95332421Q0088 J.2. Position Description (PD).pdf

95332421Q0088 DCO FO Program Oversight and Audit Senior Program Officer (SPO) Intermittent PSC

Position Description (PD)

1. Introduction and Background

MCC’s mission is to provide grant assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in select developing countries with a demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. MCC’s partner countries enter into a five-year agreement (Compact) with MCC that includes a plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives. Our model is defined by core principles, of selectivity, country ownership, transparency, and a focus on results.

Our values identify who we are and what is important to us. Our Values are CLEAR: Embrace Collaboration, Always Learn, Practice Excellence, Be Accountable and Respect individuals and ideas.

MCC’s values define how we behave on a daily basis, both as individuals and as an institution, in pursuit of our mission. They guide how we make decisions, set priorities, address challenges, manage tradeoffs, recruit and develop staff, and work together with our country partners and stakeholders.

2. Scope of Position

This position will serve as a Personal Services Contractor (PSC) within the Vice President’s Office in Department of Compact Operations (DCO), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). DCO is responsible for developing and implementing MCC’s compact programs. The department ensures that MCC compacts are designed and implemented in compliance with agency standards for procurement, financial management, environmental and social performance, and gender integration.

This position is not authorized to supervise any Federal employees.

3. Personal Services Contract

MCC is authorized to enter into a contract with an individual as a Personal Services Contractor (PSC) under the authority of Section 614(a) (8) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003.

A personal services contract is different from non-personal services Government contract, which establishes an independent contract relationship. Under a non-personal services contract, the contractor or employees of the contractor are subject to the technical direction but not the supervision of the MCC. As defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.104, a personal services contract is characterized by the employer-employee relationship it creates between the Government and the contractor personnel. Thus, the PSC is subject to the relatively continuous technical direction, supervision, and control of the MCC. PSCs may be assigned inherently governmental duties (see FAR 7.502). By law and by the contract’s terms, the PSC is subject to most of the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the direct hire employee such as MCC regulations, conflict of interest, under some circumstances MCC authorized employment security clearances and financial disclosure. However, under the MCC personal services contract authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The following elements apply to this contract:

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1) Performance in Washington, D.C., US, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required for outreach purposes), and/or at the PSC’s home of record.

2) Principal tools and equipment furnished by the Government.

3) Services are applied directly to the integral effort of agencies or an organizational subpart in furtherance of assigned function or mission.

4) Comparable services, meeting comparable needs, are performed in the same or similar agencies using civil service personnel.

5) The need for the type of service provided can reasonably be expected to last beyond 1 year.

6) The inherent nature of the service, or the manner in which it is provided, reasonably requires directly or indirectly, Government direction or supervision of contractor employees in order to—

i. Adequately protect the Government’s interest;

ii. Retain control of the function involved; or

iii. Retain full personal responsibility for the function supported in a duly authorized Federal officer or employee.

4. Key Requirements

Awardee must satisfy the following key requirements:

• U.S. citizenship.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

• Performance in Washington, DC USA, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required for outreach purposes), and/or at the PSC’s home of record.

• Domestic and international travel may be required.

• Statement of Employment & Financial Interest (e.g., Office of Government Ethics “OGE Form-

450” or similar statement) may be required.

• Active System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) registration (this is a free, Government website) and be listed as sole-proprietor.

• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.

• The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is precluded from permitting Personal Services

Contractors (PSCs) from permanently working overseas without Chief of Mission Authority or an approved Domestic Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) Agreement.

5. Duties

a) Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Personal Services Contractor (PSC) will serve as a DCO representative on issues related to audits and oversight actions and as a point of contact between DCO and FMD on audit-related issues. The PSC will perform a variety of tasks and assignments related to DCO’s involvement in Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits, reviews, and investigations of DCO programs. Responsibilities include:

1. Coordinating DCO audit and review activities, tracking DCO implementation, and follow-up on findings and recommendations and related corrective action plans.

2. Collaborating with management and key personnel in DCO to coordinate audit matters. This includes attending entrance and exit conferences and other necessary meetings for GAO/OIG audits, reviews, and investigations that relate to DCO matters; engaging closely http://www.sam.gov/

3 | P a g e with GAO/OIG to ensure successful execution within the relevant DCO areas; ensuring DCO’s timely responses to OIG/GAO requests during the audit or review and to OIG/GAO findings and recommendations thereafter; tracking DCO responses to OIG/GAO findings and recommendations and ensuring follow-up these findings/recommendations; serving as a liaison with other MCC departments (including Department of Administration & Finance and Office of the General Counsel); and maintaining high quality standards and ensure all work in areas of responsibility meets or exceeds those standards.

3. Regularly briefing DCO management on the planning, execution, and resolution of audits and reviews; keeps department apprised of significant findings and make recommendations on corrective actions; providing advice to DCO staff on how to interact with auditors, responding to GAO/OIG’s findings and recommendations, overseeing development of corrective action plans on DCO matters, and substantiating final action; conducting compliance review before submitting documents to DCO management for approval;

providing assistance/coordination for DCO’s participation in the MCC Audit Reporting and Management Team, Senior Assessment Board, and Audit Committee; and, reviewing updates to MCC’s audit-related policies and procedures, as needed, and guiding DCO’s input on clearance of such policies.

4. Tracking and analyzing DCO compliance with OIG/GAO audit recommendations and all relevant response dates; overseeing DCO adherence to internal policies and procedures as well as professional standards as it relates to the planning, execution and reporting on audits, reviews, follow-up work and all other engagements within area of responsibility;

preparing regular status reports for DCO/Front Office on the status of the open OIG/GAO recommendations; and assisting in DCO’s review of the OIG's Semiannual Report to Congress.

5. Reviewing and editing documents, including DCO’s responses to OIG/GAO requests for information and recommendations, and, policies, procedures and statements of work, as needed.

6. Performing trend analysis on findings/recommendations and provide regular report to DCO management.

7. Providing ongoing support and advice on the audit process and reviews.

8. Perform other related duties as assigned.

b) Travel

The PSC is not expected to travel internationally. However, the PSC may be required to travel from time to time.

c) Supervisory Controls

The supervisor or higher graded staff member coordinate with the employee to develop a mutually acceptable project plan which typically includes identification of the work to be done, the scope of the project, and deadlines for its completion. Within the parameters of the approved project plan, 4 | P a g e the employee is responsible for planning and organizing the project/work assignment, coordinating with staff and line management personnel, and conducting all phases of the project. The employee informs the supervisor(s) of potentially controversial findings, issues, or problems with widespread impact. Completed projects, evaluations, reports, or recommendations are normally accepted as authoritative.

d) Guidelines

Guidelines consist of general administrative policies, and program, management and organizational theories which require considerable adaptation and/or interpretation for application to issues and problems studied. Policies and precedent studies provide a basic outline of results desired, but do not go into detail as to the methods used to accomplish the project. Within the context of broad regulatory and procedural guidelines the employee refines or develops more specific guidelines, such as implementing new or revised processes, methods and procedures.

e) Complexity

Work consists of a variety of duties to plan and address program issues where existing policies and precedents do not exist. The employee analyzes interrelated issues of effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of substantive mission-oriented programs. The incumbent develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the implementation and administration of programs, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Decisions concerning planning, organizing, and conducting analyses are complicated by conditions, such as conflicting program goals and objectives. Options, recommendations, and conclusions take into account and give appropriate weight to uncertainties about the data and other variables which affect long-range program performance. Analytical and evaluative duties require attention to detail.

f) Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to analyze and evaluate major aspects of substantive, mission-oriented programs. The employee evaluates the effectiveness of international development programs and operations and identifies and resolves problems and copes with issues that directly affect the accomplishment of principal MCC objectives. The employee develops regulations or guidelines for the conduct of program operations, or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments. The employee develops reports containing information and findings of major significance to management officials, which reports often serve as the basis for changes to administrative systems, programs and practices.

g) Personal Contacts/Purpose of Contacts

Personal contacts include individuals and groups at all levels of the Corporation, representatives from other Federal agencies/organizations, contractors, and the general public.

The purpose of contacts is to influence, motivate, persuade or negotiate with others who may hold different points of views in order to influence managers or other officials to accept recommendations or to obtain the desired effect.

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h) Physical Demands

The work is primarily sedentary, although some walking, bending, or carrying of light items may be involved. Some travel may be required to rural areas with rudimentary accommodations.

i) Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting. Work may be performed remotely and at a location other than MCC headquarters in Washington, DC, with frequent official travel to MCC partner countries, with occasional field visits to non-urban, potentially hardship locations. Incumbent must be adept at utilizing distance technologies, including internet, CISCO VOIP, and international telephone technologies to ensure efficient delivery of workplace products.

6. Position Security Level

Non‐Sensitive/Low Risk (T‐1)

The PSC start date is contingent upon a successful background investigation conducted by the MCC Security Office (MCC Domestic & International Security (DIS)).

7. Qualifications

Offerors must meet all the Required Qualifications described below by the closing date of this announcement. Desired Qualifications are not required but preferred and will only be considered once all Required Qualifications are met. Offerors must demonstrate that they possess the following:

a) Required Qualifications:

7.a.1. Undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as business management, accounting, or audit.

7.a.2. A minimum of 5 years in program management and audit.

7.a.3. Demonstrated experience compiling results of program reviews and producing lessons learned that can be utilized to promote continuous improvement in program and management business processes.

7.a.4. Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions to escalate issues and to work effectively with relevant members of management to design appropriate solutions that address key business risks.

7.a.5. Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels (both internal and external).

7.a.6. Demonstrated ability to successfully analyze, manage, and track high priority audit matters with a variety of stakeholders.

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7.a.7. Demonstrated effective oral and written communications skills, with ability to effectively prepare, present and discuss findings in written and oral form to convey complex ideas in an engaging manner with clarity and diplomacy.

b) Desired Qualifications:

7.b.1. Experience in participating and/or coordinating with the General or Government

Accountability Office audits and reviewing agency investments or activities, particularly in an international development context.

7.b.2. Demonstrated experience in program management of complex international development programs highly desired.

Note: All experience must be well-documented on the resume and within the Submission. All aspects of the Submission must specifically show how the offeror meets the qualifications required. Credit may be given for appropriate unpaid and/or part-time work. To receive credit, Submissions should clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours worked per week.

8. Required Documentation

Interested offerors must submit following required documents, including but not limited to:

1) A completed and signed Bio-Data Form (Section J List of Documents, Exhibits, and other Attachments of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation) with proposed salary (Subsection 12(c) below)—see Submission Instructions to PSCs Candidates (Offerors) regarding permissible signature types;

2) A curriculum vitae or resume (limit ten (10) pages);

3) A written narrative clearly describing relevant experience and knowledge of each of the qualifications listed in Section 7. Qualifications (limit five (5) pages); and

4) At least three (3) and no more than five (5) professional references with current contact information.

Desired Documentation:

1) A cover letter, not to exceed one (1) page, to highlight your interest and suitability for this position. The cover letter is not considered as a part of the required written narrative (Subsection 8(3) above); and

2) A copy of Academic Transcript(s). Transcript(s) may be requested by MCC before award to validate the offeror’s education history (limit twenty (20) pages).

9. Compensation

PSCs for the services of individual experts or consultants are limited by the Classification Act. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established requirements which apply in acquiring the personal services of experts or consultants in this manner (e.g., benefits, taxes, conflicts of interest).

Overtime is not authorized on this contract. However, credit hours and compensatory time off for travel may be authorized for a full-time PSC.

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The pay range for this position is 4A $95,000 - $140,700 ($45.52 - $67.41 per hour) (https://www.mcc.gov/careers/pay-bands), inclusive of locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within this pay range based upon the successful offeror’s work experience. A salary above this pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

MCC issues W-2s to the PSCs and makes the employer contribution to FICA and Medicare for the PSCs.

MCC also withholds FICA, Medicare, federal tax and state tax on behalf of the PSCs. The PSCs are not eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

10. Benefits

Under the MCC personal services contracting authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by OPM, such as Federal Retirement Benefits and health and life insurance. As such, the PSCs is not eligible for participation in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Moreover, the PSCs is ineligible to receive Federal Health and Life Insurance or participate in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan.

Notwithstanding the above, and if agreed upon by the Government and the PSCs before the award of a contract, the PSCs may receive a pay supplement of 30% of the employee’s direct labor cost in lieu of fringe benefits.

NOTE: An intermittent PSC is not eligible for sick leave, annual leave, payment for holidays and other days closed, parking/transit subsidy, credit hours, or compensatory time off for travel.

11. Travel Rules

The PSC is subject to the Federal Travel Regulations and MCC travel policies and procedures to the same extent as MCC direct-hire employees.

12. Submission Instructions to PSC Candidates (Offerors)

In accordance with FAR 52.214-34 and 52.214-35, all submissions are to be in the English language and US Dollars. Submissions in other languages or monetary denominations will not be considered.

This section is the basis for evaluating all Submissions. Offerors must separately address each listed qualification requirement and demonstrate how s/he meets each qualification under Section 7.

Qualifications. Unless stated otherwise, all qualification elements will be weighted equally.

a) Qualified individuals must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submission, either in “Active” or “Submitted” status. The approval of your record in SAM may take weeks and the Government cannot award a contract without an “Active” SAM registration. Offerors without a SAM registration (neither “Active” nor “Submitted”) at the close of the RFQ submission deadline may be rejected. MCC will extract pertinent representations and certifications from the offeror’s SAM account.

b) Submissions shall be formatted to fit on 8 ½ x 11” paper. Suggested margins are 1” all around and the font should be Calibri or Times New Roman, no larger than 12-point. Hourly rates shall not be mentioned anywhere in your submission other than on the Bio-Data Form (Addendum 2). It is the https://www.mcc.gov/careers/pay-bands

8 | P a g e responsibility of the offeror to ensure that all pages are properly formatted to fit and that all information properly fits within the margins of each page.

c) Qualified individuals must submit a completed and formally signed Bio-Data Form (Addendum 2).

Typed signatures are not acceptable. Either physically sign or save the Bio-Data Form as a PDF and electronically sign it. Please ensure that you provide a current, valid e-mail address and telephone number for notification purposes. The Bio-Data Form must be fully completed including a proposed hourly rate & signed for the submission to be considered. A Bio-Data Form without a proposed hourly rate and/or signature may cause you to not be considered.

d) Qualified individuals must submit a curriculum vitae or a resume, which clearly demonstrates their education, experience, knowledge, and skills and abilities as they relate to the qualification elements. Resume must indicate: the earliest possible start date for the offeror; as well as formal title, and duration (start date / end date) for each listed position. Resume is limited to 10 pages and must not contain a photo or any salary information. Note that your salary negotiation will be based on the number of years of relevant experience.

e) Describe your experience and knowledge in regards to the qualification requirements in no more than five pages. Clearly demonstrate how your prior experience is either relevant or directly related to the duties of this position as listed under Section 5. Duties. The responses should describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor. Cite specific examples where appropriate.

f) Qualified individuals must submit at least three but no more than five professional references, who are not relatives or family members. Submitted references must include current information, as follows:

1) Name of reference

2) Offeror’s relationship to reference

3) Title of reference at current job

4) Reference current telephone number (work or personal)

5) Reference e-mail address (work)

At least one reference should be from direct supervisors (current or prior) who can provide information regarding the applicant’s knowledge and experience in the relevant field. Preferably, the references should be from within the last 5 years of the applicant’s professional employment history.

g) Submissions must be signed and received prior to the closing date and time specified above to be considered for this position. Only physically signed or electronic signature are permitted; typed signatures are not acceptable, e.g. “/s” or “[typed name of the offeror].”

h) To ensure consideration of submissions for the intended position, please reference the position title and announcement number on the subject line of your submission email and on supporting documentation and any cover letter.

13. Response Deadline

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Electronic submission is required. Mailed copies of any submission shall not be accepted. Electronic packages shall be submitted by e-mail to Andrew E. Lee, leeae@mcc.gov, before the deadline stated on the first page of Section C Description/Specifications/Work Statement of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Submission shall reference the position title and the announcement number on the subject line of the e-mail.

MCC does not accept responsibility for delays in transmission or receipt of any submission. Offerors are responsible for submitting their package to reach the designated Government office by the closing date and time specified on the first page of Section C Description/Specifications/Work Statement of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Submissions received after the closing date and time will not be considered, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was indeed received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in this announcement. Receipt of submissions in response to this announcement does not constitute an award commitment. The U.S.

Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation of a submission. Any submission is at the sole risk and expense of the offeror.

14. Question Deadline

Any questions regarding this announcement must be submitted in writing via email to Andrew E. Lee, leeae@mcc.gov, before the question deadline stipulated on the first page of Section C Description/Specifications/Work Statement of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

15. Selection Process

a) Selection Process

In order to be considered for award, an offeror must at a minimum meet the Required Qualifications listed above in Section 7. Qualifications. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the offeror’s qualifications. In addition to the materials listed above, offerors are encouraged to write a cover letter, not to exceed one (1) page, to highlight their suitability for this position. The cover letter is not required and is not accepted as the required written narrative.

All Submissions will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted, the offeror’s evidence of the above qualification requirements, performance in a possible discussion/interview if conducted, and information provided by references if contacted. Please note that for evaluation purposes, MCC will take into consideration your proposed labor rate and the pay supplement in lieu of fringe benefits. All submissions will receive one of three scores for each of the required and desired qualifications: Does Not Meet, Meets, or Exceeds. MCC reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most qualified offerors and/or conduct a reference check on those individuals.

Offerors are strongly encouraged to thoroughly and clearly document the duties, responsibilities and accomplishments that are directly relevant to this requirement in order to verify specialized experience.

Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation.

The U.S. Government and MCC are not obligated to make any award or pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a quote in response to this announcement. The contract award is contingent on availability of funds. MCC reserves the right to not award any contract as a result of this announcement.

mailto:leeae@mcc.gov mailto:leeae@mcc.gov

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16. Contract Award

This contract shall be awarded directly by MCC to an individual, not to a firm. At the Government’s discretion, e.g. unable to identify a best-value offeror or secure funding, this solicitation may be canceled without an award. The Government may consider opening a new solicitation for this position.

17. Contract and Period of Performance

The successful offeror(s), who is/are found to be the best value to the Government, may be offered a time-and-materials (T&M), personal services type contract for a one (1) one-year base period plus four

(4) one-year option periods.

The base period of performance shall be for one (1) year. All option periods are exercised at the sole discretion of MCC based upon performance, agency requirements, and availability of funding. The contract will be for an intermittent PSC position with 6,500 total hours over the entire duration of the contract.

[End of Position Description]