Sol72062421R00014 snr Acquisition and Assistance Specialist.docx.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062421R00014

ISSUANCE DATE: August 25, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: September 10, 2021, 1700 GMT

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S./Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (US/TCNPSC): Senior Acquisition and Assistance, USAID/West Africa.

Dear Prospective Offerors:

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

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

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

All offers must be submitted to the Point of Contact via email: accrapsc@usaid.gov

Only shortlisted offerors will be contacted.

Any questions must be directed in writing to Yusif Ibrahim at yibrahim@usaid.gov or Patience Charway at pcharway@usaid.gov

Sincerely, Michael Sampson Contracting Officer USAID/West Africa mailto:yibrahim@usaid.gov mailto:pcharway@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1 Sol# 72062421R00014

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062421R00014

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 25, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 10, 2021, 1700 GMT

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Regional Executive Office, USAID/WA, e-mail at accrapsc@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $93,907 - $122, 077 equivalent to GS- 14 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, estimated to start o/a 10/2021 with an option of three (3) one-year extensions for a maximum of five (5) years. Exercise of options will depend on continuing need of services, availability of funds, successful performance, and requisite approvals.

The base period will be two (2) years estimated to start in October 2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods for up to five (5) years for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a 10/2021 to 10/2023 Option Period 1: o/a 10/2023 to 10/2024 Option Period 2: o/a 10/2024 to 10/2025 Option Period 3: o/a 10/2025 to 10/2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/West Africa in Accra, Ghana, with extensive travel within the West Africa region and travel to the U.S as needed.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Citizens (including lawful Permanent legal residents) or Third Country Nationals.

Hiring Preference:

In order of preference, U.S. Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first and only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Citizens (including Permanent legal residents) that offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) will be considered.

mailto:accrapsc@usaid.gov

References 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

USAID/West Africa (WA) is a regional mission that covers a large and dynamic sub region comprising 21 countries and a wide range of ethnic, linguistic, socio- economic, and political contexts. USAID/WA implements trans-boundary and regional programs, bilateral programs, and programs in non-and limited-presence countries (NPCs/LPCs); and provides business advisory services to multiple USAID Operating Units (OUs). USAID/WA manages a regional program budget of $72 million and administers bilateral NPC/LPC programs in Benin ($24 million program budget), Cameroon ($33 million), and Côte d'Ivoire ($56 million). USAID/WA provides business advisory services to five OUs, including USAID/Ghana ($143 million).

USAID/West Africa's (WA) programs focus on: countering violent extremism (CVE) and promoting peace and stability; improving health systems and services to enhance the health status of vulnerable populations, especially women and children; and spurring economic growth through improving private sector competitiveness, reducing barriers to intra-regional trade, enhancing food security, protecting the environment, and increasing access to energy, water supply and sanitation. Engagement with regional organizations is woven throughout programs to advance regional integration and build regional capacity as a strategic, long-term investment in self-reliance. USAID/WA serves multiple regional roles: In health, the Mission coordinates the new PEPFAR Regional Operational Plan; and manages a multi-country family planning program. In economic growth, USAID/WA oversees the Power Africa Energy Program; manages the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub; implements the regional Feed the Future strategy; and oversees trans boundary biodiversity and water and sanitation programs. In peace and security, the Mission manages regional CVE activities and hosts the West Africa CVE unit that embeds an Office of Transition Initiatives team and Department of Defense Liaison Officer. The Mission also manages the Young African Leaders Initiative West Africa Regional Leadership Center.

Given the quantity, complexity, and high dollar value of current instruments and future designs, USAID/WA is seeking an Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) Specialist who is highly experienced, self-motivated, and who is capable of independently performing quality and professional work in an expedited manner under stressful conditions. The Senior A&A Specialist will serve in USAID/WA as a team lead and key advisor to the Supervisory Contracting Officer (SCO) for all A&A matters. The Senior A&A Specialist will mentor Missions’ FSN A&A Staff, and will provide expert advice on how to leverage the tools of procurement to more effectively advance USAID’s goals, and should assist mission staff in improving their Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative (C/AOR) skills.

The Senior A&A Specialist is responsible for providing the full range of A&A services in support of USAID/WA's foreign assistance objectives. S/he will be required to apply highly specialized A&A knowledge, skills, and abilities involving a variety of actions that range from simplified acquisition to complex multi-million dollar, multi-year awards. This includes providing support to a range of technical and OU portfolios on all aspects of contract/award management relating to and affecting USAID assistance programs, policy and project planning, design, implementation, learning and evaluation.

The incumbent is expected to work primarily in accomplishing the specific tasks as outlined below.

Given the nature of the position, the Senior A&A Specialist will also be expected to respond to any changes in priorities that emerge during the contract period to provide efficient, timely, and effective services to the Missions and OUs.

The Senior A&A Specialist will oversee the contractual actions for multiple USAID portfolios that are estimated at over $200 Million. S/he will represent Regional Acquisition and Assistance Office (RAAO) and the SCO in providing design feedback for new activities and will be responsible for reviewing A&A package documents to ensure completion in preparation for final review and approval by the Contracting/Agreement Officer.

The Senior A&A Specialist will report to the Supervisory Contracting Officer and may be called upon to manage one or more technical portfolios. S/he will be responsible for mentoring up to four (4) Cooperating Country National (CCN) staff members and is expected to further develop these employees’ skills.

The Senior A&A Specialist will be located within USAID/West Africa and will work with USAID/WA RAAO located in Accra, Ghana. The Senior A&A Specialist will work on actions relating to USAID/West Africa, Benin, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire. Travel is necessary to countries served by USAID/West Africa.

2. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior A&A Specialist is responsible for the wide range of A&A support services to the Missions, will function as a Team Lead reporting to the SCO and will manage office workload as well as one or more technical portfolios and Operating Units. A comprehensive and up to date knowledge of A&A processes and procedures is essential as little of the work involves repetitive actions and is assigned based on project support needs. The Senior A&A Specialist must provide informed technical assistance necessary to execute a full range of procurement actions, including but not limited to the following:

● Cost-reimbursement and fixed price contracts, task orders, delivery orders, purchase orders, blanket purchase agreements, grants, cooperative agreements, grants to public international organizations, interagency agreements, fixed amount awards, and other agreements and award types;

● Various modifications to all of the above;

● Other miscellaneous administrative requirements associated with A&A awards;

● The provision of training, mentoring, and coaching to Mission staff, especially RAAO staff and designated Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) and Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs), and local partners; and

The Senior A&A Specialist must be able to discuss and assess situations with a degree of expertise sufficient to provide the basis for well-founded recommendations to senior Mission management and the SCO. A clear understanding of the differences between acquisition and assistance in achieving USAID’s operation and strategic development is essential. Both the underlying purposes, as defined in law, and the different relationships, as reflected in the different terms and conditions, must be understood at a level that permits the specialist to effectively and accurately represent U.S.

Government policy to outside organizations and to a full range of programmatic and administrative officials within USAID/WA up to the level of Mission Director.

S/he must perform a full range of pre-award and post-award duties described below with independence. Actions will be highly complex and represent critical Agency objectives with short lead times. S/he must be available to Mission staff for consultation on all aspects of procurement from the procurement planning stage through to the administration stage. The Senior A&A Specialist must also provide expert advice on program objectives, budgetary issues, and procurement policy. S/he must be a recognized technical expert able to independently interact with high-level officials to obtain advance approvals for critical actions. This requires extensive knowledge of the USAID and Federal Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR and FAR), USAID assistance regulations (2 CFR 200 and 700, 2 CFR 228), OMB Circulars, the USAID Automated Directive System, the Department of State Standard Regulations (DSSR), USAID A&A Policy Directives (AAPDs), and Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs). S/he must also keep updated with new regulations issued through the Agency’s General Notices. The Senior A&A Specialist must also mentor RAAO and its staff in their performance of the same.

The Senior A&A Specialist will be responsible for on-the-job training of the Mission RAAO, AOR, and COR staff in all relevant aspects of A&A policy and procedures. S/he is expected to mentor the RAAO staff work actively to keep the team engaged and updated on the latest procurement guidance, and continuously improve the services they offer. The incumbent should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work across teams and portfolios and with diverse clients. S/he must be fully versed in internet applications, vital of which is Google’s G Suite, and other mandated US Government and Agency applications and software related to A&A work, such as the full Microsoft Office Suite, the Global Acquisition & Assistance System (GLAAS), and the Agency Secure Image and Storage Tracking (ASIST) system.

Specifically, the incumbent will:

a) PRE-AWARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will:

Manage assigned procurement planning functions for the Missions, which may include reviewing strategic objective agreements and/or results frameworks, participating in program planning meetings, identifying components of the plans that should be accomplished through the participation of outside provider organizations, the management of OAA’s internal procurement planning, and the Agency Business Forecast/A&A Plan.

Lead Mission technical and support offices in developing annual procurement plans for the Mission A&A activities. Ensure that these plans are always current. Collaborate with technical office members in the preparation of advance procurement planning documents for proposed actions. Input shall reflect the steps required by regulation or policy in the selected mechanism's process, realistic estimates of the time required to accomplish each step utilizing Agency Procurement Action Lead Times (PALTs) as a guide, and a commitment to maintain the agreed-upon timelines.

Working in tandem with technical teams, ensure that all A&A planning documents are completed, such as the Individual Acquisition Plan, the Source Selection Plan, and the Assistance Selection Plan.

Ensure that technical offices use M/OAA’s mandatory A&A templates. Advise Mission management and technical office personnel concerning the selection of appropriate A&A instruments to use in order to accomplish the Mission’s programmatic objectives. Working with technical counterparts and RAAO, make choice of instrument recommendations to the Mission and to the CO/AO. Contract methods and types used procure large, highly complex, and significant equipment systems, programs, services, or construction where little or no contractual precedent exists. Serves as lead negotiator responsible for a significant program or for major procurements, which may include several types of instruments.

Identify A&A issues/potential problems that require guidance or concurrence from the Resident Legal Officer (RLO) and obtain such guidance and/or concurrence. Provide expert guidance to technical office members in the preparation of required descriptions of the proposed project including, as appropriate, statements of work, specifications, program descriptions, program announcements, evaluation criteria, etc.

This guidance may take the form of directing them to the appropriate Automated Directive System (ADS) and/or to any other agency guidance, reviewing drafts, providing periodic training on the preparation of such documents or on Federal and USAID regulations, policies, and requirements.

Emphasis should be placed on defining contractible, performance-based, results-oriented statements of work or program descriptions.

Carefully review incoming requisition documents to ensure they adequately reflect and protect U.S.

Government interests in the accomplishment of the programmatic objective and comply with pertinent statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements and to ensure compliance with Agency and Mission requirements and appropriateness for the proposed action. Ensure proper recording of requisitions in Agency management information systems, such as ASIST and GLAAS. Analyze requisitions and other documents and obtain necessary clarifications from the requesting technical office. Make recommendations for corrections to requesting documents when they are inadequate, inappropriate, or significant documentation is missing.

Depending on the action type, draft and/or review required pre-solicitation and solicitation documents, including determinations and findings (D&F), synopses, Justification and Approval (J&A) requests, Justification to Restrict Eligibility (JRE) requests, Request for Proposals (RFPs), and Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) which reflect Federal and USAID regulations, policies, and procedures governing A&A instruments, as applicable. Determine adequacy and choice of evaluation criteria, type of mechanism, the extent and mechanisms of advertising solicitation documents, the appropriateness of the time permitted for proposal or application preparation, the need for a pre-solicitation or pre-proposal conference, and any special terms and conditions that may be required, particularly if their use would require a deviation from governing regulations. Issue amendments, when necessary, to clarify questions or correct errors. Control the flow of information from the Missions to the offering community during the proposal/application preparation stage, ensuring that all competition requirements are met and that the integrity of the procurement process is upheld.

Prepare the Technical Evaluation Committee Instructions/Selection Committee Instructions and provide guidance to the evaluation/selection committees regarding rules and procedures in conducting source selection. Analyze proposals/applications, ensuring compliance with all published evaluation criteria and factors and Federal and USAID regulations, policies, and procedures. Coordinate and provide expert guidance in the technical and cost evaluations.

Obtain pricing assistance as necessary and available and perform such cost evaluations as are necessary, reasonable, and appropriate to the circumstances. Document the results of these reviews in writing for use in source selection. Determine the need for further discussions. Prepare requests for confirmation of the results of the negotiation, including requests for proposal revisions, and revised financial or program plans, as applicable. Make competitive range determination recommendations to the cognizant CO/AO for competitively negotiated acquisitions. Take all reasonable steps necessary to determine the financial responsibility of any party to whom an award is expected to be made. This may include performing or requesting pre-award financial and program management reviews, as circumstances dictate or permit.

Plan the negotiation strategy, coordinate the strategy with the negotiation team, and lead the negotiations which are conducted with contractors/grantees to develop the contract/grant prices and terms.

Prepare the award documents, modifications, and administrative procurement documents for CO’s review, that reflect the results of all discussions, any special needs of the project, and all required terms and conditions and applicable provisions and clauses.

Distribute award documents to relevant offices and provide all required notifications to unsuccessful offerors and applicants.

Provide notifications to U.S. Government award publication points (such as the Congressional Liaison Office and the Federal Business Opportunities). Provide debriefings when requested.

b) POST AWARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for award administration sufficient to ensure award terms and conditions are met and that the contractor delivers the required goods or services in a timely manner to achieve the objectives of the Agency's projects and programs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: periodic site visits, approval of changes to incremental funding, preparation of rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, coordination of time extension, incorporation of change orders, preparation of stop work orders, preparation of cure notices or show cause letters, salary and equipment approvals, and contract closeout.

Conducts post-award orientations to clarify issues on award requirements (eg. billing procedures, delivery schedules, terms and conditions of the award, reporting requirements, etc.), and works closely with the Regional Financial Management Officer and Resident Legal Officer to resolve issues associated with claimed costs, audit findings, fraud, disallowance of costs, organizational conflicts of interest, contractor/recipient personnel issues, headquarters/field office questions, and recommend corrective action to be taken to remedy situations when warranted.

Advises technical office counterparts and contractors/implementing partners on their administration responsibilities contained in the contract or agreement and as conveyed by the AOR/COR Designation Letter.

Evaluates the adequacy of the contractor's/implementing partner’s business management systems for areas such as personnel compensation, insurance, subcontracting procedures, and financial management.

Ensures that contractors submit required subcontracting plans, inventory reports, and quarterly financial reports. Responses to contractor performance reports, follow-on extension needs, funding needs, and ensures new requirements/clauses are incorporated in current awards as required and necessary. Disseminates performance reporting procedures to AOR/CORs and follows up to ensure that reports are completed with input of contractors, cognizant Contracting Officer and AORs/CORs.

Takes appropriate action and prepares documentation on any issues that may arise in the course of performance, including changes, disputes, work stoppages, problems with Government Furnished Property or materials, changes in scope or direction, replacement of key personnel, failure to make acceptable progress, default, payment problems, or unacceptable performance/deliveries.

Conducts in-depth compliance review and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract actions requiring higher-level approval. Manages Contract Review Board actions for large procurements.

Negotiates terminations of contracts for the convenience of the Government or for default by the contractor. The incumbent is responsible for the preparation of all documentation necessary to support and defend termination decisions.

Resolves audit findings on post-award audits. Responds to protests by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history. Works with the Regional Legal Officer (RLO) in preparing the Agency's position and Contracting Officer reports to support the Government's defense on protests to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Works with the Regional Financial Management Office (RFMO) to prepare responses to audit findings. Conducts desk audits of A&A instruments pursuant to Agency policy and procedures. Via the AOR/COR, ensures payment vouchers are processed in a timely manner and that outstanding invoice issues are resolved.

Reviews procurement files to ensure that documents (such as, memorandum of negotiation, class justifications, and other relevant documentation) are included in procurement files and that the files are maintained in accordance with Agency policies and standards.

Closes out completed contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements in a timely manner following Agency procedures and prepares all relevant close-out documentation. Reviews official contract files to ensure no pending administrative action; contract is complete and ready to close, and to obtain approval of all closeout documentation. Reviews completed official award files to determine that all contractual actions are satisfied, that no pending administrative actions remain, that all file documents are signed, that there are no litigation actions are pending, and that the award file is ready to be administratively closed according to Agency policies and procedures.

c) SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

The Senior A&A Specialist will receive supervision from the Supervisory Contracting Officer.

d) SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Senior A&A Specialist will provide work guidance, training and supervision of up to four (4) CCN A&A staff, including mentoring, coaching, and implementation of continuous improvements that will ensure the office meets the needs of its customers. Also, the Senior A&A Specialist will provide mentoring, guidance and direction to AOR/CORs across the Missions.

If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 2 days days/16 hours per week of training to a cooperating country nationals (CCNs) designated by USAID. The TCN’s 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.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education A bachelor's degree or equivalent of a four-year US university degree (equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) in law, accounting, business/business administration, economics, finance, contract management, procurement, industrial management, marketing, or other related field is required.

b. Prior Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the field of acquisition and assistance execution, administration, cost and price analysis, procurement planning, and analysis and evaluation of proposals is required, of which five or more years must be overseas experience working on complex pre-award, award, and post-award responsibilities in an international organization or USG agency. In addition, demonstrated experience in coaching and training acquisition and assistance staff is required.

c. Language Proficiency Fluency in both written and spoken English.

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 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. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

a. Relevant Work Experience

Demonstrated experience to effectively manage complex pre-award, award, and post-award acquisition and assistance responsibilities working with U.S. Government agencies. Experience working in high volume, high visibility, politically sensitive environments managing U.S.

Government procurement activities.

Proven management, mentoring, coaching, and training of seasoned and junior acquisition and assistance staff and technical teams. Must have demonstrated experience working with diverse cultures and work environments.

b. Management and Communication Skills

Extent to which the Offeror demonstrates the following skills: 1) Excellent management and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with co-workers, partners, and business and industry officials. 2) Tact and diplomacy; maintains strict confidentiality and high ethical standards relating to all areas of acquisition and assistance matters; independently organizes, prioritizes, and follows through on all assignments in an efficient manner; provides leadership and management while introducing innovations and best practices; and operational, analytical, and management skills, and experience working in a team setting. 3) Proven capacity to prepare procurement documents that adequately reflect and protect U.S. Government interests in the https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far accomplishment of the programmatic objective and comply with pertinent statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements and comply with Agency and Mission requirements and appropriateness for the proposed action.

c) Technical Knowledge

Extensive knowledge of current Federal and USAID regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to acquisition and assistance mechanisms. Demonstrated knowledge of a wide range of acquisition and assistance tools and approaches within the USAID procurement landscape.

Technical expertise on how to: research and interpret regulations and prepare high quality procurement documents is necessary; make concise recommendations, propose well-thought out procurement strategies; and resolve highly complex procurement issues is critical.

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 USPSC 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 Section I.

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

4. A current CV/resume. The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the Offers in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on CV.

5. Applicants also must address the above Section III: Evaluation and Selection Factors, in a Summary Statement to be included in the Offers. This Summary Statement, limited to two (2) pages, must describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards the applicant has received that are relevant to each selection factor above. The Summary Statement must include the name of the applicant and the announcement number at the top of each page.

6. Applicants must provide a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) references within the last five years from the applicant’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family http://www.usaid.gov/forms members or relatives. Three references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s work knowledge and professional experience. Applicants must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

7. Copies of diplomas, certificates or relevant degrees may be included to corroborate the CV/resume.

8. Applicants must provide their full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers (if available) and email address and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their submission.

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 found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

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

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

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

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

5. Fingerprint Card (FD-258). *

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. 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

2. ALLOWANCES:

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

(a) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220) 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 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(f) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(g) Education Travel (Section 280)

(h) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)]

TCNs do not receive identical allowances as USPSCs. However, subject to Mission Director approval, TCNs may receive specific allowances under AIDAR Appendix J sec. 4(c)(2)(ii) and many allowances from AIDAR Appendix D that are on par with other offshore hires.

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.

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 SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) QT

Y

UNI

T

UNIT

PRICE

AMOUNT (F)

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

- Award Type: PSC

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

2 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations

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

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

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

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/OGE%20Regulations.

5. PSC Ombudsman

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

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

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

[End of Solicitation] http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov