RFP No.7200AA20R00025 -- USPSC Senior South America Advisor.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov

SUBJECT: Solicitation No. 7200AA20R00025 for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (PSC) – Senior South

America Advisor for USAID’s Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

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, Sections I through V 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 the attached information.

Sincerely, Maria Munoz

Contracting Officer

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA20R00025

ISSUANCE DATE: February 26, 2020

CLOSING DATE: March 25, 2020

CLOSING TIME: 5:00p.m. Eastern Time

ATTACHMENT 1

Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) Senior South America Advisor

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA20R00025

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 26, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: Mach 25, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Maria Munoz, email at mamunoz@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior South America Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 142,701 - $170,800 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: One year, with three one-year option periods. Option years are exercised at the discretion of the government and are subject to the satisfactory performance of the contractor, the requirements of the Venezuela program, and the availability of funds.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, DC with travel to Colombia or Venezuela.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret. The successful applicant shall be required to obtain a Secret level security clearance, as a pre-condition for employment.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

11.1 BACKGROUND: On January 23, 2019, President Trump recognized Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim

President of Venezuela. Since then, 54 other countries have joined the United States in that recognition.

However, the former regime has refused to relinquish control of the country’s administration and instead has continued increasingly repressive tactics towards its citizens. Supporting the democratic interim government of

Venezuela - the office of the presidency, the National Assembly (NA), and some embassies of the Interim

Government - as well as the Provisional Government once the Maduro regime departs, is one of the highest U.S.

foreign policy priorities.

The former Maduro regime continues to resist political change. While professing to be ready for dialogue and negotiations, it is persecuting those who voice discontent by using violence, harassment, and imprisonment. The regime controls the information citizens receive by limiting media and internet access and by intimidating journalists and blocking media outlets. It also controls citizens through targeted provision of food and medicines;

by controlling food and medicine imports and distribution; and allowing very limited humanitarian assistance. In addition, the former regime is obstructing the democratically elected NA from performing its duties to legislate, plan for transition, and interact and communicate with citizens. The former regime is preventing the NA from serving as a balance of power by cutting off public funds for salaries and operations and by increasingly mailto:mamunoz@usaid.gov intimidating, persecuting, and imprisoning National Assembly members.

When the United States formally recognized the interim president, State and USAID began planning additional support above the original $15 million in FY 2018 ESF funds appropriated by Congress for Venezuela. To provide immediate support, USAID submitted a notification (CN #157) on July 11, 2019 for $41.9 million in FY

2018 DA funds. This assistance will achieve two objectives: (1) to build internal and external pressure to return

Venezuela to democratic governance; and (2) to prepare, equip, and train the interim government to govern

Venezuela justly and transparently and demonstrate that ability to citizens, donors, and the world community.

Future USAID assistance will support the interim government to provide immediate, urgent relief to citizens;

organize the recovery of key sectors; re-establish the independence of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches; and prepare for a free, fair, and internationally recognized national election.

USG funds will support the interim government to reestablish systems of citizen-responsive democratic governance to manage public resources transparently for the benefit of Venezuelan citizens. USAID will help the interim government assess the status of public institutions to plan reforms, begin repairs and recovery and increase transparency in operations and procurement to reduce corruption. The U.S. Government and the interim government of Venezuela will work closely with the international finance institutions to prepare for potential loans and grants needed to fund the massive recovery of public infrastructure.

USAID recognizes that the efforts to support Venezuela’s return to democracy and good governance will need far greater resources than those available to it. Therefore, it will support and coordinate efforts by other USAID offices, the U.S. Government, international donors and financial organizations, and the Venezuelan and international private sector.

The Bureau for Latin America and Caribbean, Office of South American Affairs (LAC/SA) requires a Senior

South America Advisor to provide services to USAID’s development programs in Venezuela. These duties will be conducted in an environment that demands the highest level of coordination with a wide array of offices and bureaus within the Agency, from throughout the U.S. government (Department of State, the National Security

Agency, the Department of Treasury, and Department of Commerce etc.), and with potential private investors including owners of U.S. companies, the interim Government of Venezuela, representatives from the sizeable

Venezuelan-American community in the U.S, Washington-based think tanks, and leading bilateral and multilateral donors including the U.N. Interest and scrutiny from Congress remains high and the Senior South

America Advisor will be called upon to brief Members and staff. The Senior South America Advisor assists

LAC/SA in planning and overseeing USAID regular programs in Venezuela, coordination of humanitarian assistance efforts in Venezuela and the region and playing an expanded role to guide USAID’s response to this economic and political crisis. LAC/SA serves as a focal point of coordination of USAID programming/resources for Venezuela throughout the Agency and beyond.

11.2 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

Work is characterized by broad and intensive efforts across multiple sectors. Programs and projects involve the full range of situations pertinent to the Agency’s international cooperation programs in Venezuela requiring the development of new or refined methods and/or application of alternate approaches.

The Senior South America Advisor plays a key role in the analysis and identification of the key economic and social problems specific to the Venezuela context. The Senior South America Advisor’s findings and recommendations are vetted with senior management in briefings and reviews. These findings and recommendations heavily influence the positions that the Agency takes regarding program strategy, composition, and funding, as well as affect other agencies and organizations that are involved in international cooperation efforts in Venezuela on a continuing basis. The Senior South America Advisor serves as a consultant to top-level managers within and outside the agency who are seeking critical evaluations of problems that require long-range solutions.

The work includes technical analysis, particularly economic policy review, country strategy formulation, project proposal analysis, and program implementation review. Programs are highly and politically sensitive and require public and Congressional correspondence and communication that demands discretion and care in distinguishing plans from programs and in assessing the degree of political or security sensitivity of issues. The necessary analytical role requires full awareness of political complexities in Venezuela and changing host country economic circumstances in which the efficient use of resources remains under continual review. Tasks often require departing from past approaches and dealing with unstructured circumstances. Task objectives may depend on an assessment of competing demands. Sound judgment is needed concerning appropriate advice for Bureau management. The myriad pressures for access to the program and to decision-makers involved with the program create an unusual combination of technical, administrative, and policy issues at all times.

Duties are significantly varied and require many different unrelated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of problems/situations that require a substantial depth of analysis. Decisions involve largely undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem.

There are continuing changes in program, technological developments, unknown phenomena, or conflicting requirements. The work requires originating new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information. Assignments are of considerable breadth and intensity and require the participation and support of others. The work requires a continuing effort to establish concepts, theories, or programs or to resolve unyielding problems.

The specific duties of the Senior South America Advisor may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Geographic Area or Region-Wide Technical Resource

● Identifies needs for USAID assistance in development efforts consistent with foreign assistance program guidelines and U.S. foreign policy interests in Venezuela, through analysis and consultation with staff members of LAC/SA, other USAID staff, host government counterparts, the interagency, and other entities.

● Initiates and formulates Bureau-wide policy and programming guidance for strategic planning, and analyzes, designs, implements, and evaluates policy reform and sectoral adjustment programs for

Venezuela.

● Conceptualizes new approaches to policy reform to increase the impact of USAID-supported interventions. Represents Bureau interests to senior-level and other host-government officials, as well as representatives of local private sector and non-governmental organization (NGO) entities.

● Consults with donors and multilateral agencies in Venezuela to ensure that recovery and long-term development programs are complementary and consistent.

● Formulates the design of development activities for Venezuela as requested by LAC/SA. During the implementation of recovery and long-term development activities, ensures adherence to the approved

Venezuela recovery and long-term development strategy. Consults with State Department about any proposed changes to the strategy.

● Monitors and analyzes social, cultural, and institutional arrangements and structures.

● Reviews and analyzes regional and country data, in collaboration with various analytic units.

● Provides Bureau with analyses of the effectiveness of major policy reform and non-project assistance interventions (including USAID and other development assistance agencies). Analyses are used for policy and strategy directions and resource allocation decisions.

● Provides regular and frequent reporting on needs, progress, impacts, problems, constraints, and issues related to USAID’s long-term development program in Venezuela.

● Identifies significant socio-cultural and institutional issues affecting the international cooperation area and structural adjustment in Venezuela. Formulates agenda of research and analytic needs in international cooperation issues, leading to policy and programming guidance for application to the program in

Venezuela, and identifies strategies for pursuing assistance through bilateral and central/regional projects.

● Identifies and promotes initiatives that improve the impact of resource use.

● Provides Bureau leadership with analysis of the international cooperation area, concerning the development of appropriate strategies, plans, support mechanisms, etc., as may be required.

● Develops analytical models and methodologies appropriate to the nature and type of important questions of secondary or direct impact and assists in the application and use of these models in the design and implementation of assistance activities.

● Participates in monitoring the expansion of program initiatives in Venezuela, their relationship to sectoral development constraints, and advises USAID/Venezuela and USAID/Washington on courses of action.

● Consults with appropriate internal and external organizations on "best-practices" within the international cooperation area.

● Consults with USAID Technical Bureaus on Venezuela-specific interventions.

● Coordinates Bureau activities with Mission Technical Officers working in Venezuela and provides them with assistance, guidance, and literature.

● Reviews Mission sectoral policies and project planning documentation for coherence, relevance, and programmatic realism. Advises Missions on defining program content and assists Missions to determine baseline information.

● Identifies resources within or outside USAID and maintains contact with experts in the field and arranges for their services to assist Missions.

● Monitors, backstops, and directs temporary duty (TDY) and contract assistance to ensure successful outcomes.

(b) Program/Project Development and/or Management Work

● Accomplishes critical work related to the conceptualization, design, documentation, and/or management of programs and/or projects that focus on USAID's program and international cooperation efforts in

Venezuela.

● Has responsibility for Bureau focus on critical program/project development activities that affect broad mission areas. Activities include assessing gaps in the knowledge base; interacting with PVOs/NGOs, bilateral and multi-lateral donors, other USG institutions, think tanks, Congressional staff, and others;

assessing capabilities and identifying various organizations to serve as change-agents; and ensuring appropriate program/project documentation is professionally executed. Advises Office, Bureau, on critical and sensitive program/project issues.

● Provides programmatic backstopping and management on high visibility projects, consulting with professionals in various sectors. Advises senior Bureau management on key issues/constraints to program/project development.

● Directs geographic and central Bureau review of proposed projects and programs, policy, and technical input.

● Assists the Bureau and an eventual USAID/Venezuela Mission in carrying out analyses, feasibility studies, and project design proposals through preparation of terms of reference and making study teams available.

● Provides project development support on the design and implementation of the Mission portfolio and international cooperation efforts, which includes a variety of sectoral projects.

● Leads the design and development of new programs/projects, including initial reconnaissance of proposed activities; preparation of scopes of work for feasibility studies; selection of study contractors; and review and approval of completed feasibility studies.

● Reviews program/project proposals for economic, financial, technical, social, and environmental soundness; and recommends or takes appropriate actions.

● Oversees the preparation of design documents, project agreements, Congressional notifications, and implementation letters.

● Oversees the review of contractor selection and approval, including related documents such as invitations for bid, plans, and specifications for professional services. Initiates or coordinates evaluation of projects during or following project completion, to ascertain project and cost effectiveness, including implications for future financing. Reports on progress and results.

● Formulates the design and development of program documentation for Venezuela, including such elements as the Mission Strategic Plan (MSP), concept papers, Operational Plans, Performance Reports, Congressional Budget Justifications, Congressional and Technical Notifications, project planning documents and any other briefing papers, cables or other documents which describe the USAID recovery and long-term development program in Venezuela.

11.3 SUPERVISION/OVERSIGHT:

The Senior South America Advisor is supervised by the Director, Office of South American Affairs, Bureau for

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC/SA).

a) Supervisory Controls – The Senior South America Advisor performs work of outstanding difficulty and responsibility under the general administrative direction of the Director of LAC/SA with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of broadly defined missions or functions and provides only administrative and policy direction. As a recognized authority, the Senior South

America Advisor has complete responsibility and authority to plan, design, schedule, and carry out major tasks independently. The Senior South America Advisor typically exercises discretion and judgment in determining whether to broaden or narrow the scope of tasks. Completed work is reviewed by superiors only for potential influence on broad agency policy and program goals, fulfillment of program objectives, or contribution to advancement of knowledge in the field, and is normally accepted without significant change.

Recommendations for new tasks are usually evaluated for such considerations as availability of funds and other resources, broad program goals, or agency priorities.

b) Guidelines - Guidelines consist of broadly stated/nonspecific policy statements, statutes, court decisions, etc., that require extensive interpretation. The Senior South America Advisor uses judgment and discretion in determining the intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy and regulatory guidance. The Senior

South America Advisor also reviews proposed legislation or regulations that would significantly affect the program in Venezuela. The Senior South America Advisor is recognized as an authority in the development and/or interpretation of guidance on international cooperation programs/projects.

c) Nature, Level, and Purpose of Personal Contacts - The persons contacted include persons from outside

USAID in a moderately unstructured setting. Outside contacts are principally with the counterpart State

Department Offices and Bureaus, Embassy counterparts, Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and with Congressional staff and legislators. The Senior South America Advisor will also have contact with high government officials and other host country representatives. Host country embassy contacts are often at the ministerial level and include ambassadors. Frequent contacts are also made with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank and with officers in charge of the Venezuela programs for these institutions. Public contacts are extensive, including leadership of chambers of commerce, corporate officers at all levels, lobbyists, university representatives, and non-profit foundation executives. Within USAID, the Senior South America Advisor maintains close contact with appropriate field staff in the Venezuela Mission, other LAC Bureau staff, notably LAC Bureau Office of

Regional Sustainable Development (LAC/RSD) and LAC Bureau Strategy and Program Office (LAC/SPO), technical bureaus, and other central bureaus, in particular Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA).

This level may also include contacts with high-level Agency officials when such contacts occur on an ad-hoc basis.

The purpose of contacts is to justify, defend, negotiate, and settle matters involving significant or controversial issues among decision makers. The work usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance.

The people contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives and therefore the employee is required to achieve a common understanding among the various parties and a satisfactory solution that addresses their various objectives and concerns.

d) Complexity of Work Environment - Duties are significantly varied and require many different unrelated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of problems/situations that require a substantial depth of analysis. Decisions involve largely undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem. There are continuing changes in program, unknown phenomena, or conflicting requirements. The work requires generating and developing new hypotheses and theories, originating new techniques, establishing criteria, or developing new information. Assignments are of considerable breadth and intensity and require the participation and support of others. The work requires a continuing effort to establish concepts, theories, or programs, or to resolve unyielding problems.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications. Offers will be pre-screened and only those that meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation. These are the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position:

1. Education: Master's degree in law, public policy, public administration, social science, international relations, development, or other relevant degree with significant study pertinent to the position (statement of duties) is required.

2. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 15 years of experience working on issues related to the position, 5 of which must be working in government (as a direct hire or under a contract) and 10 years in a developing country.

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

EVALUATION FACTORS:

Candidates will be evaluated on the extent and quality of education, experience, knowledge and skills and abilities as they relate to this position against the following criteria:

Factor A – Education Relevant to the Position (15 points):

A Master's degree in law, public policy, public administration, social science, international relations, development, or other relevant degree with significant study pertinent to the position (statement of duties) is required.

Factor B – Professional Work Experience (25 points):

The Senior South America Advisor must have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of professional experience in managing, designing, or evaluating activities on behalf of an international organization, the U.S. government, or a

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). This experience must include at least ten (10) years working successfully with teams in the international development context in a developing country. A strong work record managing programs in Latin America and/or in closed-society context, and a background in civil society development, human rights, economic development, or community development is needed. This must include a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in program management, including project design. Candidates must be able to clearly demonstrate their prior experience in project administration, in managing projects/programs through implementing partners, and in achieving high level results.

Candidates must demonstrate expert knowledge and experience in the development of civil society, community development, democracy promotion, as well as human rights programs especially in closed societies. Candidates must show monitoring and evaluation experience in environments that are difficult to assess.

Factor C – Expert Knowledge (20 points):

Candidates should have theoretical and practical knowledge of best practices in programming for democracy and civil society programs, and ability to articulate such programs both verbally and in writing to senior officials. S/he must also possess knowledge of project development, management, performance monitoring and reporting, and procurement policies and procedures. Coursework on USG program planning and management must be demonstrated. Prior experience working on issues related to post-conflict societies or failed states is required.

Factor D – Excellent Interpersonal and Communications Skills (15 points):

The Senior South America Advisor must have the ability to interface with staff at every level in USAID, as well as with other U.S. Government and external non-governmental organizations. Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills are critical. The ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on policy, program and administrative matters is also critical. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a proven track record of effective, team-based working relationships with a wide range of individuals.

Superior written and oral communication skills are essential. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and verbal interpretation in required. The Senior South America Advisor must have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both verbally and in writing. The incumbent must have demonstrated ability to produce professional-quality analytical reports. Tack and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships. Verbal communication skills are required to negotiate activities and resolve implementation issues with counterparts, partners, and team members. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers. Candidates with proficiency in written and spoken Spanish will earn 5 points within the 15 points allowed.

BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Evaluation Factors will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Applicants are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Applicants should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each additional page.

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

Factor A – Education Relevant to the Position (15 points)

Factor B – Professional Work Experience (25 points)

Factor C – Expert Knowledge (20 points)

Factor D – Excellent Interpersonal and Communications Skills (15 points)

Total Possible – 75 points

Interview Performance – 25 points

During the interview, the candidate must demonstrate clear and organized communication expanding on background and experiences. The candidate must be able to articulate ideas that demonstrate breadth of knowledge on relevant topics as presented by the panel.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total Possible Points: 100

The successful candidate will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, one or more interviews and related activities, a professional writing sample, and reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the chairperson of the Technical Evaluation

Committee. Security clearances will be required after selection of candidate.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. USAID reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history.

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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2. This form must be signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time and submitted to the Point of Contact specified in

Section I.4 above. Offers must be submitted electronically in a PDF format.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this solicitation to ensure the offer is for the position of this solicitation.

4. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:

a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

c. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

d. Names and current contact information of three professional references that have knowledge of the applicant’s ability to perform the duties set forth in this solicitation.

e. Statement that the offeror is a U.S. Citizen

f. Statement confirming satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

g. In possession of, or able to obtain a Secret level clearance as provided by USAID.

Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

5. Supplemental document specifically addressing each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation.

Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

Note Regarding Government Obligations for This Solicitation: 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 application.

All individuals contracted as USPSCs are required to have a DUNS Number.

For general information about DUNS Numbers and SAM, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award

Management.

FAR 52.204.6 & 52.204-7 or https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ .

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX,

CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION,

OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

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.

Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

1. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561).

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive

Positions (SF-85).

3. Finger Print Card (FD-258).

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):*

*Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians

Foreign Areas)

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (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:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

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 309-2 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

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.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) (September 2006)

In response to the general threat of unauthorized access to federal facilities and information systems, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. HSPD-12 requires all Federal agencies to use a common

Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standard when identifying and issuing access rights to users of Federally-controlled facilities and/or Federal Information Systems.

USAID will begin issuing HSPD-12 “smart card” IDs to applicable contracts, using a phased approach. Effective

October 27, 2006, USAID will begin issuing new “smart card” IDs to new contractors (and new contractor employees) requiring routine access to USAID controlled facilities and/or access to USAID’s information systems. USAID will begin issuance of the new smart card IDs to existing contractors (and existing contractor employees) on October 27, 2007. (Exceptions would include those situations where an existing contractor (or contractor employee) loses or damages his/her existing ID and would need a replacement ID prior to Oct 27, 2007. In those situations, the existing contractor (or contractor employee) would need to follow the PIV processes described below, and be issued one of the new smart cards.) Accordingly, before a contractor (including a PSC* or a contractor employee) may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement) authorizing him/her routine access to

USAID facilities, or logical access to USAID’s information systems, the individual must provide two forms of identity source documents in original form and a passport size photo. One identity source document must be a valid Federal or state government-issued picture ID. (Overseas foreign nationals must comply with the requirements of the Regional Security Office.) USAID/W contractors must contact the USAID Security Office to obtain the list of acceptable forms of documentation, and contractors working in overseas Missions must obtain the acceptable documentation list from the Regional Security Officer. Submission of these documents, and related background checks, are mandatory in order for the contractor to receive a building access ID, and before access will be granted to any of USAID’s information systems. All contractors must physically present these two source documents for identity proofing at their USAID/W or Mission Security Briefing. The contractor or his/her

Facilities Security Officer must return any issued building access ID and remote authentication token to USAID custody upon termination of the individual’s employment with the contractor or completion of the contract, whichever occurs first. The contractor must comply with all applicable HSPD-12 and PIV procedures, as described above, and any subsequent USAID or government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies, including any subsequent related USAID General Notices, Office of Security Directives and/or Automated

Directives System (ADS) policy directives and required procedures. This includes HSPD-12 procedures established in USAID/Washington and those procedures established by the overseas Regional Security Office. In the event of inconsistencies between this clause and later issued Agency or government-wide HSPD-12 guidance, the most recent issued guidance should take precedence, unless otherwise instructed by the Contracting Officer.

The contractor is required to include this clause in any subcontracts that require the subcontractor or subcontractor employee to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical access to USAID’s information systems.

End of Provision

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.

[END OF SOLICITATION]

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations