SOL-623-12-000006.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-623-12-000006

ISSUANCE DATE: March 21, 2012 RFA CLOSING DATE/TIME: April 23, 2012, at 8:00 AM Nairobi Time POSITION TITLE: USPSC East Africa EPT Advisor MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to GS-14: Salary between US$84,697 and

US$110,104. Final compensation will be based upon the candidate’s past salary, work history and educational background but shall not fall outside of the above range.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two year base period with three, one-year options.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya

SUBJECT: SOLICITATION FOR UNITED STATES PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC) EAST

AFRICA EMERGING PANDEMIC THREATS (EPT) ADVISOR

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), requests an application from qualified U.S. Citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified in this document.

Kindly submit:

1. Your most current curriculum vitae or resume.

2. Signed form OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or SF 171, Application for

Federal Employment.

3. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

4. At least three references, who are not family members or relatives, with telephone and e-mail contacts.

5. Cover letter stating period of availability for work in Kenya.

The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID/EA reserves the right to obtain from previous employers relevant information concerning the past performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

If you are selected for this position you must be available to start work o/a early June 2012. This availability MUST be indicated in your cover letter (applications not indicating this availability will not be considered). Please submit your application by E-mail, addressed to Michael Capobianco at mcapobianco@usaid.gov and Evans Mutende at emutende@usaid.gov by the closing date and time.

mailto:mcapobianco@usaid.gov mailto:emutende@usaid.gov

STATEMENT OF WORK

A. POSITION TITLE

Emerging Pandemic Threats Regional Advisor

B. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF THE POSITION

USAID/East Africa (EA)/Regional Health and HIV/AIDS Office (RHH) Nairobi, Kenya

C. INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks to employ a US Personal Services Contractor (PSC) who will be primarily responsible for ensuring well-coordinated and effective delivery of technical and program support across the Emerging Pandemic Threats portfolio.

USAID’s Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) program seeks to aggressively preempt or combat diseases that could spark future pandemics by supporting the development of comprehensive disease detection and response capacities, particularly in those geographic areas where disease threats are likely to emerge and spread across borders. The Advisor will also be responsible for working closely with other United States Government partners, particularly the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offices working at national levels, which also provide support for outbreak response and thus presenting a "whole of government" approach.

These disease threats often have severe impacts on several areas of development (e.g., economic growth and trade, agriculture, conservation), and as such require the engagement of a wide range of development and public health disciplines. Recent experience underscores that the Congo region of central Africa is at particularly high risk for the emergence of new disease threats that have the potential to spread beyond the country of origin. As illustrated by the recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda close coordination of USAID and U.S. Government (USG) resources in supporting national authorities to conduct disease outbreak investigations and response measures is critical to ensuring a timely and effective outcome.

Placement of a Regional Advisor is seen as a valuable opportunity to strengthen USG efforts in the region. CDC-Kenya contains a Global Disease Detection (GDD) regional center that supports efforts to protect the public’s health by developing and strengthening national governments' ability to rapidly detect and respond to disease outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases.

GDD brings together CDC-wide expertise in emerging infectious disease detection and response, field epidemiology and laboratory methods, pandemic influenza preparedness and response, and zoonotic diseases. Over the past five years, GDD-Kenya has leveraged these individual programs for emerging infectious diseases to share strengths and harmonize efforts in Kenya and the surrounding region. CDC-Kenya in Nairobi is uniquely positioned to work with this Advisor to ensure that CDC's work in public health capacity building is well integrated with the related development portfolio of USAID.

D. BACKGROUND

The majority of all new, emerging and re-emerging diseases affecting humans at the beginning of the twenty-first century have originated from animals. Many of these infectious diseases are of serious concern to human and animal health, and they are emerging in places where humans, wildlife, and domestic animals are increasingly in contact. Increased urbanization, larger-scale livestock production, and larger numbers of people moving in and out of previous wilderness areas for the purposes of mining, logging, road building and other economic growth activities are just some examples of the current activities that are providing opportunities for animal diseases to be transmitted to humans and/or their domestic animals.

These disease emergence issues are intertwined with many other aspects of society. They have serious implications for the economic growth of countries and regions, trade and travel, and conservation of landscapes and other resources. In regards to the African Region in particular, the frequent occurrence of outbreaks due to zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, rabies, yellow fever, Ebola, Lassa fever, Marburg, rift valley fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers underscore the need for a concerted one health approach. Additionally, the recent and more frequent situations of flooding in the southern and western Africa and extreme weather changes including droughts in eastern Africa are having obvious as well as hidden, complex impacts on the ecosystem and ultimately communities. These problems call for coordinated and more comprehensive approaches to respond to public health threats. The effective response to the challenges caused by the emerging multifaceted health threats undoubtedly requires a multi-disciplinary approach. This calls for broad and comprehensive intra and inter-sectorial collaborations, partnerships and linkages at all levels that facilitates leveraging of the comparative advantages of the various actors involved in addressing particular aspects of the emerging health threats.

E. STRATEGIC APPROACH

The EPT program emphasizes early identification of and response to dangerous pathogens in animals before they can become significant threats to human health. Using a risk-based approach, the EPT program builds on USAID’s successes in disease surveillance, training, and outbreak response to focus on geographic areas where these threats are most likely to emerge.

These efforts are critical to the sustainability of long-term pandemic prevention and preparedness. They will help develop better predictive models for identification of future viral and other biological threats. The EPT program draws on expertise from across the animal- and human-health sectors to build regional, national, and local capacities for early disease detection, laboratory-based disease diagnosis, rapid disease response and containment, and risk reduction. These efforts target a limited number of geographic areas, known as “hot spots,” where new disease threats have emerged in the past. In its first year, the EPT program will focus on “hot spots” in the Congo Basin of East and Central Africa and in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia. Subsequently, this focus will expand to include other “hot spots” in Southeast Asia, the Amazon region of South America, and the Gangetic Plain of South Asia.

Five key areas of emphasis comprise the EPT program:

1. Wildlife pathogen detection: Identification of target pathogens in wildlife that threaten humans

2. Risk determination: Characterization of the potential risk and method of transmission for specific diseases of animal origin

3. Institutionalization of a “one health” approach: Integration of a multi-sector approach to public health objectives

4. Outbreak response capacity: Support for sustainable, country-level and regional response

5. Risk reduction: Promotion of actions that minimize or eliminate the potential for the emergence and spread of new disease threats

Objective:

The objective of this position is to provide the USAID East Africa Regional Mission, bilateral USAID Missions in Africa, and African non-presence countries with country backstopping, coordination and programmatic support to assist in successful implementation of the USAID’s EPT Program in the Congo Basin Region of Africa. Successful completion of this objective will require working with a wide array of US Government partners, ministries, regional economic bodies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other implementing partners. Of special consideration is the opportunity to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Global Disease Detection (GDD) regional center. GDD-Kenya is uniquely positioned to work with the Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) East Africa Regional Advisor to ensure that CDC's work in public health capacity building is well integrated with the related development portfolio of USAID.

The EPT Regional Advisor, working with the USAID East Africa Regional Mission Health team, will provide technical expertise to the Mission to manage and coordinate activities associated with the EPT Program in the Congo Basin Region of Africa as it relates to human and animal health and the environment. The Regional Advisor will liaise with the Agency’s Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging Threats Unit and Africa Bureau Office of Sustainable Development’s Health team. S/he will ensure that the Regional Mission’s planning and response to Emerging Pandemic Threats is carried out in accordance with Agency and State Department directives.

F. MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide coordination across all assets and activities of the Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT)

Program in Sub-Saharan Africa.

a. Engage with EPT implementing partners in countries that do not have a USAID EPT advisor to keep informed on all program activities and to ensure good coordination with the national government, USAID Missions, and other partners.

b. Coordinate closely with any USAID advisors assigned to specific countries (e.g., Uganda) to ensure that those country activities are well aligned with the rest of the portfolio.

c. With support from USAID Washington, coordinate EPT program planning and monitoring activities for the region.

d. Develop and maintain relationships with relevant ministries in countries with EPT activities to ensure that regional EPT assets can be coordinated and provided as support if needed.

2. Ensure integration of EPT activities with the broader USAID portfolio.

a. Build relationships within the USAID regional office and identify areas of convergence (e.g., common partners, similar streams of work, and key opportunities for linkages) across the USAID development portfolio (e.g., economic growth and trade, environmental conservation, food security, education, governance, health).

b. Work across the region with EPT partners to ensure that linkages and coordination with the broader development portfolio are understood and integrated.

3. Ensure integration of EPT activities within CDC regional activities. Because of the regional responsibilities spanning USAID and CDC, it is important to forge a special partnership between the agencies. In the spirit of forging that strong partnership, the incumbent will have special opportunities to interact with CDC – primarily through co-location (with the USAID regional office serving as the primary office, and CDC Kenya as the secondary office).

a. Establish frequent, regular days or blocks of days each month to be physically located at the CDC Kenya campus

b. Participate in routine and ad hoc meetings with CDC leadership and staff within the Global Disease Detection Division of CDC Kenya to discuss activities conducted by CDC in Kenya and the surrounding region to identify areas of collaboration and avoid duplication of USG activities.

c. Provide a bridge between CDC activities and the broader USAID regional portfolio as it related to the EPT program

d. Build on CDC contributions in the region by expanding or supporting epi and lab capacity, increasing animal-human interface activities and develop or enhance pathogen discovery to maximize USG investments on detecting and controlling emerging infectious disease threats

e. During disease outbreak situations in which CDC and EPT are asked to participate, ensure that EPT assets are tightly coordinated under CDC’s leadership in supporting the national government.

4. Coordination of EPT partners and other key stakeholders in the region

a. Establish and maintain a coordination network among partners in the region whose activities are related to EPT activities. Such partners include: USG activities, US Embassies, National governments and their relevant ministries, African Regional Economic Communities, private sector, international and local NGOs, multi-lateral organizations, etc.

b. Use the coordination network to facilitate the EPT implementing partners in successful completion of work plan activities

c. With stakeholder governments, create a coordination document for EPT projects in the region and non-presence countries to determine how best they will work together to create a successful EPT program in the Congo Basin Region

d. Assist USG stakeholders in coordination of funds to create a ‘Whole of Government’ approach to similar work in the region

e. Set up/encourage the establishment of Partner/Donor coordination and collaboration mechanism to better assist each country

5. Liaison between the region and USAID Washington

a. Report on EPT activities in the region to USAID Washington Bureau of Africa, Office of Sustainable Development Health Team and the Avian Influenza and Other Emerging Threats Unit (Specifically the Africa bureau EPT Advisor and Contract/Agreement Officer Technical Representatives for each of the EPT projects)

b. Report on EPT guidance from USAID Washington to USAID East Africa

6. Perform any other relevant duties as required.

G. SUPERVISION

The Advisor, East Africa Emerging Pandemic Threats for the Regional Health and HIV Office will be supervised by and report to the Chief of the Regional Health Unit at USAID/EA. As directed by the Supervisor, the EPT Advisor will manage and supervise a delegated compliment of FSNs.

The EPT Advisor shall not supervise any US Direct Hire employees.

H. REQUIRED SECURITY CLEARANCE

Secret level clearance is required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in public health, public policy, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, or related discipline

Minimum of seven years of public health or related experience in developing countries with at least three years of experience working with international animal and public health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

Minimum of five years of demonstrated, successful experience coordinating complex programs with multiple partners (especially those involving two or more US Government agencies) in resource-poor settings.

Minimum of five years of management experience related to programs in developing countries that involve significant partnership and collaboration across multiple ministries to include Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture

Demonstrated ability to understand the strategic purpose and goals of multiple organizations from different sectors (e.g. public health, animal health, environment), identify and solve problems, and coordinate and support activities that lead to mutual success across the different sectors

Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical information related to human health, animal health, and environment to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences

Experience with monitoring and evaluation methodologies including frameworks, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination in international/resource poor settings

Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements is desirable

Excellent leadership, communications and interpersonal skills

High degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret strategy and to analyze, develop, and present work results

Willingness to travel (up to 30% of time)

Fluency in English required. Fluency in French and/or other central African languages desirable.

US Citizenship or US Permanent Residency required

B. SELECTION CRITERIA

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

A. Education (10 points):

An advanced degree (master’s or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as public heath, veterinary medicine, public policy, epidemiology, or a related subject

B. Relevant Experience (40 points):

1. Quality and relevancy of experience working in public health or related experience in developing countries including experience working with international animal and public health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (15 points)

2. Quality and relevancy of demonstrated, successful experience coordinating complex programs with multiple partners (especially those involving two or more US Government agencies) in resource-poor settings. (15 points)

3. Quality and relevancy of management experience related to programs in developing countries that involve significant partnership and collaboration across multiple ministries to include Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture (15 points)

C. Communication and Interpersonal Skills (40 points):

1. Demonstrated ability to understand the strategic purpose and goals of multiple organizations from different sectors (e.g. public health, animal health, and environment), identify and solve problems, and coordinate and support activities that lead to mutual success across the different sectors. (15 points)

2. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical information related to human health, animal health, and environment to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences. (15 points)

3. Quality and relevancy of experience with monitoring and evaluation methodologies including frameworks, data quality assurance, analysis reporting and best practices in data dissemination in international/resource poor settings. (15 points)

D. Professional Judgment (10 points)

Demonstrated high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze, develop, and present work results and to monitor and evaluate implementation of programs

Maximum Points Available: 100

C. SELECTION PROCESS

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists.

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. For a limited time, USAID will delay contacting the applicant’s current employer pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their applications. The final selected candidate must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). A substantial delay in obtaining required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

D. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the benefits and allowances listed in this section. [NOTE: A contractor meeting the definition of a U.S. Resident Hire PSC, shall be subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax, but shall not be eligible for any fringe benefits (except contributions for FICA, health insurance, and life assurance), including differentials and allowances.)

1. BENEFITS:

Employee'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 per post policy

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable*):

Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Post Allowance (Section 220) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Post Differential (Chapter 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) Danger Pay (Section 650) Educational Allowance (Section 270) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Educational Travel (Section 280)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

3. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.

E. APPLYING

Please submit your application by e-mail (required) to Michael Capobianco at mcapobianco@usaid.gov and Evans Mutende at emutende@usaid.gov by 0800 Nairobi time, April 23, 2012. Ensure that you indicate the solicitation number and position title (SOL-623-12- 000006 – USPSC EPT Advisor) in the subject line.

Form OF 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or SF 171, Application for Federal Employment and Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) must be signed and if submitted unsigned it will be rejected. Scanned copies are accepted by e-mail.

Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to Michael Capobianco at mcapobianco@usaid.gov and Evans Mutende at emutende@usaid.gov.

Please provide your current full mailing address with telephone numbers and email address in the application.

1. List of Required Forms for PSCs

Optional form 612

Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

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

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

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

FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 each**

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

AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)**

Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended**

Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974**

**These forms shall only be completed 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.

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

2. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) and Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) Pertaining to Personal Service Contracts (PSC) mailto:mcapobianco@usaid.gov mailto:mcapobianco@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms

AAPDs contain information or changes pertaining to USAID policy, regulation and procedures concerning acquisition and assistance. A number of AAPDs pertain to Personal Services Contracts. Please refer to the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/archive.html#psc to locate relevant AAPDs. Additionally, AIDAR Appendix D or J also applies to PSCs and can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/archive.html#psc.

F. GENERAL PROVISIONS CONTRACT WITH A U.S. CITIZEN FOR PERSONAL SERVICES

ABROAD

The following provisions, numbered as shown below, omitting number(s) 12, are the General Provisions (GP) of this Contract:

GP.1. DEFINITIONS (JUNE 1990)

(a) USAID shall mean the U.S. Agency for International Development.

(b) Administrator shall mean the Administrator or the Deputy Administrator of USAID.

(c) Contracting Officer shall mean a person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the Contracting Officer.

(d) Contractor shall mean the individual engaged to serve under this contract.

(e) Cooperating Country shall mean the foreign country in or for which services are to be rendered hereunder.

(f) Cooperating Government shall mean the government of the Cooperating Country.

(g) Government shall mean the United States Government.

(h) Local currency shall mean the currency of the Cooperating Country.

(i) Mission shall mean the United States USAID Mission, or principal USAID office, in the Cooperating

Country, or USAID/Washington (USAID/W).

(j) Mission Director shall mean the principal officer in the Mission in the Cooperating Country, or his/her designated representative.

(k) Technical Officer shall mean the USAID official to whom the contractor reports, and who is responsible for monitoring the contractor's performance.

(l) Tour of duty shall mean the contractor's period of service under this contract and shall include orientation in the United States (less language training), authorized leave, and international travel.

(m) Traveler shall mean:

(1) The contractor in authorized travel status or

(2) Dependents of the contractor who are in authorized travel status.

(n) Dependents means:

(1) Spouse.

(2) Children (including step and adopted children) who are unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, are incapable of self-support.

(3) Parents (including step and legally adoptive parents) of the employee or of the spouse, when such parents are at least 51 percent dependent on the contractor for support.

http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/archive.html#psc http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/archive.html#psc

(4) Sisters and brothers (including step or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the contractor, or of the spouse, when such sisters and brothers are at least 51 percent dependent on the contractor for support, unmarried and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, are incapable of self-support.

(o) U.S. Resident Alien, as used in this contract, shall mean an alien immigrant, legally resident in the

United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the possessions of the United States, and having a valid 'Alien Registration and Receipt Card' (Immigration and Naturalization Service forms I- 151 or I-551).

(p) U.S. Resident Hire Personal Services Contractor (PSC) means a U.S. citizen who, at the time of hiring as a PSC, resides in the Cooperating Country:

(1) As a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a U.S. Government Agency or under any

U.S. Government-financed contract or agreement, or

(2) For reasons other than for employment with a U.S. Government Agency or under any U.S.

Government-financed contract or agreement. A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes a person who at the time of contracting is a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States.

GP.2. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE ABROAD (JULY 1993)

(a) Conformity to Laws and Regulations of the Cooperating Country. Contractor agrees that, while in the cooperating country, he/she as well as authorized dependents will abide by all applicable laws and regulations of the cooperating country and political subdivisions thereof.

(b) Purchase or Sale of Personal Property or Automobiles. To the extent permitted by the cooperating country, the purchase, sale, import, or export of personal property or automobiles in the cooperating country by the contractor shall be subject to the same limitations and prohibitions which apply to Mission U.S.-citizen direct-hire employees.

(c) Code of Conduct. The contractor shall, during his/her tour of duty under this contract, be considered an 'employee' (or if his/her tour of duty is for less than 130 days, a 'special Government employee') for the purposes of, and shall be subject to, the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 202(a) and the USAID General Notice entitled 'Employee Review of the New Standards of Conduct' pursuant to 5 CFR part 2635.

The contractor acknowledges receipt of a copy of these documents by his/her acceptance of this contract.

GP.3. PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH ROOM PRIVILEGES (APR 1997)

(a) Physical Fitness.

(1) For all assignments outside of the United States the contractor and any authorized dependents shall be required to be examined by a licensed doctor of medicine, and the contractor shall obtain from the doctor a statement of medical opinion that, in the doctor's opinion, the contractor is physically able to engage in the type of activity for which he/she is to be employed under the contract, and the contractor and any dependents are physically able to reside in the Cooperating Country. A copy of the statement(s) shall be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to the contractor's departure for the Cooperating Country, or for a U.S. resident hire, before he/she starts work under the contract.

(2) For assignments of 60 days or more in the Cooperating Country, the Contracting Officer shall provide the contractor and all authorized dependents copies of the 'USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination Form'. This form is for collection of information; it has been reviewed and approved by OMB, and assigned Control No. 0412-0536. Information required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (burden estimate, points of contract, and OMB approval expiration date) is printed on the form. The contractor and all authorized dependents shall obtain a physical examination from a licensed physician, who will complete the form for each individual. The contractor will deliver the physical examination form(s) to the Embassy health unit in the Cooperating Country. A copy of the doctor's statement of medical opinion at the end of the form which identifies the contractor or dependent by name may be used to meet the requirement in (a) (1) above.

(3) For end-of-tour the contractor and his/her authorized dependents are authorized physical examinations within 60 days after completion of the contractor's tour-of-duty.

(b) Reimbursement.

(1) As a contribution to the cost of medical examinations required by paragraph (a) (1) of this clause, USAID shall reimburse the contractor not to exceed $100 for each physical examination, plus reimbursement of charges for immunizations.

(2) As a contribution to the cost of medical examinations required by paragraph (a) (2) of this clause the contractor shall be reimbursed in an amount not to exceed half of the cost of the examination up to a maximum USAID share of $300 per examination plus reimbursement of charges for immunizations for himself/herself and each authorized dependent 12 years of age or over. The USAID contribution for authorized dependents under 12 years of age shall not exceed half of the cost of the examination up to a maximum share of $120 per individual plus reimbursement of charges for immunizations. The contractor must obtain the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer to receive any USAID obligations higher than these limits.

(c) Health Room Privileges.

Routine health room services may be available, subject to post policy and in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this clause, to U.S. citizen contractors and their authorized dependents (regardless of citizenship) at the post of duty. These services do not include hospitalization or pre-departure examinations. The services normally include such medications as may be available, immunizations and preventive health measures, diagnostic examinations and advice, and home visits as medically indicated. Emergency medical treatment is provided to U.S. citizen contractor employees and dependents, whether or not they may have been granted access to routine health room services, on the same basis as it would be to any U.S. citizen in an emergency medical situation in the country.

GP.4. WORKWEEK AND COMPENSATION (PAY COMPARABILITY ADJUSTMENTS) (DEC 1985)

(a) Workweek. The contractor's workweek shall not be less than 40 hours, unless otherwise provided in the Contract Schedule, and shall coincide with the workweek for those employee of the Mission or the Cooperating Country agency most closely associated with the work of this contract. If the contract is for less than full time (40 hours weekly), the annual and sick leave earned shall be prorated (see the General Provision of this contract entitled Leave and Holidays). Contractor must turn in bi-weekly time sheets for Supervisor’s review and signature.

(b) Compensation (Pay Comparability) Adjustments. The contractor's compensation shall be adjusted to reflect the pay comparability adjustments which are granted from time to time to U.S. direct-hire employees by Executive Order for the statutory pay systems. Any adjustments authorized are subject to the availability of funds and shall not exceed that percentage stated in the Executive Order granting the adjustment. Further, the adjusted compensation may not exceed the annual “USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST)” which is equivalent to the maximum rate for agencies without a certified SES performance appraisal system (or the equivalent hourly rate).maximum ES-6 annual compensation (or the equivalent daily rate).

(c) Annual Salary Increases. Future salary increased based on written evaluation of satisfactory performance or better must be fixed at the “next” step for that specific GS-equivalent grade. For example, a PSC whose salary is started at the GS-equivalent 13 step 1 will receive a performance based salary increase on the contract’s anniversary date equivalent to a GS-equivalent 13, step 2.

For extensions and renewals, when a PSC’s current salary is between steps, (for example, between a step 1 and a step 2), the base for extension or renewal will be established at the higher step (for example, step 2), and the “step increase” will be to step 3. When an individual reaches the upper limit of a position’s market value, i.e. the top of the GS-equivalent grade, the individual’s salary must be “capped” in the same way as that of a USDH salary. This does not affect the annual pay comparability adjustment in (b) above.

GP.5. LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS (AUGUST 2006)

(a) Vacation Leave

(1) The contractor shall earn vacation leave at the rate of 13 workdays per annum or 4 hours every 2 weeks. However, no vacation shall be earned if the tour of duty is less than 90 days.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) (1) above, if the contractor has had previous: (1) USAID PSC service (i.e., has served under other personal services contracts (PSCs) covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory provision applicable to USAID), and/or (2) former U.S. Government (USG) direct hire service - civilian and/or military), the contractor will earn vacation leave based on time in service as follows:

Time in Service Calculated Vacation Time

Up to 3 years of service Four hours of vacation leave for each two week period

Over 3 years and up to 15 Six hours of vacation leave for years of service each two week period (including 10 hours vacation leave for the final pay period of a calendar year)

15+ years of service Eight hours of vacation leave for each two week period

(3)

i. Vacation leave is provided under this contract for the purposes of affording necessary rest and recreation during the period of performance. The contractor in consultation with the USAID Mission or USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall develop a vacation leave schedule early in the PSC's period of performance taking into consideration project requirements, employee preference and other factors. All vacation leave earned by the contractor must be used during the PSC's period of performance. All vacation leave earned by the contractor, but not taken by the end of the PSC's contract, will be forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of vacation leave, the Contracting Officer may approve the PSC taking vacation leave during the concluding weeks of the PSC's contract.

ii. As an exception to 3(a) above, the PSC may receive lump-sum payment for leave not taken.

To approve this exception, the PSC's supervisor must provide the Contracting Officer with a signed, written Determination and Findings. The Determination and Findings must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the contractor from taking vacation leave and the Contracting Officer must find that these facts and circumstances were not caused by and were beyond the control of the contractor. This leave payment must not exceed the number of days which could be earned by the contractor during a twelve month period.

(4) With the approval of the Mission Director or the cognizant AA, as appropriate, and if the circumstances warrant, a Contracting Officer may grant the contractor advance vacation leave in excess of that earned, but in no case may the Contracting Officer grant advance vacation leave in excess of that earned in one year or over the life of the contract, whichever is less. The contractor agrees to reimburse USAID for any outstanding balance of advance vacation leave provided during the contractor’s assignment under the contract.

(5) Applicants for PSC positions will provide evidence of their PSC and/or USG direct hire service -civilian and/or military experience, as applicable, on their signed and dated SF-171 or OF-612. By signing the appropriate form, the applicant attests to the accuracy of the information provided.

Any applicant providing incorrect information is subject to the penalty provisions in the form. If required to satisfy due diligence requirements on behalf of the Contracting Officer, PSCs may be required to furnish evidence that verifies length of service, e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or signed contracts.

(b) Sick Leave. Sick leave is earned at a rate not to exceed 13 workdays per annum or 4 hours every 2 weeks. Unused sick leave may be carried over under an extension/renewal of this contract.

Otherwise, sick leave will not be carried over from one post to another or from one contract to another. The contractor will not be compensated for unused sick leave upon completion of this

(c) Home Leave.

(1) Home leave is leave earned for service abroad for use only in the United States, its commonwealths and territories.

(2) A USPSC who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien and has served at least two years overseas at the same USAID Mission, under the same contract, as defined in paragraph (c) (4) below, and has not taken more than 30 work days leave (vacation, sick or leave without pay in the United States) may be granted home leave in accordance with the following:

i. If the contractor returns to the same overseas post upon completion of home leave for an additional 2 years under the same contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved in writing by the Mission Director prior to the USPSCs departure on home leave, the contractor will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of 30 work days, provided advance approval is obtained from the Mission Director;

ii. If the contractor is returning to a different USAID Mission under a USAID personal services contract immediately following completion of the USPSC's home leave, for an additional 2 years under contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved by the Mission Directors of the "losing" and "gaining" Missions, the contractor will receive home leave, to be taken at one time, for a period of not more than 20 work days. When the PSC is returning to a different USAID Mission, the former Mission will pay for the home leave regardless of what country the PSC will be working in following the home leave;

iii. If home leave eligibility is based on (c)(2)(ii) above, the contractor must submit written verification to the losing Mission at the time home leave is requested that the contractor has accepted a USAID personal services contract at another USAID Mission following completion of the home leave;

iv. Travel time by the most direct route is authorized in addition to the number of work days authorized for home leave;

v. Home leave must be taken in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the possessions of the United States, and any days spent elsewhere will be charged to vacation leave. If the PSC does not have accrued vacation leave, the PSC will be placed on leave without pay.

vi. If the PSC does not complete the additional service required under (c)(2)(i) or (ii) (that the Contracting Officer finds are other than for reasons beyond the PSC's control), the cost of home leave, travel and transportation and any other related costs must be repaid by the PSC to the Government.

(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (c)(2) above that the contractor must have served 2 years overseas under personal services contract with the same Mission to be eligible for home leave, the contractor may be granted advance home leave subject to all of the following conditions:

i. Granting of advanced home leave would in each case serve to advance the attainment of the objectives of this contract; and

ii. The contractor has served a minimum of 18 months in the Cooperating Country under this contract; and

iii. The contractor agrees to return to the Cooperating Country to serve out the remainder of the current contract, plus an additional 2 years under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission. If approved in advance by the Mission Director, the contractor may return to serve out the remainder of the current contract, and an additional period of not less than 1 year under the current contract or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission.

(4) The period of service overseas required under paragraph (c) (2), or paragraph (c) (3) above, will include the actual days in orientation in the United States (less language training). The actual days overseas begin on the date of arrival in the Cooperating Country inclusive of authorized delays en-route. Allowable vacation and sick leave taken while overseas, but not leave without pay, shall be included in the required period of service overseas. An amount equal to the number of days of vacation and sick leave taken in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the possessions of the United States will be added to the required period of service overseas.

(5) Salary during the travel to and from the United States for home leave will be limited to the time required for travel by the most expeditious air route. Except for reasons beyond the PSC's control as determined by the Contracting Officer, the PSC must return to duty after home leave and complete the additional required service or be responsible for reimbursing USAID for payments made during home leave.

(6) Unused home leave is not reimbursable under this contract, nor can it be taken incrementally in separate time periods.

(7) Home leave must be taken at one time, and to the extent deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer, a contractor in the United States on home leave may be authorized to spend no more than 5 days in work status for consultation at USAID/Washington before returning to post.

Consultation at locations other than USAID/Washington as well as any time in excess of 5 days spent for consultation must be approved by the Mission Director or the Contracting Officer.

(d) Home Leave Policy for Qualifying Posts. On June 15, 2006, the Congress passed and the President signed an amendment to the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, that allows home leave for direct-hire employees following completion of 12-month overseas assignments at qualifying posts.

USAID is extending this new home leave policy to its USPSCs who ordinarily qualify for home leave, and is effective as of July 20, 2006. This new home leave policy is in addition to the home leave a USPSC would earn under the contract. USAID USPSCs who complete their 12-month assignment at one of the qualifying posts on or after July 20, 2006, may be eligible for home leave under this new provision.

For USAID, qualifying posts at this time include all posts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

If an eligible USPSC elects to take this new home leave, the USPSC must take ten workdays of home leave. There is no requirement that an eligible USPSC take home leave after serving 12 months at a designated post. It is only an option. If a USPSC is returning to the United States, and not returning overseas to the same or different USAID Mission, this new home leave policy will not apply.

The new home leave policy is also extended to qualifying TCNPSCs whose contracts include General Provision 5 of Appendix except that for TCNPSCs they will granted "country leave" vice home leave.

The application, requirements, and restrictions will be the same as for USPSCs, but the time taken by a TCNPSC will be taken in the TCNPSC's home country or country of recruitment rather than the United States, its commonwealths and territories. This new policy for TCNPSCs also applies to those contracts written under the provisions and procedures of AAPD 03-11.

(e) Holidays. The contractor, while serving abroad, shall be entitled to all holidays granted by the

Mission to U.S.-citizen direct-hire employees.

(f) Military Leave. Military leave of not more than 15 calendar days in any calendar year may be granted to a contractor who is a reservist of the Armed Forces. The contractor must provide advance notice of the pending military leave to the Contracting Officer or the Mission Director as soon as known. A copy of any such notice must be part of the contract file.

(g) Leave Without Pay. Leave without pay may be granted only with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission Director.

(h) Compensatory Time. Compensatory leave may be granted only with the written approval of the

Contracting Officer or Mission Director in rare instances when it has been determined absolutely essential and used under those guidelines which apply to direct-hire employees.

(i) Sunday Pay (if applicable). Each Mission has the option whether or not to authorize Sunday pay for U.S. PSCs, with two stipulations: (1) the decision whether or not to pay must be administered consistently throughout the Mission; and (2) if Sunday pay is authorized, it must be paid under the same terms and conditions that Foreign Service direct-hire employees would receive in accordance with 3 FAM 3136. For example, a PSC employee whose basic rate of pay exceeds the maximum GS- 15 rate would be ineligible and the maximum limitation on compensation of 3 FAM would apply.

(j) Leave Records. The contractor shall maintain current leave records for himself/herself and make them available, as requested by the Mission Director or the Contracting Officer.

GP.6. DIFFERENTIAL AND ALLOWANCES (JUNE 1990)

(a) The following differential and allowances will be granted to the contractor and his/her authorized dependents to the same extent and on the same basis as they are granted to U.S. citizen direct-hire employees at the Mission by the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas), as from time to time amended, except as noted to the contrary below:

Applicable Reference to Standardized Regulations

(1) Post Differential: Chapter 500 and Tables in Chapter 900.

(2) Living Quarters Allowance: Section 130.

(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance: Section 120.

(4) Post Allowance: Section 220.

(5) Supplemental Post Allowance: Section 230.

(6) Payments During Evacuation: Section 600.

(7) Education Allowance: Section 270.

(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance: Section 260.

(9) Danger Pay Allowance: Section 650.

(10) Education Travel: Section 280.

(1) Post Differential. Post differential is an additional compensation for service at places in foreign areas where conditions of environment differ substantially from conditions of environment in the continental United States and warrant additional compensation as a recruitment and retention incentive. In areas where post differential is paid to USAID direct-hire employees, post differential not to exceed the percentage of salary as is provided such USAID employees in accordance with the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas) Chapter 500 (except the limitation contained in Section 552, 'Ceiling on Payment') Tables--Chapter 900, as from time to time amended, will be reimbursable hereunder for employees in respect to amounts earned during the time such employees actually spend overseas on work under this contract. When such post differential is provided to the contractor, it shall be payable beginning on the date of arrival at the post of assignment and continue, including periods away from post on official business, until the close of business on the day of departure from post of assignment enroute to the United States.