SOL Regional Controller 72067423R00011A - Final - CO Signed.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72067423R00011 Re-Advertisement

ISSUANCE DATE: June 6, 2023

CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 5, 2023 (17:00) Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa)

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

Dear Prospective Offerors:

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

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

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

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

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment 1.

Sincerely, Ifeoma Ezeh Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72067423R00011

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067423R00011

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 6, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 5, 2023

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Kim Sias email at ksias@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Regional Controller

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 117,518 - $ 152,771 equivalent to GS-15

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

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Southern Africa, Pretoria.

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

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Twelve months, estimated to start in August 2023. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period for six months for the date(s) estimated as follows:”

Base Period: August 2023 to August 2024

Option Period 1: August 2024 to February 2024

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (U.S.) Citizens o U.S. CITIZEN: U.S. national (USN) means an individual who is a U.S. citizen, or a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:

USAID/Southern Africa is one of the Agency’s largest and most complex and diverse bilateral and regional assistance programs. The program for Southern Africa and its client missions includes the largest PEPFAR program in the world, development assistance programs including Education, Democracy and Governance, Environment and Economic Growth, Power and Prosper Africa and Health with an annual program operating year budget of almost $800 million and annual operating expense (OE) budget of $25M. The Mission is also the Alternative Service Provider for non-residential building operations located the U.S. Embassy Pretoria Annex with an annual working capital budget of $1.2M.

USAID/Southern Africa’s Regional Financial Management Office (RFMO) provides financial analysis, accounting and voucher examination services to USAID/Southern Africa, Country Offices in Angola, Botswana, and Namibia and the non-presence countries of Lesotho and Eswatini.

RFMO is also a service provider to the Power Africa Initiative (PATA), Prosper Africa and the USAID Office of Inspector General – Africa Regional Office.

B. POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Regional Financial Management Office (RFMO) provides full financial management services to Southern Africa mission. RFMO is responsible for all financial management operations including budgeting, accounting, payments, financial analysis, reporting, and risk and audit management.

The Regional Controller is the principal manager and advisor for all financial management systems, practices, and procedures. The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, and administering comprehensive accounting, reporting, and budgeting systems designed to provide senior Mission management with timely financial information for making operating and programmatic decisions. The incumbent must establish and ensure that all controls comply with all U.S Government regulations and directives.

The Regional Controller is directly responsible for supervising, managing, and mentoring two authorized certifying officers, a financial management specialist, and up to 40 (forty) FSNs. The incumbent will indirectly supervise a deputy controller and a financial management officer. The incumbent is also expected to provide mentorship and coaching to USAID/Southern Africa staff in his/her areas of expertise.

C. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties and responsibilities of the position include:

● Serves as principal manager for all financial management systems, practices, and procedures. Responsible for planning, directing, and administering a comprehensive accounting, reporting, and budgeting system designed to provide senior Mission management and other stakeholders with timely financial information for making operating and programmatic decisions.

● Serves as the advisor to the Mission Director on USAID/Southern Africa financial management matters. Provides Mission staff and partners with expert assistance and advice relative to USAID financial management regulations and procedures. Contributes to Mission-wide policy and strategy formulation, staff development and resource management decisions.

● Guides financial management of all appropriated funds available to USAID/Southern Africa, including implementation of internal accounting controls to safeguard those funds and other USAID assets. Oversees operations to ensure effective use and accountability of USAID-financed assistance.

● Participates in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of an adequate system of internal control for processing, accounting, reporting, and safeguarding of all funds and assets available to USAID/Southern Africa. Reviews all transactions, in electronic and manual formats, for completeness, accuracy and compliance.

● Oversees the formulation and preparation of the annual operating expense budget and program administration and oversight budgets; analyzes proposed forward funding and existing obligation pipelines. For current year budgets and allowed funds, assures effective management and funds controls are applied over operating expense and program funds.

Reviews Mission requests for program and OE funds, provides fiscal data and the cost factors needed for budget formulation, estimates, and execution.

● Reviews and assesses the operations of the Accounting and Payments sections to identify opportunities for best practices to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. Identifies strengths and weaknesses, including bottlenecks, and recommends processes to streamline workflow and maximize efficiency. Assists in the establishment of business processes to enhance FMO as a value-added provider of financial information and services to USAID as well as our partners and stakeholders.

● Serves as the Mission’s authorized Certifying Officer ensuring compliance with provisions of the Prompt Payment Act, Foreign Service Travel Regulations, and other applicable requirements.

● Takes the lead in resolving methods of payment, cash management, cost reasonableness, reconciliation and disbursement issues for vendors and partners. Advises employees on the processing of payments and other documents concerning entitlements, allowances, travel, leave, etc.

● Participates in the analysis of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) budget and serves as a USAID member in the ICASS Budget Committee;

coordinates with mission management on ICASS matters, including ICASS invoice review.

● Provides direct support to the Chief Accountant (CA) in supervision and management skills to ensure the Accounting and Payments Sections run effectively and efficiently.

● Supports focused development of skills and abilities of newly hired and existing FMO staff.

Provides oversight and guidance so FMO staff possess the necessary skills, and that they function effectively in carrying out their required duties.

● Provides support and guidance to the Financial Analysis section in Government-to-Government, audit management, financial reviews and assessments, local capacity development, and monitoring old unliquidated obligations, canceling funds, and COVID-19 initiative funds.

D. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

a) Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher level in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.

b) Prior Work Experience: Twelve years or nine years, if the applicant has a master’s degree, of progressively responsible experience performing and supervising financial management operations for a USG agency, USG Implementing Partner, Non-Governmental Organization, and/or other donor in the international development arena is required. Experience must include:

● USG accounting, audit management, budget formulation and execution, financial analysis, and management controls

● at least one year experience at the senior (office director or above) level within an organization specializing in international development.

● at least seven years of supervisory experience

● at least five years of experience as a certifying officer

● at least five years of overseas work experience

c) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology, as well as the principles and accepted procedures of U.S. Governmental and business financial accounting, budgeting, and reporting, Knowledge of USG auditing standards. Familiarity with other relevant USG (DOS, GAO, Treasury) policies and regulations. Strong understanding of international development project planning and implementation procedures, and USG organization and operations. Skills and abilities include:

● Possess a high level of managerial, leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills to lead the various elements of a complex financial management operation and provide financial services to a wide range of clients.

● Able to work independently with minimal supervision, be able to exercise sound judgment, and be able to provide formal and informal training.

● Able to conceptualize and create innovative solutions to increase efficiency, improve customer service, and meet changing work demands.

● Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally in a high- stress, multi-cultural team setting with diverse stakeholders.

● Have superb, native-level (or equivalent) English communications skills (written and spoken); and have intermediate user skills in the following IT applications and platforms:

Google and Google Calendar, Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel).

d) Language: Level IV English (fluent). Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing proficiency is required and may be tested.

E. POSITION ELEMENTS:

a) Supervision Received: The incumbent will work directly under the leadership of the assigned Deputy Mission Director. The incumbent exercises the maximum degree of independent judgment in overseeing the RFMO Team, planning and carrying out responsibilities; resolving problems and conflicts between operational units and taking necessary steps to meet time sensitive deadlines.

b) Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will supervise two authorized certifying officers, a financial management specialist, and up to 40 (forty) FSNs. The incumbent will indirectly supervise a deputy controller and a financial management officer.

c) Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has the authority to commit funds.

d) Available Guidelines: USAID Automotive Directive System (ADS), Foreign Affairs Manual, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Federal Travel Regulations, Department of States Standardized Regulations, Mission Orders, Policies, and the Phoenix Manuals.

e) Exercise of Judgment: With limited or no guidance from the Deputy Mission Director the incumbent must be innovative and exercise independent and excellent professional judgment in all financial management matters. In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines the incumbent will consult with the USAID’s Office of Chief Financial Officer and in addition, will use his/her own well-informed judgment in devising innovative and sustainable approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities and in making decisions under tight deadlines.

f) Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office setting but with travel to the regional countries as stated in the Statement of Duties.

g) Complexity of the Work Environment: The management environment in which the incumbent will operate is highly complex, with many donors, country and regional interests and USG interests, and requires an experienced professional with advanced advisory, interpersonal and public diplomacy skills. Excellent, balanced judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The position requires planning, follow-up/implementation, and teamwork abilities.

h) Post-entry Training: The incumbent may attend refresher USAID specific training that include but not limited to Appropriation Law, Accounting I and II, Financial Analyst I and II, and Voucher Examiner I and II.

i) Nature, Level and Purposes of Contacts: Extensive and substantial contacts with internal and external customers and clients; this includes USAID/Southern Africa mission staff, contractors, grantees, cooperative agreement holders and vendors for the communicating, researching, and resolving payment issues. Also includes regular contact with Embassy Pretoria (and Embassy of client missions), US Disbursing Offices, and USAID/W staff.

j) Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: The incumbent is expected to be at full performance level once hired.

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

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

To be considered for the position, an applicant must have the following minimum.

qualifications:

● Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher level in accounting, finance, or business administration.

● Prior Work Experience: Twelve years of experience (or nine, if the applicant has a master’s degree) of progressively responsible experience performing and supervising financial management operations for a USG agency, USG Implementing Partner, Non-Governmental Organization, and/or other donor in the international development arena is required.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

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

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

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FACTOR #1 - Experience 50 points: Candidate’s relevant prior work experience, compared with the major duties and responsibilities of the position.

Experience must include:

○ USG accounting, audit management, budget formulation and execution, financial analysis, and management controls

○ at least one year experience at the senior (office director or above) level within an organization specializing in international development.

○ at least seven years of supervisory experience

○ at least five years of experience as a certifying officer

○ at least five years of overseas work experience

FACTOR #2 – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 50 points: Demonstration of the candidate’s understanding of the position’s duties and responsibilities, and the presentation of their own relevant skills and abilities to meet these duties in the cover letter.

Total possible Factor points: 100

INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE – 100 points

Selection Process:

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

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

Reference checks will be made only for the interviewed applicants.

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

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

IV.SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria.

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

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

• Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID 309-2.

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

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

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

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

For queries please contact: Ms. Kim Sias, Human Resource Assistant, Telephone: +27 12 452 2206, e-mail address: ksias@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:jobapplications@usaid.gov mailto:ksias@usaid.gov

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

1. AID 309-2

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

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

4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258). **

** Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES:

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

(a) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

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

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post Differential (Chapter 500) http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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

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 .

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts with a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad”, including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT (F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

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

0002 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info:

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

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/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/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 http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs .

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

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

Please visit our page for more information:

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

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

END OF SOLICITATION

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCombudsman@usaid.gov