Soliciation - PEPFAR country Coord. SGND.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Tel (809) 567-7775 República de Colombia #57 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic www.usaid.gov/dr

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051724R00002

ISSUANCE DATE: May 3rd, 2024

CLOSING DATE: May 17th, 2024, 4:00pm AST

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) PEPFAR Country Coordinator GS-14

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.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Sincerely, Natalya Komarova Contracting Officer

I. GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. SOLICITATION NO: 72051724R00002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 3rd, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 17th, 2024, 4:00pm

AST

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Roxsana Soto, HR Specialist, rosoto@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: PEPFAR Country Coordinator

6. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 equivalent ($104,604.00 – $135,987.00 per annum), Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be two (02) years, estimated to start on/around September 2024. Based on Agency needs, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three (03) additional one

(01) year extensions, pending approval, needs for the position, NSDD-38 approval, performance, and funding, not to exceed a total of five (5) years for the date(s) estimated as follows:

Base Period: September 2024 – September 2026 Option Period 1: September 2026 – September 2027 Option Period 2: September 2027 – September 2028 Option Period 3: September 2028 – September 2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens only

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Clearance

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those impacted by HIV/AIDS around the world - is the largest commitment by any nation in history to combat a single disease internationally.

PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. Thanks in large part to U.S. leadership, tremendous progress has been made in the fight against global AIDS. PEPFAR has supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for more than 20.5 million men, women, and children worldwide since 2003.

Within the Department of State, the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) is responsible for coordinating the implementation of PEPFAR. Additional information about GHSD and PEPFAR is available at https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/secretary-of-state/bureau-of-global-health-security-and-diplomacy/ In the Dominican Republic (DR), PEPFAR is implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although the PEPFAR Country Coordinator is hired under a USAID contract, the incumbent is not a representative of USAID diplomatic priorities. S/he should not be partial towards any PEPFAR implementing agency but represent the goals and objectives of the Mission at large that are in line with GHSD priorities.

PEPFAR is continuing to focus on the transition from an emergency response to building sustainable programs. These programs are country-owned and country-driven and address HIV/AIDS within a broader context of health and development. PEPFAR's program builds on past strengths and increases efficiencies by introducing innovation and best practices and supporting the host government to scale up effective interventions and ensure value.

PEPFAR Program in the DR The overarching goal of the PEPFAR Program in the DR is to collaborate with the national response (NR) to eliminate HIV as a global health threat (95-95-95) by 2030. PEPFAR-DR focuses its testing, linkage to care, adherence and retention on treatment, and viral load suppression among the most vulnerable population in the Dominican territory, i.e., migrants of Haitian origin and their descents (PEPFAR Priority Population, or PP). This population accounts for 51% of newly reported HIV infections and faces challenges to access health services in the local public health network.

PEPFAR’s overarching strategies in the DR are to:

1) Reduce the number of new infections by supporting the identification of new cases, linkage and retention into care and treatment and viral load suppression among PP.

2) Support services which provide the underpinnings of prevention, care, and treatment to PP clients by improving clinical and care services, addressing TB/HIV co-infection, reducing stigma and discrimination, and providing capacity building to human resources for health.

3) Implement above-site activities that support the DR’s national response by providing technical assistance to laboratory strengthening, supply chain management, quality improvement, data quality, and monitoring and evaluation.

PEPFAR-DR works closely with the Government of the DR (GoDR), civil society, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), and other cooperating agencies to promote a sustainable, client-centered HIV response.

https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/secretary-of-state/bureau-of-global-health-security-and-diplomacy/ https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/secretary-of-state/bureau-of-global-health-security-and-diplomacy/

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

a) Program Oversight and Coordination 40%

Leads the USG PEPFAR inter-agency team in the DR in the conception, formulation, and recommendation, of initiatives in response to the epidemic profile in the DR, and to the program operational realm, including the following:

● Ensures that the PEPFAR program fits within the regulations of the partner country government and aligns with international policies and recommendations;

● Communicates USG policy and technical direction to implementing agency leadership;

● Coordinates and facilitates the interagency approach to PEPFAR within the USG;

● Coordinates and facilitates with PEPFAR implementing agencies the restructuring, reorienting, and recasting immediate and long-range goals, objectives, plans and schedules to meet substantial changes in policy, legislation, program authority and/or funding;

● Facilitates discussion with the interagency team regarding determinations of projects to be initiated, dropped or curtailed;

● Leads the development of annual country operational plans (COPs), quarterly and other recurrent reports for results sharing and accountability, and responds to information requests from GHSD, the US Embassy’s Chief of Mission (COM), and to the Washington-based DR Program Chair and Program Manager ;

● Applies a wide variety of data bases for analysis, data presentation, financial management, and reporting (e.g., FACTS-Info, DATIM, and Panorama);

● Oversees changes for in-country GHSD organizational structure in collaboration with agency leads and Washington;

● Engages with the inter-agency process in-country in long range planning in connection with prospective changes in USG funding, policies, and programs;

● Establishes appropriate controls to ensure the integrity of financial, technical, and operational approach of all HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs implemented pursuant to PEPFAR;

● In coordination with the U.S. Embassy leadership, GHSD, PEPFAR Implementing Agencies, facilitates discussion and decision-making processes to inform how best to direct the funds allocated to the country for successful program impact. To properly manage the country budget, the Country Coordinator must understand the current levels of expenditures and pipeline, develop budgets, and advocates for the continued flow of funds necessary to implement the program;

● Ensures the use of data collection and knowledge-based program management in regard to all aspects (implementation, technology, costing) of prevention, care, and treatment, provides leadership, advice and counsel to USG interagency leaders in-country in the implementation and monitoring of the PEPFAR program portfolio;

● Facilitates inter-agency decision-making to ensure program sustainability in a post- Emergency response with greater country political, institutional, and policy ownership, in addition to securing mutual accountability;

● Analyzes the unique operational context of the PEPFAR program in country and the HIV burden; and

● Coordinates the interagency process to establish a vision and strategy for responding to the country needs and context within the guidelines of GHSD and U.S. diplomatic priorities.

For the PEPFAR program in the DR this includes strengthening capacity and harmonization efforts to foster the development of strategies that build on the expertise and strengths of all PEPFAR Implementing Agencies in the country. agencies.

b) Collaboration among Major Non-USG Stakeholders 25%

● Ensures coordination and linkage of USG bilateral assistance with other bilateral donors, civil society organizations (CSO), and international multilateral organizations engaged in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria;

● Collaborates and shares relevant programmatic information with stakeholders to ensure the success of broad efforts to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic in country;

● Liaises with the donor community to ensure complementarities between the USG and other donor investments. May act as the USG representative and full member on the local Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM);

● Along with other USG PEPFAR implementing agency leadership, establishes appropriate protocol for collaboration with the partner government, including providing oversight and developing the vision of USG interaction with the host government on all aspects of HIV/AIDS, including the various executive branch bodies that hold a stake in health;

● Promotes alignment with and understanding of the host government priorities and policies among USG staff implementing the PEPFAR program;

● Evaluates the relative need, local conditions and capability of the designated country to develop or improve their infrastructure and programs necessary to provide or strengthen the quality, availability and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care services;

● Leads discussions, as appropriate, about the timing and planning for transition from USG resources toward other types of funding for sustainable HIV responses; and

● Ensures outreach to and engagement with advocacy groups, faith- and community-based organizations, and businesses in the HIV/AIDS response, and encourages the engagement of USG Agencies responding to HIV with those stakeholders.

c) Program Representation 25%

● Assists in assuring the accountability of PEPFAR and other HIV/AIDS programs supported by the USG to Administration officials, members of Congress, and the general public through the development and communication of appropriate statements, reports, and representation. In collaboration with various PEPFAR implementing agencies, serves as the representative of the USG, and the Ambassador's office in particular, in country-level and, when appropriate, international-level fora such as working groups, country coordination mechanisms, and steering committees, with a focus on responding to the HIV epidemic and to integration of HIV services into broader health efforts under the umbrella of the GHSD.

● Counsels and advises GHSD and U.S. Embassy staff on relevant HIV/AIDS policies and issues that emerge in various settings with stakeholders. As requested by GHSD and the U.S.

Embassy, speaks on behalf of the USG about specific country HIV/AIDS epidemic needs based on a comprehensive knowledge of the overall country, regional, and global context, in-country HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, and the current status of implementation of PEPFAR. Supported by a PEPFAR Program Manager (PPM) at GHSD, communicates field-based and headquarters priorities upstream and downstream. With the PPM, facilitates inter-agency dialogue between the field and headquarters inter-agency teams, facilitating timely responses on emerging issues in the country;

● In collaboration with PEPFAR leadership from other USG agencies, serves as the representative of the USG at international meetings, conferences, and other fora, whose sponsors or attendees may include donors and others with significant equities in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

● Recommends and promotes positions and views for the USG on strategies, initiatives and current programs that aim to improve prevention, treatment, and care for PLHIV. In coordination with PEPFAR leadership from other USG agencies, plans and directs the identification, development, implementation, and monitoring of outreach and/or liaison activities and initiatives with USG representatives, including Congressional staff, the partner government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and regional donors to foster greater leadership, commitment, and resources on their part in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

d) Supervision 5%

The Country Coordinator (PCO) will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Mission, or his/her designee, including the Deputy Chief of Mission. The PCO informs and engages the Chief of Mission, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, USG representatives in-country working with HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, non-governmental organizations, and host government officials on PEPFAR program achievements, concerns and needs to reinforce initiatives to accomplish the goals of PEPFAR through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts. PEPFAR-DR partner agency, CDC, is currently in the process of hiring a Locally Employed Staff (LES) Deputy PEPFAR Coordinator to work with the PCO and interagency teams.

e) Oversight and Stewardship 5%

The Country Coordinator devises and maintains appropriate management and internal control systems to ensure all resources are safeguarded against waste, fraud, unauthorized use, or misappropriation; obligations incurred comply with applicable laws and regulations; and revenues and expenditures are promptly recorded and accounted for in accordance with Department of State procedures. Proactively identifies program areas where potential for waste, fraud, unauthorized use, or misappropriation exist and pursues systematic resolution.

3. Supervisory Relationship

Incumbent may supervise up to two (2) LES staff positions.

4. Supervisory Controls

Incumbent will be supervised by the Chief of Mission or his/her designee.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: An advanced degree (master’s or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as Public Policy, Public Health, Business Administration, Medicine, Epidemiology, or related subject, is required.

Prior Work Experience: Five (05) years of progressively senior-level experience managing HIV/AIDS, health, or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context, with at least 3 years of experience in managing and implementing HIV/AIDS programs. At least 5 years of proven experience working with large, complex international or domestic programs. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of PEPFAR policies and programming parameters. Extensive knowledge of the technical issues related to HIV/AIDS, including knowledge of the principles of monitoring and evaluation. Experience operating in a multicultural environment. Demonstrated strong ability to manage complex programs with cooperation among multiple parties with sometimes competing priorities and demands.

Work Knowledge: Knowledge and demonstrated senior-level management experience in leading technical teams and overseeing office operations. Also, the incumbent needs to have demonstrated ability in program design, policy decisions, and progressively responsible experience in program management, design, budgeting, and policymaking.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, facilitation, advocacy, and negotiation skills.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including ability to facilitate high-level presentations in both English and Spanish.

• Ability to mediate inter-agency conflicts and facilitate decisions on complex technical, programmatic, strategic, and financial issues.

• Strong analytical skills, including database management and data visualization.

• Strong capacity to multi-task, including managing, prioritizing, and fulfilling competing demands in real time, under short and rapidly changing deadlines.

• Ability to manage large data sets and manage complex inter-agency planning and reporting processes.

• Ability to empower PEPFAR team members to harness available resources and expertise to address the local epidemic.

• Ability to engage and strategize with local stakeholders (e.g., GoDR entities and civil society) to leverage local resources and expertise to address the epidemic.

• Experience operating in his/her non-native cultural environment.

• Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness.

• Strong managerial and leadership skills within a fast-paced work environment.

• Able to obtain U.S. Government medical and security clearances.

• Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour work week when required/necessary.

• Willing to travel to work sites and other offices including international locations as/when requested.

• Demonstrated ability to use MS Office software packages: Excel, Power Point, Word.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

Security and Medical Clearance Requirements

The applicant selected to fill this position must be able to obtain a security clearance/employment authorization which involves the applicant's comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency.

The applicant selected to fill the position must also receive medical clearance to work worldwide including random drug test for illegal drug use. Details of how to obtain such clearance will be provided after selection and acceptance of the job offer.

The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidates). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection.

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Prior Work Experience: (40 points)

Technical Knowledge and ability: (30 points)

Communication/Interpersonal Skills: (30 points)

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.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far http://www.usaid.gov/forms

2. Cover letter and current résumé/curriculum vitae (CV). The CV/résumé must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing.

3. Applicants must provide a minimum of three references within the last ten years from the applicant’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. References should 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.

4. 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.

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

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) AID 309-2

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

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

(4) Foreign Residence Data (AID 6-85)*

(5) Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended*

(6) Notice Required by The Privacy Act of 1974*

(7) Fingerprint Cards (FD-258)*

(8) Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561).

Forms 2 through 8 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

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

BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). Please note that due to the length of the contract, some of these allowances would not apply.

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

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

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(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)

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/ads/policy/300/aidar

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

https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

LINE ITEMS

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code

- Accounting Info: TBD after negotiation with Contractor

1 LOT $

_TBD__

$_TBD at Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Persona Services Contract with Individuals available at https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs

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

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

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

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

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-

PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED

APPLICATION

06/02/2023 https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman about:blank