sol_OAA Supervisory Contracting Specialist.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Embassy of the United States of America, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

Tel: [+92] 51 208 0000 Fax: [+92] 51 208 8061 www.usaid.gov/pk

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72039121R00010

ISSUANCE DATE: July 9, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME: August 8, 2021 5:00pm (Pakistan time)

SUBJECT: USAID/Pakistan – Solicitation for United States Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), Supervisory Contracting Specialist, GS-15 Equivalent

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

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

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

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

Sincerely, Susan Cheung Contracting Officer http://www.usaid.gov/pk

Supervisory Contracting Specialist 72039121R00010

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72039121R00010

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 9, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/ TIME for RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 8, 2021 (5:00pm Pakistan time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Anjum Gardezi, e-mail at hrislamabad@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Supervisory Contracting Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $110,460 to $143,598 equivalent to GS-15.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 5 years estimated to start on September 2021.

“The base period will be two (2) years, estimated to start on/about September 2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three (3) years for the date(s) estimated as follows.”

Base Period: o/a September/2021 to August/2023

Option Period 1: o/a September/2023 to August/2024 Option Period 2: o/a September/2024 to August/2025 Option Period 3: o/a September/2025 to August/2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: US Embassy compound in Islamabad.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Citizens only

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: USPSC – Secret.

mailto:hrislamabad@usaid.gov

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract:

USAID/Pakistan seeks a qualified United States Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) to serve as a Warranted Contracting Officer, and as necessary as the Director of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) for an initial assignment of two years with three one-year options. The successful candidate will be assigned to and required to perform the duties outlined below at the USAID Pakistan Mission in Islamabad.

USAID/Pakistan executes programs and projects of a critical and highly specialized nature. The primary purpose of this position is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) support to USAID/Pakistan programs in multiple development sectors: Infrastructure and Engineering, Energy, Economic Growth and Agriculture, Education, Health-Population-Nutrition, and Democracy-Rights-Governance. The work includes support to all aspects of A&A negotiation, administration and close-out relating to and affecting USAID assistance programs in Pakistan, including project planning, project design, implementation, and evaluation of programs.

The Contracting Officer is responsible for all pre-award, post-award, and close-out functions involving highly complex negotiated procurements of significant importance to the Mission. The Contracting Officer serves as an advisor to sectoral officers in project planning meetings; advises program officials of the procurement and assistance instruments to be used; assists in the preparation of statements of work; provides counseling and training to sectoral office staff on regulations and the FAR requirements; collaborates in the development of evaluation criteria; provides on-the job training to OAA office staff and assists Office Directors in selecting appropriate developmental assignments.

The Contracting Officer will be an A&A expert. S/he will share that knowledge with sectoral teams and will also transfer knowledge to FSN and American staff, and provide Mission guidance from an OAA perspective on how to build local capacity. The Contracting Officer will be responsible for preparing and overseeing assigned procurement actions and will need to be able to obtain Agreement and Contracting Officer warrants.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed:

1. Procurement Planning

a. Develop long-range acquisition plans for new or complex programs. Responsible for procurement planning activities for assigned pillar Offices, which may include reviewing and clearing procurement plans and procurement documents and representing the A&A perspective at program and procurement planning meetings.

b. Develop acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions, or financial arrangements that serve as models for future major system acquisitions.

c. Prepare and maintain current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules and keep superiors informed of anticipated workload demands.

d. As part of the Office of Acquisition and Assistance team, analyze and collate approved annual procurement plans.

e. Identify within assigned sector programs those significant subsystems, components, equipment and services to be acquired by contract, grant, cooperative agreement, interagency agreement, or public international organization, or other USAID A&A mechanism.

f. Act as advisor to program officials in activity planning meetings, and advise program officials on the procurement instruments to be used.

g. Provide counseling and training to staff on USAID regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) requirements. Provide on-the-job training to junior staff and assist management in selecting appropriate developmental assignments.

2. Design and Solicitation Processes

a. Collaborate in the development of evaluation criteria and preparation of contractual statements of work.

b. Develop objectives for programs in terms of competition and price range, and prepare contractual i.e., RFP or assistance i.e., RFA document, which includes the use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside policies, and similar considerations.

c. Provide backstopping services to sectoral personnel by advising on resolution of special procurement problems associated with waiver requests, expediting of deliveries, apparent overlapping responsibilities, and resolution of claims.

d. Perform detailed analyses of all elements of price and cost in contractor proposals. Determine the competitive range and prepares defensible justifications as required.

e. Conduct pre-proposal conferences with prospective contractors to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract.

f. Is available for consultation on contracting issues with Mission staff, other in-country U.S.

Government officials and representatives, Government of Pakistan (GOP) officials, implementing partners, and others, as required by the needs of the acquisition.

g. Obtain appropriate data from all sources. Issue necessary modifications to clarify questions concerning such topics as specification changes, language ambiguities, or clarification of contract or agreement clauses/provisions or sub-awards.

h. Explore new or innovative contracting approaches to arrive at an equitable contract arrangement.

In the absence of meaningful cost and price information, develop creative approaches to developing the necessary comparative data.

3. Award Negotiation

a. Serve as lead A&A negotiator responsible for significant program or major procurements, which include the range of USAID A&A instruments.

b. Plan, lead, and coordinate the strategy for negotiations with contractors/grantees to develop the award price and terms. Edit, review, and execute award documents.

c. Negotiate Participating Agency Services Agreements (PASA) and Participating Agency Program Agreements (PAPA) in accordance with statutory and procedural regulations and general agreements with other Federal agencies. Negotiations include prices, terms, special conditions, and amendments.

Coordinate PASAs and PAPAs with officials in participating Federal agencies and with Mission officials as necessary.

4. Award Compliance Monitoring, Administration, and Audit

a. Conduct in-depth compliance reviews and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unique award actions requiring higher-level approval.

b. Ensures that contract terms and conditions are met and that the contractor delivers the required goods or services as agreed and in a timely manner in order to achieve award and Agency objectives.

c. Conduct and review analysis and finalizes required documentation for various award actions, including: incremental funding, rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, time extension, incorporation of change orders, stop work orders, cure notices, show cause, or termination letters, approval of progress payments, final payment to the contractor, and contract closeout.

d. Evaluate the adequacy of the awardee's business management systems in areas such as personnel compensation, insurance subcontracting and/or sub-granting procedures, and financial management.

Ensure compliance with applicable cost principles, and Cost Accounting Standards and requirements.

Perform work associated with the analysis of automated contracting systems, or with providing advice and guidance on contracting and procurement issues including procurement using small/disadvantaged businesses.

e. Review grantee's procurement systems and procedures. In response to requests for review by grantees for the purpose of certifying their procurement system and procedures, conduct in-depth on-site evaluations of grantees contracts, contracting procedures, contract planning, competition, cost analysis, organizations, employee qualifications, procurement and contract administration systems, and similar functions.

f. Perform assessments of potential local contractors and recipients to determine appropriate award types and to make responsibility determinations. Meet with local partners to inform them of USAID requirements and to assist them improve compliance with USAID requirements.

g. Interpret award provisions for awardees and for officials of the agency, and provide appropriate advice and guidance. Advise sectoral office counterparts and awardee contractors and recipients on their administrative responsibilities contained in the award.

h. Anticipate problems and provide advice to Mission personnel on effective implementation and timeframes.

i. Research issues contained in award documents, and draft and issue responses to correspondence, including but not limited to, subcontract consent requests, salary approvals, equipment approvals, on a wide variety of contract and assistance awards.

j. Terminate contracts and agreements for the convenience of the Government or default by the awardee. The Contracting Officer is responsible for the preparation of all documentation necessary to support and defend termination decisions. Negotiate termination claims settlements.

k. Resolve audit findings on post-award audits. Respond to protests by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history. Work with the other Contracting/Agreement Officer, Mission Controller and Regional Legal Officer, as appropriate, in supporting the Mission’s position.

5. Supervision, Training and Other Duties

a. The Contracting Officer will supervise and train A&A Specialists on all aspects of acquisition and assistance procedures, policy and document formation to include: procurement planning, design and solicitation processes, negotiation and award, contract compliance monitoring and administration, design of tools and templates to utilize in training and other topics as assigned.

b. The Contracting Officer will be required to obtain a warrant.

c. Recommend new or improved processes in functional areas of procurement, e.g., pre- award or price and cost analysis, including responsibility for formulating guidelines, implementing best practice, and providing USAID and A&A policy interpretation.

d. Respond to protests by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history.

Work with the Legal Officer in preparing the Agency's position and Contracting Officer reports to support the Government's defense on protests to the GAO. Provide ongoing technical advice and recommendations to both contracting and technical office personnel. Act as a liaison to various offices.

e. Recommend, develop, and maintain contracting policies to ensure consistency in implementation.

3. USAID Consultation or Orientation (if applicable):

The selected candidate will be required to complete the one-week mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) course prior to proceeding to USAID/Pakistan. FACT is a mandatory course for service in Pakistan.

4. Supervisory Relationship:

The Supervisory Contracting Specialist will be supervised and evaluated by the Deputy Mission Director, or designee. The Supervisory Contracting Specialist is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative as s/he performs many assignments independently, providing leadership to others involved in the management of the OAA portfolio, and in the development, design, and drafting of acquisition instruments. Performance is evaluated in terms of overall A&A achievements and success.

5. Supervision Controls:

The Supervisory Contracting Specialist is expected, as necessary, to serve as the OAA Director.

Depending on the assignment of other USDH CO’s, the Contracting Officer will have supervision/oversight over an office composed of one PSC Contracting Officer, two FSN Warranted Contracting Specialist, and as many as eighteen A&A Specialists and A&A Assistants.

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

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

1. Education: Minimum of a Baccalaureate degree AND at least 24 semester hours among these disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Federal Acquisition Certification – Contracting (FAC-C) Level III.

2. Prior Work Experience:

Minimum of fifteen (15) years of professional Contracting experience with a US government organization that directly relates to Federal Government procurement rules and regulations and federal financial assistance under 2 CFR 200 and 700 (or its predecessors).

3. Knowledge:

Knowledge of U.S Government and USAID procurement regulations, the USAID Automated Directives Systems (ADS) regulations, and the ability to work with the regulatory context of these Agency policies. Knowledge of USAID’s A&A Strategy and Effective Partnering and Procurement Reform (EPPR) principles.

4. Abilities and Skills:

The applicant should be able to demonstrate the following abilities and skills:

The Contracting Officer must be able to work independently in a highly demanding environment and capable of handling tasks with varying deadlines.

The ability to plan, organize and manage complex negotiations and meetings is very important.

Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently with little supervision, ability to work calmly, tactfully and effectively under pressure and demonstrate flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time is essential.

Demonstrated interpersonal skills with an ability to work collegially with Mission leadership, technical office directors, peers, and supervisors with good interpersonal skills and past performance in working effectively in a team environment is required.

S/he must be able to adhere to high standards of professional conduct and to maintain strict confidentiality and high ethical standards relating to all areas of acquisition and assistance.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

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

EVALUATION FACTORS

Applicants who clearly meet the minimum Education and Prior work Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factors listed below.

The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview.

FACTOR #1:

Education (10 points)

FACTOR #2:

Experience (25 points)

FACTOR #3:

Knowledge (35 points)

FACTOR #4:

Abilities and Skills (30 points)

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

SELECTION PROCESS

(1) After the closing date for the receipt of applications, applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a short list of applicants developed.

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

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

(4) 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.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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

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

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

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

5. A current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements.

6. Offers must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references within the last five years from the offeror’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives.

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

https://www.usaid.gov/forms

7. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats. Application packages must be submitted electronically to hrislamabad@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

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

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

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

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

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

(5) Fingerprint Cards (FD-258) *

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

Timely completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Visas and 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 Visas, Security and Medical Clearances in a reasonable timeframe are considered un-qualified for this position.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS: (If applicable):

(a) Employer's FICA contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

(g) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service per Post policy

2. ALLOWANCES: (If applicable):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) mailto:hrislamabad@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(e) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

(f) Danger Pay (Section 650)

(g) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(h) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(i) Education Travel (Section 280)

Islamabad currently has a 25% Post Differential allowance and 35% Danger Pay, housing, and other benefits per USAID regulations. Basic household furnishings will be available in quarters to be provided by USAID. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. U.S. Resident hire PSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life insurance), including differentials and allowances. Pakistan is a no-dependent post.

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO

PSCs

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

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a

U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions, and Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at 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.

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

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

ITEM NO SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) QUANTITY UNIT UNIT

PRICE

AMOUNT (F)

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

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

1001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

2001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

3001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $_ TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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

AAPDs/CIBs (if) applicable to this position include:

AAPD 16-03: Expanded Incentive Awards for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals

AAPD 15-02 REVISED - Continuation of Deviation from the ‘Leave and Holidays’ clause, including Family and Medical Leave, for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

AAPD 10-03 Amendment 1: AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs

AAPD 10-03: AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs

AAPD 10-01: Personal Services Contracts -- Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts for Health Insurance and Physical Examination Costs

AAPD 06-10: PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 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 additional information:

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

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

END OF SOLICITATION

https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations