Global Health Security (GHS) Advisor Solicitation.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062123R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: December 06, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: January 05, 2023

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Resident Hire -

Global Health Security (GHS) Lead 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.

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. Reasonable accommodations will be made available to offerors who are qualified individuals with a disability. USAID is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

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

Sincerely, Brian Murphy

Contracting and Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72062123R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062123R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 06, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 05, 2023

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Hussein Tuwa, email at htuwa@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Global Health Security (GHS) Lead Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $95,973 - $124,764 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two Years with three option years, estimated to start on

July 02, 2023 to July 01, 2025.

The base period will be July 02, 2023 to July 01, 2025. Based on Agency need, the

Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods for three years for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: July 02, 2023 to July 01, 2025

Option Period 1: July 02, 2025 to July 01, 2026

Option Period 2: July 02, 2026 to July 01, 2027

Option Period 3: July 02, 2027 to July 01, 2028

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

This position will be under the supervision of the USAID/Tanzania Foreign Service Health

Officer in the Health Systems Strengthening team. The Advisor will serve as a technical resource to the USAID mission in Tanzania, including the health, economic growth and environment teams, as well as the USG interagency team supporting GHSA. The Advisor will be responsible for working closely with Washington-based technical advisors, project management teams, the Nairobi-based east and central Africa regional coordinator, and the

GHSA headquarters team to ensure coordination across all GHSA investments and to ensure that program activities and objectives are aligned with the GHS priorities of the USG and the

Tanzanian government. The Advisor will also liaise with the Agreement Officer

Representatives (AORs) and Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) of applicable bilateral projects at USAID/Tanzania to ensure coordination of GHSA activities and mandated interagency reporting.

The GHS Lead Advisor will work in collaboration with the USAID/Washington GHS team and with regional colleagues to implement USAID activities, ensuring alignment with the government of Tanzania priorities. The Advisor will ensure effective U.S. Government (USG) interagency coordination and work closely with USAID colleagues and other USG partners, particularly CDC, and US Department of Defense (DOD) offices working in Tanzania at the national and sub national levels, which also provide support for GHS implementation. The US

State Department provides important support for in-country USG interagency collaboration.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

Working as part of the Embassy in Dar es Salaam GHS Team within the Health Office, the

USAID GHS Lead Advisor will complete the following duties and responsibilities:

A. Ensures implementation and coordination of USAID GHS activities with USAID’s existing GHS program and with other USG agencies on GHS-related activities.

Maintain strong partnerships between agencies as well as implementing partners of respective agencies and build strong partnerships with other development partners in

Tanzania:

● Represent USAID in the USG GHS Interagency Technical Working Group. Work collaboratively with the USG agencies while representing USAID priorities.

● Maintain frequent, regular, and ad hoc meetings with USG partners including CDC, DTRA and other Embassy agencies to discuss activities and maintain coordination and to keep each other informed on changes to GHS activities.

● Work collaboratively with USG agencies to develop detailed annual GHS work plans to ensure coordination of USG GHS supported activities and to avoid duplication.

● Provide technical expertise to USAID and USG leadership for GHS technical areas of work.

● During disease outbreaks in which the government requests support from USAID and other partners, ensure that USAID’s efforts are coordinated to support the national government.

● Set up/encourage the establishment of Partner/Donor coordination and collaboration mechanisms to advance GHS in Tanzania. Such partners include

USAID partners, other donors, the government of Tanzania, private sector, international and local NGOs, multilateral organizations, etc.

B. Liaison between the Mission in Tanzania and USAID Washington:

● Report on activities in Tanzania to USAID Global Health Security Washington-based and regional team members.

● Assist the Agreement Officer’s Representatives and Contracting Officer’s

Representatives (A/CORs) by monitoring and guiding implementing partner activities to ensure consistency with project objectives and to ensure that activities contribute to advancing Tanzania targets including GHSA and JEE metrics.

● Report on GHS and GHSA activities.

● Work with USAID’s GHS Team to identify new opportunities and activities to contribute to Tanzania GHS efforts. This includes activity design, assessments and scoping of new opportunities.

C. Serve as A/COR and/or Activity Manager for GHS Activities implemented in the country:

● For bilateral mechanisms, serve as either A/COR or Activity Manager, ensuring effective coordination and implementation.

● For HQ-based mechanisms, serve as an activity manager, working closely with the

A/COR to ensure effective implementation of GHS activities in the country.

D. Serve as USAID’s representative on technical working groups with Tanzania counterparts related to GHS activities. Build and maintain strong relationships with multiple government of Tanzania Ministries and Agencies:

● S/he will represent USAID on donor/government coordination groups related to emerging infectious diseases and other GHS activities

● Develop relationships with animal and public health ministries and USAID regional bureaus.

E. Provide coordination across all USAID GHS activities in Tanzania:

● Establish and maintain coordination networks among USAID implementing partners in Tanzania whose activities are related to GHS. Facilitate opportunities for

USAID implementing partners to collaborate and leverage each other’s activities.

Communicate and promote to IPs USAID’s expectations for IPs to function as a cohesive program working together to advance GHS targets in Tanzania, in consultation with relevant A/COR.

● Use the coordination network to facilitate the GHS implementing partners in successful completion of work plan activities and to maximize USG investments.

● Engage with implementing partners and multi-sectoral Tanzania and other stakeholders to promote the skills, capacities and environment in Tanzania across the ministries to investigate diverse and complex conditions that resemble pathologic patterns that will or could affect public health.

● Provide technical guidance to USAID IPs to promote and leverage existing USAID activities and the contributions of other stakeholders in Tanzania to achieve JEE targets with an emphasis on USAID priority Action Packages and interventions at the human animal-environment.

F. Coordinate multiple reporting requirements that require input and clearance from diverse stakeholders:

● Lead development of USAID contributions to semi-annual GHSA Progress

Report.

● Have strong knowledge of assessments and scoring related to Tanzania GHSA

Joint External Evaluation Report.

● Provide bi-weekly updates to Embassy Dar es Salaam inter-agency GHS Team.

● Develop weekly updates for USAID/Tanzania Front Office on GHS progress, events and upcoming visitors.

3. Supervisory Relationship: None

4. Supervisory Controls: Directly supervised by the Foreign Service Health Officer, under the overall guidance and direction of the Health Officer Director. To the extent possible, s/he is given wide latitude in planning and executing work assignments. Work is reviewed primarily in terms of performance against planned objectives described in annual performance evaluation reports (PERs).

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

● A medical or veterinary degree (MD or DVM) or a master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public

Health, or relevant technical field is required.

● A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in One Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bi-lateral or multilateral donor in development programming is required. Developing country work experience is highly desirable.

● Professional knowledge of a broad range of infectious disease, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, and development issues; knowledge of sub-Saharan Africa, preferably East Africa cultural/work environment. In-depth knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and practices of development project management including planning, budgeting and monitoring is required, preferably in the infectious disease field from either a public health or animal health approach. Knowledge of how to work with stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors is desirable. Knowledge of the Tanzanian public health system and/or animal health system is desirable. General knowledge of USG rules and regulations is also desirable.

● Level IV English ability (fluent) is required. Proven experience with writing and communications that demonstrates skills.

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

To meet the basic eligibility requirements for this position the offeror must:

- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the USA;

- Submit a complete application (Offer) as outlined in the section IV;

- Be eligible to attain a security certificate for Facility Access;

- Be cleared medically to work in Tanzania.

After the closing date for receipt of applications, those that meet the minimum qualification requirements (Education and Experience) will be referred to a Technical Evaluation

Committee (TEC). Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered.

The TEC will review and score the applications to create a list of applicants to be interviewed. Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on information presented in the application, interview, and obtained through reference checks. An applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about past performance and abilities.

BASIS OF RATING

Applicants are rated as outlined below. Reference checks will be conducted and are rated as pass or fail.

Application Review 15 points

The application will be scored based on information provided outlining the quality of experience supporting the statement of duties as outlined in this solicitation (See Section II.

d. Job knowledge, e. Skills and Abilities).

Writing Test 25 points

Applicants will be provided a topic and will write an essay that outlines their knowledge and experience. Essay will be scored based on content (15 points) and proficient use of the

English language (10 points).

Interview Performance 60 points

Interview questions will be intended to explore the candidate’s:

● Knowledge of a broad range of infectious disease, one health, antimicrobial resistance, and development issues; knowledge of the sub-Saharan Africa, preferably East Africa cultural/work environment.

● In-depth knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and practices of development project management including planning, budgeting and monitoring is required, preferably in the infectious disease field from either a public health or animal health approach.

● Knowledge of how to work with stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors is desirable.

● Knowledge of the Tanzanian public health system and/or animal health system is desirable.

● General knowledge of USG rules and regulations is also desirable.

Total Possible Points: 100 points

Reference Check Pass/Fail

A “Fail” Reference Check would result from any information regarding confirmed illegal or unethical activities or from a preponderance of negative feedback from numerous references;

e.g., not a single critical comment.

IV. SUBMITTING AN 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 number of this Solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position in this Solicitation.

Interested applicants must submit the following: (1) a current Form AID 309-2, Offeror

Information for Personal Services Contract; (2) a current resume or curriculum vitae; (3) a cover letter, not to exceed three pages, addressing how the applicant meets the Required

Qualifications {(a) education; (b) prior work experience; (c) knowledge, (d) skills and abilities}; and (4) any other documents (certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned, etc.)

that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above, and a list of three

(3) to five (5) references with complete contact information, including email address and telephone numbers.

Submittals should be sent to USAID/Tanzania PSC Applications mailbox, at daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov.

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

Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID- 19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.*

* See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.

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. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov

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

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

4. Finger Print 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

VII. TAXES

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

Note: As a US Citizen or a US resident (Green Card Holder), the Contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contributions.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

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

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a

U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

2. Executive Order 14042 on Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Awards (OCT 2021)

PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-

19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.

Insert the following clause in all solicitations and contracts for personal services with individuals performing in the United States or its outlying areas. COs may incorporate this requirement into new solicitations and resulting contracts for personal services with individuals performing outside of the United States or outlying areas (United States https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

National (US), Cooperating Country National (CCN), and Third Country National (TCN), depending on local conditions.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR

FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-

FAR-

22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

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

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

and

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

Wake Atoll.

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

Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal

Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

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

(End of clause)

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

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

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

Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying

Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/

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

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION) (B)

QUANTI

TY

(C)

UNI

T

(D)

UNIT

PRIC

E (E)

AMOU

NT

(F)

1130008 Base Period -

Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct

Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code:

R497

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD

at

Award after negotiati ons with

Contract or_

1130008 Option Period 1 –

Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct

Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code:

R497

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD

at

Award after negotiati ons with

Contract or_

1130008 Option Period 2 –

Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct

Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code:

R497

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD

at

Award after negotiati ons with

Contract or_

1130008 Option Period 3 –

Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct

Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code:

R497

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD

at

Award after negotiati ons with

Contract or_ https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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

5. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for

Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

6. PSC Ombudsman

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

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