Global Health Security Agenda Senior Advisor SOL 72066922R00001.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066922R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: October 8, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 29, 2021, 5:30 pm Local Time, Monrovia, Liberia

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Senior Advisor.

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

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

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a 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, Marc Griego Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72066922R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066922R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 8, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 29, 2021, 5:30 pm Local Time, Monrovia, Liberia

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Marc Griego, EXO and Pheta Morris, HR Specialist, email at LiberiaHR@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Global Health Security Agenda Senior Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($93,907 - $122,077) Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For two years, with three - additional one-year options for a total of five years, estimated to start on 02/01/2022. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for a period for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

The base period will be 02/01/2022 - 02/01/2024, estimated to start on 02/01/2022.

Base Period: 02/01/2022 - 02/01/2024

Option Period 1: 02/01/2024 - 02/01/2025

Option Period 2: 02/01/2025 - 02/01/2026

Option Period 3: 02/01/2026 - 02/01/2027

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Monrovia, Liberia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens, Permanent Residents/ Resident Aliens, and

Third Country Nationals. Applicant must:

● Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled SUBMITTING AN

OFFER.

● Be able to obtain facility access authorization.

● Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

● Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

Note: Although open to both U.S. and TCN candidates, preference will be given to offers received from U.S. candidates, and TCN offerors will only be considered if there are no qualified U.S. candidates available.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access. The final selected candidate must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contact:

The primary function of the Senior Global Health Security Agenda Advisor (Senior Advisor) is to support USAID/Liberia’s Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) mandate in terms of activity design, technical oversight, monitoring, coordination, evaluation and reporting on all GHSA activities as required. S/he will also work closely with Government of Liberia (GOL) counterparts: Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) et al. on technical issues pertaining to infectious diseases with regard to the GHSA and One Health Platform-supported activities, as well as general capacity building and support as needed. S/he will also collaborate closely with other GOL entities, bilateral and multilateral donors such as the World Bank, WHO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private sector institutions implementing activities in the health sector. In addition, s/he shall liaise with technical and administrative backstops in USAID/Washington as necessary.

As a technical member of USAID/Liberia’s Health Office, the Senior Advisor will work closely with other teams in the Health Office to plan and implement a broad range of activities. In addition, s/he will have broad latitude in exercising judgment related to technical approaches and best practices. The USAID supervisor for the Senior Advisor will be the USAID/Liberia Health Office’s Health Systems Team Lead. The Senior Advisor is expected to respond flexibly and capably to a wide-range of work-related requirements, responding to Washington policy and operational requests, and carrying out ad hoc assignments as dictated by unforeseen operational requirements at the discretion of the Health Office Director/Deputy.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

Technical Support to Programs (50%)

● Monitoring financial, logistical and reporting aspects of USAID-supported Global Health

Security programs to support compliance with USAID legal and reporting requirements.

● With relevant A/COR teams, advising on the technical design and supporting implementation of programs and activities with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals.

● Serving as a technical advisor and supporting project oversight, monitoring and evaluation.

This will require regular travel to project field sites to monitor and report on project activities, as specified in the Mission Order on Program Monitoring.

● Tracking program activities against planned results, documenting developmental impacts and recommending solutions to any implementation issues in an efficient and professional manner, which includes reviewing quarterly and annual program and financial reports from program partners.

● Working closely with other team members to maximize synergies between various programs and activities within the portfolio.

● Participating in and coordinating evaluations and assessments that are conducted in conjunction with GOL, other donors, international organizations and local partners.

Technical Assistance and Strategy Support (25%)

● Providing technical assistance to USAID’s GHSA implementing partners supporting the

MOH and NPHIL’s capabilities to make more rapid, visible progress in improving technical capacity and strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation pertaining to the nexus between human and animal health, of particular relevance to the GHSA and the One Health Program.

● Providing technical assistance to USAID’s GHSA implementing partners supporting the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts to roll out a national strategy for animal health surveillance, to build local capacity for animal health surveillance (e.g. priority zoonotic diseases surveillance) and integrating it into the IDSR as part of the One Health Platform and Global Health Security Agenda.

● Providing technical input and assistance to the U.S. Embassy’s Interagency Health Working Group in monitoring, scoring and reporting on all Global Health Security Agenda milestones as required on a biannual basis.

● Participating in technical working groups (TWG) pertaining to Global Health Security Agenda, such as on Antimicrobial Resistance, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), the One Health Platform and the laboratory network for infectious disease detection and surveillance.

● Participating in development and implementation of USAID’s ongoing strategies, such as the Country Development Cooperation Strategy.

● Identifying and coordinating the various USAID health-related activities and players to promote collaboration and “smart integration” among USAID activities, with investments of the GOL and other donors.

● As directed, actively engaging with government, other donors and organizations involved in the sector within Liberia in order to promote collaborative planning toward long-term sustainable solutions.

● Compiling, analyzing, and disseminating, on a regular basis, reports to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington on GHSA, One Health and infectious disease issues and accomplishments as needed.

Collaboration and Partner Relationships (25%)

● As directed, advising and collaborating with relevant local government officials on implementation and policy issues. Contributing expertise and guidance to the MOH and county health teams to strengthen systems necessary for implementing activities with USAID funds.

● Establishing and maintaining productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the MOH, NPHIL, MOA, county governments, multilateral partners such as WHO, FAO and UNICEF, and other donors such as the World Bank, and civil society groups and Non-Governmental Organizations to effectively assure that USAID’s activities are collaborative, complementary and inclusive.

● Participating in and contributing to technical and coordination meetings hosted by the MOH, NPHIL, MOA, OHP and other partners.

● Regular coordination with the in-country GHSA Interagency Team

● Developing and implementing strategies for improved networking by partners and sharing of best practices learned in the course of implementing health activities, in order to accelerate program implementation and impact.

3. Supervision Relationship:

The USAID Health Office Director or her/his designee will provide overall supervision to the Global Health Security Agenda Senior Advisor; however, he/she will exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, resolving problems and conflicts, and taking steps necessary to meet deadlines. While the GHSA Senior Advisor will work with maximum independence in completing agreed-upon work objectives and carrying-out his/her responsibilities, s/he will keep his/her supervisor informed of problems and/or issues that arise that may affect the successful implementation of the USAID GHSA in Liberia. At least once during each twelve-month cycle for the duration of the contract the GHSA Senior Advisor will work with the Health Office Director or her/his designee to establish standards and performance measures upon which performance will be based. Once agreed upon, these work objectives and performance measures will be reviewed at least semi-annually and be revised as necessary to reflect changing circumstances. An evaluation of the incumbent will be completed annually and will serve as the basis for any personnel actions.

4. Supervisory Controls:

During the period of this contract, the U.S. or TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 100 hours of informal training, coaching and mentorship to one or more cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. This is not a direct supervisory role but will enable the transfer of specific skills and experience related to GHSA within the USAID Mission. The Supervisor of the GHSA Advisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure progress toward achieving this training/coaching deliverable.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

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

Applications will be pre-screened and only those that meet the Minimum Qualifications will be considered. These are the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position:

a) Education: Minimum of a Master’s degree or higher in public health, or other allied fields related to public health and/or animal health is required.

b) Work Experience: Minimum nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working in public health or a related field, with at least five years of experience in an international setting, supporting health, infectious diseases or development programs is required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

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

SELECTION PROCESS:

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, the most qualified candidates will be interviewed. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter. USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

1. EVALUATION FACTORS WHICH REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF A WRITTEN

RESPONSE (NOT TO EXCEED THREE PAGES)

Those applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as on the applicant’s writing, presentation, and communication skills. On a supplement document included with the application package, applicants should cite specific, illustrative examples to address each factor. The supplemental document should not exceed three (3) pages; any information beyond 3 pages will not be read. Applicants should describe specifically and accurately experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to the factor. Applicants should include their name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.

Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors will result in the applicant not receiving full credit for pertinent experience.

FACTOR #1: Analyze the current COVID response in Liberia, describing successes and making recommendations for improvement. Describe experience and expertise that you have that would allow you to contribute to the COVID response.

FACTOR #2: Describe experience and expertise that you have in Global Health Security Agenda programming in areas outside of COVID. How could this experience and expertise help Liberia?

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

2. BASIS OF RATING

Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on the scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant rating System is as follows:

Evaluation Factors 30 points Factor #1 15 points Factor #2 15 points

Interview Performance 70 points

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

● Perform the roles and responsibilities of the position as described above

● Work effectively in a team

● Quickly adjust to a challenging operational tempo

● Communicate effectively

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

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. SUBMITTING OFFER

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.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

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

4. A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, not to exceed 3 pages.

5. A minimum of three (3) professional references with telephone and e-mail contacts, http://www.usaid.gov/forms who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and email contacts. The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. At least one reference provided should be a current or former supervisor.

6. A supplemental document in Microsoft Word or PDF with a written response to the Evaluation Factors listed above not to exceed three (3) total pages for both Evaluation Factors.

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. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)

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

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES:

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

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(e) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(f) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

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

(i) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(j) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=134&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=134&menu_id=75 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(k) Education Travel (Section 280)

VII. TAXES

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

TCNPSCs are responsible for their own tax payments in accordance with home country and host country laws. No deductions for tax purposes will be made by USAID.

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 “GeneralProvisions,” available ttps://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

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

Item No (A)

Services (Description) (B)

Qty (C)

Unit (D)

Unit Price (E)

Amt (F)

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 negotiation s 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 negotiation s with Contractor https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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 negotiation s 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 negotiation s with Contractor

Total Estimated Cost [base + options]

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.

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.

See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

5. PSC Ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information:

https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

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

END OF SOLICITATION

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.