J and A Project Management Specialist (Agriculture).pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR EXPEDITED PROCEDURES PACKAGE

TO: Sean Hofmann, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Paul Bruning, Office Director, Office of Livelihoods

DATE: September 19, 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. The nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This is a request to approve a follow-on United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC) award to XXXXXX for a base period of one year with two option years1. Under this action XXXXXXXX will provide as COR/AOR, management duties of two activities that the Office of Livelihoods (OLH) team is implementing. Performance will commence o/a October 2024 when all onboarding processes are completed. The place of work for this position is continental United States (CONUS).

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

The incumbent works under supervision of the Office Director, Deputy Director, or designee.

The Project Management Specialist (PMS) provides support in designing, developing, managing, 1 For PSCs being hired with a U.S. duty station, all funding must be provided in FYs 2022, FY 2023 and 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 provides an exception for PSCs but only if they are funded in FY 2022, FY 2023 and FY 2024.

Consult with OFM and RLO on the availability of funding these PSCs in FYs 2025 and beyond.

and evaluating assigned agricultural development projects/activities. The incumbent is responsible for all facets of the relevant activity design and management process in his technical area. Duties require considerable knowledge of the use of improved agricultural inputs, varieties, production and productivity, quality standards, post-harvest handling and storage, output marketing (domestic and international), financing, and relevant government and trade association strategies as well as project management and general financial analysis, technical writing, and documentation. The incumbent assumes key responsibilities in project/activity design, management, and implementation of USAID/Afghanistan's agricultural development; rural livelihoods; climate resilience food security; and other agriculture and rural development projects.

The project management specialist serves as an Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for two OLH programs in the areas of agriculture, food security, climate resilience, rural livelihoods, and/or natural resource management. The incumbent will be required to support and coordinate with other technical specialists in the Mission to ensure optimal programming and management of agriculture development activities. As a secondary function, the incumbent will be expected to carry out various Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and reporting tasks. This position is thus responsible for planning, coordinating, evaluating, monitoring, and reporting on major agricultural development assistance projects and programs as needed. The start date is immediate.

Broad knowledge of agricultural development in Afghanistan is required. In addition, the incumbent is required to have knowledge and skills related to administrative and project management techniques, and awareness of and ability to maintain collaborative relationships with specialists of various disciplines.

A complete position description is attached. The total estimated cost of the contract is $162,663.00.

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

AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(3) and 40 U.S.C. §113; see Action Memorandum titled “Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for Afghanistan” approved on 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.

The acquisition is needed to hire a person that can fulfill the role of AOR/COR for the technical assistance activities the OLH team is implementing. As noted above, XXXXX is currently performing the responsibilities of AOR/COR and is ideally suited for this position given he previously served as AOR/COR for activities the OLH team is currently implementing.

XXXXXXX has worked for the OLH team initially under the DEXIS award and then as a USPSC for the last two (2) years. Because of his familiarity with the portfolio, his transition to this new acquisition will be smooth as he is up to date with all implementation issues related to the activities. In addition, his AOR/COR certification is currently active and so he will be able to continue to perform his duties during this time when food security and environmental risks are threatening the livelihoods of vulnerable Afghans. Finally, given the time constraints due to staffing shortages and for all of his qualifications and reasons cited above, XXXXXX is the ideal candidate for this acquisition and as such, justifies using sole source for this acquisition.

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

The initial award was made following a solicitation publicized to around one-hundred and fifty-one (151) former CCNPSCs.

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$162,663.00 for the one (1) year base period.

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, and the general costs of an offeror with XXXXXX 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.

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:

Subsequent acquisition of services after completion of all option years or substantive changes to the statement of duties under a reorganized USAID/Afghanistan Mission will be solicited from as many potential sources as practical.

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).

Technical Office Representative Date

13. Resident Legal Office Clearance:

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