Acquisition_Agent_Solicitation.doc

SOLICITATION NUMBER:

SOL-267-14-000008

ISSUANCE DATE:

December 19, 2013

CLOSING DATE/TIME:

January 03, 2014 / 17:00 Baghdad Time

POSITION TITLE:

Acquisition Agent (Intermittent)

MARKET VALUE:

GS-10 equivalent ($45,771 to $59,505)

($21.93 to $28.51 per hour)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year intermittent, with possible extension.

The Personal Services Contractor hired under this intermittent contract will provide up to a maximum of 180 workdays of services on an annual basis.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Iraq

SECURITY ACCESS: U.S. Citizen – Secret Security Clearance

Third Country National – RSO Security Certificate

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

U.S. Citizens / Third Country National

(TCN)

I. STATEMENT OF WORK

Basic Function of the Position:

The Acquisition Agent is responsible for procurement activities for the USAID Mission to Iraq. The incumbent will serve under the general supervision of the Supervisory Executive Officer (S/EXO) or his/her designee. S/he exercises initiative and independence in performing standard procurement duties in full compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and procedures, and provides timely and appropriate procurement expertise.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Acquisition Agent performs a variety of acquisitions support functions from inception to completion, generally limited to firm fixed price contracts, Simplified Acquisition Purchases, credit card purchases and GSA orders from the Federal Supply schedules, and contracts that may involve negotiations, under the general supervision of the S/EXO or his/her designee.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Review and process procurement request documentation for adequacy and completeness in accordance with current procurement rules, regulations, and polices.

2. Solicit quotations, ensure competitiveness of all procurement actions, and negotiate prices. Receive and evaluate offers from the technical and cost perspectives.

3. Prepare all requisition documents, including appropriate entries in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), delivery orders, and Purchase Orders for clearance and/or signature by appropriate Mission personnel; document the award decision process for submission to the S/EXO or his/her designee, following all Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS) and USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) requirements; prepare the award document and assemble/draft all required file documentation requirements to substantiate the rationale for award; present the award file(s) and obligating document to the S/EXO or his/her designee for review and signature.

4. Conduct post-award follow-up to ensure that costs, quality, timely delivery, and other relevant factors are adhered to.

5. Responsible for the maintenance of all Purchase Order files in accordance with procurement regulations and USAID Correspondence and Records Management practices.

6. Coordinate with supply and warehouse personnel on receipt, acceptance and inventory of acquired goods.

7. Initiate payment process for all procurement actions.

8. Close out files; provide requested documentation, such as those needed during audits; and finalize Past Performance reporting.

II. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

a. Education: Completion of a secondary school is required; bachelor degree in related professional areas is desirable. (10 points)

b. Prior Work Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible experience in procurement with an international organization is required. Prior experience with USAID or State Department, or any other U.S. Government organization is highly desirable. (30 points)

c. Language Proficiency: Fluent English (Level IV) reading, speaking and writing ability is required; knowledge of Arabic is a plus. (10 points)

d. Knowledge: A thorough knowledge of U.S. Government procurement regulations, procedures, and guidelines, and Federal contracting practices and instruments is required. Knowledge of traditional office procedures and practices is required. The successful candidate must be fully competent to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position from day one; no training will be provided. (30 points)

e. Skills and Abilities: Must be able to implement and administer a medium-size acquisition program and provide required acquisition support for Mission operations in a timely and effective manner. Must know and be able to apply applicable acquisition regulations and procedures for procurement actions. Must be able to determine the responsiveness of offers to requested specifications and analyze costs.

Must be able to use Microsoft products, such as, Word and Excel, with ease; must be able to conduct research using the Internet. Must be motivated and able to work with minimal supervision; must be able to think independently and take initiative; must be able to establish work priorities and complete tasks independently. Technical supervision will be provided, along with appropriate technical oversight. (20 points) Maximum Points Available: 100.

Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed applicants. The interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

a. Supervision Received: Employee is expected to work under general supervision of the S/EXO or his/her designee, receiving only technical guidance and instructions with completed work reviewed for accuracy of results. The supervisor provides oversight, negotiates contracts, approves contracts and purchase orders, and is available to discuss assignment priorities, make special assignments when appropriate, or to consult on complex, unusual or particularly unique tasks. Routine tasks are performed independently.

b. Available guidance: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Automated Directives System (ADS).

c. Physical Demands and Work Environment: Work is performed mainly in an office environment. No major physical demands are required.

d. Exercise of Judgment: Incumbent is expected to exercise initiative and independent judgment based on his/her knowledge of the procurement functions and steps required to process small to medium sized procurements, and take appropriate actions to ensure timely delivery and compliance with contract terms and conditions. The incumbent must also exercise competent business judgment in dealing effectively with internal and external clients and to avoid any procurement integrity violations and conflicts of interest. Good judgment in solving problems with procurements for all Mission personnel.

e. Authority to Make Commitments: None.

f. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Direct contacts with local and U.S. vendors are required to negotiate and administer procurement terms and conditions. Within USAID, the incumbent must discuss and explain procurement procedures and regulations with EXO staff and management. S/he liaises with the Embassy and other post officials to process the full procurement cycle.

g. Supervision Exercised: None; incumbent provides procedural guidance to staff requesting procurement actions.

h. Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties: Immediate.

III.

TERM OF PERFORMANCE / COMPENSATION

Within two weeks after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances, including medical and security clearances, have been received, or unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the contractor shall proceed to the Washington, D.C. area for mandatory pre-deployment training and orientation, and then directly to Baghdad, Iraq, where s/he shall promptly commence performance of the duties specified above. The term of the contract will be for approximately one year (including the mandatory training period in Washington, D.C.), with a level of effort not to exceed 180 work days per year.

The position has been classified at a GS-10 level. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the GS-10 pay band, depending on qualifications and previous salary history. It is unlikely that an individual will be selected who does not already have the prior training and experience to fully perform at the GS-10 level, or who in some other way does not fully meet all requirements for the position. However, should such an individual be offered a position, the offered salary may be at less than the minimum salary in the GS-10 pay band.

In addition to the basic salary, differentials and other benefits in effect at the time, and which are applicable and subject to change on a similar basis as for direct-hire USG employees, will be added. Illustratively, these may include 25% Post Differential, 35% Danger Pay, and 5% Sunday Differential.

The new USAID offices are located at the Annex II of the US Embassy Compound within the guarded and fortified International Zone in Baghdad. All USAID TDY employees are provided TDY furnished quarters. Unless policy at Post changes, meals are provided at no cost to the employee. Internet service is available for purchase.

IV.

MEDICAL AND SECURITY CLEARANCES

The selected candidate must be able to obtain both a background security clearance and a worldwide available medical clearance. The security clearance involves a comprehensive investigation performed by the appropriate U.S. Government agency. Details on how to obtain US Department of State Medical Unit clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted.

V.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a US/TCN PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident-Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.)

A. BENEFITS:

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service

B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

Post Allowance (Section 220)

Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

Education Allowance (Section 270)

Education Travel (Section 280)

Post Differential (Chapter 500)

Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) and

Danger Pay (Section 650)

C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs and TCNPSC green card holders are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

VI. APPLYING

Interested applicants MUST submit the following materials:

- Most current Curriculum vitae or resume

- Completed and hand-signed federal form OF-612 (including OF-612 continuation sheets as needed). The OF-612 can be downloaded from: www.usaid.gov/forms/.

- Three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and e-mail contacts

- Brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria shown in the solicitation

Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position.

Late, incomplete or unsigned applications will NOT be considered.

All applications should be submitted electronically to:

iraquspscjobs@usaid.gov

All applications should be received by the closing date and time previously specified. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. The selection will be based on the panel evaluation of the applicants vis-à-vis selection criteria mentioned previously. Applicants should also note that the salary history for the purpose of the OF-612 is the salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc.

Points of Contact

PRIMARY: Mr. Francisco Santos, Human Resources Specialist, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, ext. 4659; Email: frsantos@usaid.gov

SECONDARY: Ms. Ellen Zehr, Supervisory Executive Officer, Phone (in Iraq) - (+1) 202-216-6276, ext. 4631; Email: ezehr@usaid.gov

1. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/

1. Optional Form 612.

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

3. AID 6-1 (Request for Security Action)**

4. SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)**

5. FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 each**

6. AID 610-14 (Authority for Release of Information)**

7. AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)**

8. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended**

9. Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974**

** Forms 2 through 9 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual shall be required to obtain a security clearance.

2. ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT (PSC)

AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Service Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf