J A - Senior Gender Advisor.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR EXPEDITED PROCEDURES PACKAGE

TO: Julie Lamadrid, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Lola Hermosillo, Office Director - Program and Policy Development

DATE: December 26, 2023

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:

The Office of Program and Policy Development (OPPD) requests that the Contracting Officer approve the use of the EPP to award the Senior Gender Advisor position to XXX XXXX for a base period of one year with two option years1. Under this action XXX XXXX will provide strategic and technical leadership to the Mission on gender issues and advance inclusive development programming, with a focus on women and girls. Specifically, as a cross-cutting role, XXX XXXX will be responsible for ensuring gender equality, social inclusion, and women’s empowerment concepts are integrated throughout the Mission’s activities. As part of the Mission’s glide path to reducing staff personnel, the Mission has determined that gender as a cross-cutting issue will be moved from the Office of Democracy, Governance and Rights to

OPPD to better serve gender mainstreaming efforts across technical offices. Performance will commence o/a February 2024 when all onboarding processes are completed. The place of work for this position is continental United States (CONUS), remotely, as long as approval continues.

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 (P.L. 117-43) Section 2401 provides an exception for PSCs but only if they are funded in FY 2022 and FY 2023, and FY 2024 CR (P.L. 118-22) extends that authority up to February 2, 2024. Consult with OFM and RLO on the availability of funding these PSCs in FYs 2024 and beyond.

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

Under this action, as the Senior Gender Advisor, XXX XXXX will

● Provide strategic and technical leadership on gender issues; serving as the principal expert on gender issues and providing technical leadership in the area of gender equality, women’s empowerment, positive masculinities, gender-based violence, social inclusion and other topics, and oversee efforts to ensure that these issues are effectively integrated

(mainstreamed) across the entire USAID/Afghanistan portfolio.

● Oversees gender integration into activity and program design, implementation and evaluation in compliance with ADS 205 and collaborates with staff on the design and execution of gender analyses of proposed strategies, activities and programs, ensuring the results are appropriately integrated.

● Provide coordination across technical offices and external actors, and represent and/or lead external engagement.

● Lead and/or contributes to communication and reporting efforts, both internal and external.

A complete position description is attached. The estimated value of the contract is $215,000.00.

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 December 8, 2021.

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

XXX XXXX has substantial knowledge of USAID policies and practices, in general and specific to gender. S/he worked directly for Mission Afghanistan for four years as a Project Management

Specialist, overseeing the implementation of several democracy and governance activities, ensuring that gender was mainstreamed. In a couple of activities, women’s empowerment was a key component that XXX XXXX oversaw. In addition to working directly with USAID, XXX

XXXX is acquainted with working across donors, as well as across various Afghan ministries.

This experience, combined with her strong communication skills and understanding of the importance of M&E across programming, makes her an ideal candidate to execute the duties of the Senior Gender Advisor. XXX XXXX has an MBA and masters degree in economics. This, combined with her work experience working across Afghanistan, make her perfectly suited to lead gender efforts for Mission Afghanistan.

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

The solicitation for a Senior Gender Advisor (#72030624R00005) was issued on December 1, 2023 and closed on December 8, 2023. The solicitation was publicized to all one hundred and seventy-four (174) former FSNs for expressions of interest in providing these services. Four (4) expressions of interest were received. Due to the critical need of OPPD providing gender support across the technical offices, responding to external actors (including Congressional and SIGAR inquiries), and representing USAID at external events, the EPP affords the Mission the authority to use an expedited recruitment process.

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$215,000.00 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 XXX

XXXX’s background coupled with their salary history are deemed fair. The skills available in the US labor market are well known through USAID's ongoing recruitment and screening processes. Also, due to critical staffing shortages by the Mission, the EPP affords the Mission the authority to move expeditiously.

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.

There were a total of four (4) sources that expressed an interest in writing.

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:

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).

December 27, 2023

Office Director OPPD Date https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v8b07-h9XADwboLNOgw8AIQZkoSGZ9UY/view?usp=drive_link

13. Resident Legal Office Clearance:

January 16, 2024

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, Contracting Officer Date