Sol No. 72061122R00009 for Senior DOC Specialist.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72061122R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: September 29, 2022

CLOSING DATE/TIME: October 30, 2022

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Resident Hire U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC): Senior

Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist

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.

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, /s/

Summer Tucker

Executive Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72061122R00009

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO: 72061122R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 29, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 30, 2022, before and/or on 5:00

PM (Zambia local time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT:

Summer Tucker exozambiahr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $95,973.00 to $ 124,764.00 equivalent to a GS-14. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value, based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, skills and educational background. For TCNPSC, the actual salary of the successful applicant will be negotiated based on an approved Alternate Classification Procedures and specific benefits in accordance with AIDAR

Appendix J, sec. 4(c)(2)(ii)(B)). Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be negotiated.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: This is a two year, with three additional option years. The base period will be 2022 to 2024. Based on agency and mission needs, the contractor’s satisfactory performance, and availability of funds, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for 2024 to 2027.

This is a full-time position with 40 hours per week schedule (Monday to Friday following Embassy working hours)

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Zambia, Lusaka 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.

9. ELIGIBILITY/WHO MAY APPLY: U.S. citizens or Resident Aliens. “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. This solicitation is open to Resident-Hire U.S. Nationals who are currently residing in Zambia and legally permitted to work in the country without needing a work permit.

1. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: For U.S.: Secret Clearance: The final selected candidate must obtain a Secret and State medical clearances within a reasonable period of time. (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

mailto:exozambiahr@usaid.gov

2. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

A. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Senior Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist is in the USAID/Zambia Program Office and reports to the Supervisory Program Officer (the Team Leader). The DOC plays a key and unique role to support

USAID/Zambia in the achievement of its objectives by leading the production and dissemination of public information, through outreach and communication, of USAID's activities for Zambian and American consumption. The DOC will have extensive interaction and collaboration with USAID/Zambia team leaders. S/he will maintain regular contact, coordination, and collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and Public Affairs Section (PAS) to ensure that U.S. Embassy senior staff are informed of USAID outreach and communication activities and projects.

In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for strategically planning, developing, implementing, and administering the outreach and communication program to promote better awareness and understanding of U.S. foreign assistance to Zambia. S/he guides, coordinates, and oversees the Mission's communication practices and outreach efforts, helping to ensure that they reflect U.S. government priorities and promote USAID's accomplishments to key audiences. S/he is also responsible for relaying related policies and achievements to key audiences, including representatives from the United States, donor community and host country. S/he supervises the Mission's

Development Outreach and Communications Specialist. Regular travel within Zambia and limited travel internationally will be required.

B. Statement of Duties to be Performed

Management of DOC Activities

Responsible for the supervision and management of all DOC activities including the development, implementation, monitoring and supervision of a Development Outreach Communications Strategy; ensuring that systems are in place to efficiently meet recurring DOC demands (e.g., public events, briefing books, media inquiries); managing the budget for public affairs activities, including travel; overseeing the publication of materials; supervising the maintenance of DOC financial records, materials and files; and supervising the creation and management of content for the USAID/Zambia website and various social media platforms. The Development Outreach Communication

Strategy will identify the types of materials (e.g. documents, social media, website information, contacts, training/outreach/site visits, documentaries, podcasts) to be created, as well as the placement, use the target audiences and distribution methods for these materials/actions. The Strategy will encompass the entire USAID portfolio in Zambia. The DOC will provide expert guidance on, and supervise the · implementation of, the Strategy and provide training and advice as needed to USAID staff, implementing partners, Embassy colleagues, and Zambian

Government and other stakeholders to ensure this implementation. The DOC will also monitor the Strategy implementation and solicit third-party,' unbiased input on the Strategy products for continual improvements and refinements to the Strategy and its products. The DOC is a member of USAID/Zambia's senior Mission leadership and serves as a senior advisor on the Embassy strategic communications planning team. As such, the DOC is required to have extensive high-level contacts within the U.S. government community in both Zambia and Washington, D.C.

(including the U.S. Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), USAID Mission Director, Deputy Director, Public

Affairs Officer (PAO), USAID/W senior staff), and Chiefs of Party of implementing partners. The DOC will be the primary point of contact for USAID with local and international press and the USAID/W Office of Legislative and

Public Affairs on all public affairs matters.

Public Information

• Supervise and manage the design/development, review, implementation and monitoring of USAID/Zambia's

Development Outreach Communications Strategy towards the goals of promoting the Mission's program to external and internal audiences, facilitating information access and sharing within the Mission, and strengthening the Mission's reporting functions. This strategy should support the · overall U.S. Mission communications strategy for Zambia. In particular, the strategy must take into account the cost/benefits of particular inputs and outputs in order to optimize communications tools and distribution to the broadest audiences possible. The

DOC will supervise and manage the implementation and monitoring of this Development Outreach

Communication Strategy and provide expert guidance on the strategy to all USAID/Zambia technical teams, the

Mission Front Office, and he Embassy Public Affairs Section.

• Advise USAID/Zambia on the selection, targeting, and placement of potential DOC materials in keeping with

USAID's Country Development Cooperation Strategy. S/he takes into account the nee9 to identify and focus on key sectors that have a natural appeal to local interest as well as U.G. government policies as well as the importance of ensuring that publicity material used will be noncontroversial. S/he also ensures that the material is visually appealing, well-defined, and contains a human interest element.

• The incumbent is responsible for developing implementing policies and procedures for Mission communications that clarify roles and responsibilities within the Mission and Embassy and with implementing partners, including templates for various communications tools, setting and monitoring performance/standards for creating and finalizing DOC materials, and guidelines for planning and managing events. The incumbent supervises the use of these materials and provides in-depth, expert guidance as and when necessary to USAID staff, implementing partners, and Embassy colleagues. The incumbent advises key Zambian government and other stakeholders of

USAID communication policies and the Development Outreach Communication Strategy when implementing joint public events or documents.

• The position requires excellent writing skills to communicate about USAID programs to a range of internal and external audiences through a variety of media. Given the wide variety of writing required, the position requires sound judgment and flexible thinking to tailor products to the specific audience at hand, which may vary greatly and include the Ambassador, U.S. Congressional staffers, Zambian public, Zambian press, and technical experts.

Such written products include, but are not limited to:

• USAID/Zambia brochures, background papers

• Q&As for Congressional Testimony

• USAID/W public information products

• Speeches and/or talking points for the Ambassador, DCM, USAID Mission Director, Deputy Director and other Mission or U.S. government officials

• Press releases

• Project inauguration backgrounders

• Web-based content (to include developing recommendations to improve usefulness and effectiveness of website)

• Social Media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

• Serve as Executive Producer on video and audio productions (e.g., documentaries, docu-dramas; a/v success stories, podcasts, public service announcements, and mass media campaigns) that promote the activities of

USAID/Zambia. These productions may be produced by the DOC staff, in collaboration with Embassy Public

Affairs Section, and/or an external contractor.

Event Coordination and Media Relations

• Serve as the principal USAID contact for local and international press and media. Working closely with the PAO and USAID/W, maintain press and media contacts, and advise the Mission Director, · USAID staff, and partners on public information, press, and media issues.

• Supervise and manage efforts to promote press and media coverage of USAID activities, ensuring quality control and standard messages.

• Coordinate with USAID technical teams, implementing partners, and the PAO in planning public diplomacy, press conferences, and field events related to USAID activities. This may involve leading the advance team;

establishing event schedules; coordinating meetings and briefings with partners, other donors, and Zambian government officials; ascertaining staging requirements; negotiating protocol with government officials; and on-site coordination of media. Facilitate contacts among members of the · media and USAID implementers to encourage coverage of USAID programs in the local and international press.

• As directed by the Mission Director and Supervisory Program Officer, and in collaboration with the PAO, respond to inquiries from the general public and the media about USAID programs, practices, and any other general information requests. Provide guidance to USAID staff and partners in their direct contacts with the media.

Building Mission Capacity for More Effective Public Outreach

• Supervise and provide guidance to Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives or Agreement Officer's

Technical Representatives (COTRs/AOTRs) and implementing partners on issues related to branding. Review and advise on implementing partner Branding and Marking Plans, provide guidance on USAID branding policy, and provide creative leadership in branding implementation through projects and public events. ·

• Supervise the design/development, implementation, and monitoring of the Mission's communication Strategy and provide expert guidance to Mission staff, implementing partners, Embassy colleagues, and GRZ and other stakeholders when pursuing joint communication efforts.

• Develop and implement internal Mission programs to i crease Mission staff awareness of public, outreach efforts.

Provide training and support to USAID/Zambia and implementing partner staff on as¬ needed basis through regular programs or on an ad hoc basis.

• Develop and oversee the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan for the Mission's DOC activities.

Supervise the design of public surveys and media campaigns to increase USAID's public image.

• Supervise the development and standardization of various Mission processes and policies related to public outreach and event planning, including formats for briefing materials, VIP visits, and delegatiqn of responsibilities to various offices. Bring best practices used in other Missions and replicate similar ideas for the Mission to enhance USAID's public image.

• Serve as AOTR/COTR, activity manager, or advisor on USAID/Zambia projects that have, as a core function of their scope of work, public communications, mass media campaigns, public dissemination of information and/or interaction with the media. This includes the $380,000 award for work with Chieftainesses on peace building and communications, and potentially other awards for up to $1 million in documentary development/production and other extensive communication projects for the Mission.

Supervisory Relationship

Supervision is provided by the USAID/Zambia Supervisory Program Officer.

Supervisor Control

The incumbent will supervise the Development Outreach and Communications Specialist.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The primary location of work will be on the U.S. Embassy/USAID compound in Lusaka, Zambia, with visits to field locations approximately 20% of the time. No special demands are required to perform the work.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: Bachelor's degree, or its equivalent is required in mass communication, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, communications, or in another field relevant to development studies. A

Master's degree in public relations or a related field is highly desirable.

Prior Work Experience: (1) A minimum often years successful professional experience in public relations or related field is preferred. Proven experience in writing, communications and disseminating information to a variety of target audiences is required. Experience working with international and local media and developing media contacts is highly desirable. Knowledge of, and experience working with, web sites and social media is also desirable. Relevant marketing experience will be considered, as applicable.

Proven experience working for an international development organization where the dissemination of information to a variety of targeted audiences and the general public as well as designing and implementing effective public relations/communications campaigns were an integral part of the responsibilities is essential.

Language Proficiency (level and specialization): Must be proficient (fluent) in both spoken and written English.

Job Knowledge: A mastery of media relations, publishing, webpage design, and events planning. The incumbent should have a general knowledge of other U.S. government agencies and international development organizations/programs.

Skills and Abilities: i) Superior writing skills and the capacity to present complex information accurately, succinctly, and creatively for a variety of target audiences; ii) The ability to establish and! maintain collegial relations with press and media contacts and exercise sound judgment in representing the USG while discussing program activities; iii) A demonstrated ability to work as a team member, as well as provide leadership in the areas of his/her competencies; iv) Demonstrated analytical ability, · superior communication skills, and the capacity to convert planning concepts into firm plans to execute( media campaigns and programs while taking into account a variety of contingencies; v) Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage several activities at once, and to work under pressure to meet : ( very short deadlines; vi) Strong computer skills in the full range of MS software, including spreadsheet, database, PowerPoint and graphics. Strong computer skills utilizing audio and video editing programs; and vii)

Familiarity with digital camera and videotaping equipment.

Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.

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 Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors in order to be considered. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed.

1. SELECTION PROCESS

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed.

Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her 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. USAID may contact additional references not provided by the applicant.

2. EVALUATION FACTORS

The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors in order to be considered. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed.

3. BASIS OF RATING

Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factors responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating System is as follows:

Evaluation Factors:

Factor #1: Minimum Education and Experiences: Pass/ Fail

Factor #2: Interview performance – inclusive of knowledge and written test

Factor #3: Satisfactory reference check: Pass/Fail (No points assigned) https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

Reference Checks: 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. USAID Indonesia reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection."

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Applicants must provide at least three references with current contact information, preferably both an e-mail address and a telephone number. (The Selection Committee will conduct reference checks of the highest ranked applicants). References will be asked to complete a questionnaire that assesses the applicant’s technical knowledge, work performance, communication skills, and group dynamics, using the above specific criteria. The references will be asked to provide a general assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the position. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure submitted references are available to provide a written or verbal reference in a timely manner.

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

1. Letter of application/cover letter (In your cover letter, share with us your understand of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility)

2. 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.

3. Current resume/Curriculum Vitae: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria.

4. Supplemental document addressing each of the Evaluation Factors, limited to 500 words per factor, as described in Section III above.

5. Contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) for at least three references with knowledge of the applicant’s prior work experience, who are not family members or relatives.

6. Applications 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. Late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

7. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the

Solicitation number in the offer submission.

8. Application must be submitted ONLY via EXOZambiaHR@usaid.gov and the email subject must reference the solicitation number and position title: SOL No: 72061122R00009: Senior

Development Outreach and Communications (DOC) Specialist

9. Please submit the application only once.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

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

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:EXOZambiaHR@usaid.gov

Timely completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Security and

Medical Clearances. Failure of the selected offeror to accurately complete and submit required documents in a timely manner may be grounds for the CO to rescind any conditional pre-contract offer letter and begin negotiations with the next most qualified/highest ranked offeror. Selected offerors who are unable to obtain required Security and Medical Clearances in a reasonable timeframe are considered un-qualified for this position.

Within 2 weeks after written notice from the CO that all required clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the CO in writing, the selected offeror shall start working under the contract to perform the services specified in section I, item 11.

VI. BENEFITS

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Resident Hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and not allowances in accordance with the Agency International Development Acquisition

Regulation (AIDAR) Appendix D.:

BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health and 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

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. 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 Item Table

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

http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf http://www.usaid.gov/forms

1001 Option Period (OP) 1 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and ODCs

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD

2001 OP 2 - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and ODCs

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD

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 .

AAPD 06-10 - PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility

AAPD No. 06-10 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 2 to the solicitation.

AAPD 21-05 - Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for U.S. Personal Service

Contractors

AAPD No. 21-05 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 3 to the solicitation.

AAPD 18-02 REVISED - Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services

AAPD No. 18-02 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 4 to the solicitation.

FAR 52.222-50 - COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

FAR Clause 52.222-50 is hereby incorporated as Attachment 5 to the solicitation.

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 additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/personalservice-contracts-ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: pscombudsman@usaid.gov.

END OF SOLICITATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Zambia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Zambia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

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