72DFFP20R00013 - FNPM TL - 05.20.pdf

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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72DFFP20R00013

ISSUANCE DATE: May 19, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 16, 2020

4:00 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’s (USAID) Office of Food for Peace (FFP), is seeking offers from qualified U.S.

citizens to provide personal services as a FEWS NET Program Manager – Team Leader 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:

(See sample resume on www.ffpjobs.com website)

(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 supervisor(s) 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 (QRFs): Each offeror’s supplemental document must address the QRFs shown in the solicitation.

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

http://www.ffpjobs.com/

Solicitation for a USPSC FEWS NET Program Manager – Team Leader

72DFFP20R00013

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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.

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

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, signed AID 309-2 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 offer.

Sincerely, /s/

Patrice Lee Contracting Officer https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ mailto:ffprecruitmentteam@usaid.gov http://www.ffpjobs.com/application/process.aspx

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ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72DFFP20R00013

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 19, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS:

June 16, 2020, 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: FFP PSC Recruitment Team, ffprecruitmentteam@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: FEWS NET Program Manager – Team Leader

6. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a GS-15 ($142,701 - $170,800) equivalent level, including Washington, D.C. locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and based upon the candidate’s established salary history. Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment but relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

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

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C., with possible overseas and domestic travel.

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 WORK:

BACKGROUND

USAID's Office of Food for Peace (FFP) predicts, prevents, and responds to hunger overseas.

Through its emergency food assistance activities, FFP saves lives, reduces suffering, and supports the early recovery of people affected by conflict and natural disaster emergencies, including refugees.

FFP also addresses the root causes of food insecurity and helps individuals and communities withstand future crises and lay the foundation for stable, inclusive growth. FFP development activities help chronically food insecure populations reduce their long-term need for food

4 | Page assistance by helping communities improve access to food for their most vulnerable people, especially women and children.

FFP works closely with other parts of USAID, especially the Bureau for Food Security, which plays a key role in implementing the U.S. Government’s (USG) Feed the Future initiative, and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, which leads on disaster response around the world.

FFP employs a staff of over 140 in Washington, D.C. and also has officers posted abroad.

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

INTRODUCTION

The incumbent works in the FFP Technical, Learning, and Planning (TLP) Division, serving as a Program Manager – Team Leader. As the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Program Manager – Team Leader, the incumbent is assigned additional responsibilities by FFP related to guiding overall FEWS NET management and technical activities.

The incumbent, assisted by the other program managers and program analysts, and under guidance from the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and FFP leadership, provides oversight for activities carried out by multiple FEWS NET contractors, and five USG/university partners operating under Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA): the U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the University of California – Santa Barbara, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

With the approval of two new FEWS NET Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and on-going renewals of the IAAs, USAID’s FEWS NET is beginning a new and broader scope of work which goes far beyond previous early warning and emergency scopes by adding the establishment of a new learning and data hub, analyses of the chronic dynamics of food security to inform resilience strategies, and the continuous identification and adoption of new, innovative technologies in all of these areas.

The incumbent has overall supervisory responsibilities for all USAID FEWS NET staff, including ensuring coordination between the duties of all FEWS NET program managers and program analysts. With the expansion in the scope of FEWS NET activities, there is a corresponding increase in the number of FEWS NET program managers and program analysts. This requires a significant focus from the incumbent in a team leader capacity to ensure there is a consistent management approach, and a larger volume of inter-activity coordination and communication.

12. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Under the direct supervision of the TLP Division Chief or his/her designee, the incumbent performs the following duties:

At the GS-15 Equivalent Level:

https://www.usaid.gov/food-assistance

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• Sub-delegate responsibilities for program management among the FEWS NET program managers and program analysts in a way that matches needs, priorities, and the skills and abilities available in the team, under the appropriate authorities for overall FEWS NET program management as delegated by the Director of FFP;

• Approve all FEWS NET contract and agreement actions authorized within annual budgeting and work plan processes;

• Maintain overall responsibility for the coordination of FEWS NET early warning activities with other donors, USAID-recipient countries, and international agencies. This can require the initiation of action to establish formal collaboration arrangements with international and regional agencies involved in early warning or food security;

• Coordinate with and help to inform appropriate FFP authorities for the approval of major programmatic revisions to contract and agreement budgets and work plans. Examples of changes requiring approval of higher authority would include unplanned increases to the annual total budget ceiling (with the exception of mission “buy-ins” for FEWS NET IDIQ contract task orders) and transfers of activities from one major budget category to another in excess of 15 percent of annual budget funds for any one implementing agency;

• Coordinate work plan development and related documentation among IAA partners and

FEWS NET contractors to ensure clear understanding of inter-dependencies and their relation to timely delivery of data analyses and other outputs as specified in the annual work plans;

• Oversee collaborative processes among implementing partners to produce the evidence needed to assess food security and develop scenarios of potential emergency food insecurity;

• Coordinate food security assessments with other offices and programs of USAID sharing interests in this area;

• Coordinate food security assessments with external partners, where possible, including international organizations (World Food Program, Food and Agriculture Organization, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Global Support Unit, Group on Earth Observations), regional technical organizations (Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Southern African Development Community), national early warning units, meteorological services, ministries of agriculture, and technical non-governmental organizations;

• Prepare and publicly present food security briefings for technical and policy/management audiences within and outside of the USG;

• Review and participate in country-specific and regional assessments of food security, vulnerability, resilience, and other related FEWS NET concepts and products;

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• Report findings and trends to decision-makers within different bureaus of USAID and in other stakeholder organizations, as appropriate;

• Prepare statements of work, budgets, justifications, and other documentation related to

USAID procurement actions on FEWS NET IAAs and contracts. Provide technical consultation and expert guidance in the conception, planning, scheduling, and implementation of FEWS NET activities over the entire globe;

• Identify priority technical research needs, and guide FEWS NET’s adoption and adaptation of new technical innovations designed to keep FEWS NET relevant to the decision-making needs of the USG and USAID;

• Resolve and deliver FEWS NET positions on sensitive and possibly contentious issues related to differences in point-of-view about state-of-the-art of food security assessments and early warning issues; and

• Participate in assigned DCHA emergency and developmental assistance processes. Hold responsibility for integrating FEWS NET information into USAID decision-making processes for emergency, resilience, and developmental responses.

Supervisory Relationship:

The incumbent takes direction from and reports to the TLP Division Chief in FFP/Washington.

Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent is the designated team leader for FEWS NET activities and exercises independence and initiative in providing oversight of the team’s definition and performance of duties.

Responsibilities are carried out independently with the incumbent prioritizing overall objectives and managing available resources. The incumbent develops deadlines for activities and other specialized tasks and is responsible for managing the team’s planning and completion of assignments, resolving most conflicts that arise, and coordinating the work of team members. The incumbent interprets policy on his/her own initiative and within the parameters of established objectives. The incumbent keeps the TLP Division Chief informed of progress in achievement of objectives and advised of potentially controversial matters. Completed work is reviewed after completion in terms of effectiveness in advancing USAID Food Security Policy, DCHA/FFP strategic plan, and DCHA objectives as enunciated in annual reports/resource request submissions.

Performance Guidelines:

Pertinent sources of information consist of the Food for Peace Act, the Foreign Assistance Act, the Farm Bill, and other legislation; USAID, DCHA, other USG rules and regulations; and FFP rules, policies, guidelines, and information bulletins. Guidelines are broadly stated and non-specific, requiring extensive interpretation. The incumbent is recognized as a technical authority in the development and interpretation of policy and guidance related to food security assessment

7 | Page and early warning. Judgment and ingenuity are required to interpret the intent of guides and to develop applications/guidelines for pioneering techniques for effective famine early warning.

Complexity:

Duties are significantly varied and require many different unrelated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of problems/situations that require a substantial depth of analysis.

Recommended changes are consistent with existing legislative, regulatory, and policy guidelines, but may require the formulation and application of new approaches and/or methodologies. The incumbent is responsible for originating new techniques, establishing criteria, and developing new information related to FEWS NET activities. The incumbent undertakes a wide range of technical duties related to FEWS NET activities that require the exercise of judgment and the interpretation of policies and practices and their relevance to new problems or situations. Decisions involve largely undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem. The incumbent applies his/her depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in technical areas such as early warning systems for food insecurity and agricultural drought in support of programs for humanitarian assistance and international development.

Assignments are of considerable breadth and intensity and require the participation and support of others.

Scope and Effect:

The work typically includes providing leadership and technical input for the implementation and oversight of FEWS NET activities. The incumbent is responsible for establishing guidelines, recommending practices, and quality control standards for the program management and technical work of the FEWS NET team. As the FEWS NET Program Manager – Team Leader, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring coordination between the duties of all FEWS NET program managers and program analysts. The work of the incumbent involves isolating and defining unknown conditions, resolving critical problems, or developing new theories as they relate to FEWS NET technical activities. The incumbent is recognized as an expert to the experts and his/her work affects the work of other experts. The work involves planning, developing, and carrying out vital FEWS NET activities which are essential to the mission of FFP. A key responsibility of the work is to lead, direct, and otherwise affect a substantial number of other professional or technical staff.

Personal Contacts:

Contacts are with individuals or groups outside of USAID in a moderately unstructured setting.

Contacts may include a variety of staff, specialists, managers, high ranking officials, or groups from outside of USAID where the purpose and extent of each contact are usually different. The incumbent works closely with FEWS NET contractors, as well as five USG/university partners operating under IAAs: USGS, NOAA, NASA, the University of California – Santa Barbara, and USDA. The role and authority of each party is identified and developed during the course of the contact. Contacts are with individuals or groups in contexts relating to the provision of early warning decision support to food assistance programming. The incumbent serves as a liaison between FEWS NET implementing partners and FFP; USAID operating units; USG agencies; and international, non-governmental, and foreign national organizations that are active in early

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Purpose of Contacts:

The incumbent must justify, defend, negotiate, and settle matters involving controversial issues among decision makers as they apply to emergency food assistance and FEWS NET initiatives.

Individuals contacted by the incumbent typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, and objectives including USG agencies (the U.S. Department of State, USDA, the National Security Council, etc.). The work usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance. The incumbent is required to achieve a common understanding among the various parties and propose satisfactory solutions that address their various objectives in implementing Title II food aid commodities for emergency food assistance programs.

13. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. While on long-term travel for FFP, thirty (30) days or more in a calendar year, 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. The requirement for field trip assignments to consult with cooperating sponsor managers of food assistance programs may expose the successful candidate to additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

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

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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.)

At the GS-15 Equivalent Level:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, agriculture, human nutrition, agricultural economics, international development, disaster management, geography, or related field with a minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in early warning systems for food insecurity and agricultural drought in support of programs for humanitarian assistance and/or international development. At least one (1) year of overseas professional experience is preferred.

OR

A Master’s degree from an accredited U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study in, but not limited to, agriculture, human nutrition, agricultural economics, international development, disaster management, geography, or related field with a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in early warning systems for food insecurity and agricultural drought in support of programs for humanitarian assistance and/or international development. At least one (1) year of overseas professional experience is preferred.

AND

Intermediate level computer skills, to include knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, e-mail, data portals, and interactive web mapping services.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer (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;

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

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

• Supplemental document specifically addressing the QRFs;

• USPSC Application form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through

I;

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level clearance up to Top Secret/Sensitive

Compartmented Information level clearance within a nine month period after offer acceptance;

• Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance within a three month period after offer acceptance;

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

and

• Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

Offerors not meeting minimum qualifications will not be evaluated further.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)

Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on the QRFs listed below. In 500 words or less, the offeror will address each factor on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately the experience, training, and/or education they have that is relevant to each factor. Please provide a word count after each response. Offerors must be sure to include their name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.

• QRF 1. Demonstrated experience in the leadership and organization of early warning activities focused on emergency food security assessment, with a strong emphasis on effective decision support, in 500 words or less. (20 points)

• QRF 2. Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-partner activities focused on emergency and development food security assessment, including staff supervision, managing teams, administration of contracts, interagency agreements, cooperative agreements, and grants, involving preparation of technical statements of work and accompanying budgets, proposal evaluation, and progress reviews, in 500 words or less.

(20 points)

• QRF 3. Comprehensive knowledge of the concepts and tools used to collect food security data and information, and their use in the classification of food insecurity of households and populations within subnational geographic areas, in 500 words or less. (15 points)

• QRF 4. Ability to effectively articulate and communicate complex technical livelihoods, markets, agro-climatological, and food insecurity concepts and methods to specialists and non-specialists both orally and in writing, in 500 words or less. (15 points)

Total Possible QRF Points: 70 points Total Possible Interview Points: 30 points

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Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks: Pass/Fail

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the QRF responses. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Failure to address the selection factors and/or QRFs may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, and/or training.

The most qualified candidates will be interviewed. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. FFP will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. 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 offeror.

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 one month after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained within three months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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

Offerors 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 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through

I.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

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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 and the position you are applying for on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS

Via email: ffprecruitmentteam@usaid.gov

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, 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 offerors are highly encouraged to initiate the registration process early in the offer stage to avoid any delays during contract award.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html http://www.sam.gov/

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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 309-2).

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 offeror 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 https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract.

AIDAR Appendix D can be found at: https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

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 2 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 3 to the solicitation.

AAPD 18-02 – Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services AAPD No. 18-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 4 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.222-50 – COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (Jan 2019) FAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 5 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.204-24 – Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Dec 2019) FAR Clause 52.204-24 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 6 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.204-25 – Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2019) http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf

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FAR Clause 52.204-25 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 7 to the solicitation.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

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 Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (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 https://aoprals.state.gov/

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

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

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

[The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant text as required.]

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.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

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ATTACHMENT 2

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006) (AAPD 06-10)

(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, up to the

17 | Page 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 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]

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ATTACHMENT 3

AUTHORIZATION OF FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE FOR U.S. PERSONAL

SERVICES CONTRACTORS (USPSCs)

GP 5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (DEC 2017)

(Pursuant to Class Deviation #M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-20-2c)

(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. 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, 19 | Page 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) Offerors 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 offeror attests to the accuracy of the information provided. Any offeror 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 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.

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(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. When the PSC is returning to a different USAID Mission, the former Mission will pay for the home leave regardless of what country the PSC will be working in following the home leave;

(iii) if home leave eligibility is based on (c)(2)(ii) above, the USPSC must submit written verification to the losing Mission at the time home leave is requested that the USPSC has accepted a USAID personal services contract at another USAID Mission following completion of the home leave;

(iv) travel time by the most direct route is authorized in addition to the number of work days authorized for home leave;

(v) home leave must be taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions or territories, and any days spent elsewhere will be charged to annual leave (AL.) If the PSC does not have accrued AL, the PSC will be placed on LWOP.

(vi) if the PSC does not complete the additional service required under (c)(2)(i) or (ii) (that the Contracting Officer finds are other than for reasons beyond the PSC's control), the cost of home leave, travel and transportation and any other related costs must be repaid by the PSC to the Government.

(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (c)(2) above, that the USPSC must have served two (2) years overseas under personal services contract with the same Mission to be eligible for home leave, the USPSC may be granted advance home leave subject to all of the following conditions:

(i) Granting of advanced home leave would in each case serve to advance the attainment of the objectives of this contract; and

(ii) The USPSC has served a minimum of 18 months in the Cooperating Country under this contract; and

(iii) The USPSC agrees to return to the Cooperating Country to serve out the remaining time necessary to meet two (2) years of service overseas, plus an additional two (2) years under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission. If approved in advance by the Mission Director, the USPSC may return to serve out any remainder of the two (2) year requirement for service overseas, plus an additional period of not less than one (1) year under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission.

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(4) The period of service overseas required under paragraph (c)(2), or paragraph (c)(3) above, will include the actual days in orientation in the U.S. (less language training). The actual days overseas begin on the date of arrival in the cooperating country inclusive of authorized delays enroute. Allowable annual and sick leave taken while overseas, but not LWOP, shall be included in the required period of service overseas. An amount equal to the number of days of annual and sick leave taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions or territories will be added to the required period of service overseas.

(5) Salary during the travel to and from the U.S., for home leave will be limited to the time required for travel by the most expeditious air route. Except for reasons beyond the USPSC's control as determined by the Contracting Officer, the USPSC must return to duty after home leave and complete the additional required service or be responsible for reimbursing USAID for payments made during home leave. Unused home leave is not reimbursable under this contract, nor can it be taken incrementally in separate time periods.

(6) Home leave must be taken at one…