J_A_USPSC Senior Regional EID Advisor_Daniel Schar_REXO reviewed_FINAL_signed.pdf

TO: Ann Guardian, Executive Officer, USAID/RDMA

FROM: Marie Ahmed, Director, Office of Public Health

SUBJECT: JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION (J&A)

1. This document sets forth the facts and rationale justifying the use of other than full and open competition, in accordance with AIDAR 706.302.

This document was prepared by the Office of Public Health, USAID/RDMA, in support of the U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) renewal for the continuing services of Dr. Daniel Schar as an offshore Senior Regional Emerging Infectious Diseases Advisor.

2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This is a request to approve the renewal of a U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) award to an offshore Senior Regional Infectious Diseases Advisor, Dr. Daniel Schar in the Office of Public Health, USAID/RDMA, with the new total estimated cost of $959,393. The contract renewal is for 3 years on a full-term basis, from January 30, 2021 through January 30, 2024 with possibility of extension for another 2 years based on Agency need, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

3. Description of the supplies or services required, including an estimated value:

As a core member of the Office of Public Health (OPH), the Senior Regional Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Advisor will provide USAID/RDMA with senior technical leadership, strategic visioning and program management on global health security activities in Asia to ensure the successful implementation of the US Government’s programs. The incumbent will assist RDMA with developing and assessing technical and strategic program approaches for preventing, detecting, and containing outbreaks of infectious diseases with a particular focus on zoonoses and the human/animal health interface, such as COVID19. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect overall EID and animal health activities within the region. In addition, the incumbent will play a leadership role in coordinating and collaborating with other USG agencies in the region in program planning, management and implementation, and will lead regional efforts to secure commitments and promote overarching objectives of the Global Health Security Strategy. The total estimated value of this three-year contract with one two-year option is: $959,393.

The major role of the Senior Regional Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Advisor is to ensure the successful implementation of the GHS activities under RDMA in the region (specifically Laos, Thailand, and Regional). To this end, the incumbent will play an important role in the following areas: program design, management and implementation; strategic information; Embassy and host country relations, networking and liaising with partners, donors, multilateral institutions, Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment/Natural Resources, academia, foundations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and community leaders. The incumbent will be responsible for providing leadership, technical guidance, analysis, communications, and reporting on the performance of USAID-funded GHS activities, and identifying and resolving-in coordination with the AORs/CORs-any issues affecting overall program performance.

The Senior Regional Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Advisor will possess high level in-depth knowledge of infectious diseases, including EID and emerging zoonoses; be an innovative self-starter with technical, management and administrative skills; be decisive, original, creative, imaginative and an effective communicator to efficiently solve and handle complex and controversial problems or matters which have little or no precedent, and usually require immediate attention.

4. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

According to AIDAR 706.302-70(a), full and open competition need not be obtained when it would impair or otherwise have an adverse effect on programs conducted for the purposes of foreign aid, relief, and rehabilitation. Specifically, the authority contained in AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(1) is used for an award under section 636(a)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, involving a personal services contractor serving abroad.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor's qualifications or the nature of the acquisition that requires use of the authority cited:

There is a continuing need for this position and specifically for Dr. Daniel Schar’s services to manage the highly dynamic and evolving Global Health Security (GHS) program responsible for prevention, detection, and response to emerging infectious diseases of pandemic potential in the Asia region. This position oversees all COVID-19 health activities for Thailand and provides this highly specialized expertise to Washington and the region. As a central component of USAID’s leadership role in the USG interagency Global Health Security Agenda launched by the White House in 2014, this position embodies its commitment to a multi-sectoral approach with the aim to minimize the spillover of animal diseases to people. The Senior Regional Emerging Infectious Diseases Advisor provides technical guidance and strategic program management through one health strategies that unites animal health specialists, medical and public health professionals, and environmentalists to address infectious diseases that threaten health, security, and social and economic stability both at home and abroad. In addition, a continuation of this position has been endorsed by HCTM and Global Health (GH) Bureau. USAID’s GH Bureau routinely funds and supports specialized health technical advisors to serve at USAID/RDMA for multiple assignments that are not tied to USAID’s normal Foreign Service Officer assignment cycle.

Dr. Daniel Schar serves as the USAID/RDMA Senior Regional Emerging Infectious Diseases Advisor and Global Health Security (GHS) Team Lead, as well as the Mission’s seasoned emerging pandemic threats advisor. Dr. Schar’s contributions during his tenure with USAID/RDMA have been exemplary and his extensive institutional knowledge, longstanding relationships with government counterparts, donors, implementing partners, and regional institutions, and ability to bring together USG agencies in Thailand and across the region are truly unique. As a long-term USAID employee with previous successes managing outbreaks such as MERS, avian influenza, and Zika, he is well-positioned to prepare for and respond to public health threats in Asia. In particular, given the unprecedented scale of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mission would experience a significant loss of Dr. Schar’s specialized skills in recruiting for this position and with likely delays in hiring, the USG’s ability to effectively response to COVID-19 and implement measures to prevent other emerging disease threats would be severely hindered.

Dr. Schar has actively led and provided strategic guidance to a dynamic and evolving global health security development program during his nearly ten years at USAID/RDMA, from supporting USG and specifically USAID’s efforts in addressing pandemic H1N1 virus in 2009 to more recently the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since the onset of COVID-19, Dr. Schar has engaged closely and regularly with host government counterparts, implementing partners, USAID/Washington and other Missions, and relevant USG agencies to obtain the latest, most accurate data on the virus and communicate this to all stakeholders. USAID/RDMA management has relied heavily on the expertise of Dr. Schar in seeking his astute technical guidance for both programmatic and policy decisions at Mission and Washington levels to ensure health and safety of Embassy personnel and US citizens in host countries. In addition, Dr. Schar supported USAID/Washington's proposal development for $37 million towards COVID-19 response in Asia and Africa. As a result, the Royal Thai

Government has received nearly $3 million to address COVID-19 for critical interventions to mitigate further transmission.

As a veterinary epidemiologist with a depth of global public health expertise, Dr. Schar brings to RDMA, and by extension, the U.S. Embassy, highly specialized, expert subject matter knowledge, political and diplomatic tact, complex problem solving skills, and significant experience related to emerging pandemic threats in Asia.

He provides indispensable continuity and connection across this region's nations, a number of which serve as models for GHSA. His unique, highly technical skill set as a public health veterinarian is not available within USAID's direct hire employment pool, and the demands of GHSA on Washington staff preclude the possibility of backstopping. His efforts have received strong support from Embassy Bangkok, USAID/Washington, and the Nation Security Council. His contract extension will ensure program continuity during a period of renewed high-level commitment to global health security and emerging pandemic threats amidst the current unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable , including whether a notice was publicized as required by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.2 [AIDAR 705.2].

In accordance with AIDAR 706.302-70(c)(3), when authorities at 706.302-70(b)(1) are used, advance notice of proposed contract action is not required in accordance with AIDAR 705.202(b), which states that the head of USAID has determined that advance notice is not appropriate or reasonable for (1) contract actions described in 706.302-70(b)(1). Given current restrictions on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is fell that soliciting from international sources is not practicable now and for the foreseeable future.

7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

Appendix D of the AIDAR applies to all personal services contracts with U.S. citizens or U.S. resident aliens to provide assistance abroad under Section 636(a) (3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

This position was classified at a GS-15 level, and the salary step was based on the incumbent’s salary history.

The Contracting Officer’s certification documents his/her determination that the costs anticipated for the proposed contract action are fair and reasonable.

8. Description of the market research conducted , and the results or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted:

USAID/RDMA has determined that further market research would not result in any changes to the current market value of the position. Further, the EID position was publicized in 2015 under full and open competition and only one candidate applied (the incumbent). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and related health and travel restrictions, it is unlikely that there would be additional candidates were the position to be solicited internationally.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID/RDMA asserts that maintaining the requisite infectious disease expertise during this crisis is critical to ensure ongoing technical assistance to Thailand and the region, given the following:

• The senior locally employed staff (LES) on this team, who has been with the program since the beginning nearly 10 years ago, must retire by the end of this year. USAID/RDMA will be onboarding a new LES starting in May 2020, but this presents a significant transition for the GHS team of two staff.

• Based on market research and past experience, this position has had a very limited candidate pool.

USAID/RDMA believes the current uncertainty around movement due to COVID-19 would further contract that pool as people remain with the stability of their current positions. The COVID-19 situation could also be a deterrent to potential applicants, both in light of potential difficulties in travel to post, but also in potential concerns about health.

• Infectious disease specialists are in high demand right now, so for the few potential candidates that may be available to move, there are many more options available. For example, the United Nations is currently actively seeking these experts and the incumbent is considering these options in the absence of confirmation that he will receive COM approval to stay beyond his current 10 years at post if he were to be selected through the competitive process.

• If USAID/RDMA is unable to select and secure a candidate with an active secret security and medical clearance, USAID/RDMA could be facing a gap of potentially six months or longer for this position during this critical time of the COVID19 pandemic.

10. Sources, if any, that expressed an interest, in writing, in the acquisition:

None.

11. The actions the Agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

The Mission intends to compete future requirements through full and open competition.

12. Technical or requirement personnel certification:

In accordance with FAR 6.303-1(c), I hereby certify that the technical statements included above and which form a basis for the justification are complete and accurate.

Marie Ahmed, Director, Office of Public Health

13. Contracting Officer Certifications and Approval:

I hereby certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and approve this award under this J&A.

Ann Guardian Executive Officer