Sol_720620222R00001 - USPSC FOOD SECURITY ADVISOR (Short-term) -GS 15 - Signed.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development 1075 Diplomatic Drive Central Business District, P.M.B. 519, Garki, Abuja.

Tel: +234-9-4614000 Fax +234-9-4619400 www.usaid.gov/ng

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062023R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: December 30, 2022

CLOSING DATE/TIME: January 29, 2023 4:30pm (Nigeria time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Food Security Advisor (Short Term) - 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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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

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

Sincerely, Janine Scott Contracting Officer

Attachment 1 Solicitation No. 72062023R00001 Food Security Advisor (Short-term)

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062023R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 30, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 29, 2023 (4:30pm Nigeria time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Elizabeth Morris, e-mail at Abujahr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Food Security Advisor (Short Term) - USAID/Nigeria

6. MARKET VALUE: $112,890 – $146,757 equivalent to GS-15

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

If the position is for a Washington based PSC, Offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of duties.

Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for the consultant is six (6) months, estimated to start o/a 2/27/2023 and end o/a 08/26/2023, with an option of a maximum of one six-month extension. Exercise of option will depend on continuing need of services, availability of funds, and Mission Director’s approval.

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 clearance

(public trust). Preference will be given to candidates currently holding a clearance (public trust or secret clearance).

mailto:Abujahr@usaid.gov

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. According to the United Nations Population Fund1, Nigeria’s population in 2021 stands at 211.4 million people, with an annual population growth rate of 2.6 percent between 2015 and 2020 and fertility rate (average number of children born to women during their reproductive years) of 5.2 per woman. Nigeria’s population nearly doubled between 1990 and 2015 and is projected to increase by 44 per cent by 2030 (UN Report, 2015)2. While a fast-growing population is not the only roadblock to progress towards reducing poverty and hunger in many countries, the high-fertility rate for Nigeria indicate that the youth will continue to be a growing and vital portion of the population and can cause challenges to systems that must deliver food basic services including security, nutrition, and education to growing numbers of children and youthful population.

A remarkable shift in population distribution from rural to urban areas is evident in Nigeria.

According to a GIZ supported sector project, URBANET3, Nigeria’s urban population has been rapidly rising since 2010 and is expected to increase five times by 2050. URBANET projects that the total population in Nigeria’s eight largest cities – Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt – will grow by over 70 percent, from 27 million in 2015 to 46.5 million by 2030. With an annual urban population growth of 4.3 percent, the country will be home to five of the African continent’s 30 largest urban settlements, according to URBANET. The rural-urban population shift will facilitate access by the mostly youthful population to the many advantages of urban life and at the same time complicate state, national and international efforts to address urban poverty and achieve environmentally sustainable production and consumption levels across the country.

Nigeria is currently in the throes of problems that, together, threaten stability and sustained economic development in the country: in the northeast, northwest, north-central, and south-south regions of the country where terrorist insurgencies, armed bandits, kidnapping and farmer-herder conflicts are common or on the rise. High prevalence of poverty, economic inequalities, and hardship and, perhaps to some extent, growing religious and ethnic dimensions, exacerbate these problems. Efficient production practices and consumption patterns of the populations and the levels of efficiencies of technologies will affect natural resource management, impact on the environment, and economic growth in the country.

The goal of USAID’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy in Nigeria is to support a healthier, more educated, prosperous, stable, and resilient Nigeria. USAID/Nigeria’s Office of Economic Growth and Environment (EGE) promotes inclusive economic growth by reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition; increased access to energy; enhanced private sector contributions to inclusive growth; and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene. USAID/Nigeria’s Office of Health Population and Nutrition (HPN) promotes access to quality health care through strengthening primary health care, public and private health systems, and improved nutrition services.

The USPSC reports to the U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) EGE Office Director and will coordinate closely with Deputy HPN Office Director for HPN assigned duties. Her/his principal responsibilities include https://www.unfpa.org/data/world-population/NG https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/trends/Population2030.pdf https://www.urbanet.info/urbanization-in-nigeria-infographics/ overseeing and managing the ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) in drug revolving fund project in select states, leading designs for new activities, and providing mentorship and coaching to the EGE staff across all hiring mechanisms. Secondary responsibilities include technical expertise for the strategic development for the Global Food Security Strategy. The USPSC’s role is essential to USAID’s core functions of coordinating integrated and innovative activities that advance food security objectives for the Mission, specifically around RUTF. This position supports key policy objectives and engages in important U.S. interagency and international donor coordination efforts related to food security and nutrition.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The USPSC will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Coordinate and drive implementation of Ukraine supplemental funding investments to integrate severe acute malnutrition commodities (RUTF) into functional state level drug revolving funds (DRF) 60%

The USPSC will closely coordinate with the Deputy HPN Office Directors, Nutrition Program Manager and the Commodities and Logistics Programming Manager to provide strategic direction and coordinate implementing partners to procure and distribute severe acute malnutrition (SAM) commodities; engage state level governments and other development partners to ensure replenishment of SAM/RUTF commodities through functional DRFs, health insurance schemes, philanthropy, and local procurement, support active case finding and ensure wrap around services for children affected by SAM in need of lifesaving nutrition commodities. The USPSC will also support high level communication with the USAID Front office and other development partners working in the Nutrition and Economic Growth space, including coordination with UNICEF and other HART partners involved in the nutrition response, particularly in areas of geographic overlap.

A significant portion of this work (30% of time) will involve developing and influencing relationships with state level government counterparts, a portfolio of implementing partners and a multisectoral team at the Mission.

2. Mentor and Foster the Leadership, Capabilities, and Expertise of US Direct Hire (USDH) and Local Staff to Achieve EGE Program Objectives Most Effectively 20%

The USPSC will mentor and foster the leadership, capabilities, and expertise of the five USDHs, two TCNs, one resident USPSC, and 12 local staff to reach EGE program objectives most effectively.

S/he will be expected to represent USAID/Nigeria at various forums to present USG technical and policy positions, including regular meetings with senior and mid-level host government officials, representatives of various national and regional institutions and organizations, other donors, local actors working in the economic growth space, U.S. Embassy officials and other USG agencies.

3. Strategic Leadership and Technical Expertise 20%

The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian war in Ukraine and growing macroeconomic conditions has brought unprecedented managerial, operational, and developmental challenges to most programming at USAID Missions. Adaptability and flexibility are as needed to carry out implementation timelines.

The USPSC will support EGE strategic planning development of the Global Food Security Strategy and activity design to mitigate these constraints and maximize the USG’s comparative advantage in the agriculture space.

The USPSC will support cross-sectoral coordination with all mission technical teams and coordination. S/he will coordinate with other technical offices and the program office to ensure implementation of effective approaches that provide greater program efficiencies and support effective implementation in targeted states. S/he will collaborate with technical offices and implementing partners and share thought leadership on emerging trends in recovery and resilience for economic growth in food security, energy, WASH, and private sector engagement.

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable): The selected candidate will be required to complete the one-week mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) course prior to proceeding to USAID/Nigeria. FACT is a mandatory course for service in Nigeria.

4. Supervisory Relationship: Supervision of other office staff is not anticipated. However, the

USPSC will be expected to mentor and coach direct hires to raise their performance to a minimum of the FS02 / GS14 level, up to FS01 -- this will require Master / Teacher level talent management and leadership skills. The USPSC is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision.

5. Supervision Controls: The USPSC will report to the EGE Office Director and coordinate with the Deputy HPN Office Director and is expected to work independently in carrying out responsibilities. The USPSC will work with the EGE Office Director to draw up mentoring and coaching plans. They will independently plan, design, and carry out programs, projects, studies, or other work assignments. Work/products delivered by the USPSC will be considered technically authoritative and normally accepted without significant change and will be reviewed in terms of fulfillment of program objectives, influence on the overall program, or contribution to the advancement of the objective.

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

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

1. Education: Master’s degree in Agriculture, Business Administration, International Development, or similar degree. (10 points)

2. Prior Working Experience: Minimum of 15 years of professional experience working in development and project support, and expertise in the agriculture sector, nutrition and/or economic growth. Strong prioritization and organization skills to meet deadlines. Experience in surveying the economic growth landscape–including but not limited to agriculture, food security, and nutrition. Experience generating evidence and improving data management systems designed to address food security in developing countries. Experience in innovative programming models/recommendations to integrate food security, WASH, nutrition, and resilience approaches in a humanitarian-development nexus. Preference will be given to candidates with past USAID or USG or other related experience and currently hold a clearance (public trust or secret clearance).

Preference will be given to candidates who have worked in Nigeria before and understand the current economic and food security climate. (35 points)

3. Knowledge: The mentoring and coaching workstream requires a SFS / teacher level of understanding of USAID processes and work culture as well as the ability to impart this knowledge in a clear and direct manner. The design workstream requires senior foreign service mastery/teacher level of knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, methods, and advanced techniques for the design, implementation and evaluation of development assistance programs related to stabilization and recovery in protracted conflict environments, and humanitarian affairs.

Such knowledge is required in order to apply new developments and theories of the field to dynamic, conflict-prone environments. Work requires SFS / teacher level knowledge of USG and international regulations, and documentation and reporting requirements to make decisions or develop recommendations that will significantly affect important USAID policies and programs.

(25 points)

4. Skills and Abilities: Successful candidates must demonstrate an ability to manage complex development activities within a portfolio, across offices, and in coordination with other USG agencies and regional or 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 of Party, or equivalent. Ability to represent USAID and promote the Mission’s goals and objectives to outside audiences is required. Strong technical writing, operational, analytical, managerial, and computer skills, including ease and Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications. (20 points)

5. Communication and Language Skills: Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing proficiency is required and may be tested. (10 points)

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.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

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

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

1. Education (10 points) (As stated above)

2. Prior work Experience (35 points) (As stated above)

3. Knowledge (25 points) (As stated above)

4. Skills and Abilities (20 points) (As stated above)

5. Communication and Language Skills (10 points) (As stated above)

Total: 100 points

Offerors meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the offer. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews and reference checks with the top ranked short-listed offerors. The interview and references will be one of the determining factors in the final selection. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

“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.

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 Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

4. To ensure consideration Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

5. A type-written and signed cover letter of no more than two (2) pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the work requirements of the position.

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

7. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references that have knowledge of the Offeror’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references.

8. Electronic copies of diploma, certificates and relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the CV/Resume.

1. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors – Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.* USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/ or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

* see Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

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

(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:

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

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 December 18, 2022, Nigeria became a 30% Post Differential, 15% Cost of Living Allowance, 0% Danger Pay post.

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. PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses 52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.

ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR

FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR 22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States.

https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(2) The District of Columbia.

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana

Islands.

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

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

(End of clause)

Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O.14042

USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in the U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirement pursuant to the Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”). In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

3. 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 (A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION) (B)

QUANTI

TY (C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F) https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiatio ns with

Contractor_

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. PSC Ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information:

https://www.usaid.gov/work usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

[END OF SOLICITATION]