SOL 72067323R00001 - SSS Advisor Namibia.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72067323R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: January 30, 2023

CLOSING DATE/TIME: February 20, 2023 (17:00)

Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) and Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (TCNPSC)

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 Contact specified in the attachment 1.

Sincerely, Ifeoma Ezeh Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72067323R00001

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067323R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 30, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: February 20, 2023

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Alicia Veldman email at aveldman@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Sustainability and Systems Strengthening Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 99,908.00 - $ 129,878.00 equivalent to GS-14

Final compensation will be negotiated within the above value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Namibia, Windhoek.

Overseas USPSCs [and TCNPSCs not subject to the local compensation plan] may be authorized 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: Two years estimated to start in May 2023.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (U.S.) Citizens and Third Country Nationals (TCN) (if an applicant qualifies as a Resident Hire, they will be treated as such).

o U.S. CITIZEN: U.S. national (USN) means an individual who is a U.S. citizen, or a non-U.S.

citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

o THIRD COUNTRY NATIONAL: Third Country National (TCN) means an individual (i) Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident alien of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty, and (ii) Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at U.S. Government expense o RESIDENT HIRE: Resident hire means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hire as a PSC, resides in the cooperating country as a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement, or for reasons other than for employment with a U.S.

government agency or under any U.S. government-financed contract or agreement. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes persons who at the time of contracting are lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. BACKGROUND:

Namibia is one of the countries in the world most affected by HIV and AIDS. The country has a generalized HIV epidemic with viral transmission occurring primarily through heterosexual contact. The National HIV prevalence for adults is estimated at 8.45% of the general population living with HIV (2022 Spectrum Model). In mid-2022 it is estimated that there were about 26, 229 people living with HIV and AIDS in Namibia. Health remains a top government priority, as demonstrated by the fact that the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) received the second largest share of the National Budget. Despite the economic turbulence wrought by COVID in Namibia, the government has indicated in its current budget and future projections that it intends to prioritize health, likely resulting in relatively stable funding in the coming years. There has not been a significant decrease in overall government or health spending in Namibia through to Fiscal Year 2021/2022. Recent Ministry of Finance (MOF) projections present a modest increase in the overall government budget to Fiscal Year 24/25, with spending on the MOHSS remaining constant, at around 8.5 billion Namibian dollars per year.

B. PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

One of the main challenges to improving health outcomes in Namibia is the need to ensure sustainability of Namibia’s health program, particularly as donor resources decline. Namibia completed an “Investment Case” that indicates that maximum gains in reducing HIV incidence and containing costs will be obtained by adopting an aggressive test and treat approach and including some technical efficiencies. This scenario is postulated to have the potential of reducing HIV incidence to 0.1% well below the current estimated incidence of 0.8%. Inadequate human resources for health, both in absolute numbers and via geographical mal-distribution, pose a major challenge for sustaining the gains in HIV/AIDS program. Seventy percent of Namibian doctors work in the private sector, but only 20% of the population seeks health care through the private sector (NAMAF, 2012). The report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (2013) identified major system barriers associated with HRH, including high vacancy rates, high attrition and outdated staffing norms that do not accommodate current and emerging health system’s needs.

Namibia relies mainly on expatriates (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) to fill critical health positions.

In the past three years, and with PEPFAR support, the human and institutional capacity development in Namibia has been enhanced with the launch of Namibia’s medical school and pharmacy degree training programs at the University of Namibia and the Namibia University of Science and Technology bachelor’s degree programs in biomedical sciences and logistics.

Addressing the HRH crisis will require short, medium and long term investments.

C. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The Sustainability and Systems Strengthening Advisor will serve as the lead technical sustainability and health systems strengthening expert for USAID/Namibia. The Advisor is a highly qualified, highly skilled technical expert who possesses the political and diplomatic tact required to devise innovative approaches to sustainability efforts and models of creating efficiency in service delivery and support health system strengthening activities using both governmental and private sector approaches.

With a strong background in health financing and partnerships, the Advisor will work on USAID-supported sustainability activities including developing and implementing a sustainability plan working with the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) and other key donors, such as UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF and the Global Fund. The Advisor serves as an Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) and/or Activity Manager and works in close coordination with other USAID Health Office AORs, activity managers and other team members to provide technical support to a variety of system strengthening and sustainability projects and activities. The incumbent will also be responsible for maintaining close working relationships with other USG agencies, as well as senior representatives of public and private sector organizations in Namibia engaged in system strengthening/sustainability efforts. S/he collaborates with the GRN ministries of Finance, Health and Social Services, Gender, Child Welfare and Poverty Eradication, and Regional and Local Government; with the GRN’s Social Security and Public Service Commissions; with USG agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State Department, Department of Defense and Peace Corps; and with donors and implementing partners. The Advisor supports the GRN on health systems and human resources development and planning, task shifting and longer-term institutional strengthening to sustain the response to the HIV epidemic.

D. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Advisor will:

▪ Be an expert on health systems and stay abreast of international knowledge and evidence related to health systems, including Southern African comparative systems, and will understand USAID policies and seek opportunities in this sector.

▪ Use diplomatic skills and technical acumen to influence the strategic direction and technical capacity to move forward the sustainability agenda in Namibia, including support to government representatives on policy harmonization related to health systems as appropriate - for example on pharmaceutical regulation harmonization, or ARV supply.

▪ Facilitate integration of health systems programming into other activities (eg KPs, DREAMS, OVC, and VMMC) of Health Office portfolio and other related cross-sectoral activities within the Mission which can amplify or leverage outcomes.

▪ Liaise the USAID Namibia’s health system programming with other projects/partners outside of USAID and throughout the region to learn from and apply best practices, or to generate new evidence.

▪ Influence regional bodies, other donors, other USG agencies and private sector to leverage resources for health systems strengthening to achieve mutual goals/targets such as those related to AIDS Free Generation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Namibia’s own goals as articulated in the Vision 2030 documents, as well as the National Strategic Framework.

▪ Integrate as appropriate technological solutions into health systems to build scalability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in systems in Namibia.

1. Manage USAID/Namibia’s Sustainability and Systems Strengthening Program (40%)

▪ In collaboration with USAID staff, USG interagency colleagues and host country counterparts provide technical guidance and develop sustainability and health system strengthening initiatives to be supported by USAID in Namibia.

▪ Serve as AOR or activity manager of selected systems strengthening and capacity development projects to achieve PEPFAR goals.

▪ Oversee the management of the systems strengthening, capacity development and sustainability activities and programs including the implementing partners; identify the necessity for realignment or course correction of program activities; exercise oversight of how program budgets are being allocated and spent; and ensure quarterly financial reports are submitted to the Mission in a timely manner.

▪ Prepare technical and program assistance documentation, including Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), working in Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) and Program Descriptions, Scope of Works for acquisition and assistance actions including new agreements, amendments, and incremental funding; draft statement of work and illustrative budgets; and prepare quarterly accrual estimates and track funds for activities implemented by partner organizations related to assigned area of responsibility.

▪ Maintain responsibility for financial management of assigned activities, which includes ensuring that obligations, expenditures and budget pipelines conform to work plans;

ensure appropriate and timely incremental funding of activities.

2. Provide Technical Expertise and Leadership in HIV-related Systems Strengthening, Sustainability and Capacity Development (40%)

▪ Provide technical and programmatic leadership on health system strengthening including human capacity development, sustainability and organizational capacity development to the GRN, USG interagency team, USAID/Namibia and implementing partner organizations.

▪ Provide technical support to the government on the six building blocks of health systems, with emphasis on health financing, commodities and Human Resources for Health.

▪ Coordinate and adapt lessons learned for sustainability activities including organizational capacity development programs/projects/activities to further strengthen and expand interventions to achieve PEPFAR and GRN goals.

▪ Work with USG management task force and USG activity managers to move programs and activities into sustainable partnerships.

▪ Liaise with GRN and other development partners to develop and implement a HIV response sustainability plan.

▪ Liaise with Namibian institutions of higher learning – e.g. the Namibian University of

Science and Technology or University of Namibia to ensure their participation in research and other areas of mutual interest.

▪ Provide coordination and technical leadership on Public Private Partnerships to the GRN, USG interagency teams and USAID/Namibia.

▪ Keep currently informed on political, social and economic developments in Namibia and the region including lessons learned from systems strengthening, capacity development, sustainability efforts in other African countries and the southern Africa region in particular.

3. Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Planning/Reporting (20%)

▪ Establishes and maintains contact with relevant technical team members of the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) and its Technical working groups, USAID/Washington’s Office of Global Health and Africa Bureau, host government counterparts, local and international organizations and other USG agencies involved in implementing the PEPFAR program in Namibia.

▪ Conduct regular site and SIMS visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries. Based on the information collected during field visits, communicate findings and recommendations to the Health Team, implementing partners and as appropriate GRN counterparts. Provide strategic technical advice for, and prepare portions of, key planning and budget documents such as the Country Operational Plan (COP), semi-annual and annual progress reports, Congressional Notifications, POART etc.

▪ Coordinate with other development partners that are funding system strengthening, capacity development or sustainability efforts in the country (e.g. WHO, GFATM, UNAIDS) working to ensure USG efforts complement rather than duplicate; meet with groups of development partners as well as key individuals to discuss and develop strategies on matters of common and mutual interest.

▪ Seek opportunities to explore new Mission-supported options such as the development of Public/Private partnerships and Social Contracting.

▪ Prepare correspondence and cables related to implementation, management and evaluation of systems strengthening, capacity development or sustainability activities.

E. POSITION ELEMENTS

a) Supervisory Controls: The USAID Namibia Health Office Director or Deputy will provide overall supervision to the Advisor.

b) Supervision Exercised: Up to three FSNs (Supply Chain Advisor, Private Sector Advisor and TBD (Local Sustainability and Human Resources for Health Advisor)

c) Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent will exercise a high degree of independent judgment in representing USAID/Namibia and in providing guidance and assistance to a wide range of government and regional officials and implementing partners. As a recognized expert and highly qualified professional, substantial reliance will be placed on the incumbent to independently plan, prioritize and carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. The incumbent will be expected to analyze and address problems by applying relevant guidance (for management/administrative issues) and evidence-based strategies (for technical issues).

The use of initiative, discretion, cultural sensitivity, collaboration and teamwork is expected of the incumbent to resolve challenges for which there are no clear or immediate solutions. In the event that no formal guidance exists, the incumbent will propose solutions in consultation with his/her supervisor and/or other senior USAID colleagues.

d) Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The position requires considerable influencing skills to negotiate and persuade, but also justify, defend, negotiate, and help build consensus and/or agreeable resolutions among decision makers. The incumbent will maintain contacts and work with colleagues at USAID/Namibia, with considerable interaction with USAID/Washington’s Office of Global Health and Africa Bureau; the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator; and PEPFAR/Namibia staff at the State Department, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Defense and Peace Corps to provide policy and procedural guidance and to obtain information relative to programs and activities. The incumbent will be involved in establishing a common understanding among high-level decision makers at relevant GRN ministries to find satisfactory solutions that address their varied objectives and concerns. The incumbent occupies a high profile and important position in USG foreign assistance to Namibia. S/he provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USG program collaborators (including USAID, CDC, DOD, DOS) and US Embassy officials, host country government officials, and IPs. The incumbent will be called upon to represent USAID at the highest levels in USG and GRN technical meetings, the donor community, and other interested parties. they/he/she is required to establish and maintain professional contacts/relationships with senior host country government officials and leaders of private and nongovernmental sector institutions that partner with the USG for the execution of USG-supported programs. Meetings range from factual exchanges of information on HSS issues, strategies and programmatic guidance, etc. to subjects that could involve significant or controversial issues and differing viewpoints, goals, or objectives.

e) Authority to Make Commitments: Because the position will be procured through a Personal Services Contract, the incumbent cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S.

Government. However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and standing as a highly qualified professional in his/her field, significant weight will be given to his/her conclusions and recommendations when commitments are made by those with the authority to do so.

F. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

a) Education: A Masters degree in a relevant discipline such as health systems management, economics/business, public health, reproductive health, maternal and child health, or other field related to international development and/or public health.

b) Work Experience:

▪ Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience working for a development organization, at least eight of which were spent in a developing country context supporting development programs.

▪ Experience working with PEPFAR portfolios focused on health systems strengthening.

▪ Must have at least seven years of relevant professional experience in program design and management, with a focus on systems strengthening and capacity development, health finance and sustainability, especially experience working within HIV/AIDS settings in a development context.

▪ Experience with successfully leading large international health programs and systems strengthening actions, as well as with working closely with high-level host government officials, the private sector and multilaterals.

▪ Experience in the management of supply chain portfolios in Africa.

▪ Demonstrated previous experience working in Health Systems Strengthening and with

PEPFAR/USG agendas in international HIV/AIDS programs.

▪ Experience as a key member of a multidisciplinary team and experience in building consensus.

▪ Experience in mentoring and coaching of local staff, developing performance measures, providing periodic performance and improvement feedback and developing individual learning and improvement plans.

c) Knowledge:

▪ Knowledge of PEPFAR programming requirements and implementation within the African context.

▪ Knowledge of Health systems, especially supply chain, functionality within the African context.

▪ Familiarity with professional networks relevant to health systems strengthening.

▪ Knowledge of the critical technical and substantive issues related to systems strengthening and human resources for health within PEPFAR and especially the PEPFAR five-year strategy released in December 2022.

▪ Demonstrated knowledge of the Government of the Republic of Namibia practices, policies, and strategic planning that facilitate and hinder sustainability of HIV epidemic control.

d) Skills and Abilities:

▪ Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

▪ Proficiency with computer word processing, e-mail, worldwide web applications, Microsoft

PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet programs, and related logistics software for management, forecasting, etc.

▪ Skills in interacting effectively and persuasively with a broad range of internal and external partners, especially high-ranking officials of the host country government, national NGOs, international organizations, and private sector.

▪ Skills in using program data to inform strategic actions in human resources for health and systems strengthening.

▪ Demonstrated ability to interpret PEPFAR regulatory directives and related guidance, based on familiarity with the African context.

▪ Ability to present complex material, including data, clearly, concisely and persuasively in presentations, technical reports, and other mediums, at times within short timeframes.

▪ Expert management and analytical skills to strategize, develop and implement effective sustainability activities, including human resources for health, budgets, and innovations in health systems strengthening.

▪ Demonstrated strong financial management and administrative skills to track the performance of implementing partners.

e) Language: Level IV English ability (fluent) is required. The incumbent must possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English.

f) Other

▪ U.S. citizenship (offshore or resident), or Third Country National status.

▪ Ability to obtain U.S. Embassy Facility Access and medical clearance per U.S. State

Department regulations.

“If a third country national (TCN) is selected for the award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 170 hours (e.g., 2 hours per week) of mentoring or training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The mentoring/training will be incorporated into the employee's annual work plan inclusive of benchmarks to measure progress toward successfully implementing the mentoring or training deliverables.”

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, an applicant must have the following minimum qualifications:

f) Education: A Masters degree in a relevant discipline such as health systems management, economics/business, public health, reproductive health, maternal and child health, or other field related to international development and/or public health.

g) Work Experience:

▪ Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience working for a development organization, at least eight of which were spent in a developing country context supporting development programs.

▪ Experience working with PEPFAR portfolios focused on health systems strengthening.

▪ Must have at least seven years of relevant professional experience in program design and management, with a focus on systems strengthening and capacity development, health finance and sustainability, especially experience working within HIV/AIDS settings in a development context.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The following factors, and points for each, will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always guaranteed. USAID may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror.

Evaluation Factors (100 Points total):

1) Work Experience: (40 points)

Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate relevance and depth of professional experience, as noted in the Required Work Experience section above as it relates to managing and implementing public health programs in developing countries with an emphasis on health systems strengthening.

2) Knowledge: (20 points)

Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate relevant knowledge, as noted in the Required Knowledge section above, on PEPFAR programming and implementation of health system strengthening systems within the African context, as well as their knowledge on current HSS issues, practices and policies of the Namibian government in managing the HIV epidemic.

3) Skills and Abilities (40 points)

Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate the following relevant skills:

- Excellent written communication skills

- Leading large international health programs and systems strengthening actions

- Skills in interacting effectively and persuasively with a broad range of internal and external partners

- Skills in using program data to inform strategic actions in human resources for health and systems strengthening.

- The ability to interpret PEPFAR regulatory directives and related guidance

- Expert management and analytical skills

- Financial management and administrative skills to track the performance of implementing partners.

Selection Process:

▪ After the closing date for receipt of applications, applications will be reviewed for submission requirements and the established minimum requirements for the position. Applications that meet the minimum requirements will be forwarded to a Technical Evaluation Committee or TEC. The TEC will review each of the forwarded applications against the established evaluation criteria to develop a shortlist of applicants to be tested and possibly interviewed.

▪ Shortlisted applicants may be further evaluated. Assessments to include English writing, computer and other technical skills may be administered to determine competitively ranked applicants for possible interviews. Competitively ranked applicants may be interviewed.

Reference checks will be made only for the interviewed applicants.

▪ Following the interview, during which the applicant will be evaluated against the established criteria, the TEC will make a preliminary determination of applicants to be considered for employment and conduct and document reference checks. Please note that references may be solicited from current as well as former supervisors in addition to the references you provided in application packages. References will only be solicited for those interviewed applicants who are being considered for ranking. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about their past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

▪ Based on this final input, the TEC will make its final decision on applicant ranking and submit a selection memo to the Contracting Officer (CO) for final determination on whether an offer of employment will be made. Unsuccessful applicants who were interviewed will be contacted and advised of their non-selection. As a positive medical clearance and security certification are a condition of employment, the selected candidate will undergo a stringent investigation prior to employment with USAID/SA.

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

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

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Written responses to Factors 1, 2 and 3 not to exceed 2 pages.

• References: Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

• Security Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain appropriate security determination Instructions for obtaining the security determination will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded.

• Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID309-2.

• 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.

• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number on submitted documents.

• Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors – USPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission Policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

Methods of application submissions: For applicants to be considered for this position the following guidelines will be adhered to and forms completed, signed and submitted to jobapplications@usaid.gov, to allow the evaluation committee to thoroughly and objectively review your application vis-a-vis the requirements of the position.

For queries please contact: Ms. Alicia Veldman, Human Resource Assistant, Telephone: +27 12 452 2088, e-mail address: aveldman@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms:

1. AID 309-2

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

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

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

** Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed only 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 PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

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

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 Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

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

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

If a TCN or Resident Hire USPSC is selected for this position the benefits will be adjusted as per Mission and AIDAR policy.

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. A TCN will be eligible to pay taxes as specified by their country.

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 .

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), 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 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

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:

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor

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

5. 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 more information:

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

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

END OF SOLICITATION