JA 72030623R00022 Senior Security Specialist (Safety and Security Advisor).pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR EXPEDITED PROCEDURES PACKAGE

TO: Eyole Luma, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Julie Lamadrid, Acting Office Director - Executive Office

DATE: September 27, 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. 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. The nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This is a request to approve an award of a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC) for the Senior Security Specialist (Safety and Security Advisor) position, follow-on specialized services award to XXXXX XXXXXX for $206,468.00. Under this action XXXXX XXXXXX will provide high level oversight and advice on safety, security, and operational support to all of

USAID/Afghanistan’s implementing partners (IPs) and their staff throughout the country

(Afghanistan) as well as oversight to ensure the maximum level of coordination, data capture, communication, and dissemination of information. These USPSC services will be performed abroad as the official location for this position is Astana, Kazakhstan.

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

XXXXX XXXXXX will serve as the Senior Security Specialist (Safety and Security Advisor) in the Executive Office for USAID/Afghanistan. The estimated value of this contract for the first year will be approximately $206,468.00. Safety and security remain serious operational concerns for Afghanistan. Travel to and from Afghanistan, and within and outside of Kabul and other cities remain limited in nature and insecure. As the Senior Security Specialist, XXXXX

XXXXXX acts as a liaison to and with IPs to facilitate communications between the IPs and international coordinating organizations in order to ensure IPs can better use and share publicly available security information in a way that supports all agencies to become better informed about their own security. Activities include maintaining coordination with pertinent in-country entities such as the United Nations, international NGOs, the host government, and other international donors for the purpose of sharing and aggregating security information among partners working in the same environment(s). Duties involve the management, supervision, or performance of work in developing, evaluating, maintaining, and/or operating systems, policies, devices, procedures, and methods used for safeguarding information, property, personnel, operations, and materials.

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 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.

XXXXX XXXXXX is fully qualified for this position, and he brings unique knowledge of the

USAID/Afghanistan portfolio from his ongoing support in the past. The Mission’s ability to obtain his services as a USPSC is critically important given the absence of an FSN workforce which normally provides institutional memory and the scheduled rotation of the USDH team members.

XXXXX XXXXXX has extensive experience spanning over 20 years in the security field, having served in several capacities including in Afghanistan. Most recently, he has been employed as Security Specialist in the Program Liaison Security Office (PLSO). This is a

Deputy Director position for the PLSO section. In this capacity he has on numerous occasions acted as the Office Director following the departure of the Office Director and he has already proven his capabilities to excel in this role. He has now gained the institutional knowledge required to lead this portfolio at this time when the mission has lost all its FSNs.

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

The solicitation for this requirement was not posted publicly. The solicitation was only shared with XXXXX XXXXXX, as the only source who would have the required institutional knowledge required to oversee this portfolio. 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 through re-solicitation would impair Front Office’s ability to meet the needs of having a contractor in place as soon as possible. A Personal Services Contract with the proposed candidate, XXXXX XXXXXX, 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$206,468.00 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 XXXXX

XXXXXX’s 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:

In the future, this position will be subject to full and open competition.

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).

Clear 9/27/2023

Julie Lamadrid Date

13. Resident Legal Office Clearance:

Clear 09/27/2023

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.

Eyole Luma, Contracting Officer Date