RFP 72066821R00010 Deputy Executive Officer_IT FINAL (1).pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066821R00010

ISSUANCE DATE: January 11, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 11, 2021 at 1700 Juba time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, /s/

Michael Capobianco Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066821R00010

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 11, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 11, 2021 at 1700 Juba time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Michael Capobianco at mcapobianco@usaid.gov and Michael Loro at mloro@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Executive Officer/Senior Information Technology Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $109,366 - $138,534, equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

If the position is for a Washington based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on April 15, 2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for four, one-year options for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period: April 15, 2021-April 14, 2022 Option Period (OP) 1: April 15, 2021-April 14, 2023 OP 2 April 15, 2021-April 14, 2024 OP 3 April 15, 2021-April 14, 2025 OP 4 April 15, 2021-April 14, 2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Juba, South Sudan with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents are eligible offerors per AIDAR 702 and Appendix D.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities Access mailto:mcapobianco@usaid.gov mailto:mloro@usaid.gov

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Deputy Executive Officer/Senior Information Technology Specialist (D/EXO) reports directly to the Supervisory EXO. Located in Juba, South Sudan, the D/EXO serves as a Deputy Executive Officer for USAID/South Sudan and thus a senior manager of the ICASS Alternate Service Provider (ASP) platform for the U.S. Mission Juba community (4 agencies). In accordance with USAID policy (Automated Directives System 527), the D/EXO also serves as the principal senior advisor to the S/EXO and Mission staff with full responsibility for providing leadership, guidance and staff support in the administrative management functional areas as well as the technical areas of Information Technology.

The Deputy Executive Officer/Senior Information Technology Specialist will have an all-encompassing and complex portfolio that will cover the full range of EXO support services to USAID proper and the ASP/ICASS platform but will in particular serve as the primary Senior Information Technology Specialist for Information Technology support and services. As such, the D/EXO will serve as the primary interlocutor for the Mission to the Agency Chief Information Officer and other Washington Bureaus/Independent Offices as the Mission gears up to advance its technological infrastructure to include expansion of fiber optic and remote VPN capabilities for AIDNet, with on-the ground design and implementation for both the Residential and Office Compounds, the Containerized Storage Facility (CSF) and other facilities as needed; the primary go-between with service providers in South Sudan and the region (Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, etc.); and in Juba, the interlocutor, with EXO/IT, to Main State/U.S. Embassy clientele/OBO, the Life Support Services Contractor and all other ASP/ICASS clients as USAID shores up its service provider role in delivering robust internet, VOIP and mobile service.

The D/EXO is the focal point and is responsible for ensuring that adequate management and logistical support is provided for all mission administrative services. In addition, the position calls for unique skills with respect to Information Technology as the D/EXO will serve as back-up to the entire Information Technology unit and provide support and service to the Office, Residential and CSF AIDNet networked computer systems. In this capacity, s/he is tasked with developing innovative methods for providing improved administrative, logistical, and technological support services.

In Juba, the D/EXO serves as alter ego to the Supervisory Executive Officer and is responsible for assisting in the coordination of the delivery of effective and efficient administrative and logistic support to USAID/South Sudan and the unique International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) Alternate Service Provider (ASP) arrangement in Juba. This ASP provides full management services to all U.S. Government (USG) agencies based in Juba. The D/EXO will co-direct the largest full-service USAID management platform and is responsible for services including Administrative Support, Budget Management, Motor Pool, Housing and Leasing, Procurement, Property and Facilities Management, Warehouse, Maintenance, Shipping and Customs, IT, Construction, and Communications and Records. The incumbent will co-lead an EXO team of 70+ staff, including USPSCs, Institutional Contractors and Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). Duties involve intensive professional, leadership, administrative and management functions of concurrent phases requiring ongoing development and problem resolution including full scale technical back-up of the Information Technology Unit.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Assist in planning, directing and administering the management functions of the Mission including directly supervising Executive Office staff. Develop, interpret, and ensure implementation of administrative management policies, regulations, and procedures.

● Formulate, interpret, and communicate long-range principles, policies, and objectives for administrative services programs. Serve as a key communicator of new administrative policies and procedures. Ensure successful implementation of large-scale administrative, human resources, and organizational changes; and prepare workforce planning scenarios based on various budget scenarios. Work with implementing partners to ensure an orderly close-out of their activities, particularly as they dispose of USG purchased property and provide policy advice and guidance on the management and support functions and services required for effective program implementation.

● Participate in project planning and review to evaluate administrative support implications, feasibility, projected costs, and drafting or advising on appropriate administrative support budgets. Advise and support the Supervisory Executive Officer and Mission Front Office on the full range of personnel matters, including development and implementation of appropriate personnel procedures and work planning.

● Analyze Mission management requirements and assist in developing the operating expense, working capital and administrative program support budgets for the Mission. Assist in directing the administration of the operating expense and working capital budgets and administrative portion of the program support budget to ensure prompt and legal obligation of funds.

● Assist on Post Boards and Committees as required, including the Joint Awards Program, ASP/ICASS Budget Committee, Housing Board, and liaison with the RSO on security matters.

● Assist in overseeing the functional areas under EXO including: the ASP/General Services section, housing and furniture pools, motor pool services, personal property, shipping and customs, and maintenance (residential and office) as well as serve as back up to the General Services Specialist as needed. These include:

a. The Procurement section - ensuring quarterly and bulk ordering from requisition to closeout including use of MyServices and other systems.

b. The Communications & Records section – records and files management, correspondence, Pouch, Mail and Messenger services.

c. HR functional areas, including organizational and staffing charts, staff onboarding, FSN mentoring and career development and the general orientation through to the departure of American and expatriate staff.

d. IT section – Provide full scale and full range technology support and service to U.S. Mission Juba as well as serve as back-up to the entire EXO/IT unit.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

S/he will report directly to the Supervisory Executive Officer. S/he will also exercise independent judgment on matters of technical direction and will make decisions that ensure successful program implementation. The incumbent will assist in overseeing the Agency’s largest EXO team, consisting of three USPSCs, one Institutional Contractor and more than 70 FSNs. S/he will provide analysis on performance issues and provide required training and direction, as well as assign tasks and review completed work and train and mentor EXO staff as needed. Due to the high level of responsibility in this position, the D/EXO will have considerable latitude in the exercise of independent judgement, which is work of rare difficulty in Juba. The D/EXO must have expertise in addressing management issues. given that primary duties include overall management, evaluation, and the identification and resolution of issues affecting ASP and the commensurate FSN program performance, both internally and externally.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The D/EXO sets overall objectives for supervisees, developing deadlines, projects and planning actions.

S/he independently plans, designs, and carries out project studies and programs, with the completed work being reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements, or expected results. Technical problems are generally resolved without reference to the Supervisory Executive Officer or the Mission Front Office.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. The mental and emotional demands of working in Juba, South Sudan are very high, in terms of isolation, climatic conditions, and the high prevalence of disease associated with malarial environments and poverty.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: At a minimum, a University degree in Management, Information Technology, Business Administration, and/or Computer Science is required. As a critical component of this position focuses on information technology, a degree in Management or Business Administration must be supplemented with computer science or an information technology course load.

Prior Work Experience: At a minimum a) 15 years of progressively responsible experience in overseas administration including staff supervision, mentoring and career development, and in the management and evaluation of administrative operations as well as b) 5 years of overseas experience working in countries in conflict or post-conflict situations.

DESIRABLE QUALITIES (NOT MINIMUMS)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- A demonstrated knowledge of management and program administration with a focus on achieving results in a high-threat overseas environment; the ability to independently organize, prioritize and follow through on Mission critical actions where multiple organizations are clients.

- Demonstrated skills in leadership, administrative and management functions of concurrent phases requiring ongoing and continuous development and problem resolution and expert level technical skills in Information Technology.

- A demonstrated knowledge and competency in the management and evaluation of administrative operations to improve their cost-effectiveness and quality.

- Expert-level knowledge of USG standards regarding systems and information technology. The work requires that this knowledge be specific to, or related to, the logistical and security constraints prevalent in conflict areas and in remote parts of the world.

- Local languages spoken in South Sudan are desirable.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-

1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

After the closing date, applications will be initially screened to determine whether applicants have met the advertised minimum qualifications. Applications possessing the minimum qualifications will be evaluated by a Technical Evaluation Committee against the factors below. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check until communication from the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidate must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details to the selected candidate). A substantial delay in obtaining either security or medical clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

Evaluation factors (all of equal value):

1. Applicability of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

2. Volume and Relevance of Experience

These factors will be the basis for scoring applications and creating an initial ranking of candidates. Only the highest-ranked applicants (finalists) will be interviewed. Those finalists will then be evaluated on their interview performance, and, finally, satisfactory professional reference checks.

In summary, the steps in the applicant rating system are as follows:

1. Meet minimum requirements - Pass/Fail

2. Evaluation of application in relation to the evaluation factors, which when combined, are of equal importance to interview performance

3. Interview performance which is of equal importance to evaluation factors

4. Reference Checks - Pass/Fail

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far http://www.usaid.gov/forms

2. Offerors must also submit the following documents:

- Updated resume/CV

- Cover letter of no more than 2 pages addressing the offeror’s technical knowledge, skills and abilities, and their relevant experience.

3. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

4. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

- Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Form)

- Questionnaire for Sensitive Position for National Security (SF-86), or

- Questionnaire for non-Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-85)

- Finger Print Card (FD-258)

- OF-306

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

Employer's FICA Contribution

(a) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(b) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(c) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(d) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(e) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at:

https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(b) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(c) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(d) Education Travel (Section 280)

(e) Post Differential (Chapter 500) https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(f) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

(g) Danger Pay (Section 650)

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTIT

Y

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $_TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

4001 Option Period 4 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $_TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins

(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.

See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations .

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations