JA Project Management Specialist Health 72030622R00015.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR EXPEDITED PROCEDURES

PACKAGE

TO: Julie Lamadrid, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Siana Tackett, Health Officer– Office of Social Services

DATE: July 7, 2022

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. 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.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that you approve this justification for use of other than full and open competition pursuant to the Action Memorandum EPP for Afghanistan, approved on

December 9, 2021. 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), representing the newly merged Office of Health and

Nutrition and the Office of Education, is currently operating remotely from the U.S. and

Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Health Team of OSS was formerly composed of a staff of fourteen, twelve of whom were Foreign Service Nationals, the OSS Health staff has been reduced to two foreign service officers, one USPSC and three, short-term institutional contractors. The

OSS requests that the Contracting Office approve use of the EPP to hire XXXX XXXXX under a US Personal Service Contract 1to fill the position of Project Management Specialist

1 For PSCs being hired with a U.S. duty station, all funding must be provided in FYs 2022 and FY

2023, 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 provides

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(Health) for a base period of one year with two additional option years. Performance will commence on or about September 2022, following the completion of onboarding processes.

The place of work for this position is continental United States (CONUS). This is a remote work position to be carried out from continental United States (CONUS).

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

XXXX XXXXX will serve as a Project Management Specialist (Health) for

USAID/Afghanistan. The estimated value of this one-year base period USPSC contract is approximately $173,917.00. As the base period will likely be to provide virtual support, 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

$173,917.00

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.

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

XXXX XXXXX is well qualified for the position of Project Management Specialist and meets all the requirements of the position. Her academic background exceeds the required qualifications with a medical degree and a master’s degree in health policy. In addition, she is a PhD candidate in global health with a focus on quality of reproductive and maternal health services in low and middle – income countries.

With more than 10 years of public health experience, XXXXX’s qualifications include relevant work experiences with the World Banks’ Global Financing Facility, Jhpiego

Corporation and UNICEF. She formerly served as Project Management Specialist with the

US mission in Kabul making her knowledgeable about USAID health programming in

Afghanistan as well as the overall context of the Afghan health sector. XXXXX is an expert on maternal, neonatal and child health contributing at a global level demonstrated through her most recent engagement leading the USAID Global Health Bureau’s development of a maternal and newborn health strategy for fragile settings and co-leading the development of a

Maternal Mental Health (MMH) strategy. While with USAID/Afghanistan, XXXXX was integral in overseeing USAID’s efforts in primary health care, maternal, newborn and child health, family planning/reproductive health, nutrition and health systems strengthening for public and private sectors. She provided technical support for USAID’s two large bilateral health programs and successfully engaged with donors, UN agencies, private, civil society, an exception for PSCs but only if they are funded in FY 2022 and FY 2023. Consult with OFM and RLO on the availability of authority for funding these PSCs in FYs 2024 and beyond.

-3-and professional associations. After receiving her work permit in the United States, XXXXX continued to contribute to USAID/Afghanistan to further develop a quality-of-care initiative in maternal and reproductive health with close engagement with the technical leadership across relevant donors, particularly the World Bank, and implementing partners in

Afghanistan, demonstrating her ability to work effectively and diplomatically with the broader donor community, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

XXXXX’s educational background and years of technical experience combined with her demonstrated dedication to improving the health care of the Afghan people, her tenacity and her creative problem solving approach make her an excellent candidate for the Program

Management Specialist position.

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

The position was solicited to 154 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. A Personal Services Contract with the proposed candidate, XXXX

XXXXX, would meet this urgent requirement to have the service in a timely manner.

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$173,917.00 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, and the general costs of an offeror with

XXXXX’s background, coupled with her 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, three other candidates expressed interest in the acquisition. XXXXX was selected as the best available and eligible candidate.

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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. To that end, the Mission may undertake targeted outreach (i.e. headhunter) to complement general issuance of the solicitation given the dearth of candidates with the required skills and experiences for the position.

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).

Siana Tackett July 8, 2022

Technical Officer Date

13. Resident Legal Office

Clear 07/08/2022

John Power, Senior Legal Advisor 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.

Julie Lamadrid Date: