SOL Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062420R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: June 4 2020

CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 3, 2020/17:00 GMT

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S./TCN Personal Service Contractor (US/TCNPSC):

Senior Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor, USAID/West Africa

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, Sections I through V 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 any offer.

All offers must be submitted to the Point of Contact via email: accrapsc@usaid.gov

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Any questions must be directed in writing to Patience Charway at pcharway@usaid.gov or Yusif

Ibrahim at yibrahim@usaid.gov with a copy to R. Christopher Gomes at cgomes@usaid.gov.

Sincerely, R. Christopher Gomes

Contracting Officer

Regional Executive Office, USAID/West Africa

6/1/2020

ATTACHMENT 1 SOL # 72062420R00009

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062420R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 4, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 3, 2020, 17:00GMT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/West Africa, Accra; e-mail at accrapsc@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor

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

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Immediate upon receipt of Security/Medical Clearances. The duration of the Personal Services Contract will be for a base of two (2) years, with an option of three (3) one year extensions for a maximum 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 periods for Three (3) years for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a 09/2020 to 09/2022

Option Period 1: o/a 09/2022 to 09/2023

Option Period 2: o/a 09/2023 to 09/2024

Option Period 3: o/a 09/2024 to 09/2025

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/West Africa located in Accra-Ghana.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Citizens (including lawful Permanent legal residents) or

Third Country Nationals.

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

References 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

The objective of the contract is to obtain the services of a Senior Health Systems Strengthening and

Policy Advisor (“Senior HSS Advisor”) who will provide management, leadership, and technical services on the full range of health systems strengthening investments as they relate to USAID/West

Africa’s activities on Family Planning (FP), MCH, HIV/AIDS, and beyond.

As an integral member of the Regional Health Office (RHO), the incumbent is expected to be a senior professional and expert in his/her field who provides evidence-based technical advice to the Mission, develops strategic approaches to health systems across the portfolio mentioned above, and designs and manages projects and programs related to health systems strengthening. Projects will primarily focus on supply chain and commodity security in order to provide technical and managerial leadership, strategic direction, and coordination with national governments, regional institutions, donors, and USAID/West Africa implementing partners on all aspects related to quantification, forecasting, planning, procurement and supply chain management of health commodities.

Other activities will include health financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and policy and advocacy. S/he will help integrate information technology into the health program - forging new ideas and partnerships to bring to scale regional commodity security and health access programs. This includes work related to Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) in order to broaden HIS strengthening and data system integration.

Future areas may include health financing and UHC. The incumbent will work at a senior level that requires knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function independently under a complex, highly demanding, frequently changing environment. As such, the incumbent will represent USAID at the highest government and donor levels. As an expert in his/her field, the incumbent will provide strategic and technical input to regional government officials from ECOWAS, national Ministries of

Health, implementing partners, and USAID technical experts within the office. Representing these issues, often political, requires tactful skills in diplomacy and negotiation. The incumbent will represent the USAID/West Africa Mission on a variety of HSS issues to government officials throughout the region - both Anglophone and Francophone - partners and potential partners.

Given the highly regional nature of USAID/West Africa, heavy emphasis on strong linkages with national governments will be essential for the incumbent to demonstrate strong technical and management skills, complimented by outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. Donor collaboration is, equally, a critical vital function under this position. S/he will represent any mission critical HSS issues to USAID senior management and with offices throughout the Mission for cross-sectoral impact. S/he will seek to leverage USAID’s influence in these areas. The incumbent will be designated as a Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) or Activity Manager for two or more activities. Per ADS 103.3.1.1b(4), s/he will not be authorized to sign (1) grants, contracts, and other obligations that require a warrant and (2) grants to foreign governments and multilateral organizations composed of foreign governments (including public international organizations).

The incumbent will work towards improving West African capacity to deliver quality health services

(nationally and regionally), and eventually reduce the need for international donor support.

Sustainability is a central tenet for HSS, requiring that capacity is built in the public and private sectors within a wide range of areas. The Senior HSS Advisor will provide managerial oversight and technical advice to support the implementation of these efforts through a combination of bilateral and field support activities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior HSS Advisor will be the senior technical advisor for health system strengthening activities and health sector reform particularly related to: supply chain management (including pharmaceutical supply chain), commodity security, governance/management, policy/advocacy, health financing and resource management, UHC, HMIS, training and cross-border learning, and human resources.

The Senior HSS Advisor will:

• Lead efforts to expand access to and improve the quality of health commodities, antiretroviral therapy and (FP) methods in focus countries and across the region as needed.

• Serve as a high-level health advisor to USAID/West Africa and demonstrate expertise on developments in HSS and provide recommendations on shaping USAID/West Africa health activities.

• Represent USAID/West Africa at meetings with implementing partners, donors, government, USG agencies and international and local partners using diplomatic skills and technical acumen to support policy harmonization and influence strategic direction.

• Support regional bodies, other donors, and the private sector to leverage resources for health systems strengthening to achieve mutual goals related to the Ouagadougou Partnership (OP) and

UNAIDS Treatment for All goals.

• Integrate (as appropriate) technological innovations into health systems to build scalability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in systems throughout West Africa.

• Carry out the full range of consultative, advisory, strategic, planning and evaluation responsibilities while staying up to date on current health systems issues, and interpret and advise the mission on implications and implementation options.

Specific responsibilities for the Senior HSS Advisor shall include but not be limited to:

Technical Advice and Representation (45%)

The Senior HSS Advisor’s primary focus is to provide technical, programmatic and administrative management of USAID/West Africa’s supply chain management activities, including commodity security. Duties will include: (1) management of the procurement and logistics systems strengthening activities for USG-supported commodity areas which currently include HIV/AIDS and FP, (2) leadership for planning, managing, and reporting on all supply chain management activities within

RHO, (3) developing country specific and regional supply chain strategies, and (4) provide guidance, monitoring and technical support to USAID/West Africa and bilateral missions and regional institutions such as the West African Health Organization (WAHO). In addition, the incumbent will ensure that USAID/West Africa’s supply chain management activities are (1) designed, implemented, monitored and reported in accordance with USAID health policies and guidelines; (2) fit within the health priorities and plans of national Ministries of Health and the region; and (3) focus on sustainability and local ownership.

In addition to supply chain and procurement, s/he will represent health systems reform and related policy issues to USAID/West Africa’s primary partner, WAHO, to support their mandate on harmonization and scalability within these sectors. Within the USG, the incumbent will advise the

Regional Mission Director and Office Director on health systems work, liaise and communicate with

USAID headquarters and USG representatives in health across West Africa, create close advisory linkages with implementing partners and regional bodies such as the Ouagadougou Partnership, and represent health systems issues to VIPs on travel to the region.

The incumbent is the key technical advisor to the health office AORs and CORs on HSS broadly, and logistics and commodities and HMIS in particular. S/he provides substantive, evidence-based counsel to the Mission. S/he will liaise and participate as appropriate in USAID/Washington Health Systems task forces/working groups and bring additional learning to the Mission in these areas. S/he will provide TA as needed to implementing partners on these same issues – particularly WAHO. The incumbent represents USAID/West Africa at regional and international meetings as appropriate.

The Senior HSS Advisor will assure that the following activities are designed, implemented, evaluated, and documented in an appropriate manner:

1. Supply Chain Management: Support a host of investment areas that build capacity at the national and regional level to procure, warehouse, and distribute commodities ensuring that clients get needed drugs in a reliable, timely manner. Support broader commodity security activities, ensuring that stock-outs of tracer drugs are minimized or eliminated.

2. Financing and Resource Management: Provide TA to WAHO to establish the regional accountability learning collaborative, and advocate for policy adoption and accountability of

UHC financing.

3. HMIS: Support coordinating efforts across USAID and USG to have streamlined, user-friendly tools used at the national and regional level. Data must drive decisions by program managers and policy makers.

4. Policy and Advocacy: Coordinate technical assistance at all levels to provide a supportive legal and policy environment that enables public health programs to operate at a high level of service.

Provide targeted support for key advocacy activities, and carefully align program needs to policy requirements.

5. Human Resources for Health: Implement a networking, sharing and learning platform for health commodity supply chain personnel within the ECOWAS region and support training for health workers and managers as part of direct service delivery activities in select countries.

6. Leadership and Management: Support WAHO as the regional health institution and convening body for West Africa and at the national level, support the health sector to better manage and lead at all levels, within public and private sectors.

Project Design and Management (35%)

● The incumbent will provide expert assistance in the design and planning of new HSS-related activities consistent with the Regional Development Cooperation Strategy to achieve progress against global and presidential initiatives such as PEPFAR. Plans will consider and leverage

WAHO influence and national capacity and resources across West Africa as well as other donors, implementing partners and interested stakeholders.

● The incumbent may be designated the COR/AOR or Activity Manager for two or more implementing mechanisms, and will provide technical and management oversight to those activities according to USAID standards. In this regard, the incumbent will carry out all duties associated with this role – including selection, implementation, monitoring, annual reporting, and close-out as required to ensure successful results in line with Mission goals and objectives.

● This position cuts across all areas of the health portfolio. As such, the incumbent will work closely with other CORs and AORs to review and comment as appropriate on workplans, reports, and other deliverables as it pertains to health systems; and will support monitoring and evaluation of these areas as well.

● Provide expert assistance in RHO’s emerging agenda on infectious diseases as it relates to rebuilding health systems - including specific areas on HMIS.

● Lead RHO’s emerging agenda in health care financing by identifying opportunities to work with other partners and donors to advance the region’s priority of UHC. Design assessments, projects and activities as appropriate in this area.

Monitoring and Evaluation (15%):

The Senior HSS Advisor will be responsible for overall monitoring and reporting on specified HSS activities. S/he will conduct 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. It is also expected that the HSS Advisor will provide expert advice and practical experience in helping WAHO and other partners to monitor inputs, outcomes, and overall progress towards specified HSS goals, and to advise on best practices for collaboration including

South-to-South and other knowledge sharing opportunities.

Duties include:

• Lead assessments or operations research related to HSS activities within the health office portfolio.

• Oversee collection of HSS indicators throughout the health portfolio, working with implementing partners on feasible collection methods that relate or rely on national government and/or regional data collection systems or current partner systems. Design Data

Quality Assessment (DQA) tools to facilitate DQAs for AORs/CORs in their respective

• Monitor and evaluate activities for which the incumbent is AOR/COR or Activity Manager and conduct appropriate DQAs.

• Lead Mission and Washington reporting as it relates to HSS. This includes sections of the

Operational Plan, Performance Plan and Report and Performance Indicator Reference sheets.

Other Responsibilities (5%)

The incumbent may be delegated by the Health Office Director to fulfill responsibilities related to achieving the Mission’s health objectives and goals that include but are not limited to:

● Providing supportive assistance (TDY) to focus countries as needed and as related to the health office goals.

● Serving as focal person for selected countries in the health portfolio.

● “Acting” as Director or representing the Director when other senior office staff are absent.

● Supporting and participating in team processes and success (e.g. partner meetings, retreats, etc.).

Travel: Requires an estimated 30-40% travel within the region.

POSITION ELEMENTS:

A. Available Guidelines: The incumbent must have the ability to understand and operate within USAID’s policies and regulations regarding foreign assistance programs, and in particular global health programs. The Senior HSS Advisor is expected to quickly become familiar with USAID processes, procedures and regulations as presented in USAID’s

Automated Directives System (ADS) and other relevant USG policies, directives and programmatic guidelines. The incumbent is required to be proactive in keeping abreast of relevant USG, regional and national policies and movements related to health systems.

Guidance will be available from senior USAID staff in the Accra office, USAID/Washington

Global Health Bureau, and Africa Bureau. The incumbent will have one year within which to fully acquire these skills and take required training.

B. Supervision Received: The Senior HSS Advisor will be supervised by the Health Office Director or USDH designee. The incumbent will receive annual performance evaluations written by the Health Office Director or designee. The supervisor will also provide guidance on USAID strategic, management, and administrative requirements. The incumbent will receive minimal oversight in carrying out his/her daily tasks and achieving longer-term work objectives.

A high degree of independent professional judgment and diplomacy is required, such as when consulting with bilateral missions, U.S Embassies, other donors, regional and international bodies and corporate representatives, and in identifying opportunities for collaboration and coordination of interventions. The incumbent should be able to work with a great deal of autonomy and very little supervision and guidance.

C. Supervision Exercised: The Health Systems Strengthening and Policy Advisor position is non-supervisory. The incumbent will lead the team on HSS issues and coordinate relevant deliverables with the RHO team. S/he may supervise short and medium- term technical contractors and TDYers but will not write annual performance evaluations for any RHO staff.

D. Administrative and Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will work in a regional capacity under the leadership of the Health Office Director. This position will be administratively hired and managed by the USAID/West Africa Regional Office in Accra, Ghana.

Once general guidance is provided and assignments are set, the incumbent is required to exercise extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, including the specific approach to be taken, the resolution of problems and conflicts, and meeting of deadlines. Completed work is reviewed for quality, appropriateness, and conformance. The incumbent is required to work in a collaborative fashion with other professional staff inside and outside USAID/West

Africa. The incumbent is expected to keep his/her supervisor apprised of progress in assigned

S/he represents the USAID/West Africa primary point of contact for HSS. As such, a high degree of independent professional judgment is required, such as when consulting with bilateral missions and/or other donors, identifying opportunities for collaboration and coordination of interventions, and providing leadership in FP and HIV/AIDS policy and advocacy dialogue. The incumbent will initiate consultations with senior level bilateral governments and international officials, as well as with West African national and regional organization officials. The incumbent will represent the USAID/West Africa health portfolio to senior officials in policy and the private sector regionally. These include regional interstate bodies (ECOWAS), private sector corporations, government representatives, NGOs/PVOs, and USG agencies (US

Embassies, DOS, CDC, DOD, etc) in order to implement USAID/West Africa’s Strategy.

Administrative supervision by the RHO Director or their designate includes approval for travel, leave, and time and attendance. These actions will be administered under USAID/West

Africa.

E. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has no independent authority

To commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government.

F. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent should use her/his own personal, well informed judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems.

Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USG and representatives from donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution.

G. Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent occupies a high profile and important position in USG foreign assistance to the region of West Africa. S/he represents

USG assistance to the highest levels of a variety of government, private and non-governmental organizations, and provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USAID and USG officials, other donors, and implementing partners. S/he is required to establish and maintain professional contacts/relationships with senior officials and leaders of private and nongovernmental sector institutions that partner on

HSS activities and to seek to leverage funding. This may include work with the Global Fund and National CCMs in several West African countries. 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.

H. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: The incumbent must be able to perform the full range of technical and leadership duties upon arrival at post.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is performed primarily in the USAID/WA office in Accra, Ghana but requires extensive travel (estimated at 30%) throughout the twenty-one countries in

West and Central Africa that USAID/West Africa is responsible for overseeing.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

This position requires a highly qualified and experienced individual with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to foster regional collaboration and strategic cooperation, the ability to foster internal team work, the capacity for strategic thinking, and an understanding of the technical and policy requirements to achieve HSS goals in West Africa. The incumbent must be familiar with and be able to work well in an overseas environment and with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental counterparts. The Senior HSS Advisor must have the following minimum qualifications:

Education:

● Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited institution in public health, health systems, epidemiology, public financing, public policy, public administration or related field to international development and/or public health.

Work Experience:

● Minimum of eight to twelve years of progressively responsible experience working for a U.S.

Government agency and/or a development organization, at least eight of which were spent in a developing country context supporting development programs.

● Must demonstrate experience operating in his/her non-native cultural environment and demonstrate strong knowledge and understanding of HSS. Actual experience managing HSS or relevant public health programs is preferred.

Communication and Language:

● Fluency in English and French (equivalent to Advanced / Upper Intermediate) are required; in both oral and written communication in professional, technical, and policy communication with host country government representatives and partners across sectors. USAID reserves the right to administer a language test to verify language proficiency.

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 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. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

A. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE (40 points)

The incumbent should be considered a subject matter expert in health systems reform and development. As such s/he must have broad knowledge of health systems and how they contribute to improve health outcomes as well as a more in-depth area of expertise - specifically commodity security and logistics systems; and a strong basis in HMIS/database management is required. Knowledge of health financing is preferred.

The incumbent must have good analytical skills, including an ability to comprehend quantitative and analytical reports from development and peer-reviewed literature and to objectively evaluate programs.

S/he must have some knowledge of health systems challenges in West Africa and common development programs.

The incumbent must know the roles of most international NGO and regional donors in the region, and be familiar with key implementing partners working in health systems.

B. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE (40 points)

A minimum of eight to twelve years of progressively responsible experience in public health programming (at least five of which are in a developing or middle-income country). Three years of experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors is required. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, policy participation, pharmaceutical supply chain management, and diplomatic negotiation.

Experience managing a commodity/logistics program in a regional and/or bilateral project is highly desired – whether public/government or private sector/NGO. Management and organizational skills should be demonstrated – including experience in project design and monitoring and evaluation. Some budget design and review experience preferred.

Experience in speaking or representing at technical/policy forums – such as developing papers, posters, models, strategies, policies, or guidelines in health systems (particularly commodity and logistics management) must be demonstrated (technical and representational ability should be demonstrated).

Relevant experience with the private sector may be an advantage but is not required.

C. COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS (20 points)

The incumbent must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain professional and effective contacts across multi-cultural settings. Contacts include regional government officials, other donors, implementing partners, private sector CEOs, Washington headquarters staff, and Mission staff.

S/he must be able to negotiate diplomatically and influence people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

S/he must be confident in presenting technical material to lay people or VIPs in a manner they understand.

Strong computer, verbal and writing skills are required. Incumbent must have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely in both speech and writing. Ability to facilitate meetings and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context is required, as well as ability to produce concise, clear reports, and utilize word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and French are required. The incumbent should be able to draft and read complex technical documents in English and French as well as conduct technical discussions in both languages (S3/R3 or higher).

Maximum Evaluation Score: 100 Points

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.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:

(a) COMPLEXITY: This is a position of substantial complexity. The incumbent must demonstrate leadership and exceptional initiative to address the region’s health systems needs in the areas of commodity security, health information and health financing. The position requires the ability to assume a wide range of various strategic, programmatic and project management tasks and be able to independently identify the appropriate action needed within a sensitive, multi-cultural developing country environment. Clear guidance is not always available. S/he must be able to devise solutions for situations that may involve conflict between stakeholders, political sensitivities, unclear or contradictory policies, weak institutions, and extreme poverty.

(b) SCOPE AND EFFECT: The incumbent is the lead USG advisor for USAID/West

Africa on all matters related to commodity security, health information and health financing. S/he serves to guide RHO in this subject area as well as high level USAID and U.S. Embassy officials.

S/he is the point of contact for Ministers of Health across the region, and ECOWAS/WAHO partners as well as implementing partners, private sector partners regarding USG-supported health system strategies interventions and activities. scope of the incumbent’s work will be very wide s/he is likely to work on a wide range of activities.

(c) PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is a low-to-moderate physically demanding position as it involves considerable international travel throughout West

Africa. The incumbent will be expected to travel throughout West Africa approximately 30-40% of his/her time. S/he will have some discretion in prioritizing travel. While in Accra, s/he will be assigned a workspace in the U.S. Embassy building in a regular office environment.

(d) POST ENTRY TRAINING: Within the first year, the incumbent will receive post entry training on USG rules and regulations that govern grants, contracts and field support activities;

USG activity management and procurement systems; and USG technical guidance concerning

HSS and HIV/AIDS and FP/RH as needed. Other formal training, attendance at workshops, seminars and conferences (both internal and external) may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of funds and if determined to be in direct support of USAID/West

Africa Mission objectives.

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. A Cover Letter of not more than three (3) pages describing how the incumbent’s skills and experience fit the requirements of the position.

5. A current CV/resume. The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the

Offers in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria.

Complete dates (month/year) are also required on CV.

6. Applicants also must address the above Section III: Evaluation and Selection Factors, in a

Summary Statement to be included in the Offers. This Summary Statement, limited to two (2) pages, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The Summary

Statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page.

7. Applicants must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references within the last five years from the applicant’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 applicant’s work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

8. Hard copies of diplomas, certificates or relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the

CV/resume.

9. Applicants must provide their full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers (if available) and email address and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their submission.

10. Only Shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Forms 2 through 5 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 US/TCNPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

*Note: A US citizen’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

2. ALLOWANCES:

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

(Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) 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), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)]

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable

State Income taxes.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

a. 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.

b. 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) QTY

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

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

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

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

c. 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.

d. 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 .

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