JnA EPP Donor Coordination Specialist.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

TO: Julie Lamadrid, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Patrick Goodwin, Director - Office of Program and Project

Development

DATE: March 16, 2022

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

Expedited Procedures Package (EPP) for Afghanistan

We request approval of this justification for use of other than full and open competition pursuant to the authorities under the EPP “Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for Afghanistan” (the “Expedited Procedures Package”), 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.

a) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

As a result of the evacuation of the US Embassy in Kabul and the termination of contracts of all Foreign Service National Staff who were evacuated, the Office of

Program and Project (OPPD) requests that the Contracting Officer approve the use of the EPP to hire Mr. XXXX XXXXXX under a Personal Services Contract for the

Donor Coordination Specialist position for a base period of one year with two additional option years1. Performance will commence o/a April 2022 when all onboarding processes are completed. 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).

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

Mr. XXXX XXXXXX will serve as the Donor Coordination Specialist in OPPD for

USAID/Afghanistan. The estimated value of this 1-year base period USPSC contract

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 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.

-2-is approximately $131,408.00. The base period 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 providing virtual support during the base period, and the current USAID/Afghanistan duty station being Washington DC. The Statement of Duties (SOD) for this position outlining the required services have been included in this package as an attachment.

c) 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.

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

Mr. XXXX XXXXXX, a former FSN of USAID/Afghanistan, is fully qualified for this position, and he brings unique knowledge of the USAID/Afghanistan portfolio from his ongoing support to OPPD in the Kabul Mission as a proven Donor

Coordination Specialist and over seven years of experience in international economic development. 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.

Mr. XXXX XXXXXX has previously served as the Mission Donor Coordination

Specialist and has over seven years of experience in international economic development. Supervised or personally accomplished teaching, aid effectiveness, development coordination, planning, capacity building, management, finance, human resources development, results reporting, evaluation, and public relations areas.

Organized, highly motivated, and detail-oriented problem solver. Proven ability to work in teams with staff, volunteers, and top management. Contributed to the development of organizations and delivered quality services. Fluency in English, Persian/Dari/Farsi, conversational Pashto and Urdu.

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

The solicitation was shared with 151 potential sources and Mr. XXXX XXXXXX is the most qualified and prepared applicant. 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 OPPD’s ability to meet the needs of having a contractor in place as soon as possible. A Personal Services Contract with the proposed candidate, Mr. XXXX XXXXXX, would meet this urgent requirement to have the service in a timely manner.

f) A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

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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$131,408.00 for the one (1) year base period.

g) 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

Mr. XXXX 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.

h) A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

There were a total of seven sources that expressed an interest in writing.

i) A statement of the actions, if any, USAID may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition of the supplies or services required.

There are currently no plans to continue this position beyond the life of this USPSC under a reorganized USAID/Afghanistan Mission.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that you approve this justification for use of other than full and open competition pursuant to the Action Memorandum “Expedited Acquisition and Assistance

Procedures 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.

CERTIFICATION:

The requirement for technical certification at FAR 6.303-1(c) is fulfilled through:

a. The signature of the Technical Officer below certifying the specific supporting data for this J&A; and

b. The EPP entitled “Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for Afghanistan” approved December 9,2021 (attached).

Technical Officer:

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I hereby certify that the supporting data which form a basis for the justification are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Officer Date

APPROVAL:

Contracting Officer Date:

CLEARANCE:

RLO Date: