DRG USPSC Sol_7200AA24R00056 Democratic Climate Action Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00056

ISSUANCE DATE: April 24, 2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: May 24, 2024 at 4:30PM 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.

At USAID, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) is a priority, and we are greater than the sum of our parts. When we integrate DEIA in our programs, policies, partnerships, and people (workforce), we are better able to understand and meet the needs of those we serve worldwide. USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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

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

Sincerely, Mir Ershadullah Contracting Officer

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

Solicitation No. 7200AA24R00056 USPSC – Democratic Climate Action Advisor

Attachment 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00056

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 24, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 24, 2024 at 4:30PM EDT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Casey Miskowski, email at cmiskowski@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Democratic Climate Action Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $139,395-$181,216 per year, equivalent to GS-14, assuming Washington, D.C.

Locality Pay

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay. As this is a remote-eligible position, if the approved remote worksite is located outside of the DC Locality, compensation will be adjusted to the corresponding value as found in the GS Locality Pay Tables.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Washington with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.

This position has been designated as suitable for remote work. The contractor will be authorized to perform the services under this contract from an alternative worksite. For PSCs authorized to remote work, the alternative worksite determines the locality pay for compensation purposes. The alternative worksite is subject to approval. It must be based in the United States and allow the offeror to conform to the working hours of the local time zone of USAID/Washington.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, estimated to start on or about 09/30/24. Start date will be dependent on issuance of security clearance. The applicant must be available to start within 30 days of receiving notification that required security clearance has been obtained. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for up to three additional years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period: 09/30/2024-09/29/2026 Option Period 1: 09/30/2026-09/29/2027 Option Period 2: 09/30/2027-09/29/2028 Option Period 3: 09/30/2028-09/29/2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BACKGROUND

USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s implementation of development and humanitarian assistance is centered through the more than 100 field Missions across five regions – Africa (AFR), Middle East (ME), Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), Asia, and Europe and Eurasia (E&E). Local staff knowledge and engagement with local actors are essential to supporting context-specific and locally-led development.

mailto:cmiskowski@usaid.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule

USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG)’s vision is of a world where freedom is flourishing and democracy delivers for all. Its mission is to lead USAID’s efforts to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development. The Bureau achieves this by shaping policy and development agendas, generating knowledge and evidence that drives innovation, catalyzing partnerships and coalitions, and mobilizing cutting-edge programs and technical assistance to enable USAID’s Missions and partners to accelerate democratic development globally.

In addition to the Office of the Assistant to the Administrator, the DRG Bureau has eight technical and support offices: Global Trends and Technology (GTT); Elections and Political Processes (EPP); Justice, Rights, and Security (JRS); Governance (GOV); Civil Society, Labor, and Media (CLM); Policy, Learning, and Integration (PLI); Management and Cadre Support (MCS); and Program (PO). The Anti-Corruption Center (ACC) is also located in the DRG Bureau. The offices and ACC are described in ADS 101.3.1.22.

Within the DRG Bureau, the Policy, Learning, and Integration (PLI) Office provides leadership, advocacy, research, training and targeted technical assistance to promote the integration of the DRG principles, approaches, and tools across all sectors of Agency programming in order to improve democratic outcomes and strengthen the sustainability of activities. The Office also leads the development and review of strategic, policy, and program planning documents to ensure DRG equities are elevated.

The PLI Office is recruiting for a Democratic Climate Action Advisor to help lead the DRG Bureau’s efforts to advance USAID’s Climate Strategy vision – “to work on the ground with partner governments and local actors to set the global trajectory toward our vision of a resilient, prosperous, and equitable world with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.” The Strategy calls for a “whole-of-Agency” approach in which all development sectors play their part. In the case of the DRG community, the Strategy goals include “Strengthen[ing] responsive, transparent governance and citizen engagement for effective climate action” as part of systems and transformational change needed across all development sectors (transportation, energy, agriculture, etc.).

The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will play a central role in advancing USAID's democracy and climate objectives by supporting equitable and ambitious actions to confront the climate crisis.

Democratic decline and climate change are linked development challenges and DRG principles and approaches are needed to defuse the climate crisis. For example, the incumbent will work with the DRG cadre in USAID Missions to identify entry points where supporting climate action through DRG programming can also strengthen democratic norms, processes, and institutions.

This type of ‘democratic climate action’ that advances DRG principles, tools, and approaches to achieve dual climate and democracy outcomes is intended to help host countries to deliver on their climate goals and improve public confidence in democratic governments’ ability to “deliver” results that people care about. A core aspect of this work is to collaborate with local partners to strengthen the political advocacy, engagement, and leadership of critical populations (youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, etc.) on climate action.

For example, the Advisor will work with colleagues to identify the most impactful or transformational interventions where supporting democratic climate action within core DRG programming areas such as decentralization, public financial management, and civil society will achieve climate and democracy goals. The incumbent will also work with leadership and staff from other sectors to integrate DRG principles, tools, and approaches needed to collectively transition to net-zero and resilient societies. For example, this may include supporting participatory approaches, politically informed approaches that address power differentials within local communities as essential to advancing mitigation and adaptation activities.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): All members of the https://www.usaid.gov/ADS/policy/100/101

DRG Bureau workforce are measured on how they foster a work environment that respects interactions with others, values differing perspectives, and treats others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All employees are expected to adhere to equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies and value diversity and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Technical Assistance

1. Serve as subject matter on DRG and Climate issues and provide advisory support to DRG cadre and Agency colleagues on these interconnected issues, including the impact on development goals and methods to advance both DRG and Climate goals through democratic climate action.

2. Provide technical support and thought leadership on practical ways to integrate climate in the DRG Bureau’s integration agenda, training, and temporary duty (TDY) support to Missions.

3. Analyze and review literature and evidence, develop and deliver training, and draft written guidance for USAID’s staff on DRG and climate integration.

4. Prepare briefing documents for high-level staff on the status of democracy and climate initiatives and coordinate external events and field visits for them to understand and learn from USAID Mission measures to support democratic climate action in concrete ways through USAID programming.

5. Track key events where salient crises or solutions, including both democracy and climate, should be shared as a part of understanding country contexts.

6. Advise and brief Agency and DRG Bureau senior leadership and technical office directors on relevant key or emerging issues and significant changes regarding democratic and climate trends globally.

b. Project Management

1. Manage for results, serving as overall project manager to oversee and ensure that the DRG Bureau delivers its goals outlined in its Climate Action Plan and associated work plan, including its prominent goal to provide support to USAID Missions to systematically increase leadership of critical populations in climate action.

2. Lead and coordinate with colleagues from across the DRG Bureau and Agency whose work contributes to the following workstreams: 1. Communication and Engagement to Raise Awareness and Build Demand, 2. Technical Assistance to the Field, 3. Technical and Policy Guidance, 4. Integrate Climate in DRG Mechanisms, 5. Training and Capacity Building to Influence Agency Development Practice, and 6. Monitoring, Evidence, and Learning.

3. Cultivate and formalize partnerships with clear roles and commitments by defining objectives and approaches to achieving deliverables.

4. Ensure deliverables are met including planning events, writing scopes of work, and overseeing consultants.

5. Design, manage, and provide technical direction to implementing mechanisms as the designated AOR/COR/Activity Manager, or adviser to the designated AOR/COR/Activity Manager, to implement current and new initiatives to advance democratic climate action.

c. Communication and Teamwork

1. Identify and develop transformational approaches to advance democratic climate action within DRG programming and as part of Agency efforts to advance systemic and transformational approaches to achieve net-zero and resilient futures across development sectors.

2. Advocate for integration of democracy and climate in compelling ways based on each case/context and create buy-in for implementing integration opportunities.

3. Envision and advocate for internal changes in processes, approaches, culture, and mindsets needed to achieve results and balance this with realism, practical considerations, and diplomacy skills.

4. Develop a network with USAID colleagues from each of the DRG Bureau offices/center and other bureaus with shared equities and interest in supporting democratic climate action.

5. Cultivate positive working relationships and maintain a network of external contacts with leaders and institutions with a shared interest in advancing democratic climate action.

6. Represent USAID and the DRG Bureau in events, meetings, and processes with the donor community, implementing partners, private sector, and other stakeholders, including in international forums, as indicated by Supervisor.

d. Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position: This PSC will serve as a top-level expert for the DRG Bureau and will demonstrate significant leadership pertaining to tracking and articulating DRG opportunities and challenges with respect to advancing democracy and climate objectives. The incumbent will exercise significant decision-making authority while performing work and have significant discretion over day-to-day tasks and prioritization of their workload. For example, the incumbent will be entrepreneurial and seek out opportunities to work with specific Missions and technical Offices in the DRG Bureau to advance climate action within existing DRG activities or in new activity designs. In addition, the incumbent may serve as an Agreement or Contracting Officer’s Representative, which would enable them to exercise oversight and authority over specific activities.

e. Knowledge level required: The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will have expert level knowledge of the Climate/Environment and DRG sectors. In addition, the advisor will have expert level knowledge of the interdisciplinary nature of both Climate and DRG fields.

Advancing democratic climate action will inherently require a deep understanding of the interconnected issues, multidisciplinary approaches, possible tradeoffs among different technical approaches. For example, the incumbent will possess the knowledge needed to integrate climate action into various DRG sub-sectors and which approaches are most likely to lead to transformational change in a country. The Advisor will also have demonstrated proficiency in assessing the cultural, political, and social factors that need to be considered to support programming in international development context across multiple regions. The PSC will closely track climate and DRG emerging issues, events, and solutions. The PSC will have knowledge on technical aspects needed for integrating Climate with DRG and other sectoral programming.

f. Supervisory Controls: The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will be supervised by the PLI

Integration Team Lead or their designee. The Democratic Climate Advisor will independently design their work objectives for each year and share these with the supervisor for concurrence. The Democratic Climate Action Advisor is responsible for managing their work flow as necessary to produce the projects and deliverables that contribute to achieving their work objectives. The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will meet regularly with their supervisor to keep them informed on the status of projects and progress. The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will also work closely with other USAID operating units and leaders, including USAID Mission officials, and be accountable to them for the performance of high quality work. The work of the PSC will be considered technically authoritative. While the Democratic Climate Action Advisor will exercise independent judgment while performing work and will receive minimal technical direction, the Government will maintain supervision as the PSC independently plans, designs, and carries out projects.

g. Performance Guidelines: The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will work with guidelines from the Agency and DRG Bureau that are broadly stated and non-specific, requiring extensive interpretation. They will identify concrete actions to support the Department of State and USAID Joint Strategic Plan FY 2022-26 and USG priorities relating to addressing climate change and democratic backsliding. This will require considerable judgment given the nascent nature of integrated DRG and climate programming.

h. Level of complexity for work assignments: The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will have to apply technical expertise, ingenuity, and innovation to chart a new pathway in support of the Agency goal to become a “climate agency.” This DRG and Climate integration is a novel and emerging area of work that requires a high level of judgment and creativity with limited precedent. The technical complexity of working on a multi-disciplinary problem-set requires expertise and ability to contribute on a broad range of DRG and Climate topics. As the representative on climate issues and how they intersect with DRG and other programming, the PSC will be responsive to the constantly changing circumstances, developing new approaches and augmenting them when developments arise, taking leadership and displaying flexibility/ingenuity in strategies for resolving issues affecting DRG programming and policy outcomes. The incumbent will also be required to translate complex technical content for general audiences and, at times, convince skeptical stakeholders of the benefits of integrated DRG and climate programming.

i. Scope and effect of the work performed: The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will be highly involved in serving as the primary DRG point of contact with Missions, Bureaus, interagency counterparts, and external partners on climate issues. The work involves isolating and defining DRG and Climate issues globally and resolving or proposing solutions to advance DRG and Climate. They will be a recognized DRG and Climate expert and will plan, organize, direct, design, and coordinate activities to meet the needs of USAID bureaus and Missions as a technical leader. The work they do will impact and interact with the work of other experts in the field.

j. Level and purpose of contacts: The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will serve as an

Agency lead technical expert in DRG and Climate and will advise USAID and interagency counterparts on approaches to advance concrete democratic climate action through USAID DRG, Climate, or other sectoral sources of programming. They will represent USAID and DRG Bureau equities when engaging with external partners, both formally and in moderately unstructured settings. This will include implementing partners and the donor community.

The Democratic Climate Action Advisor will represent USAID in meetings with missions, foreign governments, multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations. They will engage professionally and persuasively with senior level officials of academic institutions and independent DRG and Climate organizations and may be required to respond to inquiries from Congressional staff, the National Security Council, the Department of State, and other interagency counterparts. The purpose of these contacts will be to inform and persuade key organizations to also support democratic climate action. The PSC will demonstrate an ability to build consensus and motivate audiences to take action on DRG recommendations on climate issues, including audiences that may not be receptive to this information.

k. Supervision or oversight the position has over others: The incumbent may supervise up to three PSCs and/or institutional support contractors at an equal or lesser grade and/or non-direct-hire interns.

l. Travel requirements, if any, including an estimate of the number or frequency of trips and locations: The USPSC should expect to spend up to 20% of their time on temporary duty travel (TDY) assignments.

m. Support Items: The USPSC will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

● A Master’s degree or higher degree (Ph.D., J.D. or LLM) in a relevant subject, such as Environmental Science or Political Science.

● Eight (8) years of experience working on climate/environment/natural resources and related DRG (democracy, human rights, and/or governance) issues.

● Of those minimum years of experience, at least one (1) year of experience working in the international development field.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Selection Factors

Selection factors determine basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen;

● USPSC Application Form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic/typed signatures will not be accepted;

● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials;

● Professional references;

● Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors;

● Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance as required by USAID; and

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

Evaluation 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 may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

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

The following Quality Ranking Factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors:

1. Technical Expertise (40 points):

● Demonstrated experience leading analyses and providing recommendations on climate/environmental and related DRG issues in an international development context.

● Demonstrated ability to review and synthesize information from multiple sources (country contexts, literature, research, key events) and form conclusions in order to identify opportunities and recommend practical resultant actions. Experience with the intersection of climate change and related DRG issues preferred.

2. Project/Program Management (20 points):

● Demonstrated experience with planning, implementing, and assessing programs. Experience specific to international development project/program management preferred.

● Demonstrated track record of self-direction and ability to manage for results, including taking the lead on the organization and execution of priority activities and delivering high quality products.

3. Communication (20 points):

● Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English, with minimal editing or supervision.

● Demonstrated ability to effectively translate and deliver complex technical content to general audiences. Specific experience related to distilling the complexities of climate change to lay audiences preferred.

● Proven track record of synthesizing information for use by leadership/decision-makers.

Experience relevant to climate and/or DRG preferred.

4. Teamwork (20 points):

● Proven track record of generating consensus among diverse stakeholders through collaboration inclusive of multiple perspectives.

● Demonstrated ability to build positive and productive working relationships by incorporating differing perspectives in a culturally sensitive manner.

BASIS OF RATING: Eligible offerors who meet the Minimum Qualifications, application submission requirements, and possess U.S. Citizenship will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs). In a separate document, offerors are required to address each of the QRFs and demonstrate how they meet each factor, 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 solicitation number at the top of each page. Failure to specifically address the QRFs may result in not receiving credit for all 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.

The evaluation of the QRFs will be based on the offeror’s responses in the supplemental QRF document as well as information provided in other written offer materials (e.g., form AID 309-2, resume) to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors. The technical evaluation committee (TEC) will select candidates to interview based on this preliminary review of applications. The most qualified offeror(s) will be interviewed. Professional reference checks will only be conducted for offeror(s) who are interviewed and will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail metric. 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. The interview and professional reference checks will be considered in the final scoring of the QRFs and may result in a revision of scores.

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. Interviews may be conducted in person, by telephone, or by video.

Total rating system is as follows:

1. Technical Expertise: 40 points

2. Project/Program Management: 20 points

3. Communication: 20 points

4. Teamwork: 20 points

Total Possible Points: 100 points

Satisfactory verification of academic credentials is required prior to award. The selected offeror will be required to submit 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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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 the required level security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offeror acceptance, the offer may be rescinded.

NOTE REGARDING UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT: All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. This will assign you a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 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 in SAM and assignment of a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 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. Late offers will not be considered.

https://www.naces.org/members https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

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. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

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

1. Complete 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.

Unsigned forms will not be accepted. Typed electronic signatures, including typed in a script font, will not be accepted.

2. Complete resume in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. 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 if not full-time. 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 the names and current contact information for 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. Submitted references MUST include the following information:

(a) Name of reference;

(b) Offeror’s relationship to the reference;

(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 in either

Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. The supplemental document must:

(a) Address each of the Quality Ranking Factors.

(b) Cite specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the Offeror has received that are relevant to each factor.

(c) Describe specific, illustrative examples for each factor to add additional context to information presented in the resume.

(d) Contain no more than 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Submitted materials must be in English. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

Incomplete offers will not be considered. Late offers will not be considered and will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

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.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms, if required, 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)

4. Emergency Locator (AID 450-1)

5. Fair Credit Reporting Act (AID 500-4)

6. Federal Tax Form(s) (W-4)

7. State Tax Form(s)

8. Direct Deposit Information

9. USAID Acquisitions & Assistance Vendor Request 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) Leave and Holidays

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) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(b) 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/ads/policy/300/aidar https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

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:

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 22-02 Telework and Remote Work Policy for U.S. Personal Services Contracts with Individuals

Revised AIDAR Clause GP4 based on Class Deviation No. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-11c

10. Work Schedule and Compensation (Pay Comparability and Locality Pay Adjustments) (JUL 2007) [Deviation (JUL 2022)]

a) Work Schedule. The contractor's work schedule shall not be less than 80 hours per pay period, unless otherwise provided in the Contract Schedule, and shall coincide with the work schedule for https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs those employees of the USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office, or the Cooperating Country agency most closely associated with the work of this contract. If the contract is for less than full time (80 hours per pay period), the annual and sick leave earned shall be prorated (see the General Provision of this contract entitled Leave and Holidays).

b) USAID promotes telework and remote work as workplace flexibilities for contractors.

However, telework and remote work are arrangements to facilitate the accomplishment of work.

The ability to telework or remote work is not a right or an entitlement and not all PSC positions will be conducive to telework or remote work. Telework and remote work are discretionary tools and may be terminated for business reasons, performance, operational needs, or a contractor’s failure to comply with policy directives and required procedures and protocols. For a position that is authorized for remote work, an approved alternative worksite for the contractor will be approved in the Schedule of the contract. For positions that are not authorized for remote work, the contractor may be authorized to telework at the Agency’s discretion based on Agency policy as from time to time amended. If the position is suitable for telework, as telework is not a right or entitlement and is discretionary, the contractor must receive approval from their supervisor by submitting a Telework Agreement in accordance with Agency policy.

c) Locality Pay. A contractor based in the United States who is not authorized to remote work will be entitled to locality pay based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite.

A contractor based in the United States who is authorized to remote work will be entitled to locality pay based on the rate for the approved alternative worksite as specified in the Schedule of the contract. Any change to the approved alternative worksite will require a contract modification and may result in a change to the compensation as the locality pay will be adjusted accordingly.

A contractor serving abroad is not authorized to receive locality pay.

d) Compensation (Pay Comparability) Adjustments. The contractor's compensation shall be adjusted to reflect the pay comparability adjustments, which are granted from time to time to U.S.

direct-hire employees by Executive Order for the statutory pay systems (usually in January). Any adjustments authorized are subject to the availability of funds and shall not exceed that percentage stated in the Executive Order granting the adjustment. Further, the adjusted compensation may not exceed the annual “USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST)”, which is equivalent to the maximum rate for agencies without a certified SES performance appraisal system (or the equivalent hourly rate).

[END DEVIATED TEXT]

AAPD 21-05: Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

GP 5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (NOV 2023)

(Pursuant to class deviation #M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-1c)

(a) Annual Leave. (1) The contractor may accrue annual leave at the rate specified in paragraph

(a)(2) of this clause as follows:

(i) If the contract period of performance is ninety (90) calendar days or more, and the contractor’s performance is continuous for the contract period of performance, the contractor is entitled to accrue annual leave as of the start date of the contract.

(ii) If the contract period of performance is ninety (90) calendar days or more, and the contractor's performance is not continuous during the contract period of performance, the contractor is entitled to accrue annual leave only for each instance of continuous performance of ninety (90) calendar days or more.

(iii) If the contract period of performance is less than ninety (90) calendar days, the contractor is not entitled to accrue annual leave.

(2) The rate at which the contractor will accrue annual leave is based on the contractor’s time in service according to the table of this paragraph (a)(2). The accrual rates are based on a full-time, 80-hour biweekly pay period, which will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter work schedule:

Time in Service Annual Leave (AL) Accrual Rate 0 to 3 years 4 hours of leave for each 2-week period over 3, and up to 15 years 6 hours of AL for each 2-week period (including 10 hours AL for the final pay period of a calendar year) over 15 years 8 hours of AL for each 2-week period

(i) USAID will calculate the time in service based on all the previous service performed by the contractor as--:

(A) An individual personal services contractor with USAID for any duration covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory authority applicable to USAID; and/or

(B) A former U.S. Government (USG) direct-hire civilian employee; and/or

(C) An honorable active duty member of the uniformed services based on the definition in 5 U.S.C.

2101(3).

(ii) In addition to the information certified by the contractor in their Offeror Information form, the contracting officer may require the contractor to furnish copies of previously executed contracts, and/or other evidence of previous service (e.g. SF 50, DD Form 214 or 215) to conduct the due diligence necessary to verify creditable previous service.

(3) Annual Leave is provided under this contract primarily for the purposes of providing the contractor necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the Supervisor, must develop an annual leave schedule early in the period of performance, taking into consideration the requirements of the position, the contractor’s preference, and other factors. The maximum amount of annual leave that the contractor can carry over from one leave year to the next is limited to 240 hours. The contractor’s unused annual leave balance in excess of the 240 hour maximum at the end of the last pay period of each leave year will be forfeited, unless the requirements of the position precluded the contractor from taking such leave. The contractor may be authorized to restore annual leave for exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the contractor. The restoration of annual leave may be approved only by the USAID Administrator, cognizant Assistant Administrator or Head of an Independent Office reporting directly to the USAID Administrator, and cannot be delegated further. Annual leave restored must be scheduled and used no later than either the end of the leave year two years after either—

(i) The date fixed by the approving official as the termination date of the exigency of the public business or other reason beyond the contractor’s control, which resulted in the forfeiture; or

(ii) The end of the contract, whichever is earlier.

(4) The contractor must use all accrued annual leave during the period of performance. At the end of the contract, the contractor will forfeit any unused annual leave except where the requirements of the position precluded the contractor from taking annual leave. In this case, the contracting officer may authorize the following:

(i) The contractor to take annual leave during the concluding weeks of the contract, not to exceed the period of performance; or

(ii) Payment of a lump-sum for annual leave not taken based on a signed, written determination and findings (D&F) from the contractor’s supervisor. The D&F must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking annual leave, and the contracting officer must find that the contractor did not cause, or have the ability to control, such facts and circumstances. This lump-sum payment must not exceed the number of days the contractor could have accrued during a twelve (12)-month period based on the contractor’s accrual rate.

(5) The contractor may be granted advanced annual leave by the contracting officer when circumstances warrant. Advanced leave must be approved by the Mission Director, cognizant Assistant Administrator, or Head of an Independent Office reporting directly to the Administrator, as appropriate. In no case may the contracting officer grant advanced annual leave in excess of the amount the contractor can accrue in a twelve (12)-month period or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. At the end of the period of performance or at termination, the contractor must reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advanced annual leave provided to the contractor under the contract.

(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as USAID direct-hire employees. The contractor will accrue sick leave at a rate not to exceed four (4) hours every two (2) weeks for a maximum of thirteen (13) work-days per year based on a full-time, 80-hour biweekly pay period, and the rate of accrual will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter work schedule. The contractor may carry over unused sick leave from year to year under the same contract, and to a new follow-on contract for the same work at the same place of performance. The contractor is not authorized to carry over sick leave to a new contract for a different position or at a different location. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave at the completion of this contract.

(c) Home Leave. (1) The contractor may be granted home leave to be taken only in the U.S., its commonwealth, possessions, or territories, in one continuous period, under the following conditions:

(i) The contractor must complete twenty-four (24) continuous months of service abroad under this contract, and must not have taken more than thirty (30) workdays leave (annual, sick, or LWOP) in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions, or territories. The required service abroad will include the actual days in orientation in the U.S. (excluding any language training), travel time by the most direct route, and actual days abroad beginning on the date of arrival in the cooperating country. Any annual and sick leave taken abroad, excluding leave without pay (LWOP), will count toward the period of service abroad. Any days of annual and sick leave taken in the U.S., its commonwealths, possessions, or territories will not be counted toward the required twenty-four (24) months of service abroad.

(ii) The contractor must agree to return immediately after completing home leave to continue performance for an additional—

(A) Two (2) years, or

(B) Not less than one (1) year, if approved in writing by the Mission Director before the contractor departs on home leave.

(iii) If the contractor agrees to meet the conditions in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause above by returning to the same USAID Mission under this contract or a new contract, the contractor may be granted thirty (30) workdays of home leave.

(iv) If the contractor agrees to meet the continued performance conditions of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause and will be relocating to a different USAID Mission under a new USAID personal services contract immediately following the completion of home leave, the contractor may be granted twenty (20) workdays of home leave. USAID will provide the contractor these twenty days of home leave under this contract, not under the new contract.

(v) If home leave eligibility is based on paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this clause, prior to departure on home leave, the contractor must submit to the contracting officer at the current Mission, a copy of the new contract with a special award condition in the contract Schedule indicating the contractor’s obligation to fulfill the commitment for continued performance in accordance with paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this clause.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this clause, the contractor may be granted advanced home leave subject to all of the following conditions:

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

(ii) The contractor has served at least eighteen (18) months abroad, as defined in paragraph (c)(4) of this clause, at the same USAID Mission under this contract, and has not taken more than 30 work days leave (annual, sick or LWOP) in the U.S.; and

(iii) The contractor agrees to return immediately to the same Mission to complete the time remaining to meet the twenty-four (24) month period of service required for home leave, which begins after the contractor returns from home leave, plus an additional—

(A) Two (2) years, or

(B) Not less than one (1) year, if approved by the Mission Director, under the current contract, or under a new contract for the…