RFQ_MCC-16-RFQ-0071_Amendment_1.docx

MCC-16-RFQ-0071

Senior Advisor (PSC)

Date Posted February 22, 2016

Announcement Number MCC-16-RFQ-0071

One year (1,252 hours per year), renewable for up to four years at the sole discretion of the government

Closing date for questions February 25, 2016 no later than 10:00am EDT

Application deadline March 3, 2016 no later than 10:00am EDT

Who may be considered U.S. citizens or legal, permanent residents with five years of residency history

Duty location Washington, D.C., US. MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required), and at the PSC’s home of record.

Note: more than one position may be filled under this announcement

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a United States government-owned corporation created in 2004, whose mission is to provide grant assistance to support economic growth and poverty reduction in select developing countries with a demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic (Compact) with MCC that includes a plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objects. Our model is defined by core principles, of selectivity, country ownership, transparency, and a focus on results.

Our values identity who we are and what is important to us. Our Values are CLEAR: Embrace Collaboration, Always Learn, Practice Excellence, Be Accountable and Respect individuals and ideas. MCC’s values define how we behave on a daily basis, both as individuals and as an institution, in pursuit of our mission. They guide how we make decisions, set priorities, address challenges, manage tradeoffs, recruit and develop staff, and work together with our country partners and stakeholders.

This position is located in the Department of Compact Operations. DCO divides the management of the MCC compact portfolio into three regional divisions (Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America; East & Southern Africa; and West Africa) and one technical services division. DCO oversees the MCC staff residing in MCC missions in compact countries. Washington-based DCO specialists travel to compact countries to offer technical support.

MCC is authorized to contract with an individual as a personal services contractor (PSC) under the authority of section 614(a) (8) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (MCA).

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Department of Compact Operations, Sector Operations, Human and Community Development (HCD) Practice Group is seeking an intermittent Personal Services Contractor (PSC) to serve as a Senior Advisor for Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a member of the HCD Practice Group to strengthen MCC’s approaches, strategies, tools and practices related to Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) and related interventions in MCC Compact or Threshold eligible countries. The PSC will facilitate the design and/or the implementation of WASH and related interventions in MCC countries through implementing partners or contracted firms. Interventions will be implemented in urban, peri-urban and rural settings and across a considerable variety of climatic, ecological and socio-economic conditions.

A personal services contract is different from non-personal services Government contract, which establishes an independent contract relationship. Under a non-personal services contract, the contractor or employees of the contractor are subject to the technical direction but not the supervision of the MCC. As defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.104, a personal services contract is characterized by the employer-employee relationship it creates between the Government and the contractor personnel. Thus, the PSC is subject to the relatively continuous technical direction, supervision, and control of the MCC. PSCs may be assigned inherently governmental duties (see FAR 7.502). By law and by the contract’s terms, the PSC is subject to most of the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the direct hire employee such as MCC regulations, conflict of interest, under some circumstances MCC authorized employment security clearances, and financial disclosure. However, under the MCC personal services contract authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The following elements apply to this contract:

(1) Performance on Washington, D.C., US, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required), and/or at the PSC’s home of record.

(2) Principal tools and equipment furnished by the Government.

(3) Services are applied directly to the integral effort of agencies or an organizational subpart in furtherance of assigned function or mission.

(4) Comparable services, meeting comparable needs, are performed in the same or similar agencies using civil service personnel.

(5) The need for the type of service provided can reasonably be expected to last beyond 1 year.

(6) The inherent nature of the service, or the manner in which it is provided, reasonably requires directly or indirectly, Government direction or supervision of contractor employees in order to—

(i) Adequately protect the Government’s interest;

(ii) Retain control of the function involved; or

(iii) Retain full personal responsibility for the function supported in a duly authorized Federal officer or employee.

Please see Addendum I, MCC 52.237-70 Personal Services – General Terms and Conditions (JULY 2012), for additional information applicable to personal services contract.

PLEASE NOTE: This contract shall be awarded solely to an individual(s), not to a firm. The individual must have an active DUNS # and a fully approved and active record in the System for Award Management (SAM).

***The approval of your record in SAM may take a few weeks. Therefore, you must be registered in SAM before submitting your application.***

KEY REQUIREMENTS

· U.S. citizenship or legal, permanent resident with five years of residency history

· Must be able to obtain and maintain a facilities access clearance

· Performance at MCC-eligible countries, Washington, DC, other US and foreign cities (as required), or at the PSC’s office or home of record. Relocation expenses will not be paid

· Overseas travel may be required (to MCC eligible countries).

· Statement of Employment & Financial Interest (i.e. Office of Government Ethics form- 450, or similar statement) may be required

· Active and approved SAM record (listed as sole-proprietor)

DUTIES

The PSC reports to the Practice Lead and Senior Director (PLSD) of HCD, who sets the overall objectives of the work as well as the available resources. The PSC, in consultation with the supervisor, develops specific objectives and priorities. The PSC independently plans and carries out the work, selecting the approaches and techniques to be used, and informs the supervisor of progress and significant problems. Work is evaluated on the degree to which program and regulatory requirements are met.

Major Duties and Responsibilities include the following tasks:

· Supporting water utility reform and capacity building by analyzing existing WASH sector policies and policy environment, governance and systems coordination related to WASH sector programs, considering the role of private and public actors.

· Identifying household, community or environmental factors and/or behaviors that negatively affect health related to clean water, sanitation and hygiene and support HCD and country teams to propose strategies to change behaviors, conditions and/or policies.

· Designing, construction, implementation and maintenance of location- and culturally-appropriate WASH hardware according to technical standards, as well as proper maintenance and use of WASH equipment. WASH hardware includes, but is not limited to: (i) potable water treatment and distribution systems, including gravity flow systems, wells or boreholes and (ii) collection of sewage in centralized or decentralized systems, (iii) treatment of collected sewage at centralized facilities.

· Water provision for irrigation or multi-use purposes. Water treatment and/or disease prevention products or campaigns.

· Designing and implementation of WASH assessments, evaluation and monitoring. Other related interventions, including other environmental health investments.

· Contributes to the assessment of the soundness of a country's proposed health or environmental systems and/or WASH programs with a focus on strengthening them to ensure that they are effective, efficient, responsive and equitable.

· Under the overall supervision of the Senior Director, HCD, provides support to MCC country teams and selected country counterparts as they develop and implement MCC-sponsored WASH and other environmental health activities, particularly those related to health, nutrition, behavior change and community development.

· Develops and provide oversight on WASH- and other environmental health-related contracts to support threshold or project development or provide due diligence services to country proposed plans.

· Leads and/or assist in practice group management activities including writing and reviewing terms of reference for WASH- and environmental health-related contracts, formulation of budgets, timelines and cost estimates, conducting evaluations for procurement actions, issuance of technical directives and review and acceptance of deliverables.

· Under the direction of the PLSD, assumes specific leadership responsibilities for achieving WASH- and environmental health-related HCD practice group goals and milestones, and supports the practice group in oversight and management of HCD participation in specific SO, DCO and agency-wide processes and specific technical resources and contracts.

· Directs and/or participates in a variety of complex and critical assignments associated with the management and oversight of the design, development, and implementation of WASH- and environmental health-related HCD, SO, DCO and agency-wide policies and guidance. In particular, leads internal processes, conducts analysis, consults experts within and outside the agency, and provides authoritative recommendations related to integrating WASH- and environmental health-related findings and practices into MCC analytical processes throughout compact development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation.

· Assures gender integration and social inclusion in all assigned projects.

· Represents MCC to senior U.S. Government officials, representatives of foreign governments, and a variety of other stakeholders, both domestic and international.

· Supports MCC in WASH- and environmental health-related events by preparing briefs, speaking points and information about current programming.

· Assists in the coordination of in-country resources and activities with other federal agencies, multi-lateral/bi-lateral organizations and other donors.

· Performs complex office automation duties requiring different approaches and methods. Work proficiently with a range of software applications, (e.g., word processing, graphics, spreadsheet, and project management), to perform a broad range of duties.

· Facilitates document management, retention, and distribution methods, including internal and external websites as well as shared network drives. Consolidate data and maintain a library of documents regarding country projects.

DELIVERABLES

Deliverables are associated with the tasks identified in DUTIES to include reports as required by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

The PSC produces reports and analyses as requested by MCC. Examples of such reports and analyses include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Trip reports.

· Bi-weekly timesheet with summary of activities during reporting period.

· Bi-weekly conference calls and/or reports with the HCD Senior Director and/or HCD Team.

· Detailed written reports of findings and compilations of documents to MCC/HCD, as required.

· Detailed and comprehensive written reports on progress of a Project, Project Activities, and Sub-Activities to MCC Management and the HCD Senior Director and HCD Team as appropriate.

Also, the PSC will provide a monthly progress report as a regular deliverable. Monthly progress reports will consist of the following format to measure the progress of each task:

Task: XXXXXX Status: XXXXXXXX Recommendations: XXXXXXX Monthly reports are due the first workday of each month. The PSC also will produce other reports and analyses as requested by MCC.

Deliverables will be considered “draft” upon initial receipt. Drafts will be reviewed and accepted or concerns raised/comments provided within two weeks of receipt. The PSC shall appropriately address the Corporations’ concerns and provide final deliverables within one week of receiving the MCC response.

In addition to monthly progress reports, the PSC will submit biweekly timesheets on a schedule and format determined by MCC. Timesheets will include a list of hours worked per compact or country program, along with a brief description of the tasks undertaken for each program during the pay period.

The PSC also will produce other reports and analyses as requested by MCC.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements, including education and all qualifying specialized experience described below by the closing date of this announcement. Desired qualifications will be considered only once all education and qualifying specialized experience requirements are met. Please clearly demonstrate that you possess the following:

Mandatory Qualifications:

· Minimum of a postgraduate degree in WASH-related discipline (e.g., environmental health, hydrology, civil or mechanical engineering with a focus on water supply or sanitation, public health, behavior change) is required.

· Minimum of 12 years international work experience in Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) direct or related program design, implementation and/or evaluation, at least 6 years’ experience in developing country context.

· Minimum 6 years international work experience in institutional or community level behavior change programming.

· English Fluency Level 3/3 Desired Qualifications:

· Demonstrated knowledge of USG contract management policies, practices and regulations and the ability to prepare requests for proposals, organizing and participating on Technical Evaluation Panels, issuing technical directives and making contract modifications.

· Demonstrated knowledge of IFC environmental, health and safety guidelines for water and sanitation projects, or compliance with similar international best practices

· Demonstrated ability to design and conduct environmental compliance assessments.

· Demonstrated knowledge of program evaluation, statistical, qualitative and quantitative analysis, cost benefit analysis and economic modeling practices and techniques.

· Proficient oral and written communications skills in French, Spanish or other development-relevant language (include level of proficiency for reading, writing, and oral communications).

NOTE: All experience must be well-documented on your resume and within your application. All aspects of your application must specifically show how you meet the QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED.

COMPENSATION

PSCs for the services of individual experts or consultants are limited by the Classification Act. In addition, the OPM has established requirements which apply in acquiring the personal services of experts or consultants in this manner (e.g., benefits, taxes, conflicts of interest):

This is a intermittent position and thus, the maximum number of hours allowed is 1,252 per year. The contract will have four one-year option periods that may be exercised at the sole discretion of MCC.

The pay range for this position is $59.89 - $81.82 per hour, inclusive of Washington, DC locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within this pay range based upon the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. An hourly labor rate above this pay range will NOT be entertained or negotiated. Candidates who live outside of the Washington, DC area may be considered for this contract, but relocation expenses are not compensable under the resulting contract.

MCC issues W-2s to the PSC. For U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens, MCC makes the employer contribution to FICA and Medicare for the PSC. MCC withholds FICA, Medicare, federal tax, and state tax on behalf of the PSC. The PSC is not eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

Benefits:

Under the MCC personal services contract authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by OPM, such as Federal retirement benefits and health and life insurance. As such, the PSC is not eligible for participation in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Moreover, the PSC is ineligible to receive Federal Health and Life Insurance or participate in the federal Thrift Savings Plan.

Notwithstanding the above and if requested by the PSC before the award of a contract, the PSC may receive a pay supplement of up to 15% of the employee’s direct labor cost in lieu of fringe benefits. Please note that for evaluation purposes, MCC will take into consideration your proposed labor rate and any requested pay supplement in lieu of fringe benefits.

The intermittent PSC does not earn sick leave, annual leave, or holiday pay.

The intermittent PSC working at MCC Headquarters in Washington, DC may be eligible for parking or transit subsidy, subject to the availability of funds.

Travel:

The PSC is subject to the Federal Travel Regulations and MCC travel policies and procedures to the same extent as MCC direct-hire employees.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Interested applicants must submit all required documents to include, but not limited to:

· Completed and signed Biodata Form;

· Curriculum vitae or resume (limit 10 pages);

· A written narrative of up to five pages clearly describing relevant experience and knowledge of each of the qualification requirements,

· No less than three and no more than five professional references with current contact information;

NOTE: Submittals shall be in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS. Please ensure that applicants’ most recent contact information (telephone numbers and e-mail address) are accurate. Any other documentation will not be accepted.

Delivery:

Electronic submission is required. Electronic application packages shall be submitted by e-mail to MCCPSC@mcc.gov and brooksac@mcc.gov. Submission shall reference the position title AND the announcement number on the subject line of the e-mail. Electronically submitted packages must include a scanned signature on the Bio-data form to be considered.

MCC does not accept responsibility for delays in transmission or receipt of any application. Applicants are responsible for submitting the application package so as to reach the designated Government office by the closing date and time specified above. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was indeed received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in this announcement. Receipt of an application in response to this announcement does not constitute an award commitment. The U.S. Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Any submission is at the sole risk of the applicant.

Questions:

Any questions regarding this announcement should be submitted in writing via email only (no phone calls) to MCCPSC@mcc.gov and brooksac@mcc.gov before the deadline as given on p.1.

Submission of applications to this announcement must be received before the deadline as given on p.1.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

The QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED are the basis for evaluating all applications. Applicants must separately address each listed qualification requirement and demonstrate how s/he meets each. Unless stated otherwise, all qualification elements will be weighted equally.

(a) Qualified individuals must submit a completed and signed Biodata form. Please ensure that you provide a current, valid e-mail address and telephone number for notification purposes. The Biodata form must be fully completed including a proposed hourly rate & signed for the application to be considered.

(b) Qualified individuals must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting the application. Candidates without a SAM registration may be rejected.

(c) Qualified individuals must submit a resume (or a curriculum vita) which clearly demonstrates their education, experience, knowledge, and skills and abilities as they relate to the qualification elements. Resume must indicate: the earliest possible start date for the applicant; as well as formal title, and duration (start date / end date) for each listed position. Resume is limited to 10 pages and must not contain a photo or any salary information.

(d) Describe your experience and knowledge in regards to the qualification requirements in no more than five pages (page = 8 ½” x 11” paper; 11 point font or larger; double sided pages count as two pages). Clearly demonstrate how your prior experience is either relevant or directly related to the duties of this position as listed under DUTIES. The responses should describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor. Cite specific examples where appropriate.

(e) Qualified individuals must submit no fewer than three and no more than five professional references, who are not relatives or family members. Submitted references MUST include current information, as follows:

a. Name of reference

b. Applicants’ relationship to reference

c. Title of reference at current job

d. Reference current telephone number (work or personal)

e. Reference e-mail address (work)

(f) Applications must be signed and received prior to the closing date and time specified above to be considered for this position.

To ensure consideration of applicants for the intended position, please reference the position title and announcement number on the subject line of your submission email, on supporting documentation and any cover letter.

SELECTION PROCESS

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the qualifications listed above. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation in accordance with the QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED. In addition to the materials listed above, applicants are strongly encouraged to write a cover letter, not to exceed one page, to highlight their suitability for this position. The cover letter is NOT included in the required written narrative.

All applicants will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted, the applicant’s evidence of the above qualification requirements, performance in a potential discussion/negotiation session, if conducted, and information provided by references, if contacted. All applicants will received one of three scores for each of the required and desired qualifications: Does Not Meet, Meets, or Exceeds. MCC reserves the right to call the highest qualified candidates for an interview and/or conduct a reference check on those individuals. Reference checks may be conducted on the highest qualified applicants.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure the work history portion thoroughly documents the duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments that are directly related to this position in order to verify specialized experience. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation.

The U.S. Government & MCC is not obligated to make an award or pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this announcement. Award of this contract is contingent on availability of funds. MCC reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this announcement.

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