months.

Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.

Supervisory Controls:

The M/OAA/DCHA Branch Chief sets the overall objectives of the work as well as the available resources. The USPSC, in consultation with the Branch Chief, develops specific objectives and priorities. The USPSC independently plans and carries out the work, selecting the approaches and techniques to be used, and informs the supervisor of progress and significant problems.

Work is evaluated on the degree to which program and regulatory requirements are met. FFP

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Guidelines:

At the GS-13 level, pertinent sources of information consist of Food for Peace rules and regulations, in addition to the Federal Acquisition and Regulations (FAR), the USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs), USAID Automated Directive System (ADS), and Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations as appropriate to USAID.

At the GS-13 level, the incumbent uses administrative policies and precedents applicable, but should plan to use initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods to develop new or proposed policies, subject to supervisor approval.

At the GS-13 level, the incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment in determining the application of guidelines to assigned responsibilities. The incumbent is expected to be recognized as a technical authority in contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and inter-agency agreements which involve complex systems or sensitive international programs.

Complexity:

At the GS-13 levels, the incumbent undertakes a wide range of duties that require the exercise of judgment, the interpretation of policies and practices and their relevance to a new problem or situation. The incumbent must work with a range of people from the Program Operations Division, Policy & Technical Division, and the Geographic Divisions, along with field personnel and other bureaus within USAID.

At the GS-13 level, the incumbent applies his/her depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to review data and recommend or initiate actions to resolve a variety of problems under different award instruments such as contract awards and awards under assistance. The work of the incumbent involves supporting and guiding FFP staff through their varied Acquisition and Assistance duties and must have knowledge of or ability to research many different and unrelated processes and methods which cover the full range of contracting and assistance activities in the assigned functional areas. Actions include factors not routinely encountered. Determining what course of action to be taken includes analysis of alternatives, adaptation, or modification of procedure, or resolution of incomplete or conflicting technical or contractor data.

Scope and Effect:

At the GS-13 level, work typically includes planning, organizing, directing, designing, and coordinating programs and/or projects, requiring creativity and support from others. The incumbent prepares and maintains current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules in order to keep M/OAA management informed of anticipated workload demands. The incumbent serves as the lead negotiator responsible for a significant program or

10 | Page for major procurements, which may include several types of instruments such as Request for Applications (RFAs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The incumbent plans the negotiation strategy, coordinates the strategy with the negotiation team, and leads the negotiations which are conducted with contractors/grantees to develop the contract/grant prices and terms.

At the GS-13 level, the incumbent provides expertise as a specialist in a functional area of contracts and grants/cooperative agreements by furnishing advisory, planning, or reviewing services on specific problems, projects or programs. The work affects a wide range of procurement and assistance activities related to FFP emergency and development food security projects. The incumbent will advise and support FFP program officials in project planning meetings, as well as in the procurement and assistance instruments to be used. The incumbent will advise FFP Agreement Officer Representative (AORs) and/or Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) in the drafting of effective statements of work, program descriptions, evaluation criteria, proposal instructions, application guidelines, and other supporting documents for RFAs, RFPs, Task Order, Inter-Agency Agreements, and/or any other procurement instruments.

Personal Contacts:

At the GS-13 level, contacts are with individuals or groups outside of USAID in a moderately unstructured setting. Contacts may include a variety of staff, specialists, managers, officials, or groups from outside of USAID where the purpose and extent of each contact are usually different, and the role and authority of each party is identified and developed during the course of the contact.

At the GS-13 level, contacts are with individuals or groups in context relating to acquisition and assistance programs. The incumbent coordinates closely with FFP/Washington and field staff, including but not limited to Country Backstop Officers for Emergency and Development programs, the Grants and Contracts Services Team (GCST), the Technical & Learning Planning (TLP) team, the Personnel & Operations Management (POM) team, and the Senior Management Team (SMT).

Purpose of Contacts:

At the GS-13 levels, the incumbent must justify, defend, negotiate and settle matters involving controversial issues among decision makers involved in acquisition and assistance instruments in support of Food for Peace. The people contacted by the incumbent typically have diverse viewpoints, goals and objectives including U.S. Government agencies (State Department, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, the National Security Council, etc.). The incumbent is required to achieve a common understanding among the various parties and propose satisfactory solutions that address their various objectives in matters pertaining to contracting policies, while providing advice regarding specific situations or problems involving regulations, laws, and good business practices.

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12. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. On travel for FFP, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

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

14. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter.

* Application Process: Applicants must indicate in their application the solicitation number to which they are applying for in their initial one-year base contract. USAID/FFP reserves the right to place the applicant at the Grade/Step level for which he/she is found qualified during the application process.

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Minimum Qualifications: Determines basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.

At the GS-13 Equivalent level:

A Bachelor’s degree with seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance functions, to include procurement planning, solicitation, analysis and evaluation of proposals, negotiation and award of acquisition and assistance instruments, cost and price analysis, administration, termination, negotiation of changes, execution of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance and disposition of claims.

OR

A Master’s degree with four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance functions, to include procurement planning, solicitation, analysis and evaluation of proposals, negotiation and award of acquisition and assistance instruments, cost and price analysis, administration, termination, negotiation of changes, execution of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance and disposition of claims.

OR

At least nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working in acquisition.

B. Selection Factors:

Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications for the position. Applicants who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. Selection factors include:

Applicant is a U.S. Citizen;

Submission of a current resume, with complete contact information. See cover page for resume requirements;

Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs);

USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants 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 within nine months following the job offer acceptance;

Satisfactory verification of academic credentials; and Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

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Applicants not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)

Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors, in 500 words or less, on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately the experience, training, and/or education they have that is relevant to each factor. Be sure to include a word count after each response, your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.

Acquisition Professional Experience (15 Points)

Demonstrated prior experience in the full range of responsibilities: procurement planning, solicitation, analysis and evaluation of proposals, negotiation and award of acquisition instruments, administration, termination, negotiation of changes, execution of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance and disposition of claims.

Demonstrated experience with the performance of technical evaluations, cost and price analysis, and monitoring and evaluation of work performed under acquisition instruments.

Knowledge of Federal Contracting Principles, Laws, Policies and Regulations (10 Points)

Demonstrated knowledge of federal contracting principles, laws, statutes, Executive Orders, regulations and procedures applicable to pre-award and/or post-award actions.

Knowledge of the following:

o Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) o Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular o Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations

Teamwork, Flexibility, Communication, and Organizational Skills (5 Points)

Demonstrated ability to work collegially with technical officers, peers, and supervisors with good interpersonal skills and past performance in working effectively in a team environment.

Demonstrated ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure and to demonstrate extreme flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time.

Demonstrated ability to communicate complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues in layperson terms without oversimplifying. Excellent oral and written English communications skills and proven ability to produce technical documents.

Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage complex contractual actions occurring concurrently.

Interview Performance: 50 points

FFP will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews.

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Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks: 20 Points

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the QRF responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Quality Ranking Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, and/or training.

The most qualified candidates will be interviewed and may be required to provide a writing sample. FFP will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. FFP reserves the right to select additional candidates to fill possible future vacant positions.

NOTE: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an applicant.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS:

Where and How to Apply

Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter via email: ffprecruitmentteam@usaid.gov.

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

1. Complete, current resume. See cover page for resume requirements.

2. Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs shown in the solicitation.

3. USPSC Application form AID 302-3. Applicants are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated.

False or fraudulent information on or attached to your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

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To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and the position you are applying for on your application, and as the subject line in any email.

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.

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 application.

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 have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior contract 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

For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System Number at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html and FAR 52.204-7 , System for Award Management at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov.

Interested applicants are highly encouraged to initiate the registration process early in the application stage to avoid any delays during contract award.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can found at:

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

1. Complete, current resume.

2. Supplemental Document addressing QRFs.

3. USPSC Application Form, (AID 302-3).

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4. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561).

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

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

7. Finger Print Card (FD-258).

8. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form).

**Forms 4-8 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) and ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to http://transition.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract.

ADS 309 – Personal Services Contracts can be found at:

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

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.

FAR 52.222-50 – COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

FAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 3 to the solicitation.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC 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 & Sick Leave

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ALLOWANCES (if Applicable) *

The following allowances may be provided for PSCs located in foreign countries using rates prescribed under the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilian Foreign areas) available at https://aoprals.state.gov/:

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).

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare.

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS 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

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006) (AAPD06-10)

(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

(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, 19 | Page 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.

(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).

(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 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 PROVISION]

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ATTACHMENT 2

Authorization of Family and Medical Leave for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (USPSCs) (AAPD 15-02)

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 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.