DRG USPSC Sol_7200AA24R00074 (Senior Governance Advisor)_5.31.24 FE.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00074

ISSUANCE DATE: May 31, 2024 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 01, 2024 at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services 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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and underrepresented 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 costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an offer.

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

Sincerely, Mir Ershadullah Contracting Officer

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

Solicitation # 7200AA24R00074 USPSC – Senior Governance Advisor

Attachment 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO: 7200AA24R00074

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 05/31/2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 7/01/2024 at 2 PM EST

4. POINTS OF CONTACT: Preeti Pancholi, e-mail: ppancholi@usaid.gov and Michael

Kwaw, e-mail: mkwaw@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Governance Advisor

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

locality pay.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs is 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.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Washington, DC and worldwide overseas travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. This position has been designated as Telework eligible (6 days per pay period). The PSC may be asked to travel overseas up to four weeks per year on TDY including to restricted environments, or limited/non-presence USAID countries. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two-year Base Period, with up to three one-year

Option Periods, estimated to start on within 45 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 one year, not to exceed a total of five years including all option periods, for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period: TBD

Option Period 1: TBD

Option Period 2: TBD

Option Period 3 TBD

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (U.S.) Citizens mailto:ppancholi@usaid.gov mailto:mkwaw@usaid.gov

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Security Clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

A. Recommended position title: Senior Governance Advisor B. Organizational unit within the Agency: DRG/Office of Governance C. Official location or post of duty where the work is performed: Washington, DC D. Position title and grade of the direct supervisor: Senior Governance Advisor, GS-14 E. Brief overview of the program and the role of the position within the program:

The successful offeror will serve in the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Bureau. USAID currently manages over $1.7 billion a year on a broad range of democracy programs. The DRG Bureau is the lead for the Agency in supporting overall efforts to advance DRG. These efforts are critical to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development. The DRG Bureau’s annual budget is over $257 million, with a staff of over 180, composed of US direct hires (USDHs), institutional contractors, and Fellows. The Bureau’s mission is to shape policy and development agendas, generate knowledge and evidence that drives innovation, catalyze partnerships and coalitions, and mobilize cutting-edge programs and technical assistance to enable USAID’s Missions and partners to accelerate democratic development globally.

The DRG Bureau achieves this through high quality support to USAID missions, generating and disseminating knowledge on best practices, and providing leadership on DRG to the wider U.S. Government (USG) and the international development community.

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 Office (PO). The Anti-Corruption Center (ACC) is also located in the DRG Bureau. The offices and ACC are described in ADS 101.3.1.17.

The Office of Governance (GOV) is one of the DRG Bureau’s technical offices.

GOV meets Agency and DRG Bureau objectives by providing technical leadership and support on local and urban governance, effective national institutions, public sector reform, economic governance, and transparency and accountability to USAID Missions and other bureaus, other USG entities, and the broader DRG community. GOV supports resilient, transparent, and accountable executive and legislative institutions at all levels of government. GOV helps partner governments to strengthen capacity to provide responsive services to their citizens, mobilize and spend in-country public resources, and promote locally led development and inclusive economic growth.

Working as part of GOV, the Senior Governance Advisor will help the DRG Bureau meet high demand for technical assistance by providing support – both on TDY and in Washington D.C. – to Missions, Embassies, and other USAID operating units. The Senior Governance Advisor will support the development of strategy and country-level plans, the design and evaluation of programs, development of performance indicators, the https://www.usaid.gov/ADS/policy/100/101 conduct of DRG and other assessments, and the integration of evidence-based, best-fit good governance approaches into cross-sectoral programming. The Senior Governance Advisor may also serve as a COR/AOR for at least one of GOV's implementing mechanisms, and/or alternate COR/AOR or activity manager of other GOV-managed activities. On TDY and in Washington, the successful offeror will work closely with USAID and Department of State colleagues to: identify opportunities for USAID to support governance priorities; design activities responding to those opportunities; work with partners to effectively implement those activities; monitor the impact of those activities; and other associated technical and managerial assistance. The successful offeror will develop performance indicators, assessments, design and evaluate programs, and provide other Mission technical support. The successful offeror will coordinate with intra-and interagency colleagues on strategy, policy, and resource allocation issues.

F. Duties and responsibilities of the position:

The Senior Governance Advisor’s responsibilities will be geographically worldwide, varied, and dynamic to reflect changing circumstances facing the U.S.

government, USAID, and the DRG Bureau. The successful offeror will have recent, demonstrated professional experience regarding accountable, democratic governance approaches that may include public sector reform, public administration, government to government programming, digital and e-government solutions, public financial management, public procurement, and domestic resource mobilization, or related development approaches in developing country contexts. The PSC will strengthen USAID’s governance programs worldwide and will carry out work assignments using independent professional judgment to ensure the provision of effective technical leadership. The successful offeror will be responsible for work on countries or regions where additional governance attention is needed through a combination of TDYs and Washington-based support.

The PSC will serve as a technical authority on complex and dynamic political and governance challenges and develop USAID designs, plans, and strategies related to accountable, democratic governance approaches that may include public sector reform, public administration, government to government programming, digital and e-government solutions, public financial management, public procurement, and domestic resource mobilization, or related development approaches in developing country contexts. The successful candidate will incorporate USAID policies and strategies, as well as Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) and Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) approaches appropriately in their work. The PSC will be responsible for drafting guidance documents, toolkits, training modules, and other products that disseminate best practices in institutional strengthening, planning, design, and monitoring. The PSC will participate in and serve as a subject matter expert in intra- and interagency meetings on governance-related topics. The PSC will be required to achieve and maintain certification to manage responsibilities as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR).

The PSC will develop and coordinate country-specific governance assistance strategies with specific goals, guidelines, and benchmarks in line with DRG and Agency Policy. The PSC will collaborate with colleagues at US Embassies and USAID Missions to address complicated issues, incorporate multi-disciplinary approaches and recent research findings, and may need to mediate among competing interests and possible technical solutions. The DRG Bureau supports USAID’s work worldwide and the PSC will be expected to travel to and perform this work on occasion in restricted environments, or limited/non-presence USAID countries.

The development and coordination of the country-specific governance assistance strategies will be complicated by interconnected issues, multidisciplinary approaches, and often may need to mediate among possible technical solutions. The PSC will determine best courses of action based on prior expert research and experience and have excellent communications and persuasion skills to influence USG approaches.

Furthermore, the PSC will:

a. Conduct multiple-week visits to USAID partner countries, including critical restricted environment countries and others to perform various GOV assessments and assist with Mission strategy and activity design, activity procurement, and activity implementation tasks;

b. Fill critical staffing needs in Washington D.C. including the provision of support to new country start-ups and on-call technical assistance;

c. Manage, review, and monitor the plans and activities of DRG implementing partners and ensure coordination of partner programs with USAID Mission and international organizations;

d. Execute closeout activities related to governance programs;

e. Provide technical assistance to ongoing evaluations of DRG programs in the field;

f. Participate in assessing the feasibility of a country as a candidate for a DRG program;

g. Participate in conceptualizing and designing global, regional, and country-specific programs and assistance approaches;

h. Serve as a liaison with other USAID Bureaus and operating units and the interagency to ensure coordinated program and policy direction;

i. Within the guidelines provided by the relevant DRG/Washington D.C. Office Director or Supervisor, support the negotiation of program and project agreements with governmental and non-governmental (NGO) counterparts;

j. Manage designated USAID GOV Office programs, ensuring alignment with USG policy priorities and responsiveness to Agency needs and overseeing activity implementation, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner.

k. Develop relationships with NGOs, international donors, USG agencies, academic institutions, and others interested in the DRG global, regional, and country programs;

l. Participate in selecting contractors and grantees to work under DRG programs;

m. In close collaboration with the relevant DRG/Washington D.C. staff, assist in the development of DRG strategies and policies for assigned countries, and technical areas;

n. Create assessments, monitoring, and evaluation targets and measurement goals that measure actual program impact. Maintain expertise in public sector institutional strengthening and governance indicators or impact evaluations to effectively influence the implementation and learning of USAID DRG programming. Monitor and evaluate the country program, individual projects, and contractor and grantee performance.

o. Supervisory controls: The PSC will report to GOV’s Office Director or Deputy Office Director, or their designee. The GOV Office Director or Deputy Office Director (or designee) will supervise the PSC and set overall objectives. The Supervisor and PSC will together develop a work plan that includes projects and deadlines. The PSC will also work closely with DRG Bureau leadership and USAID Mission officials (when on TDY). The PSC will independently plan, design, and carry out sector assessments and activity design, implementation, and evaluation exercises that are considered technically complex.

p. Performance Guidelines: The Senior Governance Advisor will work with guidelines from the Bureau and Agency that are broadly stated and may require thoughtful interpretation. The PSC will demonstrate sound judgment, technical expertise, ingenuity and innovation as appropriate in all aspects of work.

q. Level of complexity for work assignments: The PSC duties will be significantly varied and will require broad knowledge of complicated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of circumstances requiring a substantial depth of analysis. The PSC will be required to support USAID Regional Bureaus and Missions in making decisions on largely undefined issues and elements that require extensive analysis to determine the nature and scope of the problems. The PSC may be expected to contribute new technologies and approaches or develop new information to address continuous changes in the related programmatic, technological, and political environments.

r. Scope and effect of work performed: The PSC will be highly involved in all governance sub-sectors, but with a specific focus on accountable, democratic governance approaches that may include public sector reform, public administration, government to government programming, digital and e-government solutions, public financial management, public procurement, and domestic resource mobilization, or related development approaches in developing country contexts. The PSC will be considered a subject matter expert and will have excellent communication skills. The PSC will plan, organize, direct, design, and coordinate assistance, assessment, and evaluation activities to meet the needs of USAID Bureaus and Missions, which will directly affect the development of major aspects of the Mission’s programs that affect a substantial number of people. This work will require independent analysis, defining conditions and criteria, and resolving critical problems using creative approaches. The PSC will collaborate with interagency efforts to address critical governance issues, such as high-profile political transitions, and will maintain regular working relationships with counterparts in the intra- and interagency as needed. The PSC’s work typically requires working as part of a team and coordinating with technical staff.

s. Level and purpose of contacts: The PSC will serve as one of the Agency’s lead technical experts in governance matters and will advise USAID and interagency counterparts on matters relating to the U.S. Government’s response to GOV issues worldwide. The PSC will represent the U.S. Government on such matters in meetings with foreign governments and multilateral institutions. The PSC may represent USAID to Congressional staff, the National Security Council, the Department of State, and other interagency counterparts. The PSC will maintain professional contacts with senior management officials of independent organizations advancing GOV issues, including think-tanks, assistance implementers, professional organizations, and academic institutions. The PSC will represent USAID to these organizations in different forums, including conferences, workshops, panels, and more. Participation will take place when the GOV issues are complicated by interconnected issues, multidisciplinary approaches, and/or when conflicts among possible technical solutions exist. The PSC will determine best courses of action based on research and prior experience and have excellent persuasion skills to influence USG policy.

t. Supervision or oversight the position has over others (address the number and level of subordinates, and the degree of supervisory responsibility, if any): None.

G. Period of Performance, with beginning and end dates, plus any option periods if applicable: A two (2) year base period with three (3) one-year option periods for a potential maximum period of performance of five (5) years.

H. The security level required for the position: Secret

I. Travel Requirements, if any, including an estimate of the number or frequency of trips and locations: The Senior Governance Advisor should expect to spend at least four weeks of each year on TDY, including to restricted environments, or limited/non-presence USAID countries.

J. Support Items: The Senior Governance Advisor will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office setting, the work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

● Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in political science, international development, public administration, or a related social science.

● A minimum of seven (7) years with a Bachelor’s degree or five (5) years with a

Master’s degree of recent experience providing professional, technical assistance with demonstrated specialization in accountable, democratic governance approaches that may include public sector reform, public administration, government to government approaches, digital and e-government, public financial management, public procurement, and domestic resource mobilization, or a combination of the above and related development approaches in developing country contexts.

● Must be a U.S. Citizen

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Selection Factors

Selection factors determine basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do no 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 Security Clearance level security clearance within a nine month period after offeror acceptance. 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;

● 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.

Each sub-factor will be weighted equally within the rating factor. 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 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. 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.

Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

The candidate with the highest overall score will be selected based on the criteria below.

Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) In a separate document, offerors must address each Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed below to 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. Each factor response is limited to no more than 500 words. Please provide a word count after each response. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Offerors should include their name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.

QRF 1: Technical Expertise (60 points)

● Demonstrated experience and understanding of principles, concepts, and methodologies involved in the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of technical assistance programs related to accountable, democratic governance approaches that may include public sector reform, public administration, government to government programming, digital and e-government solutions, public financial management, public procurement, and domestic resource mobilization, and/or related development approaches in developing country contexts. Demonstrated professional experience in developing countries providing technical guidance and assistance to partner country governments, civil society, media, international organizations and/or other relevant actors regarding accountable, democratic governance.

QRF 2: Communication (25 points)

● Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex development challenges and political dynamics in clear, concise communication for ease of utilization by partners, senior officials, and other https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far stakeholders. Demonstrated capacity and experience communicating effectively orally and in writing with various audiences (including high-level officials, academics, and/or development practitioners), and ability to gather, analyze and synthesize information. The offeror's written communication ability will also be evaluated based on the written materials submitted in the offer.

QRF 3: Teamwork (15 points)

● Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to exhibit tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness while working in a variety of settings that may include high-level government officials, members of non-governmental organizations, civil society, and practitioners across cultures, and a track record of working effectively and collaboratively on diverse teams.

BASIS OF RATING

Offerors who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factors, which will consider the offeror’s responses to the Evaluation Factors as well as information provided in other offer materials (e.g., form AID 309-2, resume). The most qualified offeror(s) will be interviewed. 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. Professional references and academic credentials will be conducted only for offeror(s) who are interviewed. Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by the offeror. Reference checks will be used to further clarify the applicant’s relevant technical expertise, communication, and teamwork skills. 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 and the offeror will be assigned a “neutral” rating for professional references. The interview and professional reference checks will be evaluated in the final scoring.

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

1. Technical Expertise: 60 points

2. Communication: 25 points

3. Teamwork: 15 points

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

Total possible points: 100 points

Offerors may be requested to submit official academic transcripts or other certification showing that the offeror has obtained the required education level. Satisfactory verification of academic credentials is required prior to receiving an offer. 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. USAID reserves the right to select additional offerors to fill possible future vacant positions if vacancies become available during the selection process.

The selected offeror will be required to obtain a Secret and up to Top 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.

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 Points of Contact specified in Section I, item 4.

Late offers will not be considered.

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. 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. Unsigned forms will not be accepted. Electronic/typed signatures 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:

https://www.naces.org/members https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(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;

(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:

• Address each of the Quality Ranking Factors.

• Describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the Offeror has received that are relevant to each factor.

• Cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor.

• Contain no more than 500 words per factor. Any additional words will neither be read nor scored.

Submitted materials must be in English. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Late offers will not be considered and will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.

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 UNIQUE ENTITY ID (UEI) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM

FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT: All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) 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 UEI and SAM registration.

NOTE: Registration for a UEI 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) 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

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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

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

1 LOT $_TBD $_TBD at Award after https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/forms

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type:

Cost - Product Service Code:

[e.g. R497] - Accounting Info:

[insert from Phoenix/GLAAS] 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 06-08 AIDAR, Appendices D and J: Using the Optional Schedule to Incrementally Fund Contracts (JUNE 2006)

Appendices D and J are changed as follows:

Appendix D, Section 11, Optional Schedule With a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Resident Alien Contract No._____________ , the first paragraph under Table of Contents, (Optional Schedule) is changed as follows:

(Use of the Optional Schedule is not mandatory. It is intended to serve as an alternate procedure for funding U.S. PSCs or U.S. Resident Alien PSCs, regardless of the fund source.

The Schedule is for use when the Contracting Officer anticipates the contract will be incrementally funded.)

Appendix J, Section 11, first paragraph is changed as follows:

[Use of the Optional Schedule is not mandatory. It is intended to serve as an alternate procedure for funding Cooperating Country National and Third Country National PSCs, regardless of the fund source. The schedule was developed for use when the Contracting Officer anticipates incremental recurring cost funded contracts. It should be noted that use of the Optional Schedule eliminates the need to amend the contract each time funds are obligated. However, the Contracting Officer is required to amend each contract not less than twice during a 12 month period to ensure that the contract record of obligations is up to date and agrees with the figures in the master funding document.]

[END DEVIATED TEXT]

AAPD 06-10 – PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0

(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below. The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL

EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES.”

(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy.

When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S.

Government has no payment obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).

(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision 10, Travel and Transportation Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.” In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under General Provision 10, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS- 3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member.

In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/dependent.

(i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

(End of Provision)

AIDAR 752.204-72 Contractor Access to USAID Facilities and USAID's Information Systems (APRIL 2018)

(DEVIATION NO. M-OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-06c)

(a) HSPD-12 and Personal Identity Verification (PIV). Individuals engaged in the performance of this award as employees, consultants, or volunteers of the contractor must comply with all applicable Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) and Personal Identity Verification (PIV) procedures, as described below, and any subsequent USAID or Government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies.

(b) A U.S. citizen or resident alien engaged in the performance of this award as an employee, consultant, or volunteer of a U.S firm may obtain access to USAID facilities or logical access to USAID's information systems only when and to the extent necessary to carry out this award and in accordance with this clause. The contractor's employees, consultants, or volunteers who are not U.S. citizens or resident aliens as well as employees, consultants, or volunteers of non-U.S. firms, irrespective of their citizenship, will not be granted logical access to U.S. Government information technology systems (such as Phoenix, GLAAS, etc.)

and must be escorted to use U.S. Government facilities (such as office space).

(c) (1) No later than five business days after award, the Contractor must provide to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) a complete list of employees that require access to USAID facilities or information systems.

(2) Before a contractor (or a contractor employee, consultant, or volunteer) or subcontractor at any tier may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement) authorizing the individual routine access to USAID facilities in the United States, or logical access to USAID's information systems, the individual must provide two forms of identity source documents in original form to the Enrollment Office personnel when undergoing processing. One identity source document must be a valid Federal or State Government-issued picture ID. Contractors may contact the USAID Security Office to obtain the list of acceptable forms of documentation.

Submission of these documents, to include documentation of security background investigations, is mandatory in order for the Contractor to receive a PIV/Facilities Access Card (FAC) card and be granted access to any of USAID's information systems. All such individuals must physically present these two source documents for identity proofing at their enrollment.

(d) The Contractor must send a staffing report to the COR by the fifth day of each month.

The report must contain the listing of all staff members with access that separated or were hired under this contract in the past sixty (60) calendar days. This report must be submitted even if no separations or hiring occurred during the reporting period. Failure to submit the ‘Contractor Staffing Change Report’ each month may, at USAID’s discretion, result in the suspension of all logical access to USAID information systems and/or facilities access associated with this contract. USAID will establish the format for this report.

(e) Contractor employees are strictly prohibited from sharing logical access to USAID information systems and Sensitive Information. USAID will disable accounts and revoke logical access to USAID IT systems if Contractor employees share accounts.

(f) USAID, at its discretion, may suspend or terminate the access to any systems and/or facilities when a potential Information Security Incident or other electronic access violation, use, or misuse incident gives cause for such action. The suspension or termination may last until such time as USAID determines that the situation has been corrected or no longer exists.

(g) The Contractor must notify the COR and the USAID Service Desk at least five business days prior to the Contractor employee’s removal from the contract. For unplanned terminations of Contractor employees, the Contractor must immediately notify the COR and the USAID Service Desk (CIOHELPDESK@usaid.gov or (202) 712-1234). The Contractor or its Facilities Security Officer must return USAID PIV/FAC cards and remote authentication tokens issued to Contractor employees to the COR prior to departure of the employee or upon completion or termination of the contract, whichever occurs first.

(h) The contractor is required to insert this clause including this paragraph (h) in any subcontracts that require the subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or consultant to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical access to USAID's information systems.

(End of Clause)

AAPD 10-01 Personal Services Contracts: Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts for Health Insurance and Physical Exam Costs (JANUARY 2010)

Revisions to AIDAR APPENDIX D, pursuant to Class Deviation OAA-DEV-09-2c

Only the paragraphs marked with an asterisk in the sections specified below are revised.

Other sections and paragraphs in Appendix D remain unchanged.

Section 4. POLICY.

(c)(2) (ii) A contribution against the actual cost of the PSC’s annual health and life insurance costs. Proof of health and life insurance coverage and its actual cost to the PSC shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer before any contribution is made. (See also paragraph 4 (c)(3) of this Appendix.)

* (A) The contribution for health insurance shall not exceed 72% of the actual cost to the PSC for his/her annual health insurance, or the maximum U.S. Government contribution announced periodically by USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance, whichever is less.

If the PSC is covered under a spouse’s health insurance plan, where the spouse’s employer pays some or all of the health insurance costs, the cost to the PSC for annual health insurance shall be considered to be zero.

(B) The contribution for life insurance shall be up to 50% of the actual annual costs to the PSC for life insurance, not to exceed $500.00 per year.

Section 12, GENERAL PROVISIONS

GP 9. INSURANCE (Dec 2009)

(a) Worker’s Compensation Benefits. The contractor shall be provided worker’s compensation benefits in accordance with the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.

(b) Health and Life Insurance.

* (1) The contractor shall be provided a maximum contribution of up to 72% against the actual costs of the contractor's annual health insurance costs, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution as announced periodically by USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance.

(2) The contractor shall be provided a…