Sol 72052121R00016 - USPSC Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist Haiti.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052121R00016

ISSUANCE DATE: March 5, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 19, 2021

5:00 pm (Haiti/Local Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a USPSC/TCNPSC: Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist 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 persons to provide personal services under contract as described in the attached 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. 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 Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Susan C. Easley Contracting Officer v

U.S. Agency for International Development American Embassy, Port-au-Prince Boulevard 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41 P.O. Box 1634 www.usaid.gov/ht

Tel: +(509) 2229-8000 Fax: +(509) 2229-8066

Attachment No. 1 Solicitation No. 72052121R00016

Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052121R00016

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 5, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 19, 2021 (5:00 pm Haiti/Local Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Susan C. Easley; usaidhaitihr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $79,468 to $103,309 equivalent to GS-13.

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 base period will be three (3) years estimated to start on/about July 06, 2021. Based on Agency need, availability of funding and subject to appropriate security and medical clearances, the Contracting Officer may exercise two (2) additional one-year options, not to exceed five (5) years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

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

Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: To meet basic eligibility requirements, the offeror must:

● Be a U.S. citizen (including lawful permanent U.S.

resident) or Third Country (non-US, non-Haitian) National o Hiring Preference:

In order of preference, U.S. Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first and only when it is determined that there is no qualified U.S.

Base Period: o/a July 06, 2021 - July 05, 2024 Option Period 1: o/a July 06, 2024 - July 05, 2025 Option Period 2: o/a July 06, 2025 - July 05, 2026 mailto:usaidhaitihr@usaid.gov

Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) that offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) will be considered.

References 309.3.1.4 and 309.3.1.10.

● Submit a complete offer as outlined in Section IV.

● Be able to obtain Facility Access 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.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The selected offeror must be able to obtain a

Security Clearance at the “Facility Access” level, and appropriate Medical Clearance within a reasonable period of time. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

(1) Purpose of the Contract:

USAID/Haiti is seeking the services of a USPSC/TCNPSC to serve as Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

(2) Introduction

USAID/Haiti executes programs and projects of a critical and highly specialized nature.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) support to USAID/Haiti programs in four economic development pillars: Infrastructure and Energy, Food and Economic Security, Health and Other Basic Needs, and Democracy and Rule of Law. The work includes support to all aspects of A&A negotiation, administration and close-out relating to and affecting USAID assistance programs in Haiti, including project planning, project design, implementation, and evaluation of programs.

The Senior Specialist is responsible for all pre-award, post-award, and close-out functions involving highly complex negotiated procurements of significant importance to the Mission. The Senior Specialist serves as an advisor to sectoral officers in project planning meetings; advises program officials of the procurement and assistance instruments to be used; assists in the preparation of statements of work; provides counseling and training to sectoral office staff on regulations and the FAR requirements; collaborates in the development of evaluation criteria; provides on-the job training to OAA office staff and assists Office Directors in selecting appropriate developmental assignments.

In addition, the Senior Specialist will be the A&A construction expert. As such the incumbent will be the A&A office authority on construction contracting, S/he will share that knowledge with sectoral teams and will also transfer knowledge to FSN and American staff on construction contracting and provide Mission guidance from an OAA perspective on how to build local capacity.

(3) Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

A. Procurement Planning

1. Develops long-range acquisition plans for new or complex programs. Responsible for procurement planning activities for assigned pillar Offices, which may include reviewing and clearing procurement plans and procurement documents and representing the A&A at program and procurement planning meetings.

2. Develops acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions, or financial arrangements that serve as models for future major system acquisitions.

3. Prepares and maintains current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules and keeps superiors informed of anticipated workload demands.

4. As part of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance team, analyzes and collates approved annual procurement plans.

5. Identifies within assigned sector programs those significant subsystems, components, equipment and services to be acquired by contract, grant, cooperative agreement, interagency agreement, or public international organization, or other USAID A&A mechanism.

6. Acts as advisor to program officials in activity planning meetings and advises program officials on the procurement instruments to be used.

7. Provides counseling and training to staff on USAID regulations and Federal Acquisition

Regulations (FAR) requirements. Provides on-the-job training to junior staff and assists management in selecting appropriate developmental assignments.

B. Design and Solicitation Processes

1. Collaborates in the development of evaluation criteria and preparation of contractual statements of work.

2. Develops objectives for programs in terms of competition and price range, and prepares contractual i.e., RFP or assistance i.e., RFA document, which includes the use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside policies, and similar considerations.

3. Provides backstopping services to sectoral personnel by advising on resolution of special procurement problems associated with waiver requests, expediting of deliveries, apparent overlapping responsibilities, and resolution of claims.

4. Performs detailed analyses of all elements of price and cost in contractor proposals.

Determines the competitive range and prepares defensible justifications as required.

5. Conducts pre-proposal conferences with prospective contractors to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract.

6. Is available for consultation on contracting issues with Mission staff, other in-country U.S. Government officials and representatives, Government of Haiti (GOH) officials, implementing partners, and others, as required by the needs of the acquisition.

7. Obtains appropriate data from all sources. Issues necessary modifications to clarify questions concerning such topics as specification changes, language ambiguities, or clarification of contract or agreement clauses/provisions or subawards.

8. Explores new or innovative contracting approaches to arrive at an equitable contract arrangement. In the absence of meaningful cost and price information, develops creative approaches to developing the necessary comparative data.

C. Award Negotiation

1. Serves as lead A&A negotiator responsible for significant program or major procurements, which includes the range of USAID A&A instruments.

2. Plans, leads, and coordinates the strategy for negotiations with contractors/grantees to develop the award price and terms.

3. Prepares the award documents and recommends their execution.

4. Negotiates Participating Agency Services Agreements (PASA) and Participating

Agency Program Agreements (PAPA) in accordance with statutory and procedural regulations and general agreements with other Federal agencies. Negotiations include prices, terms, special conditions, and amendments. Coordinates PASAs and PAPAs with officials in participating Federal agencies and with Mission officials as necessary.

D. Award Compliance Monitoring, Administration, and Audit

1. Conducts in-depth compliance reviews and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unique award actions requiring higher-level approval.

2. Ensures that contract terms and conditions are met and that the contractor delivers the required goods or services as agreed and in a timely manner in order to achieve award and Agency objectives.

3. Conducts analysis and prepares required documentation for various award actions, including: incremental funding, rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, time extension, incorporation of change orders, stop work orders, cure notices, show cause, or termination letters, approval of progress payments, final payment to the contractor, and contract closeout.

4. Evaluates the adequacy of the awardee's business management systems in areas such as personnel compensation, insurance subcontracting and/or sub-granting procedures, and financial management. Ensures compliance with applicable cost principles, and Cost Accounting Standards and requirements. Performs work associated with the analysis of automated contracting systems, or with providing advice and guidance on contracting and procurement issues including procurement using small/disadvantaged businesses.

5. Reviews grantee's procurement systems and procedures. In response to requests for review by grantees for the purpose of certifying their procurement system and procedures, conducts in-depth on-site evaluations of grantees contracts, contracting procedures, contract planning, competition, cost analysis, organizations, employee qualifications, procurement and contract administration systems, and similar functions.

6. Performs assessments of potential local contractors and recipients to determine appropriate award types and to make responsibility determinations. Meets with local partners to inform them of USAID requirements and to assist them in improve compliance with USAID requirements.

7. Interprets award provisions for awardees and for officials of the agency, and provides appropriate advice and guidance. Advises sectoral office counterparts and awardee contractors and recipients on their administrative responsibilities contained in the award.

8. Anticipates problems and provides advice to Mission personnel on effective implementation and timeframes.

9. Researches issues contained in award documents, and drafts and issues responses to correspondence, including but not limited to, subcontract consent requests, salary approvals, equipment approvals, on a wide variety of contract and assistance awards.

10. Terminates contracts and agreements for the convenience of the Government or default by the awardee. The incumbent is responsible for the preparation of all documentation necessary to support and defend termination decisions. Negotiates termination claims settlements.

11. Resolves audit findings on post-award audits. Responds to protests by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history. Works with the Contracting/Agreement Officer, Mission Controller and Regional Legal Officer, as appropriate, in supporting the Mission’s position.

(4) Supervision Controls

The incumbent will be supervised by the USAID/Haiti Supervisory Contracting

Officer (SCO).

General guidance will be provided by the Supervisory Contracting Officer. The position will not have supervision/oversight over others. The incumbent is expected to act independently with little direction or

(5) Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative as the Senior Specialist performs many assignments independently, providing guidance to others involved in the management of the OAA portfolio, and in the development, design, and drafting of acquisition instruments. Performance will be evaluated in terms of overall A&A achievements and success.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

● Education: A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (four-year university degree). Preferred areas of study include business administration, public administration accounting, law, banking, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and organization management.

● Prior Work Experience & Knowledge: A minimum of 7 (seven) years professional experience in acquisition and assistance functions; at least five years of professional-level construction contracting experience; and FAC-C Level II certification.

Demonstrated prior experience and ability to exercise independent judgment in a full range of pre-award, award and post award responsibilities including: procurement planning, solicitation, analysis and evaluation of proposals, negotiation and award of acquisition and assistance instruments, cost and price analysis, administration, termination, negotiation of changes, execution of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance and disposition of claims.

● Language Proficiency: Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

● Abilities & Skills: Incumbent must be able to work independently in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines. The ability to plan, organize and manage complex negotiations and meetings is very important. Strong organizational skills: ability to work independently with little supervision, ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure and to demonstrate flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time is essential.

Interpersonal skills – demonstrated ability to work collegially with technical officers, peers, and supervisors with good interpersonal skills and past performance in working effectively in a team environment is required. S/he must be able to adhere to high standards of professional conduct and to maintain strict confidentiality and high ethical standards relating to all areas of acquisition and assistance.

Demonstrated ability to lead team(s) and provide strategic advice on highly complex, time sensitive procurements. Must be able to communicate complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues understandably by knowledgeable laypersons without oversimplifying and be able to transfer knowledge/mentor other team members.

Proven ability in the following: negotiation, issuance of fixed-price contracts, issuance of cost reimbursement contracts, issuance of special-purpose contracts and agreements, business evaluations, administration, termination, award and administration of grants and cooperative agreements. Demonstrated skills in managerial and coordinative activities sufficient to conduct a variety of contractual actions occurring concurrently, is essential.

Demonstrated excellence in oral communication in English and strong writing skills.

Proven ability to evaluate and interpret policy directives and regulations, produce technical documents and to effectively communicate to internal and external stakeholders and produce technical documents 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 of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The following factors will be the basis for the evaluation of the offeror meeting the required minimum qualifications. All offerors will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the offer. 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 offerors may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

● Education: (20 points)

● Prior Work Experience & Knowledge: (60 points)

● Abilities & Skills: (20 points)

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

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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

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 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 http://www.usaid.gov/forms is for the position in this Solicitation.

4. Cover letter and current resume. The resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the offer in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on your resume.

5. Offer 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. 72052121R00016 – Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist. 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 offer. 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 each selection factor above. The Summary Statement must include the name of the Offeror and the solicitation 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 offers will not be considered; the offer must be submitted before or on the closing date, March 19, 2021 at 5:00 pm (Haiti/Local 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. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

All forms can be found at: https://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.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

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 (if applicable)

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (If applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

Haiti specific allowances are detailed here:

https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/location_action.asp?MenuHide=1&Count ryCode=1056

(a) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost of Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(j) Danger Pay (Section 650)

Resident-Hire USPSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits, differentials, or allowances;

and are only eligible for contributions for FICA, Medicare, health insurance, and life insurance.

VII. TAXES

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

https://aoprals.state.gov/ https://aoprals.state.gov/ https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/location_action.asp?MenuHide=1&CountryCode=1056 https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/location_action.asp?MenuHide=1&CountryCode=1056

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/aidar.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 by the illustrative table (no information required for offer submission):

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.

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 3-Year $_TBD_ $_ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 1-Year $_TBD_ $ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 1-Year $_TBD_ $ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/aidar.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms https://www.usaid.gov/forms 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 ***

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