DRG USPSC SOL 7200AA21R00063 Senior Media Advisor.pdf

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

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA21R00063

ISSUANCE DATE: 06/07/2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 06/28/2021 at

2:00 PM EDT

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

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.

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 Personal Services Contract (PSC), nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Mir Ershadullah Contracting Officer

7200AA21R00063

USPSC-

Senior Media Advisor

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA21R00063

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 06/07/2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 06/28/2021 at 2 PM EDT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Jonathan Bui, e-mail at jbui@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Media Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $122,530 - $159,286 per annum equivalent to GS-14 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

If the position is for a Washington, D.C. based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 2 year, with up to three one-year option periods. Based on the Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise option period(s) for one year for the date(s) estimated to as follows:

Base Period: 10/01/2021-9/30/2023 Option Period 1: 10/01/2023-9/30/2024 Option Period 2: 10/01/2024-9/30/2025 Option Period 3: 10/01/2025-9/30/2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS U.S. citizen

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Background

As the home for USAID’s Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) programs, the Center for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG Center) focuses on advocating for democratic governance, driving important research, and supporting over 90 field missions worldwide to develop and implement programs. USAID’s DRG sector includes support for good governance, rule of law, elections and political processes, civil society and media, human rights, and other DRG fields.

USAID currently manages over $1.7 billion a year on a broad range of democracy programs covering justice, human rights, citizen security, civil society, media, local government, legislatures, constitutional reform, political parties, elections, anti-corruption, and anti-trafficking in persons.

These efforts are critical to improve government effectiveness, accountability, transparency and legitimacy, and to ensure citizens are empowered to play a role in public affairs and the decisions that affect their daily lives. They also underpin the sustainability of the Agency’s socio-economic development sectors. The DRG Center leads the Agency in supporting overall efforts to advance democracy, human rights, and governance.

The DRG Center's annual budget is over $146 million, with a staff of over 90, comprised of U.S.

Direct Hires (USDHs), contractors, and Fellows. The DRG Center currently has ten technical teams: Cadre Care & Development (CC&D), Civil Society and Media (CSM), Countering Authoritarianism Team (CAT), Democratic Elections and Political Processes (DEPP), Evidence & Learning (E&L), External Engagement & Integration (EE&I), Governance (GOV), Justice, Rights, and Security (JRS), Policy, Coordination, and Integration (PCI), and Program Team. The DRG Center's goal is to promote peace, prosperity and freedom around the globe through self-reliant, citizen-responsive governance that respects human dignity and the rule of law. The DRG Center achieves this through high quality support to USAID Missions, generating and disseminating knowledge on best practices, and providing leadership on DRG to the wider USG and the international development community.

DRG’s CSM Team provides technical leadership and support on civil society and media, including youth and labor issues. The CSM Team generates comparative knowledge on effective approaches for strengthening civil society and independent media; pilots state-of-the-art approaches to civil society and media support; strengthens the Agency’s DRG staff through training and technical support; conducts assessments, strategy and program designs, and evaluations; and designs and manages a targeted portfolio of global programs. The CSM Team promotes innovations in civil society, media, labor, and youth, as a means for addressing development challenges, and represents USAID in international processes, networks, and working groups.

Worldwide, the media sector is undergoing a transformation as the result of digitalization, the internet and wireless revolutions, changing legal-regulatory environments, and spread of social media. A subject matter expert with knowledge of cutting-edge independent media development and freedom of expression, including professionalization and independence of the media, internet freedom, internet governance and disinformation/information integrity will support the work of USAID field Missions and Washington Operating Units, other USG entities, and the broader DRG community. This position will advance the DRG Center’s efforts to address the gap in knowledge and capacities around Information and Communications Technologies, including social media, and in digital security issues.

This position is located in the DRG Center. As a direct report to the CSM Team Lead or his/her designate, the incumbent provides support to the CSM Team, other DRG Center teams, USAID Missions and the Agency to advance thinking and approaches regarding independent media as they relate to civil society, media, and democratic systems. The incumbent supports the implementation of CSM, DRG and Agency priorities.

Duties and responsibilities of the position:

The Senior Media Advisor will be a subject matter expert on independent media development and freedom of expression, including professionalization and independence of the media, internet freedom, internet governance and disinformation/information integrity. The Specialist must also be an expert in understanding Information and Communications Technologies, including social media, disinformation, and in digital security issues. The Specialist will also understand the media sector’s transformation as the result of digitalization, the internet and wireless revolutions, changing legal-regulatory environments, disinformation and spread of social media. The Senior Media Advisor is expected to carry out a diverse set of work assignments related to USAID's approaches with little technical oversight, including leading or making significant contributions to research, programming, training, monitoring, evaluating and learning (MEL), and policy, and will perform her/his duties under administrative direction from the CSM Team Leader or his/her designate. The Senior Media Advisor will provide technical leadership and guidance to USAID field missions and Washington on how to adapt media programming to this changing environment. The position is based in Washington, DC and will include travel to and work in developing countries in all regions.

The Senior Media Advisor’s position includes the following responsibilities:

Program Planning, Policy Development, and Management

● Provide cutting edge technical support to Missions and Washington operating units on key issues regarding independent media, including the assessments, design of new activities, monitoring, learning and evaluation.

● Serve as a subject matter expert on independent media to support policy development, as well as strategic planning and implementation.

● Advance USAID strategy to include supporting and advocating for inclusion of approaches informed by cutting-edge thinking on media to enhance our efforts and improve democratic development outcomes.

● Advise senior leaders in the DRG Center, Technical and Regional Bureaus and other USG leadership in the subject matter area.

● Liaise with DRG Center sub-sector Teams, Regional Bureaus, the U.S. Global Development Lab, the Global Engagement Center and other inter-agency partners as appropriate to inform and strengthen the DRG Center’s approaches regarding independent media as they relate to DRG issues.

● Serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative, Contracting Officer’s Representative, and Activity Manager as needed.

Learning and Capacity-Building

● Supports incorporation of technical, contextual, and experiential approaches regarding independent media as they relate to DRG technical issues and programming with USAID Missions and across the DRG sector, the Agency and interagency.

● Advances the DRG Center’s independent media research agenda. This includes collating existing quantitative and qualitative data, identifying data gaps, and setting a strategy and implementation plan to fill them.

● Manages, tracks, and reports progress on the DRG Learning Agenda related to independent media and related issues;

● Develops and conducts trainings, e-learning, workshops, and facilitated learning conversations as appropriate, and integrates other capacity building opportunities in the implementation of DRG programming.

Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position: The Senior Media Advisor will be a subject matter expert regarding global development issues relating to digitalization of independent media, including the internet and wireless revolutions, changing legal-regulatory environments, and spread of social media and its related effects on the work of the CSM Team and the DRG Center. The incumbent is expected to have a firm grasp of independent media development and freedom of expression, including professionalization and independence of the media, internet freedom, Internet Governance and and disinformation/information integrity;

experience with independent media development and freedom of expression, including professionalization and independence of the media, internet freedom, and Internet Governance;

disinformation and information integrity; and relevant skills to craft and adapt development programs to address these emerging issues. The incumbent is expected to carry out a diverse set of work assignments related to USAID's approaches including research, assessments, programming, training, monitoring, evaluating and learning (MEL), and policy development. Under the direct supervision of the Civil Society and Media Team Leader or his/her designee, the incumbent will exercise independent judgment while performing challenging work which is varied and wide-ranging. The incumbent will have wide latitude and decision making authority within his/her portfolio. The incumbent will receive minimal day-to-day technical guidance.

Level of complexity for work assignments: The incumbent undertakes a wide range of duties that require the exercise of judgment, the interpretation of policies and practices, and their relevance to a new problem or situation. The incumbent typically identifies and develops methods to resolve problems or cope with issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal program goals and objectives. The incumbent is expected to carry out a diverse set of work assignments related to USAID's approaches with little technical oversight, including research, programming, training, monitoring, evaluating and learning (MEL), and policy. The incumbent will provide cutting edge technical support to Missions and Washington operating units on key issues regarding independent media as they relate to civil society, development outcomes, democratic systems and related issues, including the assessments, design of new activities, monitoring, learning and evaluation; serve as a subject matter expert on independent media as they relate to civil society, development outcomes, democratic systems and related issues to support policy development, as well as strategic planning and implementation; advance USAID strategy to include supporting and advocating for inclusion of approaches informed by cutting-edge thinking on independent media to enhance the DRG Center’s efforts and improve democratic development outcomes; advise senior leaders in the DRG Center, Technical and Regional Bureaus and other USG leadership in the subject matter area; and liaise with DRG Center sub-sector Teams, Regional Bureaus, the Innovation, Research and Technology (ITR) Hub, the Global Engagement Center and other inter-agency partners as appropriate to inform and strengthen the DRG Center’s approaches regarding independent media as they related to DRG issues. The incumbent is expected to be innovative and original in recommending new or improved approaches to achieve problem resolution.

Knowledge level required: The Senior Media Advisor will be a subject matter expert regarding global development issues relating to independent media and related effects on the work of the CSM Team and the DRG Center. The incumbent is expected to have a firm grasp of the transformation of the media sector as the result of digitalization, the internet and wireless revolutions, changing legal-regulatory environments, and spread of social media; have experience in the areas of independent media development and freedom of expression, including professionalization and independence of the media, Internet Freedom, and Internet Governance;

and understand Information and Communications Technologies, including social media, and in digital security issues. The incumbent will be adept at assessing unique cultural and political contexts to develop and to adapt programming approaches appropriate to complex circumstances.

USAID Missions will rely on the incumbent to provide guidance and solutions when competing interests, such as conflicting inter-agency priorities, local competing interests, or other possible conflicts among possible technical solutions arise. The incumbent will have a Master’s degree or higher degree with study in a pertinent field, such as: journalism, international development, civil society and media programming in developing country contexts, civil liberties, and access to information.

Supervisory Controls: The incumbent’s supervisor is the CSM Team Leader or her/his designee.

The incumbent serves as a member of the CSM Team, and as appropriate, coordinates with other USAID operating units as a representative of the DRG Center and the Civil Society and Media Team. The Supervisor and the incumbent will develop a work plan that includes broad objectives.

As a subject matter expert, the incumbent independently plans, designs and carries out activities, studies and programs/projects. The incumbent develops deadlines for activities and other specialized tasks and is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts that arise, and coordinating work with others as necessary. The incumbent interprets policy in terms of established objectives and keeps his/her supervisor informed of progress in the achievement of objectives and of potentially controversial matters.

Guidelines for the required work, including reporting requirements: Pertinent sources of information consist of the Foreign Assistance Act, the DRG Center Annual Report FY 2019, the DRG Center’s Users Guide, the DRG Center Strategy, the Department of State and USAID Joint Strategic Plan FY 2018-2022, and USAID Agency and DCHA Bureau rules and regulations. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment in determining the application of approaches to programming and inputs to strategy and policy development.

Scope and effect of the work performed: The Senior Media Advisor contributes to the CSM research agenda as the recognized DRG Center subject matter expert on the impacts of independent media on democracy to advance knowledge and enhance the work of the CSM Team, the DRG Center, and the Missions that we serve. The incumbent will lead efforts regarding project design, implementation, monitoring, learning and evaluation. The incumbent’s work involves isolating and defining unknown conditions, resolving critical problems, or developing new theories. The incumbent will guide team members to establish criteria, assess program effectiveness, and contribute to analysis on the landscape impacting USAID’s work. The incumbent’s work outputs will support both Agency efforts as well as those of the broader development community.

Assignments, particularly those related to providing technical guidance to central and Mission-based programming, will require the ability to lead while working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Level and purpose of contacts: The Senior Media Advisor maintains a continuous interchange with other senior officers in USAID, especially within the other Pillar Bureaus, regional bureaus, and missions, for information-sharing, identification of opportunities and constraints to cross-cutting programs, best practices, joint field support and trainings, as well as research platforms and monitoring and evaluation systems. S/He enhances and coordinates effective working relationships across sectorial lines, identifying important areas of interaction and impact between program areas and ensuring that programs are managed to gain the greatest possible benefit from such interactions. The incumbent independently handles complex program issues and provides authoritative guidance.

Travel requirements, if any, including an estimate of the number or frequency of trips and locations: The PSC should expect to spend up to 20% of her/his time on TDY, including to restricted environments.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is generally performed in an office environment, is sedentary (although standing desks are available), and does not pose undue physical demands. Telework may be required due to the work posture of the agency related to health or security concerns.

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Joint-Strategic-Plan-FY-2018-2022.pdf https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Joint-Strategic-Plan-FY-2018-2022.pdf

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education/Experience:

● Master’s degree or higher degree from an accredited U.S. or foreign educational institution with study in a pertinent field, such as: journalism, international development, civil society and media programming in developing country contexts, civil liberties and access to information.

● Eight (8) years’ experience in the DRG sector conducting work similar to program management, policy development, or program coordination.

● Of those eight (8) years, five (5) years’ experience in media programming in developing country contexts.

And

• U.S. Citizenship

• Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance as provided by USAID;

• Verification of academic credentials;

• A current list of references;

• Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management

(SAM.gov); and

• Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs).

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will select candidates to interview based on a preliminary review of applications. References will be checked only for those candidates interviewed. The TEC can request references from others who know the candidate’s work in addition to the references provided by the candidate. Upon completion of interviews and reference checks, TEC members will revise their scores for those candidates.

The Evaluation Factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.

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

Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs):

1. Technical Expertise (35 points):

Demonstrated ability to lead and contribute to analysis and provide recommendations on a wide-range of issues concerning independent media as specifically in research; experience with and awareness of cutting-edge research and best practices regarding independent media and DRG issues; ability to contribute to meaningful content on the subject matter to enhance and deliver capacity development, training, e-learnings, and convenings.

2. DRG Program Management Experience (25 points):

Demonstrated experience in development programming, including program design, development (assessment and development), program management (implementation, monitoring and evaluation) implementation, monitoring, and evaluation); and experience with and awareness of international best practices.

3. Communication (20 points):

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, with senior officials and in public forums with minimal editing or supervision.

• Proven track record of contributing to the analysis and synthesis of information for use by principals.

• Demonstrated productive and positive working relationships and communication with colleagues and peers.

4. Teamwork (20 points):

• Proven track-record of working effectively and collaboratively on diverse teams.

• Ability to work with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and opinions.

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses.

Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Selection and/or Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Total rating system is as follows:

1.Technical Expertise: 35 points

2. DRG Program Management Experience: 25 points 3.Communication: 20 points 4.Teamwork: 20 points Total Possible Points: 100 points

Eligible offerors who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs). The evaluation of the QRFs based on the offeror’s responses to the QRFs as well as information provided in other written offer materials (e.g., form AID 309-2, resume) will be used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors. The most qualified offeror(s) will be interviewed. Professional reference checks will be conducted only for offeror(s) who are interviewed. The interview and professional reference checks will be considered in the final scoring of the QRFs. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Interviews conducted in person will be held at USAID offices in the Washington, D.C. region. While in person interviews are preferred, interviews by telephone or video may also be conducted. Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by the offeror. In the event that USAID is unable to obtain any information from references, the lack of reference information will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably in the scoring of the QRFs.

Satisfactory verification of academic credentials is required prior to award. The selected offeror will be required to submit unofficial transcripts for the academic degree for which the offeror qualified for the position. If the selected offeror fails to submit the required academic credential documentation within the time period specified by the Contracting Officer, the offeror may be disqualified from further consideration for award. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements. Transcripts from foreign educational institutions must be accompanied by an official Evaluation of Educational Credentials. It is the offeror’s responsibility to provide evidence that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. USAID will not pay for expenses related to obtaining transcripts or proof of creditability of foreign education. Click on the following link for a list of accredited organizations (https://www.naces.org/members) recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

The selected offeror will be required to obtain a Secret Level Security Clearance provided by USAID prior to contract award. Dual citizens may be asked to renounce second-country citizenship. If a full security investigation package is not submitted by the selected offeror within 30 days after it is requested, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret level security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offeror acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND

THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT: All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list in www.sam.gov or on the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Registration information is available at www.sam.gov.

NOTE: Registration for a DUNS number and registration in SAM is FREE.

Interested offerors are highly encouraged to initiate the registration process early to avoid any delays during contract award.

USAID reserves the right to select additional offerors to fill possible future vacant positions if vacancies become available during the selection process.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically via e-mail to the Point of Contact specified in Section I, item 4.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please clearly reference the solicitation number in the offer, and in the email subject line of the submission.

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

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror

Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. This form must be physically signed (hand-written signature).

Unsigned forms will not be accepted. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

2. Complete resume. Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the education and experience requirements as stated in the 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.

In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include:

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

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

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Upon request, transcripts and/or certifications must be submitted.

3. List of References. Offerors must submit three (3) professional references, who are not family members or relatives, who have knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in this solicitation. At least one (1) reference must be from a direct supervisor (current or prior).

Submitted references MUST include the following information:

(a) Name of reference;

(b) Offeror’s relationship to the reference;

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(c) Title of reference at current job;

(d) Reference current telephone number; and

(e) Reference current email address.

4. Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors. Responses are limited to no more than 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered.

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.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT: All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award.

You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. Registration information is available at www.sam.gov and further guidance will be provided to the selectee regarding DUNS and SAM registration.

NOTE: Registration for a DUNS number and registration in SAM is FREE.

Interested offerors are highly encouraged to initiate the registration process early to avoid any delays during contract award.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

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

Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

2. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

3. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary 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), and

(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 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. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

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

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: [e.g.

R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

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: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

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: [e.g.

R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g.

R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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

AAPD 15-02, REVISED – Continuation of Deviation from the ‘Leave and Holidays’ clause, including Family and Medical Leave, for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

GP 5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (DEC 2017)

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

(a) Annual Leave

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

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

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

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

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

(3)

(i) AL is provided under this contract for the purposes of affording necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the USAID Mission or USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall develop an AL schedule early in the contractor's period of performance, taking into consideration project requirements, employee preference, and other factors.

All AL earned by the contractor must be used during the contractor’s period of performance. All AL earned by the contractor, but not taken by the end of the contract, will be forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of AL, the Contracting Officer may approve the contractor taking AL during the concluding weeks of the contractor's period of performance.

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

This leave payment must not exceed the number of days which could be earned by the contractor during a twelve-month period.

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

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

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

(c) Home Leave.

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

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

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

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

(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 time, and to the extent deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer, an USPSC in the U.S., on home leave may be authorized to spend not more than five (5) days in work status for consultation at USAID/Washington before returning to post. Consultation at locations other than USAID/Washington as well as any time in excess of five (5) days spent for consultation must be approved by the Mission Director or the Contracting Officer.

(d) Home Leave for Qualifying Posts (HLQP). USPSCs who ordinarily qualify for home leave and have completed a 12-month assignment at one of the USAID qualifying posts (currently Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan) are entitled to take ten (10) workdays of leave in addition to the home leave an USPSCs is normally entitled to under the contract in accordance with sub-paragraphs (c)(1)

- (6) above. This additional home leave is provided pursuant to an amendment to the Foreign Service

Act of 1980 signed by the President on June 15, 2006.

There is no requirement that an eligible USPSC take this additional leave; it is for optional use by the USPSC. If an eligible USPSC elects to take HLQP, the USPSC must take ten (10) workdays of home leave. If the USPSC is returning to the United States and not returning overseas to the same or different USAID Mission, HLQP will not apply.

This new home leave policy is also extended to qualifying Third-Country National PSCs (TCNPSCs) who have an approved exception under AIDAR Appendix J, sec. 4(c)(2)(ii)(B), to apply specific provisions from AIDAR Appendix D, and whose contract includes this General Provision.

However, TCNPSCs will be granted "country leave" vice home leave. The application, requirements, and restrictions will be the same as for USPSCs, but the time taken by a TCNPSC will be taken in the TCNPSC's home country or country of recruitment rather than in the United States, its commonwealths and territories.

(e) Holidays and Excused Absences. The contractor shall be entitled to all holidays and or excused absences granted by the USAID to U.S. direct-hire employees.

(f) Military Leave. Military leave of not more than 15 calendar days in any calendar year may be granted to a contractor who is a reservist of the U.S. Armed Forces. The contractor must provide advance notice of the pending military leave to the Contracting Officer or the Mission Director as soon as known. A copy of any such notice must be part of the contract file.

(g) Leave Without Pay (LWOP). LWOP may be granted only with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission Director, unless a USPSC is requesting for such leave for family and leave purposes under paragraph (i) below.

(h) Compensatory Time. Compensatory time leave may be granted only with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission Director in rare instances when it has been determined absolutely essential and used under those guidelines which apply to USAID U.S. direct-hire employees.

(i) Family and Medical Leave (FML)

(1) USAID provides family and medical leave (FML) for eligible USPSCs working within the U.S., or any Territories or possession of the United States, in accordance with Title I of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, and as administered by the Department of Labor under 29 CFR 825. USAID is also extending FML to eligible USPSCs working outside the U.S., or any Territories or possession of the U.S., in accordance with this paragraph (i) as a matter of policy discretion.

(2) FML only applies to USPSCs, not any other type of PSC.

(3) To be eligible for FML, a USPSC must have been employed (i) for at least 12 months by USAID;

and (ii) for at least 1,250 hours of service with USAID during the previous 12-month period. The specific eligibility criteria and requirements are provided in USAID policy.

(4) In accordance with 29 CFR 825.200(a) and USAID policy, an eligible USPSC may take up to 12 workweeks of leave under FMLA, Title I, in any 12-month period for the following reasons:

(a) The care of the USPSC’s newborn child.

(b) The care of the USPSC’s newly placed adopted or foster care child.

(c) The care of the USPSC’s spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition.

(d) The USPSC’s own serious health condition.

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(e) A qualifying exigency arising from the USPSC’s spouse, child or parent in active duty military status.

(f) Other qualifying exigencies as determined by the Department of Labor.

(5) In accordance with 29 CFR Part 825.207, the USPSC may take LWOP for FML purposes. However, the USPSC may choose to substitute LWOP with accrued paid leave, including accrued annual or sick leave, or compensatory time earned under this contract. If the USPSC does not choose to substitute accrued paid leave, the CO, in consultation with the USPSC’s supervisor, may require the USPSC to substitute accrued paid leave for LWOP. The CO must verify the accuracy of the USPSC’s accrued paid leave request and obtain the required certifications for approval of FML in accordance with the stated USAID policy.

(6) FML is not authorized for any period beyond the completion date of this contract.

(7) When requesting FML, the USPSC must demonstrate eligibility…