Sol_72062020B00003 - USPSC Malaria Advisor - PMI.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062020B00003

ISSUANCE DATE: October 2, 2020

CLOSING DATE/TIME: November 1, 2020

4:30pm (Nigeria time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Malaria Advisor (USAID/PMI

Resident Advisor) - USAID/Nigeria

Dear Prospective Offerors:

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

(USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contract specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Janine Scott

Contracting Officer

Malaria Advisor (USAID/PMI Resident Advisor)

72062020B00003

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062020B00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 2, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/ TIME for RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 1, 2020 (4:30pm Nigeria time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Clementina Edereka, e-mail at Abujahr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Malaria Advisor (USAID/PMI Resident Advisor)

6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 to $120,868 equivalent to GS-14.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) base years period, estimated to start o/a 02/2021 with an option of three (3) one-year extensions for a maximum of five (5) years. Years not to exceed a total of five (5) years. Exercise of options will depend on continuing need of services, availability of funds, and Washington’s approval.

Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise the additional option period(s) for three

(3) years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a 01/2021 to 01/2023

Option Period 1: o/a 01/2023 to 01/2024

Option Period 2: o/a 01/2024 to 01/2025

Option Period 3: o/a 01/2025 to 01/2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria

With possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents, or both types of persons (USNs) are eligible offerors per AIDAR 702 and Appendix D.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The selected candidate must be able to obtain a security clearance at the “Secret” level.

mailto:Abujahr@usaid.gov

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

The U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI)—led by the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID) and implemented together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC)—delivers cost-effective, lifesaving malaria interventions alongside catalytic technical and operational assistance to support Nigeria to end malaria.

The USPSC Malaria Advisor (USAID/PMI Resident Advisor – “The Advisor”)will work in the Health, Population and Nutrition Office and will report to the Health, Population and Nutrition Office Director and in his/her absence to his/her designee.

Background:

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with extraordinary human capital and natural resources, including oil, and a rich agricultural and commercial tradition and a projected total population of approximately 200 individuals. It comprises six geopolitical zones (North West, North East, North

Central, South West, South South, and South East), 36 states (plus the Federal Capital Territory of

Abuja), 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) with an average population of about 265,793 residents per LGA, and 8,812 wards. Each state has an elected governor, an executive council, and a house of assembly with the power to enact state laws. State governments have substantial autonomy and exercise considerable authority over the allocation and utilization of their resources, limiting the influence of the federal government over state and local government affairs.

Nigeria's stability, however, is threatened by terrorism with ISIS - West Africa and Boko Haram, high rates of poverty, and poor education, health, governance, and infrastructure. To address these challenges, U.S. foreign assistance supports investments in health delivery and systemic reform, countering terrorism and violent extremism, peacebuilding, economic growth, democratic governance, and justice.

In alignment with the FAR principle of "Graduating Countries from Assistance," U.S. assistance to

Nigeria works to build the capacity of the government, civil society, and individuals to manage good governance, achieve development outcomes, and make progress on Nigeria's Journey to Self-Reliance.

Malaria is transmitted throughout Nigeria, with 76 percent of the population living in high transmission areas. Five ecological zones define the intensity and seasonality of transmission and the mosquito vector species: mangrove swamps; rain forest; guinea-savannah; sudan-savannah; and sahel-savannah. The duration of the transmission season decreases from year-round transmission in the south to three months or less in the north. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant malaria species. The major vectors are

Anopheles gambiae s. l. and An. funestus. Within the An. gambiae complex, An. arabiensis predominates in the north and An. melas in the mangrove coastal zone.

Malaria prevention and control are major foreign assistance objectives of the U.S. Government (USG).

The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) was launched in June 2005 as a 5-year, $1.2 billion initiative to rapidly scale-up malaria prevention and treatment interventions and reduce malaria-related mortality by

50% in 15 high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative assists African countries, in collaboration with other partners, to rapidly scale up coverage of vulnerable groups with four highly effective interventions: long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets, artemisinin-based combination therapy, intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy, and indoor residual spraying. PMI works at the national level in close partnership with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and, operationally, PMI efforts are currently focused in eleven target states. PMI works with the

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and USAID’s Health, Population and Nutrition programs to implement effective integrated interventions to improve the health of Nigerians, with a focus on children and pregnant women. Since 2011 PMI -has helped to decrease child death rates by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018 according to Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), through investments totaling almost $546.19 million.

USAID/Nigeria’s health portfolio is expanding to strengthen current efforts in maternal and child health, including malaria, as well as new areas of emphasis such as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD’s) and the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). USG malaria control and prevention interventions in

Nigeria include, but are not limited to, case management (diagnostic and treatment) of malaria in health facilities and at the community level, distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) through mass campaigns, drug-based prevention through seasonal malaria chemoprevention and intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, operational research and social and behavior change interventions.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The Malaria Advisor (USAID/PMI Resident Advisor) will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Strategic and Technical Leadership 50%

Working under the direction of the Director of USAID/Nigeria’s Health, Population, and Nutrition

(HPN) Office (or her/his delegate) and in close collaboration with other team leads and members of the

USAID/Nigeria HPN Office and the CDC/PMI Resident Advisor, the Advisor will provide strategic leadership and technical guidance to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of

USAID/Nigeria’s malaria activities. The incumbent will work across sectors to develop and ensure implementation of smart integration approaches with reproductive, maternal, and newborn, and child health (RMNCH), HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis activities that provide greater program efficiencies and improved health outcomes. S/he will liaise with USAID/Washington and CDC/Atlanta backstop personnel, manage USAID FSN staff working on malaria, and provide managerial and technical support to the NMEP Director and staff to build capacity within the NMEP. In addition, the Advisor will represent USAID and the USG on various national and international technical and policy forums.

The Advisor, working in collaboration with the NMEP, HPN team members, the CDC/PMI Resident

Advisor (PMI/Malaria Team co-Lead), and PMI staff in USAID, Washington and CDC, Atlanta, will be responsible for developing annual malaria work plans. S/he will work with the USAID/Nigeria Program

Office and USAID/Washington to ensure full accountability and value for money of funds provided by the PMI and other relevant health funds. He will work with the USAID Nigeria Program Office and

Washington to ensure that financial and technical reports on the USAID malaria program in Nigeria are prepared and submitted as required.

The Advisor will provide technical and managerial support to USAID staff and implementing partners as needed during the design and implementation phases of all projects with malaria components to ensure interventions are high quality and programmatic targets are met. The Advisor will ensure that all activities are consistent with internationally accepted best practices and relevant to the specific malaria epidemiology of Nigeria. PMI will provide technical assistance for monitoring insecticide resistance used in LLINs and IRS and, as needed, provide technical assistance for indoor residual spraying.

The Advisor will be responsible for developing a monitoring and evaluation plan, as well as ensuring that implementing partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities. It is also expected that the incumbent will provide expert advice and practical experience to the Ministry of Health, the NMEP and other partners in how to execute operational plans, both jointly and collaboratively, to achieve measurable quantitative and qualitative malaria results, and in monitoring and reporting on malaria inputs, progress and outcomes relating to Roll Back Malaria (RBM) goals. S/he will carry out monitoring and evaluation visits to implementation sites to ascertain all quantitative and qualitative data is collected properly and ensure programmatic quality and value for money are maintained. In the event s/he cannot get to the field, the Advisor will, with the assistance of the Missions third-party monitoring and evaluation advisors, ensure that field monitoring is carried out.

The Advisor will liaise with USAID/Washington and the HPN senior management to ensure effective oversight of the Neglected Tropical Disease program and other relevant activities that the need arises.

S/he will develop, and present analysis, reports and presentations as needed to the Government of Nigeria

(GON), USG Agency Heads, development partners and other high-level visitors and carry out relevant programmatic recommendations.

Management of Activity Implementation 25%

The Advisor, in collaboration with the NMEP, will be responsible for overseeing the management of a broad range of PMI supported malaria prevention and control activities, including: LLIN procurement and distribution through various channels, including free mass distribution and community level continuous distribution; procurement and distribution of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs); case management of childhood illnesses, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea, at health facility and community level that includes appropriate use of RDTs for malaria diagnosis and treatment of malaria case in both public and he private sectors; provision of drug-based prevention including seasonal malaria chemo-prevention (SMC) and intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) coverage; behavior change and communication activities to support all of the above interventions; manage technical support for monitoring insecticide resistance and for technical assistance on an as need basis to the GON or state governments. The Advisor shall manage and oversee services and deliverables provided by contractors and grantees, in accordance with USAID program management regulations, procedures, and practices. S/he will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting the results of all malaria activities. Specifically, the Advisor will:

● Serve as Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR) and program/project/ activity manager.

● Provide review and approval of work plans, project budgets, performance monitoring plans, quarterly and annual reports, and other key documents for managed activities.

● Provide guidance on new program initiatives, draft program documents to secure funding and implement activities and manage the relationships between USAID and USAID implementing partners

(IPs).

● Provide technical assistance in capacity building, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation to key USAID governmental and nongovernmental partners, to ensure that they develop measurable plans and objectives for the implementation of innovative and effective HPN projects.

● Provide oversight to ensure that programs achieve sound programmatic and financial management, achieve anticipated results, are linked to and enhance attainment of strategic objectives, are aligned with GON priorities and are implemented within the framework of the USG foreign assistance policies. Work closely with other U.S. Mission and Agency staff to ensure effective coordination and alignment of all USG programs.

● Conduct regular site visits to monitor activity progress and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations or ensure that third party monitoring is carried out if unable to go to the field.

● Promote state sustainable plans with improved governance and accountability through activities that support the GON’s Journey to Self-reliance.

Partner Relationships 25%

The incumbent will establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the federal Ministry of Health, state governments, World Bank, Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, other donors as well as NGOs and faith-based organizations working on malaria and related issues. The incumbent will, therefore, develop and maintain relationships with these partners and stakeholders in order to design, plan and implement malaria prevention and control activities consistent with the malaria control coverage needs identified by the strategy and plans of the NMEP and PMI such as commodity gaps and a national monitoring and evaluation plan. S/he will effectively ensure that all of the USG malaria activities are complementary and enhance all other malaria activities being implemented in Nigeria. The incumbent will participate in meetings hosted by the NMEP on malaria.

As needed, the Advisor will carry out other tasks related to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of USAID support to the health/population/nutrition sector in Nigeria. The Advisor may also represent USAID/Nigeria at regional and international conferences, and act as a regional resource in various health sector areas.

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable): Not applicable

4. Supervisory Relationship: Continuing supervision of 3-5 Mission staff comprising up to four

Health Program Managers and up to one Health Program Assistant is expected, assigning work to a shared pool of administrative staff in collaboration with other team members.

5. Supervision Controls: The Advisor will report to the Director of the HPN Office or his/her designee and is expected to work independently in carrying out responsibilities.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not pose undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

1. Education: A minimum of a master’s degree in public health, international health, or social sciences from a recognized institution and/or clinical qualifications is required (5%).

2. Prior work Experience:

i. At least ten years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, design, supervision and management of a large-scale public health and malaria control programs. At least three years of this experience should have been in implementing public health or related development programs in sub-Saharan Africa; (20%).

ii. A solid record of performance in increasingly responsible positions in a reputable institution and experience managing or implementing activities with non-governmental or community-based organizations (15%).

3. Knowledge: The work requires mastery of public health principles, concepts, practices, methods, and advanced techniques for the design, implementation, and evaluation of development assistance programs. Such knowledge is required to apply new developments and theories of the field to major problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.

Work requires expert knowledge of USG and international regulations, and documentation and reporting requirements to make decisions or develop recommendations that will significantly affect important USAID malaria and other health policies and programs (30%).

4. Skills and Abilities: Successful candidates must demonstrate an ability to manage complex development activities within a portfolio, across Mission offices, and in coordination with other USG agencies and regional and other country bilateral development initiatives and activities. Demonstrate the ability to provide good interpersonal and communication skills and leadership qualities including ability to collaborate with host-country officials in program implementation and interact with governments, partners, contractors and other stakeholders at the highest levels such as Ministerial, Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Party or equivalent (20%).

5. Language: Level IV English (fluent) Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing proficiency is required. Excellent communication skills, strong operational, analytical, managerial, and computer skills including ease and Microsoft Office applications. Ability to represent USAID and promote the Mission’s goals and objectives to outside audiences is required (10%).

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.

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

1. Education (5 points)

2. Prior work Experience (35 points)

3. Knowledge (30 points)

4. Skills and Abilities (20 points)

5. Communication and Language Skills (10 points)

Total Possible Points: 100 points https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

SELECTION PROCESS

(1) Applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a short list of applicants developed.

(2) Following this initial review and short listing, a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be convened to review eligible applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation factors. Applications from candidates which do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. Those applications from qualified offerors meeting the required minimum qualifications will be assessed based on the evaluation factors. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

(3) USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone

OR not to interview any candidate.

(4) Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalist.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted:

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 Solicitation number on all offer is for the position in this Solicitation.

4. A type-written and signed cover letter of no more than two (2) pages specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements of the position.

5. A Curriculum Vitae/Resume which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements.

6. Offers 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 (3) references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

7. Limit all electronic (e-mail) submissions to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats.

8. Hard copies of diploma, certificates and relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the

CV/Resume.

https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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 the successful offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

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

(1) Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (AID 309-2)

(2) Contractor Physical Examination Form (AID Form 1420-62) *

(3) Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) * or

(4) Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) *

(5) Fingerprint Cards (FD-258) *

*The above listed forms (2 through 5) shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized benefits and allowances as listed below per AIDAR Appendix D.

1. BENEFITS: (If applicable):

(a) Employer's FICA contribution*

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES: (If applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations

(Government Civilians Foreign Areas), 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) Cost of Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Educational Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

Note: As of September 13, 2020, Nigeria became a 30% Post Differential, 25% Cost of Living

Allowance, 0% Danger Pay post.

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

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 PSC 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, and Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country

National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at

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

ITEM NO SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) QUANTITY UNIT UNIT

PRICE

AMOUNT (F)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with Contractor

1001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs) - Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with Contractor

2001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with Contractor

3001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs

(ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with Contractor 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

[END OF SOLICITATION]

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations