J and A Education Team Lead.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR EXPEDITED PROCEDURES

PACKAGE

TO: Sean Hofmann, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Debbie Gueye, Director – Office of Social Services

DATE: September 3, 2024

SUBJECT: Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition Under the

Expedited Procedures Package (EPP) for Afghanistan

1. This document sets forth the facts and rationale justifying the use of other than full and open competition.

Approval is requested for the justification for use of other than full and open competition pursuant to the authorities under the Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures (EPP) for Afghanistan, approved on December 9, 2021 and extended on October 7, 2023 through December 8, 2025. Your approval of this J&A constitutes the justification for other than full and open competition as required by Tab 1 (D&F for the Authorization of Less than Full and Open Competitive Procedures in the Modification or Award of Contracts) of the EPP.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

The Office of Social Services (OSS) manages the education, health, and water and sanitation (WASH) programs for USAID/Afghanistan. The OSS is currently operating remotely from the U.S. and Astana, Kazakhstan. The Education Team of OSS was formerly composed of a staff of twelve, eight of whom were Foreign Service Nationals (FSN). The OSS Education staff has been reduced to one foreign service officer (currently filled by a Foreign Service Officer), one USPSC, one FSN out of USAID/Pakistan, and four, short-term institutional contractors. The OSS requests that the Contracting Office approve use of the EPP to hire XXXXXXXX under a US Personal Service Contracts to fill the position of Education Team Lead for a base period of one year with two additional option years1. Performance will commence on or about September 22, 2024, following the completion of onboarding processes. This is a remote work position and the place of work for this position is continental United States (CONUS).

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet USAID’s needs (including the

1 For PSCs being hired with a U.S. duty station, all funding must be provided in FYs 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024, including funding for option years, unless authority is identified for funding after those FYs. Under FAA 636(a)(3), PSCs are hired to perform services abroad. FY 2022 CR Section 2401 and subsequent reauthorizations of Section 2401 authority provide an exception for PSCs but only if they are funded in FY 2022, FY2023 and FY 2024. Consult with OFM and RLO on the availability of authority for funding these PSCs in FYs 2025 and beyond.

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XXXXXXXXX will serve as an Education Team Lead for USAID/Afghanistan. The estimated value of this one-year base period USPSC contract is approximately $177,768.00.

As the base period will be full-time remote from the CONUS, it is significantly lower as all allowances such as post differential, danger pay, and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) have been removed as the candidate would not be eligible while working remotely. The Statement of Duties (SOD) for this position outlining the required services have been included in this package as an attachment.

A complete position description is attached. The estimated value of the contract is $177,768.00.

4. Identification of statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(3) and 40 U.S.C. §113; See Action Memorandum entitled “Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for Afghanistan” approved December 9, 2021. On October 7, 2023, the EPP was extended through December 8, 2025.

5. A discussion of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition that requires use of the authority cited.

XXXXXXX is well qualified for the position of Education Team Lead and meets all the requirements of the position. His academic background meets the required qualifications with a bachelor’s degree in law and political science, and two years of additional coursework in distance education, with a focus on child development, educational research, and teacher training.

With more than 20 years of experience designing, managing and monitoring education programs, XXXXXX qualifications include relevant work experiences with the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Norwegian Afghanistan Committee, CARE International, Oxfam International, and USAID. During his nine-year service with USAID/Afghanistan, he served as an Agreement Officer Representative and Activity Manager on a range of education awards, making him knowledgeable about USAID education programming in Afghanistan as well as the overall context of the Afghan education sector. During his time at USAID and in prior roles, XXXXX worked as technical advisor on community mobilization in education, teacher training, school management, and education project evaluations. He possesses strong skills in USAID programming, project design and procurement, financial management, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

In addition to his work with USAID, XXXXXX has served as a Program Manager and Senior Technical Advisor for various partners implementing education projects in Afghanistan. In his various roles, he has represented organizations in external meetings, trained NGO partners, assessed project implementation, and advised project leadership, including Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party. Since his arrival in the United States, XXXXX has remained engaged in USAID/Afghanistan’s education programming initially serving as a project management specialist for Dexis Consulting Group and then in the same position as a PSC since May 2023. In this role he serves as Activity Manager for USAID’s SEA II https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NzBFBqDouq3tOLoI9dcC0tib1f7xDVlD/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPZetAA-hvdG5tiAsDhK4dDQLbzJhgmF/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPZetAA-hvdG5tiAsDhK4dDQLbzJhgmF/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_ss5k7kuRWWzAbIOqMqWrCwT9gpGC6lj/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_ss5k7kuRWWzAbIOqMqWrCwT9gpGC6lj/view?usp=drive_link

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Activity, reviews and provides feedback on partner reports, leads the design of a new education activity, and participates in sector-wide coordination groups.

XXXXXX educational background and years of technical experience, combined with his demonstrated commitment to supporting the education needs of Afghan children and youth make him an ideal candidate for the position of Education Team Lead.

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable.

The solicitation for the position was issued on July 12, 2024 and closed on July 26, 2024. The position was solicited to all one-hundred and seventy-four (174) former FSNs for expressions of interest in providing the services highlighted in the solicitation. A full and open competition solicitation would impair the OSS’s ability to meet the demanding needs within the office at this time. The Mission’s immediate need is a compelling urgency and any postponement in award will cause unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements.

The full and open competition contracting process would impair OSS’ ability to meet the needs of having a contractor in place as soon as possible. Nine (9) expressions of interest were received. XXXXX was the best qualified of these candidates.

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

The anticipated cost was calculated based on the classification grade and step range, including allowances. It is consistent with USAIDs Position Level and Market Value Determination and therefore is determined to be fair and reasonable. For this award the anticipated TEC amount is USD$177,768.00 for the base period of 1 year.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason(s) market research was not conducted.

No formal market research was conducted, as the general costs of an offeror with XXXXX background, coupled with his salary history are deemed fair. The skills available in the US labor market are well known through USAID's ongoing recruitment and screening processes

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

None.

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

Upon issuance of the solicitation to the entire network of Afghans who previously served as Foreign Service Nationals at the time of the evacuation, nine total candidates expressed interest in the acquisition. XXXXXX was selected as one of the best available and eligible candidates.

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:

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Any future needs or announcements for this position will go through a full and open competitive process.

12. Technical or Requirements Personnel Certification:

In accordance with FAR 6.303, I hereby certify that the technical statements included above which form a basis for the justification are complement and accurate in accordance with EPP titled Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for Afghanistan approved December 9, 2021 (attached).

13. Resident Legal Office

Resident Legal Officer Date

14. Contracting Officer Certification

In accordance with FAR 6.303, I hereby certify that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sean Hofmann, Contracting Officer Date