Cover Page and Solicitation - Education Team Lead.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Great Massoud Road Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel: +1.301.490.1042 Email: kblaiddocinformation@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan

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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72030622R00021

ISSUANCE DATE: June 10, 2022

CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 9, 2022/16:30 (ET)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a United States Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) –

Education Team Lead, GS-14

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. For further information about USAID/Afghanistan please visit https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

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

Any questions must be directed in writing to KblAIDHR@usaid.gov.

Sincerely, Julie Lamadrid Executive Officer mailto:KBLAIDDOCInformation@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan mailto:KblAIDHR@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1 [72030622R00021]

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72030622R00021

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 10, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS:

July 9, 2022 no later than 16:30 Eastern time

4. POINT OF CONTACT:

Julie Lamadrid, email at kblaidhr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE:

Education Team Lead

6. MARKET VALUE:

$95,973 - $124,764 equivalent to GS-14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The base period will be 1 year, estimated to start on o/a August 2022. Based on Agency need, the

Contracting Officer may exercise additional 2 option periods of 1-year for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: August 2022 – August 2023

Option 1: August 2023 – August 2024

Option 2: August 2024 – August 2025

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington D.C or a location within the continental United States (CONUS).

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS United States Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1) General Statement of Purpose of Contract:

The Education Team Lead manages, monitors, and evaluates basic and/or higher education activities; significantly contributes to coordination and engagement in project activities and reporting requirements of the Office of Education; and mentors institutional support contract

(ISC) and other staff. Incumbent serves as Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative

(A/COR) and/or Activity Manager of selected USAID-funded education projects implemented by contractors and/or grantees.

2) Statement of Duties to be Performed:

Education Technical Leadership and Oversight

a. Serves as Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative (A/COR) of USAID-funded education projects implemented by contractors and/or grantees

b. Serves as the focal point for technical areas in education, including, but not limited to community-based education, conflict-sensitive education, early grade reading and math, learning assessments, school management, higher education, and capacity mailto:kblaidhr@usaid.gov building; cross-cutting education topics, i.e., gender, youth, etc.; and/or serve a coordination function.

c. Collects and reviews quarterly and annual program and financial reports, annual work plans, and other required deliverables from contractors, grantees, and/or host country government entities. Tracks progress and provides technical feedback and direction to ensure consistency with USAID regulations; ensures projects are on track and deliverables are acceptable; and promotes activity effectiveness and sustainability.

d. Exercises independent judgment in areas such as project management and advises on educational issues. Work involves formulating projects, assessing program effectiveness, and investigating and analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or questions, including audits.

e. Reviews financial reports from contractor and grantee implementing partners with special attention to financial indicators (expenditures, pipelines, and congruity of expenditures against activities).

f. Maintains databases related to the collection of information on project progress, objectives achieved and funds obligated, accrued, and disbursed.

g. Responds to requests from the USAID/Washington, Congress, U.S. Embassy, Non-

Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other entities working in the sector and drafts official correspondence.

h. Drafts official USAID documentation such as Congressional presentations and briefing papers, annual reports, action/decision Memos, Project Appraisal Documents, Implementation Letters, and procurement documents in consultation with the Office

Director.

Coordination and Engagement

a. Liaises and represents with USAID/Washington, the interagency (military, State

Department, etc.), multinational agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, etc.), other education donors and stakeholders, and USAID/Afghanistan offices to ensure projects are on track and in alignment with U.S. policies and strategies.

b. Collaborates with key donors and other stakeholders working in basic, higher, and/or non-formal education.

c. Builds and maintains professional relationships with USAID/Washington staff, consultants, implementing partners, government officials, donor agencies, and other education sector entities.

d. Exercises extensive, consistent, and sound judgment in managing the implementation of all aspects of his/her responsibilities, work with minimal supervision and wide latitude in planning and executing assignments regarding the education sector.

e. Works closely with Mission offices, donor organizations, and NGO implementing partners. The incumbent is expected to use all USAID policy and procedure available at the Mission and carry out USAID A/COR responsibilities.

Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting

a. Conducts monitoring and evaluation of activities and ensures projects are being successfully implemented through multi-tiered verification that includes USAID or

USG sources, implementing partner, civil society, and independent third-party monitors.

b. Participates in activity assessments and evaluations and develops program recommendations; contributes to the data collection and synthesis necessary for the preparation and revision of Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), Annual report, the

Operational Plan, and other required documents.

c. Collects and reviews quarterly and annual program reports from contractor/grantee implementing partners, provides feedback on reports, and works with partners to resolve challenges and implementation issues.

d. Incumbent writes reports or significant sections of reports as required.

e. Collects and synthesizes information and data from various sources to be included in reports that may include the Performance Plan and Report (PPR), Operational Plans

(OP), quarterly and annual reports, audit reporting, quarterly data calls from the

Special Investigator General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), briefing documents, cables, and ad hoc reporting requests for various audiences including

USAID/Washington, Congress, and the U.S. Embassy.

f. Conducts presentations on the education sector, program, projects, topics, and issues to various USG and other audiences, as needed.

Supervision, Mentoring, and Capacity Building

a. Provides mentoring and capacity building of staff in various technical areas of education and in effective USAID project management, as needed. Responsible for providing day-to-day technical and procedural guidance to select staff who are charged with the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of education activities.

b. Supervises staff and reports directly to the Office Director. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the Office.

Articulates and communicates to the team the assignment, project, or problem to be solved; actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review.

3) USAID Consultation or Orientation:

The selected applicant may be required to proceed to Washington, D.C. for mandatory training and consultation.

4) Supervisory Relationship:

Incumbent will be reporting to the Office Director. Work is assigned in broad, general terms and the incumbent is expected to be independent and fully accountable for their work.

Guidance provided is normally limited to interpretations of policies and the setting of work priorities. The incumbent's supervisor may from time to time make special assignments and provide advice on unusual situations, but day to day tasks are normally accomplished without technical review. Incumbent principally performs duties with little or no direct supervision.

5) Supervisory Controls:

Supervision of at least two project management specialists at the GS-11 level.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum

Qualifications. Offers will be pre-screened and only those that meet the Minimum

Qualifications will be considered. The minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position are as follows:

a) Education: A master's degree in international development, international relations/affairs, education/education management, public policy, business administration or management is required. (Education requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

b) Work Experience: A minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience, part of which in a supervisory role, in program/project management with a proven track record of programmatic accomplishment which includes program and/or activity management, planning and analytical skills in education programming.

Experience managing education programs/projects, learning assessments, community-based/non-formal education, or tertiary education is required. (Work experience requirement must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

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.

After the closing date for receipt of applications, applications will be reviewed for basic eligibility (quality check, submitted all required documents, meeting the set requirements, education and experience). Successful Applications will be forwarded to the Technical

Evaluation Committee (TEC) for review. The TEC will review and score the application based on the evaluation factors as described below. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish

USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application.

Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors below to be considered.

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

EVALUATION FACTORS

1. Technical and analytical expertise: Demonstrated ability in the education program cycle: strategic planning, project/activity design, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation and learning, budget management, and effective reporting of program results. Demonstrated ability in preparing project related documents, supported by well-researched evidence.

2. Coordination, collaboration and negotiations: Demonstrated ability in working with the U.S. interagency, government officials, non-government leaders, civil society actors and other stakeholders in advancing education or similar programs and negotiating policy changes and reforms.

3. Management and leadership skills: Demonstrated ability to manage a team, supervise their work, define priorities, and follow-up on results. Show evidence of teamwork and leadership by example.

BASIS OF RATING

Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses.

Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating

System is as follows:

Evaluation Factors:

Factor #1 25 points

Factor #2 10 points

Factor #3 15 points

Interview Performance: 50 points

Interview questions will revolve around the candidate’s propensity to:

● Apply technical expertise and guide/mentor staff in education.

● Manage and produce high quality program-cycle documents: strategies, project and activity design, M&E, and budget reports.

● Work in a high risk, high intensity, constantly changing environment.

● Work with multicultural teams to complete assignments and deliverables.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

All applications must be submitted electronically by e-mail with the subject line SOL-

72030622R00021 – Education Team Lead to: Afgpscjobs@usaid.gov

Attention: Executive Officer

USAID/Afghanistan

Human Resources Office mailto:kblaidpscjobs@usaid.gov

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

Eligible offerors are required to submit the following documents to be considered for this position:

1. Cover Letter

2. Form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contract with Individuals,” available at: https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

3. A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.

4. A supplemental document with written responses to the Evaluation Factors.

5. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - The

Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against

COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contract or does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.

Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide educational documents such as degrees, diplomas, certificates and other pertinent documents as needed. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in removal from further consideration.

Any attachments provided via email must be compatible with Microsoft Word or PDF and not compressed (.rar/.zip etc).

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

The Agency retains the right to cancel or amend the solicitation and associated actions at any stage of the recruitment process.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

1. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17 );

2. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306);

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

4. Pre-Deployment Physical Exam Acknowledgement Form (DS-6570);

5. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85);

6. Finger Print Card (FD-258);

7. Statement of Prior Service (SF-144A).

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

1) Employer’s Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) Contribution (for

USPSC’s only) https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

2) Contribution toward Health & life insurance

3) Pay Comparability Adjustment

4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

5) Annual & Sick Leave

6) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable)*:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations

(Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&amp%3Bmenu_id=101

1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

7) Danger Pay (Section 650)

8) Education Allowance (Section 270)

9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

10) Education Travel (Section 280)

VII. TAXES

USPSC’s are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

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

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

2. PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses

52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

mailto:http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 mailto:http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&amp%3Bmenu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands;

and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate

COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of clause)

Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042

USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the

Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”). In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded

State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

3. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) –

Award Type: Cost –

Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting

Info:

Appropriation: 7217/181037

Fund Code: es-oco/2017/2018

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD at award after negotiations with contractor

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) -

Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code:

[e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD at award after negotiations with contractor

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) -

Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code:

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD at award after negotiations https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/ https://www.usaid.gov/forms

[e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded with contractor

4. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins

(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

- AAPD 21-05

- AAPD 21-04

- AAPD 18-02

- AAPD 10-01

- AAPD 06-10

5. 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.

6. PSC Ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AAPD-21-05.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AAPD21-04_Revision3.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AAPD-18-02-Rev2.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aapd10_01.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aapd06_10.pdf https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman