Solicitation 72026722R00004.pdf

USAID MISSION/IRAQ

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026722R00004

ISSUANCE DATE: May 23, 2022 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 05, 2022 5:00pm EST

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

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, Victor Diaz de Leon Contracting Officer

USAID IRAQ

International Zone, Baghdad, Iraq;

Phone +1 202-216-6276; Fax 202-216-6289 www.usaid.gov/iraq http://www.usaid.gov/iraq

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026722R00004

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 23, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 05, 2022 5:00pm EST

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Mustafa Al-Saffar, email at iraqrecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Development Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: USD 112,890 – USD 146,757, equivalent to GS-15 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Six months, estimated to start on July 1, 2022.

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

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

residents).

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret clearance in case of US Citizens and Facility Access/Moderate Risk Public Trust in the case of US Residents.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

USAID/Iraq’s Senior Development Advisor (SDA) leads our team in Erbil to manage USAID programming in northern Iraq. The SDA is assigned to the US Consulate Erbil, supervising all Mission operations in the Kurdistan Region. The incumbent is USAID's principal spokesperson in the Kurdistan Region with the private sector and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). S/he also consults with other international organizations and manages USG inter-agency coordination in Erbil to support development and humanitarian assistance. The SDA monitors USAID assistance programs focused on energy, climate, economic growth, agriculture, stabilization, and cross-cutting themes in democracy, governance, and inclusive development. USAID/Iraq is undergoing a mission-wide strategic planning process and review of programming encompassing multiple sectors. This requires an additional level of effort in order to accomplish the required review, analysis and stakeholder meetings in order to ascertain the most effective means to achieve USG objectives.

The SDA oversees, facilitates and advises six (6) positions based in Erbil, and receives program technical support from the Mission headquarters in Baghdad. S/he monitors all USAID-financed activities to assure effective implementation support for overall Mission goals in coordination with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, Office of Transition Initiatives, and the Mission’s Technical Offices. The Advisor is a USAID senior staff member who reports to the Mission Director or his/her designee located in Baghdad. S/he is also a member of the Erbil Consulate's mailto:iraqrecruitment@usaid.gov senior management team and works closely with the Consul General. The Officer may need to travel to Baghdad and around the Kurdistan region on a frequent basis.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

This position will provide direct supervision to one Administrative Assistant and general guidance and oversight to all other USAID/Iraq staff located at the US Consulate in Erbil.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

This position receives overall supervision from the USAID/Iraq Mission Director in Baghdad.

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: The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the duties described above such as international development, international relations, sociology, anthropology, management, public administration, policy development, or other related social sciences, or a related discipline.

Prior work experience: A minimum of 15 years professional experience with progressive responsibility working on international development issues. During this time, demonstrable experience in successfully leading complex teams, substantively contributing to strategy and/or program development, and effectively engaging in communication efforts for US Government agencies or USG-funded programming is required.

Knowledge: Knowledge of USG policies, regulations and procedures related to international development and humanitarian assistance is required. Must have a strong understanding of project planning and implementation procedures. Must have a demonstrated ability to perform work within a team environment.

Skills and Abilities: A high level of analytical skills and sound judgment is required. Must have effective leadership and management skills. Must be able to maintain cordial and professional relationships with staff, other USG agencies at post, Host Country officials, non-governmental organizations, Contractor personnel, and other stakeholders.

Language Proficiency: Must have excellent English communication skills, both orally and written. Arabic language is a plus.

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 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far 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

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 iraqrecruitment@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 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 http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:iraqrecruitment@usaid.gov 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

(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)

(a) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

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

(c) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

(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 areas means—

(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.

( of clause)

Notice Regarding Any Court Order AffectEnding 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 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 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

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiation s with Contractor_

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms 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