SOL-72052121R00001- WASH Advisor 2020.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development American Embassy, Port-au-Prince Boulevard 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41 P.O. Box 1634 Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Tel: +(509) 2229-8000 Fax: +(509) 2229-8066 www.usaid.gov/ht

SOLICITATION NO: 72052121R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: October 21, 2020 CLOSING DATE/TIME: November 5, 2020 5:00 pm (Local Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for an offshore U.S. Personal Services Contractor: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Senior Advisor in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Dear Prospective Offerors:

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

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment I, Sections I through V of this solicitation.

Incomplete, unsigned, or late offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. Offers received after the closing date and time contained in this solicitation will be considered late and will not be accepted.

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, Susan C. Easley

Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

Solicitation #: 72052118R000XX

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Advisor Port-au-Prince, Haiti

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052121R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 21, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME November 5, 2020 FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: (5:00 pm Haiti/Local Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Elenita Lahens email at elahens@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Senior Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 to $120,868 equivalent to a GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

The standard compensation package also includes contribution for life and health insurance and contribution to FICA.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The duration of the US Personal Services Contract

(USPSC) will be for a base of two (2) years, estimated to start on December 2, 2020. Based on Agency need, availability of funds and requisite approvals, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for three (3) years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period 12/02/2020 – 12/01/2022 Option Period 1: 12/02/2022 - 12/01/2023 Option Period 2: 12/02/2023 - 12/01/2024 Option Period 3: 12/02/2024 - 12/01/2025

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Port-au-Prince, Haiti with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

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(1) Purpose of the Contract:

USAID/Haiti is seeking the services of a USPSC to serve as Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Senior Advisor in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

(2) Introduction:

The Office of Infrastructure, Engineering, and Energy (OIEE) supports Mission programming efforts in support of USAID/Haiti’s infrastructure development goals.

With a planned budget of $500 million over the US Government (USG) Haiti Strategy period, OIEE manages large-scale infrastructure activities, advises Mission senior staff, and provides specialized guidance to other technical teams within the Mission. OIEE’s portfolio consists of four main components: housing and settlements, ports, health infrastructure, and energy. OIEE will also provide project management and engineering support to a new Mission-wide initiative on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.

Water is at the heart of integrated development. Limitations on the amount or quality of water available will determine the success of interventions in health (diarrheal disease and child survival, infection control in health facilities, population growth around water points, etc.). Water accessibility also impacts economic opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and industry, and environmental sustainability. Water resources management as well as water supply and sanitation infrastructure/service provision can be highly attractive and effective entry points for democracy and governance activities. Water-related activities are a high priority of local governments. Decision-making and management of the water resource itself (access/allocation, conflict resolution, and protection) as well as maintenance, operations, and cost-recovery related to water infrastructure are important means of developing community governance capacity and strengthening local government institutions and policies. Increasing access to potable water and improved sanitation and hygiene are essential to achieving targeted development outcomes and sustained poverty reduction.

(3) Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The WASH Advisor shall provide senior level leadership in project management, technical guidance to WASH-related activities, including development and implementation of the Mission’s WASH strategy.

In addition, the WASH Advisor will provide strong leadership and expert technical assistance to guide, coordinate, manage, and monitor all aspects of the expanding and high-profile Mission WASH portfolio. This will require coordination and consultation skills across the Mission’s portfolio, working with a multitude of implementing partners, Mission Office Directors, Senior Mission Management, Heads of Donor Agencies and GOH counterparts, including Minister level public

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Responsibilities are as follows:

A. Technical and strategic support for strengthening WASH systems and WASH-sector governance (40%):

• Lead embassy-wide efforts to identify, prioritize, and address key technical challenges in water and sanitation service provision and management in the country.

• Advise the development and implementation of USAID’s ongoing strategies and programs to establish and strengthen sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure and systems in Haiti. This will include a significant focus on institutional strengthening of GOH and other partner institutions to establish and sustainably manage major water infrastructure development activities contracted by USAID.

• Develop, maintain, and strengthen technical relationships with key senior level partners, including national ministries, local governments, donors, USAID implementing partners, private sector, NGOs, and universities to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders.

• Provide technical expertise and advice to GOH authorities as necessary to strengthen systems for implementing USAID-funded activities. Compile, analyze, and disseminate reports to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington on WASH issues and accomplishments.

• Provide technical input to program and strategy design and planning based on knowledge of international best practice and the particular constraints presented in country.

• Serve as a technical liaison between USAID and other USG agencies, such as the CDC and national WASH partners in government, NGO, and donor agencies.

• Respond to, and fulfill Mission front office, agency and inter-agency requests;

Advising the US Ambassador, the USAID Director, the CDC Country Director, senior USAID/Washington personnel, senior State Department personnel, technical offices, and the GOH President and relevant Ministers regarding key ongoing projects and development-related issues.

B. Partner Relationships (30%):

• Advise and collaborate with technical staff and GOH officials at senior levels, including the President and Ministers, on policy and programmatic issues related to WASH systems, management, and governance.

• Promote and maintain active USAID Mission engagement with senior GOH personnel, heads of donor agencies and other organizations involved in the sector within Haiti in order to promote collaborative planning toward long term sustainable solutions.

• Establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including the senior GOH personnel, heads of donor agencies, and NGOs to maintain current knowledge of other donor programs and

4 Page 4 advise the USAID Mission Director, U.S. Ambassador and other senior Mission personnel on ensuring that USAID’s activities are collaborative and complementary.

• Develop and implement strategies for improved networking with partners and sharing of best practices learned in the course of implementing health and WASH activities, in order to accelerate program implementation and impact.

• Coordinate with USAID/Washington to identify and integrate strategies and projects among the various USG and internal USAID water, sanitation and hygiene-related activities and players.

• Provide briefings to the U.S. Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, CDC Country Director and senior level Mission partners on the status of USAID water, sanitation and hygiene activities and other infrastructure projects in country. Prepare and deliver presentations on the same issues to local government and USG officials and international and local program partners and colleagues.

C. Program Management and Oversight (20%):

• Support the design and implementation of targeted water, sanitation and hygiene program and activities with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals. This may include preparing requests for proposals/applications, acquisition and assistance requests, decision memos, Congressional Notifications, inter-agency agreement letters, bilateral and multilateral agreements, etc.

• Monitor financial, logistical, and reporting aspects of USAID-supported WASH programs, assuring compliance with USAID legal and reporting requirements.

• Lead the development of a performance-monitoring plan for all Mission WASH activities and guide data collection, analysis and reporting; perform regular monitoring and evaluations of USAID-managed WASH activities. This includes review of quarterly and annual program and financial reports from partners, and direct observation from field visits.

• Compile, analyze, and disseminate progress on achieving WASH sector objectives, on a regular basis, to the USAID Mission Director and USAID/Washington.

Recommend solutions to challenges.

• Act as AOR (Agreement Officer’s Representative) or COR (Contract Officer’s Representative) for USAID/Haiti’s new flagship WASH project and other projects that may be assigned as needed.

• Participate actively in the USG procurement process, as needed, including program advocacy, design, communication with USAID and USG stakeholders.

• In addition to responsibilities in the WASH sector, the WASH Advisor will serve as a technical advisor on various energy, health infrastructure, shelter, and ports related infrastructure development and policy matters. Responsibilities include the full range of counterpart engagement, planning, program design and oversight functions, with significant delegations of authority for project/activity implementation.

• The WASH Advisor will also provide guidance to USAID, the Department of State, and other USG stakeholders on USAID/Haiti WASH and infrastructure activities.

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D. Shelter and Community Development (10%):

• Engage with residents, community leaders, and local officials to explain the scope, schedule, impact, outcomes and expectations of the current or planned USAID activities within the community; develop, maintain and nurture relationship with all level contacts.

• Hold periodic town hall meetings with the community and the Implementing Partner (IP) to hear varied and complex community and IP grievances and concerns; examples include but are not limited to: perceived disrespect by IP, property damage, safety, and site accessibility during construction, possible or actual theft, hiring trends, threat of rioting to achieve results, lack of cooperation for access or right of way. The Advisor will actively listen to all concerns but not make commitments or promises, aiming to resolve disputes at the lowest level whenever possible. The Advisor will recommend possible solutions to complex issues to Mission senior leadership.

• Work with the community to address and understand warranty issues and procedures. Serve as the single point of contact for each project during the warranty period.

(4) Supervisory Controls: The WASH Advisor shall work under the general supervision and policy guidance of the OIEE Office Chief who will review and approve his/her work plan and performance measures. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate a high level of leadership, independence, professionalism, judgment, and responsibility. The Advisor will work closely with other technical teams on a day-to-day basis.

(5) Supervisory Relationship: The WASH Advisor will directly mentor and supervise a Senior Engineer (FSN-11). The Advisor will also collaborate closely with other OIEE team members, Mission staff, and with international and Haitian counterparts in the official and private sectors involved with WASH as well as other sector construction activities supported throughout the Mission’s portfolio on a daily basis.

S/he must demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.

12. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

To meet basic eligibility requirements, the offeror must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled APPLYING;

• Be able to attain Secret Clearance;

• Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance;

• Be available and willing to work additional hours beyond the established 40-hour workweek, including weekends, as may be required or necessary; and

• Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

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13. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

• Education: A Master’s degree is required in a subject relevant to water supply and sanitation, such as engineering, natural resources management, or urban planning.

• Prior Work Experience & Knowledge:

o Ten (10) years of work experience that demonstrates senior level managerial, technical, and analytical abilities combined with an ability to manage resources, programs, and people.

o Demonstrated management experience in strategic planning, program implementation leadership in urban and rural water supply, sanitation, and hygiene improvement.

Work in international environments comparable to Haiti is required.

o Knowledge of water and sanitation sector development in developing countries, including state-of-the art approaches in technology selection, policies/enabling environment, institutional structures, community governance, financing, environmental sustainability, behavior change and social/cultural issues including gender. Familiarity with USG policies, rules, and regulations in WASH is required.

o Experience with governance and management issues in the WASH sector and water infrastructure construction.

o Demonstrated development experience in broad areas of infrastructure development, strategy development, implementation of WASH programs and projects, activity design and on-going program management expertise.

• Language Skills: Level IV English (Fluent) ability and basic French and/or Creole are required.

• Abilities & Skills: Demonstrated experience in the management of the design and implementation of technically relevant activities is required. Must possess effective computer skills particularly in Microsoft Office. Substantial skill in preparing engineering reports, specifications, and related materials in English. Incumbent must have USG COR/AOR certification.

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

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FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The following factors will be the basis for the evaluation of the applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

• Education: (15 points)

• Prior Work Experience & Knowledge: (40 points)

• Communications Skills: (15 points)

• Skills and Abilities: (30 points)

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form

AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

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

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

4. Letter of Application and current resume. The resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on resume.

5. Application must be submitted ONLY via email according to the information provided in Section I, item 4 – Points of Contact.

Email subject must say: Solicitation No. 72052121R00001– Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Senior Advisor. Any attachment provided must be in a format compatible with Microsoft Word or PDF and not zipped.

6. Offeror also must address the above Section III: Evaluation and

Selection Factors, in a Summary Statement to be included in the application. This Summary Statement, limited to two (2) pages must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards the Offeror has received that are relevant to http://www.usaid.gov/forms

8 Page 8 each selection factor above. The Summary Statement must include the name of the Offeror and the announcement number at the top of each page.

7. Offeror must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references within the last five years from the Offeror’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. Three references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the Offeror’s work knowledge and professional experience. Offerors must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

8. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date, November 04, 2020 at 17:00 hrs. Haiti time.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

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

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

All forms can be found at: http/www/usaid.gov/forms/.

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

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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 Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post differential (Chapter 500)

(h) Payment during evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(i) 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:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

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

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

LINE ITEMS:

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNI

T (D)

UNIT

PRIC

E (E)

AMOUNT

(F) http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 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

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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.

[End of Solicitation]

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

2 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

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