SOL 72051420R00020_USPSC_Economic_Integration_Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051420R000020

ISSUANCE DATE: March 4, 2020

CLOSING DATE/TIME: April 3, 2020 - 16:00 (Colombia Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. / TCN Personal Service Contractor – Short-term – Economic

Integration Advisor, GS-14

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing the 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 bogotausaidhrteam@usaid.gov. Please ensure to include the solicitation number and position name in the subject line of the email.

Sincerely, Joseph Sidari

Contracting Officer

U.S. Agency for International Development

Cra 45 # 24B – 27, Gate 2

Bogotá

COLOMBIA

Tel: (571) 2752000 www.usaid.gov mailto:bogotausaidhrteam@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/

ATTACHMENT 1 SOL #72051420R00020

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL: 72051420R00020

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 4, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:

April 3, 2020 no later than 16:00

Colombia Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT:

bogotausaidhrteam@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE:

Economic Integration Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE:

$92,977 - $120,868 equivalent to GS-14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year – estimated to start on June 2020

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Colombia

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS U.S. Citizens, U.S. Resident Aliens and Third

Country Nationals

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful applicant shall be required to obtain a Facility Access security clearance.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Government of Colombia is facing a crisis caused by the influx of Venezuelans into Colombia.

Since 2014, over 1.6 million people have fled Venezuela to Colombia, with that number conservatively anticipated to reach 2.5 million by 2021. Venezuelans have settled throughout the country, including in areas where formerly displaced Colombians are also returning. As a result, these receptor communities are facing unprecedented challenges in socially and economically integrating these migrants and returnees. Moreover, government systems related to health, justice, and education services are becoming overburdened. If not addressed, this migrant crisis has the potential of undermining Colombia’s development or its delicate peace process. That said, the average Venezuelan migrant is young and often boasts high education levels. They also bring skills and professions that can benefit Colombian communities. If these attributes are mobilized towards broader community gains, Venezuelan migration has the potential to catalyze local development.

USAID/Colombia has received $80.1 million to date to provide immediate and medium to long-term assistance to the Government of Colombia to improve its capacity to provide services to this rapidly increasing population. In recognition of the protracted nature of the Venezuela crisis and the continuing influx and permanence of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, USAID/Colombia created the new Venezuela Response and Integration Office (VRIO) in 2019. VRIO is currently staffed by three United States Direct Hire employees and plans to onboard at least four locally employed staff by the end of 2020. As the Office grows and significant parts of the portfolio are conforming into regular Mission planning and implementation processes, VRIO is conforming to longer term staffing patterns. However, given the high-level interest in the Venezuela response and continued volatile nature of the crisis, there is still a need for short-term expertise to lead critical design and project management efforts within USAID/Colombia’s response and integration portfolio.

The Economic Integration Advisor plays a crucial role in leading the oversight and expansion of

USAID/Colombia VRIO’s support to the Government of Colombia's in expanding economic integration of Venezuelan migrants and Colombian returnees, including the planning, management, coordination, implementation, and tracking of all USAID/Colombia economic integration programs. The Economic Integration Advisor liaises with CORs/AORs managing

Venezuela economic integration activities, as well as high-level Government of Colombia (GOC) representatives, US Embassy staff, other donors, implementing partners. In addition, he/she will lead the design of new projects/activities to bolster medium to long-term support related to the effective integration of migrants via income generation.

2. Duties to be Performed

The Economic Integration Advisor will provide critical support to VRIO in the following areas:

1. Strategic Planning, Coordination, and Communications (25%)

● In coordination with USAID/Colombia VRIO staff, implementing partners, and interagency colleagues, establishes and develops critical relationships with multiple stakeholders focused on economic integration at the national and/or regional level, as appropriate, including national-level GOC counterparts (Ministers, Vice Ministers, Agency leads), other donors, civil society organizations, and others.

● Advises VRIO management on strategies to advance US Government priorities and objectives in the realm of economic integration of migrants.

● Stays informed on GOC strategic goals regarding the economic integration response and advises VRIO management on how to align US Government support with GOC strategic planning.

● Coordinates with other USG agencies donor efforts on economic integration in Colombia and the region.

● Presents the Mission’s Venezuela-related priorities related to economic integration to internal and external audiences, guiding discussions and decision-making, and making recommendations to Mission senior leadership.

● Writes talking points, speeches, cables, factsheets, reports, and various communications for high-level USG, GOC, and international audiences on subjects related to economic integration.

● Provides support for high-level Congressional Venezuela-related visits focusing on economic integration efforts.

2. Project design, procurement and activity management (60%)

● Works with leaders across all sectors and governments to identify development opportunities, challenges, and bottlenecks in the economic integration response, and strengthens coordination among the USG, GOC, implementing partners, UN agencies, other donors, and numerous actors to maximize impact on economic integration.

● Leads VRIO project design efforts for the economic integration of Venezuelan migrants, Colombian returnees, and receptor communities.

● In coordination with the Office of Assistance and Acquisition, spearhead procurement of new activities related to economic integration of migrants.

● Coordinates a portfolio of Venezuela-related economic integration activities, liaising closely with COR/AORs managing these activities.

● Advises the VRIO Director, Program Office, technical teams, and other staff on issues affecting programming, planning, development, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring, and managing for results in the economic integration sector.

● Serves as Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative, as needed, for designated

USAID/Colombia Venezuela response activities, including activity management, financial management, progress monitoring, communications, grant/contract revisions, and other issues as they arise (appropriate certificate required).

3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation (15%)

● Develops indicators to measure progress on economic integration of migrants.

● Provides regular updates to VRIO Director on number of beneficiaries reached and impact.

3) Supervisory Relationship:

The incumbent will be supervised by the Director of the Venezuela Response and Integration

Office, USAID/Colombia, but is expected to function with a high degree of independence, requiring minimal oversight. The incumbent, having advanced expertise in project development and management, has continuing responsibility for planning and carrying out analysis independently; determining the approach to be taken and the methods to be used; resolving most of the conflicts that arise; coordinating the work with others as necessary; and interpreting theory, practice, and policy in terms of established objectives. S/he keeps the Office Director informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and problems with far-reaching implications.

Completed work is considered technically authoritative and is normally accepted without significant change. Review is normally limited to fulfillment of objectives and the effect of work on the overall portfolio. The supervisor will provide input on work tasks, but the incumbent is expected to be a self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

4) Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent will recruit and supervise two local economic integration specialists.

“If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the

TCN personal services contractor must provide training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.”

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The incumbent works in an office environment and must follow U.S. Embassy regulations regarding safety and precautions, including security rules from the Regional Security Office and participation in drills. Given the political and economic crisis in Venezuela and the constantly shifting political environment in Colombia, the work environment will be challenging and volatile, requiring a high level of judgment, flexibility, and management acumen. Incumbent will manage a significant degree of complexity in information to be successful in the job.

While work is performed primarily in an office setting, significant in-country and regional travel will be required.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education: Master’s Degree in economics, international development; political science;

organizational learning; public policy or administration; business administration;

management; international relations; development administration; migration management;

economics; agriculture or agricultural economics; Latin American Studies; or other fields closely related to international development is required.

b. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience in complex, rapidly evolving development contexts, including coordination, project/activity design, project implementation, and/or monitoring and evaluation. Experience in the collection, analysis, and presentation of information is required. Experience designing, implementing and/or leading economic development programs is required.

c. Knowledge: The Incumbent must possess the ability to plan, organize, and implement development programs. S/he must have sound, evidence-based knowledge of economic integration issues, policies, and practices and must possess knowledge of the political, economic, and development realities of Colombia. Must be knowledgeable about project implementation, monitoring, and management, as well as project financial management.

The position also requires the ability to write and conduct oral presentations effectively. In addition, knowledge of, or the ability to obtain knowledge of, USAID processes including project design, procurement, and monitoring and evaluation is required.

d. Skills and Abilities: A high level of analytical skills and sound judgment is required. Must be able to work independently and as a member of a team and present a great deal of detailed information in a concise and professional manner. Also requires computer skills;

multi-tasking skills; and the ability to conceptualize both strategically and programmatically. Must be able to maintain cordial and professional relationships with

USAID staff, other USG agencies at post, Host Country officials, NGOs, and contractor personnel, among others.

e. Language: Fluent English (spoken/written) is required, and professional proficiency in

Spanish – Level 3/3 (spoken / written) is required.

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

“USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers”.

The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application.

Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors in order to be considered. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed.

SELECTION PROCESS

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria.

Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. 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; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

EVALUATION FACTORS

Those applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as on the applicant’s writing, presentation, and communication skills.

FACTOR #1: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The extent to which the applicant's relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities meet or exceed the requisite levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities set forth above.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

FACTOR #2: Prior Work Experience: The extent to which the applicant's relevant experience and technical expertise meets or exceeds the requisite levels of professional experience set forth above.

FACTOR #3: The extent to which the applicant meets or exceeds the required oral and written language ability set forth above. The summary statement and writing sample submitted will be considered in scoring this factor.

FACTOR #4: Education: The extent to which the applicant meets or exceeds the required level of education described above.

BASIS OF RATING

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on their responses to the evaluation factors in the supplemental document. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and on their professional reference checks. The applicant rating system is as follows:

Evaluation Factors

Factor #1 25 points

Factor #2 25 points

Factor #3 20 points

Factor #4 5 points

Interview: 25 points

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

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

All offers must be submitted by e-mail with the subject line SOL: 72051420R000020

- Economic Integration Advisor to bogotausaidhrteam@usaid.gov

Attention: Executive Officer

USAID/Colombia

Human Resources Office

Offerors must submit their application by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3 and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

Qualified applicants must submit the following documents in English or their application will not be considered for this position:

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

2. Cover letter (1 page).

3. Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume containing sufficient relevant information that respond to the requirements of the position (education/experience) in order to evaluate the application in accordance with the evaluation criteria; provide periods of performance where possible (maximum 3 pages).

4. Supplemental document with written responses to the evaluation factors describing specifically what experience, training, education, etc., the applicant has received relevant to each selection criteria (maximum 3 pages).

5. List of Minimum of three (3) professional references with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone and e-mail numbers. These professional references must not be family members or relatives. The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. At least one reference must be from a current or former supervisor

(1 page).

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the CO informs the successful candidate of being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide him/her instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms, if applicable:

1. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17);

2. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306);

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

4. Medical clearance - Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62)

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

6. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS / ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized benefits and allowances in accordance with AIDAR Appendix D – Appendix J and other relevant Agency and Mission policies.

Salary: Will be determined by the USAID Contracting Officer within the GS–14 salary range based on experience, qualifications, and salary history.

BENEFITS

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

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

Allowances applicable for TCN PCSs per Mission Director approval

1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

3) Post Allowance (Section 220)

4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

5) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

7) Education Allowance (Section 270)

8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

9) Education Travel (Section 280)

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 as described below:

ITEM No.

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Compensation, Fringe Benefits and

Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Award Type: Cost

Product Service Code: R497

Accounting Info:

Appropriation: 7217/221037 / 7218/231037

LOT

LC$TBD

LC$TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 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.

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