SOL_USPSC_TCNPSC -SENIOR DATA SCIENTIST - GS 14 - Final.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062024R00012

ISSUANCE DATE: October 02, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME: November 01, 2024

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC)/Third Country National Personal Services Contractor (TCNPSC) Senior Data Scientist.

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 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 underrepresented 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 costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in this solicitation.

Sincerely, Michael Teske Contracting Officer

72062024R00012

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO: 72062024R00012

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 02, 2024.

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 01, 2024 – 16:30 hrs. Nigeria

Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Stella Adesina, E-mail: abujahr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Data Scientist

6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604 - $135,987 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and salary history.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Nigeria, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

Overseas USPSCs and TCNPSCs not subject to the local compensation plan 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.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years period, estimated to start o/a January 2025.

The base period will be two (2) years, estimated to start on/about January 2025. 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 01/2025 to 01/2027 Option Period 1: o/a 01/2027 to 01/2028 Option Period 2: o/a 01/2028 to 01/2029 Option Period 3: o/a 01/2029 to 01/2030

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

Country Nationals.

Hiring Preference: References ADS 309.3.1.4 and 309.3.1.11 (c).

In order of preference, U.S. Citizens (including lawful permanent U.S. residents) offers will be evaluated first. Only when it is determined that there is no qualified U.S. Citizen (including lawful permanent U.S. residents) will offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) be considered.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: USPSCs – Secret; TCNPSCs – Facility Access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

USAID/Nigeria’s Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN) Office is responsible for one of USAID’s largest and most complex bilateral assistance health programs, with an annual budget of US$150M.

Currently, there are four teams: 1) Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNACH-N); 2) Health Systems Strengthening; 3) Operations; and 4) President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The HPN Office staffing footprint consists of 28 persons, including 3 US direct hires (USDH), 20 Foreign Service Nationals/Cooperating Country Nationals (SN/CCN), 4 US/Third Country National (US/TCN) personal service contractors (PSC), and 1 seconded staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The HPN Office is headed by a USDH (FS-01) who reports directly to the Mission Director and is assisted by two Deputy Office Directors (2 USDH [FS-02]) in providing leadership and management oversight to the HPN and for the Mission’s health activities.

HPN is the locus of technical leadership for health service delivery and health systems programming implemented by USAID/Nigeria. The HPN Office provides input into USG decisions concerning the strategic allocation of financial and human resources in the sector and supports design and implementation of effective health service delivery and health systems strengthening programs.

Within HPN the Senior Data Scientist will provide strategic direction, technical leadership, and implementation support to the HPN portfolio, including HPN staff, implementing partners, GON and other health sector actors in managing and utilizing health program and financial data and systems to ensure accountability and demonstrate progress towards better health outcomes and improved health systems performance. The Senior Data Scientist will support HPN staff and implementing partners with approaches, tools and solutions that strengthen quality, integration, and use of data.

S/he is responsible for ensuring high quality routine and non-routine data are consistently available, accessible, and used in an integrated way to inform policy and program quality improvement. The Senior Data Scientist under the supervision of the Health Systems Strengthening Team Lead will serve as the primary advisor for guiding and managing USAID’s health evaluation policy and practice. The Senior Data Science Advisor will be a member of the Health Systems Strengthening Team.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

The Senior Data Scientist will work to use scientific methodology, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract insights from structured and unstructured data, and to provide guidance for data-driven decision making. The Senior Data Scientist will provide strategic guidance and integration of sub-disciplines including computer science, mathematics and statistics and business knowledge. S/he will primarily apply advanced quantitative, computer science, mathematical, and statistical skills to interpret extremely large and unstructured data sets and ask questions regarding the unknown.

Specific to these subdisciplines, the Senior Data Scientist will work broadly to incorporate traditional research, machine learning, and software development. The Senior Data Scientist will support HPN and GON data cleaning, data management, analytics, visualization, and engineering. Specifically, the data science lifecycle includes gathering and storing data, usually in its original form (i.e., raw data);

processing and converting raw data into clean, organized information; developing tools and processes for analysis; applying various tools and techniques to produce findings and insights from structured and unstructured data. The data and the results of this process will be communicated across various stakeholders. The Senior Data Scientist will employ processes such as data training models (i.e., machine learning algorithms) to generate insights for building dashboards.

(a). Essential Duties and Outcomes:

Enhance quality of data science and analytical support across the HPN portfolio: (60%)

• Apply data science techniques to improve priority health and international development programming supported through HPN.

• Assist USAID staff and implementing partners with data science focused analytical thinking for improved planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of health programming.

• Design, develop and deliver data analysis and visualization products to support HPN operations at all stages of the development programming cycle.

• Acquire, process, manage, and analyze big data from a range of sources for improved decision making.

• Leverage various GON, global and USAID data assets to design and automate (as feasible) standard integrated analytic and visual products to guide program quality and performance improvement.

• Collaborate with data analysts and program experts across USAID to develop, streamline, and improve existing and emerging GON, implementing partner, health sector and USAID Strategic Information systems, processes, and coordination.

• Expand access to knowledge and resources through networking and collaborative practice among GON stakeholder, development partners, across the Mission and, the Global Health Bureau and with other global health stakeholders.

• Designs, develops, and delivers novel data analysis and visualization products using cutting-edge or emergent analytical approaches (e.g., machine vision, machine learning, advanced image processing, natural language processing).

Build HPN, IP, Mission and GON capacity on data analysis: (30%)

● Provide consultation to non-technical audiences and develop and implement guidance on integrating data and analysis in routine decision-making processes.

● Prepare concept papers, background analyses, and briefers to build support for the use of data analytics and data science techniques throughout HPN programming.

● Facilitate discussion among key USAID stakeholders to articulate a vision and plan for integrating data science into planning, delivering, and evaluation of development programs.

● Lead and conduct trainings to improve the skill sets of HPN staff, health IPs, other Mission and select GON staff in the areas of data analysis and visualization through statistical software packages (eg. R, Stata, Excel) and visualization tools (eg. Tableau, ArcGIS/QGIS, R, Excel, and Inkscape/Adobe Illustrator).

Program/Project Management (25%)

● Serve as Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR) or program/project /activity manager.

● Provide review and approval of work plans, project budgets, performance monitoring plans, quarterly and annual reports, and other key documents for managed activities.

● Provide guidance on new program initiatives, drafts program documents to secure funding and implement activities, and manages the relationships between USAID and USAID implementing partners.

● Provide technical assistance in capacity building, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation to key USAID governmental and nongovernmental partners, to ensure that they develop measurable plans and objectives for implementation of innovative and effective HPN projects.

● Provide oversight to ensure that programs achieve sound programmatic and financial management, achieve anticipated results, are linked to and enhance attainment of strategic objectives, are aligned with GON priorities and are implemented within the framework of the USG foreign assistance policies. Work closely with other U.S. Mission and Agency staff to ensure effective coordination and alignment of USG programs.

Conduct regular site visits to monitor activity progress and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations.

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/Nigeria. FACT is a mandatory course for service in Nigeria.

4. Supervisory Relationship: The Senior Data Scientist will report directly to the HPN Office Director.

5. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent does not exercise supervision over others.

“If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.”

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

13. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Local travel may be required up to 15% based on need to participate in important project activity monitoring or meeting with state leadership.

14. SUPPORT ITEMS: The USPSC will be provided with adequate support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

A. Education: Masters in Epidemiology, Finance, Statistics, mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering or a related technical field is required.

B. Professional Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years technical experience with a Masters in Epidemiology, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, or a related field is required.

● Strong quantitative background; experience in data collection, management, cleaning, processing, and applied analysis using one or more of these statistical software or programming languages (Python, Stata, SAS, R, SPSS, MATLAB, Tableau, PowerBI).

● Curious, self-motivated individual with excellent communications skills - must be able to distill highly technical quantitative methods into policy relevant snippets.

● Experience translating analysis into briefing documents or presentations for senior leadership.

C. Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the major issues related to data visualization, and how to use scientific methodology, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract insights from structured and unstructured data, and to provide guidance for data-driven decision making especially.to preference for data related to health is preferable.

D. Skills and Abilities:

● Demonstrable skills in decision-making and managing & overseeing implementation of data science related activity. Excellent oral & written communication skills, interpersonal & teamwork skills, especially in multicultural settings. The ability to demonstrate understanding of the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and how these principles will be implemented by the job holder in the performance of their duties.

● Ability to produce compelling data visualization products. The ability to apply data science analytical techniques to problems and data sets across health. Ability to travel internationally at least 25% of the time.

E. Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluency reading, speaking, and writing) in English Language.

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.

Offerors that meet the minimum requirements, as outlined in this solicitation, will be evaluated, and ranked based on the following adjectival evaluation criteria and characteristics:

EVALUATION CRITERIA / ADJECTIVE DEFINITION

Exceptional

• A comprehensive and thorough application of exceptional merit.

• Offeror meets and fully exceeds the Government expectations and presents a very low risk or no overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

• Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that may exist.

Very Good

• An offeror demonstrating a strong grasp of the requirements of the position.

• Offeror meets position requirements and presents a low risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

• Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that exist.

Satisfactory

• An offeror demonstrating a reasonably sound application and a good grasp of the position requirements.

• Offeror meets position requirements and presents a moderate risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

• Strengths outweigh weaknesses.

Marginal

• The offeror shows a limited understanding of the requirements.

• Offeror meets some or most of the position requirements but presents a significant risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

• Weaknesses equal or outweigh any strengths that exist.

Unsatisfactory

• The offeror does not meet the position requirements.

• Presents an unacceptable degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance.

• Deficiencies and significant weaknesses demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Government’s needs.

• Weaknesses and or deficiencies significantly outweigh any strengths that exist.

The Technical Evaluation Committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed. Finalists will be invited for interviews during the selection process. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors. USAID/Nigeria reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked offerors and make the interview a deciding factor in selection.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

“USAID policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers.”

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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 Attachment 1.

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

4. A signed cover letter of no more than three (3) pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation factors of the position.

5. A Curriculum Vitae/Resume which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements. Electronic copies of diploma, certificates and relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the CV/Resume.

6. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references that have knowledge of the Offeror’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references.

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. DS-1843 Medical History and Examination - for individuals aged 12 and older.

2. DS-1622 Medical History and Examination - for children aged 11 and younger.

3. DS-3057 Medical Clearance Update (MCU).

4. SF-85, Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions

5. OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment.

6. SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions.

7. SF-87, Fingerprint Card.

8. AID 6-85, Foreign Activity Data http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

*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 USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS (as applicable):

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (depending on a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Leave and Holidays

2. ALLOWANCES (as 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 Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Cost of Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(f) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

VII. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare, and applicable State Income taxes. TCNPSCs are required to pay income taxes of his/her country of origin.

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, and Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts with a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including 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 contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

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: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

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

1001 Option 1 - 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 Option 2 - 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 Option 3 - 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.

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/resources_standards-of-conduct.

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct

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.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION JUN 2023

USAID is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We encourage all eligible applicants of any of the above-mentioned groups to apply.

[END OF SOLICITATION]

https://www.usaid.gov/work%20usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman