RFQ_-_MCC-16-RFQ-0097_FOIA_PM.doc.docx

Date Posted: March 10, 2016

Announcement Number: MCC-16-RFQ-0097

Title: Program Officer (FOIA)

Pay Band: MC-0301-4C ($27.79 - $45.12 per hour) In lieu of fringe benefits, the PSC may receive a pay supplement. For additional information, please see section titled “Benefits”.

Closing Date for Questions: March 14, 2016

Application Deadline: March 17, 2016

Who May Be Considered: U.S. Citizens or legal, permanent residents with five years of residency history

Duty Location: Washington, DC

INTRODUCTION:

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide grant assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in eligible developing countries. To be eligible, countries must demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. Eligible countries develop, in coordination with the MCC, a program agreement (Compact) that is then implemented during five years. Our model is defined by core principles, of selectivity, country ownership, transparency, and a focus on results.

MCC’s values identify 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 Office of the CIO within the Department of Administration and Finance (A&F) of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and reports to the Director of Information Assurance (IA).

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 THE POSITION

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), is seeking a full time Personal Services Contractor (PSC) to serve as a Program Manager. The PSC shall provide the OCIO with data management services that provide data protection, data retrieval, data categorization, and data assurance throughout the MCC information technology (IT).

A personal services contract is different from a -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 contact:

(1) Performance on site.

(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.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

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

· Must be able to obtain and maintain a critical-sensitive federal security clearance

· Performance at MCC Headquarters in Washington, DC

· 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) 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). We suggest you commence the registration process in SAM immediately after submitting an application as the registration process may take several weeks.

DUTIES

Major Duties and Responsibilities include the following tasks:

· Serves as an onsite support specialist that will coordinate with the MCC Office of General Counsel (OGC) for all data retrieval services within MCC’s enterprise environment.

· Provides information technology forensic services that maintain accountability.

· Demonstrates the ability to learn, grow, and adapt to a changing information technology environment.

· Follows appropriate Privacy Act, local policy, and data security protocols.

· Serves as a project manager and team lead.

DELIVERABLES

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

The PSC will provide a brief monthly progress report as a regular deliverable. Monthly progress reports will consist of the following format to measure the progress of the work undertaken that month:

Task: XXXXXX Status: XXXXXXXX Recommendations: XXXXXXX Monthly reports are due the first workday of each month.

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:

Educational Requirements and Technical Capability:

Bachelor’s Degree Evaluation Factors

Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the Position

· Knowledge of FOIA policies and practices sufficient to implement and monitor inquiries and provide staff support to management officials.

· Knowledge of and experience working with the U.S. Government, international financial and development institutions, international NGOs in areas relevant to MCC’s work.

· Ability and experience working well as part of a multidisciplinary and international teams.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to proactively accomplish tasks with little to no supervision.

· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Factor 2 – Supervisory Controls The supervisor provides broad administrative direction along with organizational goals and objectives. The incumbent and supervisor, in consultation, develop the deadlines, projects and work to be accomplished. The employee keeps the supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and problems with far-reaching implications. Completed work is reviewed for its impact on broad MCC policy objectives and program goals.

Factor 3 – Guidelines Guidelines consist of procedures, policies, and manuals covering the application of analytical methods and techniques, and reference material, instructions, and regulations covering the subjects involved. The guidelines are not completely applicable to the work or have gaps in specificity, requiring the employee to use judgment in choosing, interpreting, and adapting guidelines to specific issues or subjects studied.

Factor 4 – Complexity The work involves dealing with a variety of administrative and program issues and problems. Findings and recommendations are based upon analysis of work observations, review of office files/records or similar documentation, research of precedent studies, and application of standard administrative guidelines.

Factor 5 – Scope and Effect The purpose of the work is to identify, analyze and make recommendations to resolve CPA program and administrative issues, problems and situations. Completed reports and recommendations influence decisions by CPA staff or managers concerning administrative or program operations.

Factor 6 – Personal Contacts Personal contacts are with MCC employees at all levels, employees and representatives of private concerns, as-well-as members of Congressional staffs.

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 full time position and thus the maximum number of hours allowed is 2,087 per year. The contract will have four (4) one-year option periods that may be exercised at the sole discretion of MCC.

The pay range for this position is $27.79 - $45.12 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. A salary 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, MCC does permit reimbursement of a portion of the PSC’s cost of health insurance premiums incurred during the contract’s period of performance. To be eligible for the health insurance reimbursement the employee must provide proof of insurance coverage and payment of premium for which s/he is responsible. Examples of acceptable proof are bank statement, receipts, cancelled checks or other proof of payment. Individuals covered under another health insurance plan, or have subsidized health insurance are not eligible for this reimbursement. Subject to the availability of funds, MCC may pay a percentage (up-to-15%) of the employee’s base salary towards a health insurance policy as mentioned above The full time PSC does earn sick leave, annual leave, and holiday pay.

The full time PSC working at MCC Headquarters in Washington, D.C. is eligible for parking or transit subsidy, subject to availability of funds. The full time whose duty station is overseas is not eligible for the transit subsidy.

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, in the event the PSC is required to travel.

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 Qualifying Specialized Experience requirements, and any desired qualifications.

· 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 and all application packages shall be submitted to MCCPSC@mcc.gov and phillipsmc@mcc.gov so that they arrive before the deadline as given on page 1. 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. Applicants shall confirm receipt of quote from the Contract Specialist or Contracting Officer. 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 phillipsmc@mcc.gov before the deadline as given on page 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 of each of the Qualifying specialized experience requirements and Desired qualifications, if applicable, 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) At least two references must be from direct supervisors (current or prior) who can provide information regarding the applicant’s knowledge & experience in the field of data management services that provide data protection, and data retrieval services under FOIA. All references must be from within the last 5 years of the applicant’s professional life.

(f) Applications must be signed and received prior to the closing date and time specified above to be considered for this position. All applications must be signed. Unsigned applications shall NOT be considered.

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 interview, if conducted, and information provided by references, if contacted. All applicants will received one of three scores for each of the required qualification: 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 are 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.

Evaluation Methodology: The Government will perform a comparative analysis of quotes and will assess the advantages and disadvantages of each quote as related to the Evaluation Factors. Multiple awards may be made from this notice and all quotes will be retained and may be utilized for requirements for a period of 6 months.

Security Level: Secret (Non-Critical Sensitive) image1.png image2.jpeg