JnA for Project Management Specialist (EG).pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR EXPEDITED PROCEDURES PACKAGE

TO: Julie Lamadrid, Contracting Officer

CC: Deborah Broderick, Agency Competition Advocate

FROM: Joseph Lessard, Office Director, Office of Livelihoods (OOL)

DATE: April 26, 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. The nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This is a request to approve the use of the EPP to hire Mr. XXXXX XXXXXX as a Project

Management Specialist (PMS) under a Personal Services Contract for a base period of one year with two additional option years1. Under this position Mr. XXXXXX will provide, as

COR/AOR, management duties of three activities that the Office of Livelihoods (OOL) team is implementing. The three activities are: a $105 million contract for job creation and support for

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.

micro and small and women-owned enterprises, a $19 million cooperative agreement to support livelihoods across urban and peri-urban areas, and a $10 million cooperative agreement for job creation in carpet and jewelry sectors, these sectors employ mostly women. Mr. XXXXXX has previously performed these duties when he worked for the EG team at the USAID/Afghanistan mission in Kabul, which makes him the ideal candidate for this position. The position will also be responsible for supporting the OOL team budget and program management functions, these are duties Mr. XXXXXX has also previously performed for the EG team in Kabul. This is a remote work position to be carried out from continental United States (CONUS).

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

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

Management Specialist (PMS) provides support in designing, developing, managing, and evaluating assigned economic development projects/activities. The incumbent is responsible for all facets of the relevant activity design and management process in his/her technical area. Duties require considerable knowledge of business environments, 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 private sector development; trade and technology; and other economic development projects.

As the PMS, the incumbent will serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for one or more OOL programs in the areas of economic and/or private sector development. The incumbent will be required to support and coordinate with other technical specialists in the Mission to ensure optimal programming and management of economic development activities. As a secondary function, the incumbent serves as a point of contact for OOL Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tasks. This position is thus responsible for planning, coordinating, evaluating, monitoring, and reporting on major economic development assistance projects and programs as needed. The position is 100% remote. The start date is immediate.

Broad knowledge of economic 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 $151,270.

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.

This acquisition is needed given the upcoming OOL team staff changeover and given the previous loss of all FSN staff due to the evacuation. The OOL team will lose its current COR/AOR in June.

The acquisition is needed to hire a person that can fulfill the role of COR/AOR for the technical assistance activities the OOL team is implementing. As noted above, Mr. XXXXXX is ideally suited for this position given he previously served as COR/AOR for the same activities the OOL team is currently implementing. Mr. XXXXXX has just started working again for the OOL team under the DEXIS award and so his transition to this new acquisition will be smooth as he will be familiar and up to date with all implementation issues related to the activities. In addition, his

COR/AOR status is currently active and so he will be able to assume these duties from day one.

Finally, given the time constraints due to staffing shortages and the need to have this acquisition in place by June, and for all of his qualifications and reasons cited above, Mr. 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.

A full and open competition solicitation would impair the OOL’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 EXO issued a solicitation for this acquisition on April 7, 2022, to 154 former

FSNs evacuated from USAID/Afghanistan.

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$151,270 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.

A market research was not conducted given the unique nature of this acquisition and given time constraints.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition.

No other facts.

10. Sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

EXO received a total of eleven responses expressing interest in its solicitation, and Mr. xxxxxx was selected as the top candidate.

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:

The Agency intends to compete future requirements through full and open competition and potentially set aside for small businesses.

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 complete and accurate in accordance with EPP titled

Expedited Acquisition and Assistance Procedures for Afghanistan approved December 9, 2021

(attached).

Technical Officer Date

13. General Council Clearance:

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.

Contracting Officer Date