Signed 1 - SOL Vetting Official 720BHA22R00014.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA22R00014

ISSUANCE DATE: May 10, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 01, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

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

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID) Office of Humanitarian and Management Operations (HBMO), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Vetting Official (VO) under a

United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. 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. 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. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

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

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

NOTE REGARDING ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR

FEDERAL CONTRACTORS

720BHA22R00014

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The contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against

COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal

Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management

(SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the

DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b& sysparm_search=kb0013183

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received.

Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers.

Your complete resume must be emailed to:

HBMO Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: BHA.HBMORecruitment@usaid.gov

Website: www.BHAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the HBMO Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely, Sonja Stroud-Gooden

Contracting Officer http://sam.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b& mailto:BHA.HBMORecruitment@usaid.gov http://www.bhajobs.net/

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA22R00014

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 10, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: This solicitation is open and continuous until July 01, 2022. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

May 31, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

July 01, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered for positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be canceled at

HBMO’s discretion.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: HBMO Recruitment Team, BHA.HBMORecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Vetting Official

6. MARKET VALUE: $126,233 - $164,102 equivalent to GS-14 (includes locality pay)

Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top

Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

POSITION DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian

Assistance (BHA) is responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian assistance overseas in response to all types of international disasters, including slow-onset disasters such as droughts or famine, natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, or man-made disasters such as conflict or war. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas:

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● Humanitarian Response activities comprise needs-based humanitarian assistance provided to save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies. Humanitarian assistance is grounded in humanitarian principles and is directed toward the most vulnerable populations.

● Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) activities will set the initial foundations for longer-term recovery as appropriate, and will work in close conjunction with humanitarian assistance. Early recovery is an approach that supports communities impacted by crises to protect and restore basic systems and service delivery. Early recovery builds on humanitarian response efforts and establishes the initial foundations of long-term recovery. Early recovery activities are implemented for a specified, appropriate timeframe that assists populations recovering from an identifiable shock. Risk reduction is the prevention of new and reduction of existing disaster risk and management of residual risk, which contributes to strengthening resilience and to the achievement of sustainable development. Resilience is the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

BHA has seven offices, as follows:

The Bureau’s three geographic offices are: (1) Office of Africa; (2) Office of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and (3) the Office of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Each geographic office designs, provides, and assesses humanitarian assistance for their respective regions, including assistance related to responding to, recovering from, and reducing the risk of man-made and natural disasters, while linking with other USAID investments that build resilience.

The Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC) shapes and influences USAID’s role within the international humanitarian system; leads engagement on a range of policy, programmatic, and operational issues; and positions the Agency to influence collective response to emergency needs across the globe.

The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads the Bureau's efforts to provide high-quality programmatic and technical leadership, oversight, and guidance. In addition, TPQ leads the Bureau’s external engagement with academia and coordinates research to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of humanitarian and multi-year programming.

The Office of Humanitarian Business and Management Operations (HBMO) is responsible for maintaining 24/7 operability by providing leadership, planning, quality assurance, technical expertise, and process management. HBMO ensures effective stewardship of the Bureau’s support services, including workforce planning, staffing, financial management, internal controls, facilities operations and infrastructure.

The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) leads and manages operational assistance and the purchase and delivery of goods and services in response to declared foreign disasters and international humanitarian needs in key functional areas, including supply-chain management, procurement, logistics, oversight, and operational coordination with the U.S. military.

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INTRODUCTION

The Office of Humanitarian Business and Management Operations (HBMO) develops, maintains, and coordinates the Bureau’s critical business functions and processes in areas of acquisition and assistance, administrative management services, talent management, internal training, programmatic risk management, and audit management. The office is organized into five divisions, namely, Acquisition and Assistance; Award, Risk, and Performance Management (ARPM);

Human Resources and Administrative Management Services; Budget and Finance; and

Information Technology Management.

The Audit, Risk and Performance Management (ARPM) Division leads BHA's strategic approach to risk management, ensures compliance with internal controls, coordinates internal and external audits, and serves as the primary liaison with the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG).

ARPM comprises three teams: Audit Management Team, Internal Control and Risk Management

Team, and the Risk Management Advisory Team. The Division is responsible for the oversight, coordination, development of management decisions, and response actions related to OIG audits.

ARPM is also responsible for monitoring compliance with USAID policy and USG rules and regulations; finalizing pre-award risk assessments; managing BHA’s response to annual USAID internal control exercises, such as the Enterprise Risk Management risk profile and Federal

Managers Financial Integrity Act assessment; performing pre-award surveys; and managing partner-vetting of BHA recipients. Additionally, ARPM strengthens and reinforces internal controls and risk management processes across BHA by developing internal guidance and policies and participating on intra- and interagency working groups.

The Vetting Official (VO) will manage the humanitarian vetting process for BHA. The VO coordinates the sharing of vital information with multiple vetting stakeholders, including:

Vetting Analysts stationed in the Threat Screening Center located in Virginia, and BHA program and policy teams and leadership. The VO will closely collaborate with applicant and recipient organizations and will be directly responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of data collected in USAID’s Partner Vetting System (PVS) and for sharing information about vetting procedures. The VO will be responsible for ensuring that Contracting/Agreement Officers, (COs/AOs), Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representatives (CORs/AORs) and recipients are notified upon receipt of vetting results. The VO is expected to oversee Vetting Assistants and will manage the vetting process from receipt of the vetting request, through final vetting determinations.

This position will be part of the Vetting Support Unit in the Internal Control and Risk Management

Team in BHA’s ARPM Division. The position is based in Washington, D.C., with potential travel to the field to support field-level audit coordination as needed.

OBJECTIVE

BHA requires the services of multiple VOs to manage the formal vetting process for USAID-funded humanitarian programs. The VOs will ensure compliance with USAID vetting policies and provide technical direction and policy guidance on the vetting of humanitarian programs.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management and Verification of Vetting Information:

● Manage the process from receipt of the vetting request from recipient organizations through final vetting results received from USAID’s Office of Security (SEC), and final determination made by BHA leadership.

● Collect vetting data from applicants and review forms for completeness and accuracy of information submitted by applicants and/or recipients.

● Conduct quality control and provide oversight of all vetting information.

● Perform regular checks in the PVS database to verify if a record currently exists for the prospective recipient.

● Guide applicants and/or recipients on the type of documents required for vetting and make necessary adjustments in PVS.

● Communicate directly with applicants and recipients regarding eligibility determinations.

● Serve as the BHA liaison and coordinate with SEC on vetting results and data verification.

● Manage a system that tracks BHA’s vetting priorities.

● Notify COs/AOs, CORs/AORs and recipients of vetting results.

Vetting Policy, Procedures and Oversight:

● Serve as the senior vetting expert for BHA, advising leadership and making recommendations to program staff on vetting policy and operational issues.

● Engage with BHA staff, the USG interagency, and the public on matters pertaining to humanitarian partner vetting, including policy and processes.

● Initiate and maintain strong positive working relationships with other USAID Bureaus, USAID Missions, or USAID staff engaged in vetting to provide technical direction on vetting of humanitarian programs.

● Serve as a subject matter expert on vetting policies and procedures, and provide policy guidance to program staff, including AORs and CORs, on the vetting process.

● Work with the Office of the General Counsel to assist USAID’s Office of Acquisition and

Assistance (OAA) in the development of vetting award language and partner communications, as needed.

● Oversee and/or directly facilitate training to USAID staff, applicants, and recipients on the vetting process and required documentation.

● Develop a strong understanding of USAID’s vetting policies, authorities, and approaches, including internal communication and outreach documents such as standard operating procedures and guidance documents.

● Communicate and coordinate with other USAID Vetting Officials.

● Provide day-to-day technical direction and priority-setting and provide performance management oversight for the Vetting Assistant(s) and Vetting Analyst(s).

● Mentor and cross-train staff on effective communications with applicants and recipients, as well as other USAID staff on vetting issues.

Representation:

● Represent BHA’s humanitarian equities in intra-agency discussions to mitigate against delays in the provision of life-saving assistance.

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● Represent BHA in official external meetings with humanitarian stakeholders and relay

USG policies and regulations with diplomacy and tact.

● Successfully present and negotiate decisions from BHA leadership with other USAID stakeholders.

● Prepare background documents, informational memos, and talking points, and brief BHA

USAID leadership on the vetting recommendations and results in order to make a final vetting determination. Facilitate, coordinate, and lead vetting presentations to internal and external audiences.

● Represent BHA and regularly participate in USAID’s Vetting Working Group and other internal and interagency fora.

PVS Database Management:

● Test, identify, and report on the system’s functionality and capabilities. Report accuracy of data in the system and recommend any corrective actions improvements.

● Generate analytical reports for BHA leadership in order to analyze vetting results and monitor any outstanding or delayed vetting queries.

● Develop an internal vetting filing system and supervise its maintenance in accordance with

Agency policies on sensitive and classified information. Attend all required PVS training and provide training and support to Vetting Assistants on use of the system as needed.

Supervisory:

● Manage and supervise the Vetting Assistant(s) and Vetting Analyst(s).

● Oversee the Vetting Team by assigning/balancing workloads, reviewing work products, addressing personnel issues, providing professional development opportunities, and any other management tasks as needed.

● Review work product for compliance and accuracy.

General:

● Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.

● Sign-up for and serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams

(RMT), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams

(DART) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.

● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months.

● As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.

● As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.

● Become certified and serve as an AOR/COR, as assigned. The AOR/CORs provide financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract;

this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e., work plans, annual reports, monthly status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in

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Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement

Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and USAID policy.

AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements set forth in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The Vetting Official will take direction from and will report to the ARPM Internal Control and

Risk Management Team Lead or their designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. The USPSC independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. Results are considered authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

13. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

14. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in, or pertinent to, including, but not limited to: political science, public policy, information management, international relations, security studies, or a related field), and a minimum of nine (9) years of experience working on development and/or crisis stabilization programs, emergency relief assistance, or security engagement and training, of which three (3) years were obtained from the field in the areas of emergency relief program operations, post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid, counter-terrorist financing, or security engagement and training. Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders on complex sensitive security issues.

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OR

Master's degree with significant study in, or pertinent to, but not limited to: political science, public policy, information management, international relations, security studies, or a related field), and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working on emergency relief assistance, development and/or crisis stabilization programs, or security engagement and training, of which two (2) years were obtained from the field in the areas of emergency relief program operations, post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid, counter-terrorist financing, or security engagement and training. Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders on complex sensitive issues.

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.

SELECTION FACTORS

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.

● Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented

Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract.

● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM

The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses.

Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process. The rating factors are as follows:

MATRIX (25 points)

Technical Experience (10 points) https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

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● Demonstrated knowledge of federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to

USG-funded grants and contracts, the handling of Personally Identifiable Information

(PII), or counter-terrorist financing.

● Proven experience in analyzing and interpreting program data, and conducting complex analyses.

● Demonstrated knowledge in working in secure and classified systems.

● Demonstrated experience in, and knowledge of, working in complex, high-threat or non-permissive environments.

● Experience in briefing senior organizational or agency leadership and recommending policy solutions.

Negotiation, Communication, and Interpersonal Skills (10 points)

● Proven experience in collaborating and coordinating on complex and difficult policies and guidance across different parts of an organization, with different stakeholders to attain effective solutions.

● Experience drafting cohesive guidance, standard operating procedures, memos, talking points, briefers, and other policy related documentation from a wide variety of sources.

● Experience communicating and transferring knowledge on complex policy and programmatic topics to a multitude of non-specialist audiences at a variety of levels, including junior staff, peers, and senior leadership.

● Experience in representing an organizational or agency decision and negotiating a policy decision.

● Proven ability to multi-task and respond to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Management Experience (5 points)

● Experience managing, mentoring, coaching, guiding, and training seasoned and junior coworkers and technical staff including reviewing work products and providing performance feedback.

Interview Performance (40 points)

Timed Writing Test (20 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection

Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror

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Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection package.

Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter.

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

1. 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. 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. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

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

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

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To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS

Via email: BHA.HBMORecruitment@usaid.gov

NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of

Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.

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 offer.

NOTE: REGARDING ADEQUATE SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS

Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021

(published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985). (c) Personal Services

Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal

Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management

(SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: Registration for a DUNS number is FREE.

For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Unique Entity Identifier at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-

52#FAR_52_204 and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204 or www.sam.gov.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204 http://www.sam.gov/

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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 be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

1. Resume.

2. USPSC Offeror Form (AID 309-2)

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). **

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **

5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **

6. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

7. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). **

** Forms 3 through 7 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an offeror is the successful candidate for the job.

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

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) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220).

(d) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).

(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 (Section 650).

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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NOTE: Family members of USPSC's seeking employment in the local economy overseas need to be aware of the work permit regulations in the host country.

If a country does not have a bi-lateral work agreement with the U.S. Government, USPSCs must seek Chief of Mission and Contracting Office approval to seek employment in the local economy; approval is not guaranteed.

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 .

ADS 309 – Personal Services Contracts can be found at:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf

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

Five Year Table – Vetting Official

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTIT

Y

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Year 1 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0002 Base Year 2 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0003 Base Year 3 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

0004 Base Year 4 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

1 LOT $ ___ $___

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/309.pdf

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- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

0005 Base Year 5 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: 497

- Accounting Info: [Insert from Phoenix]

1 LOT $ ___ $___

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 .

AAPD 06-10 – PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility

AAPD No. 06-10 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 1 to the solicitation.

AAPD 21-05 – Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for U.S. Personal Services

Contractors

AAPD No. 21-05 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 2 to the solicitation.

AAPD 18-02 REVISED - Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services

AAPD No. 18-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 3 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.222-50 – Combating Trafficking in Persons

FAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 4 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.223-99—Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors

FAR Clause 52.223-99 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 5 to the solicitation.

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 .

ALL QUALIFIED OFFERORS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE,

COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-

DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT

FACTOR.

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ATTACHMENT 1

USPSC PROVISION “MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER

2006)

MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below.

The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES.”

(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation

(see paragraph (f) of this provision).

(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider

(FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision

10, Travel and Transportation AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6

Expenses (July 1993), section (i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.”

In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-3067, http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0

18 | Page provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under General Provision 10, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member.

In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by

USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for

Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the

USPSC/dependent. (i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 7 Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

[End of Provision]

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ATTACHMENT 2

GP. 5 Leave and Holidays (NOV 2021)

(Pursuant to class deviation #M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-22-1-c)

(a) Annual Leave

(1) The contractor is not entitled to annual leave if the period of performance of this contract is 90 days or less. If the contract period of performance is more than 90 days, the contractor shall earn annual leave as of the start date of the contract period of performance as specified in paragraph (a)(2) below.

(i) If the contract period of performance is ninety (90) calendar days or more, and the contractor's performance is continuous for the contract period of performance, the contractor is entitled to accrue annual leave as of the start date of the contract.

(ii) If the contract period of performance is ninety (90) calendar days or more, and the contractor's performance is not continuous during the contract period of performance, the contractor is entitled to accrue annual leave only for each instance of continuous performance of ninety (90) calendar days or more.

(iii) If the contract period of performance is less than ninety (90) calendar days, the contractor is not entitled to accrue annual leave.

(2) The rate at which the contractor will accrue annual leave is based on the contractor's time in service according to the table of this paragraph (a)(2). The accrual rates are based on a full-time, 40-hour workweek, which will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter workweek:

Time in Service Annual Leave (AL) Accrual Calculation

0 to 3 years Four hours of leave for each two week period over 3, and up to 15 years Six hours of AL for each two week period

(including 10 hours AL for the final pay period of a calendar year) over 15 years Eight hours of AL for each two week period

(i) USAID will calculate the time in service based on all the previous service performed by the contractor as—:

(A) An individual personal services contractor with USAID for any duration covered by Sec.

636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory authority applicable to USAID; and/or

(B) A former U.S. Government (USG) direct-hire civilian employee; and/or

(C) An honorable active duty member of the uniformed services based on the definition in 5 U.S.C.

2101(3).

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(ii) In addition to the information certified by the contractor in their Offeror Information form, the contracting officer may require the contractor to furnish copies of previously executed contracts, and/or other evidence of previous service (e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214 or 215) to conduct the due diligence necessary to verify creditable previous service.

(3) Annual Leave is provided under this contract primarily for the purposes of providing the contractor necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor, in consultation with the Supervisor, must develop an annual leave schedule early in the period of performance, taking into consideration the requirements of the position, the contractor's preference, and other factors. The maximum amount of annual leave that the contractor can carry over from one leave year to the next is limited to 240 hours. The contractor's unused annual leave balance in excess of the 240 hour maximum at the end of the last pay period of each leave year will be forfeited, unless the requirements of the position precluded the contractor from taking such leave. The contractor may be authorized to restore annual leave for exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the contractor. The restoration of annual leave may be approved only by the

USAID Administrator, cognizant Assistant Administrator or Head of an Independent Office reporting directly to the USAID Administrator, and cannot be delegated further. Annual leave restored must be scheduled and used no later than the earlier of either—

(i) The end of the leave year two years after the date fixed by the approving official as the termination date of the exceptional circumstances beyond the contractor's control, which resulted in the forfeiture; or

(ii) The end of the contract.

(4) The contractor must use all accrued annual leave during the period of performance. At the end of the contract, the contractor will forfeit any unused annual leave except where the requirements of the position precluded the contractor from taking annual leave. In this case, the contracting officer may authorize the following:

(i) The contractor to take annual leave during the concluding weeks of the contract, not to exceed the period of performance; or (ii) Payment of a lump-sum for annual leave not taken based on a signed, written determination and findings (D&F) from the contractor's supervisor. The D&F must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking annual leave, and the contracting officer must find that the contractor did not cause, or have the ability to control, such facts and circumstances. This lump-sum payment must not exceed the number of days the contractor could have accrued during a twelve (12)-month period based on the contractor's accrual rate.

(5) The contractor may be granted advanced annual leave by the contracting officer when circumstances warrant. Advanced leave must be approved by the Mission Director, cognizant

Assistant Administrator, or Head of an Independent Office reporting directly to the Administrator, as appropriate. In no case may the contracting officer grant advanced annual leave in excess of the amount the contractor can accrue in a twelve (12)-month period or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. At the end of the period of performance or at termination, the contractor must reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advanced annual leave provided to the contractor under the contract.

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(b) Sick Leave. The contractor may use sick leave on the same basis and for the same purposes as

USAID direct-hire employees. The contractor will accrue sick leave at a rate not to exceed four

(4) hours every two (2) weeks for a maximum of thirteen (13) work-days per year based on a full-time, 40-hour workweek, and the rate of accrual will be prorated if the contract provides for a shorter workweek.