Solicitation 72026722R00002 (Upload).pdf

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Attached to: Financial Manager
Solicitation number: 72026722R00002
Issued by: US Agency for International Development Iraq

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72026722R00002

USAID MISSION/IRAQ

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026722R00002

ISSUANCE DATE: March 10, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: March 31, 2022, 5:00pm EST

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. and or Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (USPSC /

TCNPSC)

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 Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Zachary Clarke Contracting Officer

Zachary Clarke Digitally signed by Zachary Clarke Date: 2022.03.03 13:23:30 +01'00'

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026722R00002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 10, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 31, 2022, 5:00pm EST

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Mustafa Al-Saffar, e-mail at Iraq-Jobs@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Financial Manager

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

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with possibility of extensions (not to exceed five years).

Base Period: 2022 – 2023 Option Period 1: 2023 – 2024 Option Period 2: 2024 – 2025 Option Period 3: 2025 – 2026 Option Period 4: 2026 – 2027 *Dates for each option will depend on home leave days authorized between options.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Baghdad, Iraq with possible travel to Erbil.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent U.S.

residents) and Third Country Nationals (TCN).

Hiring Preference: In order of preference, U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first. Only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) will the offers from Third Country Nationals be considered. Reference 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret clearance in case of US Citizens and Facility

Access/Moderate Risk Public Trust in the case of US Residents and Third Country Nationals.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Financial Manager (FM) serves as the alter ego of the Regional Controller for the United States Agency for International Development/Iraq (USAID/Iraq), part of the U.S. Government (USG).

Thus, the FM functions as the de-facto Deputy Controller responsible for the day-to-day management of all financial operations of the USAID/Iraq mission (hereinafter referred to as the Mission), providing direction and oversight for complex financial operations, including, but not limited to, financial analysis, audit management and resolution, budgeting, accounting, disbursements, funds control, payroll and financial reporting. The FM has direct supervisory and management responsibilities over the Mission’s entire Financial Management Office (FMO) staff, currently composed of two Financial Analysts, one Accountant, one Pay Assistant and one Travel Specialist.

The incumbent is also responsible for securing the highest degree of accountability and transparency in the management and control of the Mission’s active development portfolio valued at over $100 million annually, as well as the Mission’s Operating Expense (OE) budget amounting to about $14 million per annum in coordination with the Supervisory Executive Officer. The FM provides timely and effective financial management and guidance to technical Mission staff and line offices/officers in the achievement of the Mission’s goals and objectives (focusing on Stabilization, Economic Growth, Democracy & Governance, Energy, Climate Change, and Humanitarian Assistance). As the Mission Deputy Controller, the incumbent is hereby given specifically delegated authorities to approve funding citations included in commitment and obligations instruments as well as to approve the full array of financial reports/reconciliations requested by Mission management and/or USAID/W. S/he is charged with coordinating and monitoring the Mission internal control assessments, planning and performing institutional capacity assessments and documenting and mapping through flow charts of Mission internal control processes. The incumbent also represents the Regional Controller in all local meetings, including periodically scheduled senior staff meetings and other meetings calling for FMO representation at higher inter-agency, Implementing Partner, and donor community levels.

Major duties and responsibilities:

S/he provides day-to-day management and oversight over the full range of operations of the Mission’s Financial Management Office (FMO). S/he ensures operational and programmatic compliance with Agency and US Government laws and regulations including the USG’s Standardized Regulations, the Government Management and Reform Act (GMRA) of 1994, the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, the Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) of 1982, OMB circular A-123, ADS Chapter 600 and other applicable USG financial management policies and procedures. S/he coordinates and oversees the development, review, approval and progress reporting over the Mission’s Operating Expense (OE) and International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) yearly budgets, ensuring the highest degree of accuracy in cost estimations and workload counts.

Both OE and ICASS budget formulation and oversight require extreme professionalism and interpersonal skills because of the number and quality of USAID and US Embassy staff involvement in both processes. In the Deputy Controller role, the incumbent exercises authority delegated by the Regional Controller and Mission Director to approve funding citations in administrative and implementing instruments, including project agreements, grants, and implementation letters (ILs) and other such funding documents. S/he also has delegated authority to approve financial reports such as those relating to the ICASS and OE budget formulation, the 1221 Cash Reconciliation Tool (CART) certification, financial reviews, institutional capacity assessments, and others.

S/he provides direct supervision to the FMO staff, currently including two Financial Analysts (FA), one Accountant, one Pay Assistant and a Travel Specialist. S/he assigns and monitors workflows, assigns duties and special projects, reviews work products for correctness and ensures the timely completion of work assignments. As appropriate, ensures FMO staff active participation in the design and implementation of all development and operational activities of the Mission. Provides budget, payroll and financial advice to Mission senior management, including technical guidance on USAID procedures, regulations and payment policies, and accounting and financial management controls.

Oversees the effectiveness of operations within FMO by rating the performance of all FMO staff and ensuring full compliance with funds controls procedures and data accuracy in Phoenix. Assures that all Mission Program and OE accounting transactions are entered into Phoenix and are recorded in a proper and timely manner. S/he also is responsible for ensuring full compliance by Mission line and staff offices with USAID guidance and documentation requirements when performing quarterly accruals and 1311 reviews.

The incumbent oversees the effective implementation of the Mission’s Audit Management and Resolution Program by: 1) preparing, monitoring and implementing the USAID Inspector General approved audit inventory and audit plan; 2) facilitating, controlling, and tracking audits included in the audit plan; 3) Coordinating and supervising the acquisition process for Agency or recipient-contracted audits of implementing organizations, including the development, review and approval of audit scopes of work; 4) serving as liaison officer for all planned and on-going audits at entrance and exit conferences and; 5) participating in the development of management decisions for audit recommendations and follow-up on the close-out of audit recommendations once included by Washington DC in the Consolidated Audit and Compliance System (CACS). As Deputy Controller, s/he also serves as Co-chair of the Mission’s Management Control Review Committee (MCRC), coordinating periodic MCRC meetings and leading discussions of status reports tracking audit and FMFIA results.

Oversees the performance of financial reviews, pre-award surveys and desk audits of local entities, to include the allowability of costs, accounting procedures and systems, and compliance with USAID guidance and regulation. This includes the preparation of an annual financial review plan developed in coordination with the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AORs) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (CORs). Maintains professional contacts with the highest-level officials within the Mission (US Embassy and other USG entities), USAID Washington, and other public and private sector institutions, including banks and USAID recipient institutions. Works closely with partner’s accounting staff to strengthen their financial management and internal controls, advises implementing partners on the rules and regulations on the control and use of US Government funds. Develops mechanisms, procedures and systems to facilitate the provision of funds to Implementing Partners.

Provides guidance and oversight to the Financial Analysis and Accounting staff retained by the Mission subsequent to the regionalization of the Missions’ disbursement operations. Coordinates and ensures proper execution of the financial management operations of USAID/Iraq. This includes monitoring applicable service standards.

Develops and creates new reporting and budgeting formats as needed. For example, quarterly pipeline/implementation reports and budgets. Leads the FMO staff in the preparation of the Mission Program funded support and OE budgets. Coordinates, assists, and assesses to ensure the adequacy/accuracy of all payroll functions and the development and presentation of quarterly pipeline/implementation reviews to Mission management. Presentations include analysis of current financial status of individual acquisition and assistance instruments, including burn rates and future funding requirements. Monitors the financial and accounting performance of partner organizations, and overall Mission compliance with forward funding guidelines. Responds to requests for research on difficult financial issues and questions, documenting results, including drafting Mission Orders and reports, as necessary.

Supports and assists the FMO staff in their participation in meetings, discussions and presentations with other offices, particularly as it involves OE and ICASS budget development and monitoring and reporting, and in solving financial related problems in Mission and in Implementing Partner operations.

Develops and delivers presentations and training on financial management issues to Mission staff and development partners.

Routinely monitors internal operations to effect greater efficiencies and improve internal controls mission-wide. Develops new procedures for the performance of FMO responsibilities. Coordinates the performance of the annual Agency Internal Control Assessment as required under the Federal Manager’s Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA), ensuring follow-up actions required and close-out of any resulting recommendations and findings.

USAID Consultation or Orientation

Foreign Service Counter Threat (FACT) course, Iraq Familiarization, and up to three days of consultations with Middle East Bureau staff.

Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent reports to the USAID/Iraq Deputy Mission Director and receives guidance from the Regional Controller located in Frankfurt, Germany, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between USAID/Iraq and the USAID/Middle East Regional Platform. Must be able to perform all of the responsibilities of the position independently.

Supervisory Controls

Responsible for all of the Financial Management aspects within USAID/Iraq. S/he directly supervises five staff members within the Mission’s Financial Management Office.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, the offeror must meet the minimum qualifications. Offers will be pre-screened and only those that meet the minimum qualifications will be considered. These are the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position:

Education: University degree (B.S. equivalent) in accounting, economics, or finance is required. MBA in Finance, Business Administration or related field and/or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is highly desirable.

Prior work experience: From ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in professional accounting or auditing with a U.S Government institution in a hardship post is required.

Extensive use of automated accounting systems and other software systems as well as prior experience with a U.S. Government institution is required. Five (7) to seven (10) years of Supervisory experience is required. (Hardship posts examples are Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan).

Knowledge: A thorough knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting and auditing principles, theories, and terminology. Skilled in the preparation of budgets, reports, and in conducting financial and risk management assessments. Extensive skills in the use of accounting systems and Microsoft Office suite. Broad Knowledge of U.S. Government rules, regulations, guidance and procedures as related to accounting practices and requirements.

Skills and Abilities: Incumbent must possess excellent analytical skills and be able to exercise sound independent judgment. Effective people skills and management ability. Able to judge the adequacy of accounting systems, procedures and controls, and recommend improvements. Strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in the use of automated systems and computer software. Ability to compile and visualize data and deliver presentations to a wide range of stakeholders. The incumbent must be able to train others to successfully perform daily accounting and financial analysis while also advising Senior Management on all aspects of Financial Management for the Mission.

Language Proficiency: Level IV English is required (reading/speaking/writing). Must be able to express ideas and communicate concepts accurately in both verbal and written form.

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

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

Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the minimum/required education, experience, and language requirements may be further evaluated and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors and through review of the offeror’s submitted written application materials (see section IV below). Those highest-ranked offerors will be considered within the competitive range, and may be further evaluated through language, technical tests and interviews to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offeror. Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offeror at the conclusion of evaluations and as part of the responsibility determination process. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations will be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offeror who has successfully passed the responsibility determination process.

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

1. Education (10 points)

2. Experience (30 points)

3. Knowledge (40 points)

4. Skills and Abilities (20 points)

Total points = 100

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 via email to Iraq-Jobs@usaid.gov.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all submitted documents and the subject line of the application email. In addition to the offer form AID309-2, offerors must submit the following:

-Three professional references (including names, telephone numbers and email addresses), which could be the offeror’s current and/or former supervisors who are able to comment on the offeror’s suitability for employment.

-A brief written appendix of no more than one letter-size page to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training have prepared the offeror to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described in the solicitation.

4. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

3. Questionnaire for non-Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-85),

4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

5. OF-306

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Personal Service Contracting (PSC) employee is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(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)

(a) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(d) Sunday Differential

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. FAR 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR- 22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause -

United States or its outlying areasmeans—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands;

and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of clause)

Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”). In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

3. 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:

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: R497

- Accounting Info: 267-IRAQ-OE-2022