Global Health Security (GHS) Lead Advisor_signed.pdf

USAID/Tanzania

686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani

P.O. BOX 9130

DAR ES SALAAM

Tel: 255-22-2294490

Fax: 255-22-2294421 www.usaid.gov/Tanzania

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062124R00010

ISSUANCE DATE: June 25, 2024 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 24, 2024, 5:00 pm

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) - Resident Hire - Global Health Security (GHS) Lead Advisor – Health Office

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

Sincerely, Contracting/Supervisory Executive Officer

72062124R00010

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO: 72062124R00010

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 25, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 24, 2024

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

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

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 104,604 -$ 135,987 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

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

Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two Years with three option years, estimated to start on October 14, 2024 to October 13, 2026.

The base period will be October 14, 2024 to October 13, 2026. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods for three years for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: October 14, 2024 to October 13, 2026

Option Period 1: October 14, 2026 to October 13, 2027

Option Period 2: October 14, 2027 to October 13, 2028

Option Period 3: October 14, 2028 to October 13, 2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Offerors must be Resident U.S. Citizens, including but not limited to, Eligible Family Members (EFMs). Please note that as this is a resident (local) hire USPSC position, offerors must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident/registered alien (green card holder) who are currently resident in Tanzania and have a valid work permit and exemption certificate; or demonstrate an ability to obtain these requisite documents at the time the contractual agreement is signed.

USAID/Tanzania will not be responsible for obtaining work permits and exemption certificates. In this case, USAID/Tanzania will provide all the necessary documentation to obtain the permits and certificates and there would not be any costs, but it is up to the local hire resident to obtain these mailto:htuwa@usaid.gov documents, including costs for traveling to Dodoma where the Work Permit is issued.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access Clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

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.

The GHS Lead Advisor will be responsible for overseeing a complex, multi-sectoral portfolio, providing leadership and technical support to the full range of GHSA investments in Tanzania, including preparedness, prevention, detection, and response for prioritized infectious diseases of public health concern.

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 provides a critical role for USAID to meet the expectations of the White House and Congress for rapid, effective, and coordinated implementation of GHSA. The Advisor will represent USAID in all relevant interagency meetings, and engage other international and multilateral donors within Tanzania to ensure USAID programming is fully aligned with Tanzania’s GHSA Roadmap and annual workplan, and that USAID investments contribute to the advancement of GHSA technical objectives and are responsive to the country context. The Advisor will work closely with other USG agencies in Tanzania, particularly CDC and DOD, thus presenting a "whole of government" approach to GHSA. The Advisor will work very closely with the Government of Tanzania including the Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry of Health,, Food Security and Cooperatives; Ministry of Wildlife and Environment, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and other government institutions and stakeholders responsible for “One Health” coordination. The Advisor will play a crucial role to help facilitate multi-sectoral coordination and meeting to ensure effective One Health strategies are implemented to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious diseases.

This position is necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of the GHSA to prevent the future emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases.

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:

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

ii. 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.

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

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

v. 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.

vi. 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:

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

ii. 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.

iii. Report on GHS and GHSA activities.

iv. 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.

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

ii. 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:

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

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

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

i. 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.

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

iii. 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.

iv. 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.

i. Lead development of USAID contributions to semi-annual GHSA Progress Report.

ii. Have strong knowledge of assessments and scoring related to Tanzania GHSA Joint External

Evaluation Report.

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

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

3. Supervisory Relationship: 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).

4. Supervisory Controls: None. S/he may, however, be required to act as a mentor or provide on-the-job training to U.S. interns and fellows assigned to Health Office. Also, s/he will be required to mentor Health Office and other Mission colleagues on infectious disease development practices.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Education: A degree in Medicine (MD), Veterinary Medicine DVM) or a master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or relevant technical field is required.

B. Prior Work Experience: Ten 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.

C. Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Professional 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.

D. Language Proficiency: Outstanding verbal and written English (Level IV) communication skills, analytical ability, and interpersonal relationships are required. Basic language skills in Swahili and knowledge of Tanzania culture and work environment are desirable.

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.

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

- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident/registered aliens (green card holder) who are currently residing in the Tanzania with work permit;

- 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:

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. c. Job knowledge, d.

Skills and Abilities).

Writing Test:

Applicants will be provided a topic and will write an essay that outlines their knowledge and experience.

Interview Performance:

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

• Professional 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.

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

• 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.

Reference Check: Pass/Fail

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 Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

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.

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:

For Medical clearance:

• DS-1843 Medical History and Examination - for individuals age 12 and older.

• DS-1622 Medical History and Examination - for children age 11 and younger.

• DS-3057 Medical Clearance Update (MCU).

Forms found at https://www.state.gov/forms-medical-clearances/ (USN)

For Security Clearance:

Forms outlined below can be found at: http:/www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov http://www.state.gov/forms-medical-clearances/ http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

• Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (AID 309-2)

• Contractor Physical Examination Form (AID Form 1420-62) *

• Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) * or

• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) *

• Fingerprint Cards (FD-258) * *The above listed forms for Medical and Security Clearances shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

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

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. 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:

https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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 negotiations with Contract or_

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/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/work- usaid/personal-service-contracts ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION June 2023 https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-27