Solicitation 72051921R00005 - US-TCN PSC Sr. Migration Advisor (DGS) USAID El Salvador 6-21-2021 signed.pdf

SOLICITATION No. 72051921R00005 ISSUANCE DATE: June 22, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 2, 2021

5:00 pm (El Salvador/Local Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for USPSC/TCNPSC Senior Migration Advisor

Office of Democratic Governance and Security (DGS), USAID/El Salvador

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 the attached 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 to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Kent Benson Deputy Executive Officer/Contracting Officer

Attachment No. 1 Solicitation No. 72051921R00005

Senior Migration Advisor Office of Democratic Governance and Security (DGS)

USAID/EL SALVADOR

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051921R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 22, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 2, 2021 (5:00 pm El Salvador/Local Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Veronica Lopez

USAID/El Salvador, Executive Office/Procurement Telephone: (503) 2501-3417 Fax: (503) 2298-0885 E-mail: vlopez@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Migration Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $110,460 to $143,598 equivalent to GS-15.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be two (2) years estimated to start o/a

August 2021. Based on Agency need, additional approvals, and availability of funds, the Contracting Officer may exercise three (3) one (1) year option periods for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a August 2021 – July 2023 Option Period 1: o/a August 2023 – July 2024 Option Period 2: o/a August 2024 – July 2025 Option Period 3: o/a August 2025 – July 2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Salvador, El Salvador, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Nationals (including U.S. Citizens and U.S. Resident Aliens), and Third Country Nationals.

Order of preference: Offers from U.S. Nationals (U.S.

Citizens and U.S. Resident Aliens) will be evaluated first and only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Nationals (Citizens and U.S. Resident Aliens) then offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) will be considered.

mailto:vlopez@usaid.gov

Senior Migration Advisor

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10. CLEARANCES: If a U.S. Citizen, the apparently successful offeror shall be required to obtain a “Secret” level Security Clearance and appropriate Medical Clearance as a pre-condition for employment.

For a U.S. Resident Alien or a TCN, a Security Clearance at the “Facility Access” level, and appropriate Medical Clearances are required as a pre-condition for employment.

If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract The USAID/El Salvador/Central America Mission Senior Migration Advisor will serve as the senior professional responsible for the provision of comparative technical perspectives and the operational management of USAID activities in the field of migration prevention, which requires background knowledge of migration trends and dynamics, employment generation, educational development, human rights, protection of vulnerable populations, and rule of law. S/he works under the direction of the DGS Office Director and Deputy Director.

All of the active DGS portfolio resources tie under the overall Mission’s goal of reducing the drivers of illegal migration by fostering a more self-reliant El Salvador.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed The Senior Migration Advisor’s primary duty will be to serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and will manage a five-year, $34 million migration activity, Integrated Responses to Migration (IRM). S/he will provide technical guidance to program implementers, manage the design, monitoring, and evaluation of programs, and oversee the operations of program implementers working to reduce irregular migration by assisting returned migrants to reintegrate into their community of origin. In conjunction with this duty, the Advisor will serve as a key USG representative to high-level officials of the Government of El Salvador (GOES), Guatemala (GoG), and Honduras (GoH), as well as civil society leaders and other partners. While the Advisor must clear recommendations through the Office Director/Deputy Director when dealing with politically sensitive issues, s/he is permitted to, and should be able to, make sound, independent judgments with minimal supervision.

The Senior Migration Advisor will serve as a technical expert to other USAID Missions in the region to provide strategic guidance and technical input for bilateral activities under development. Due to the highly specialized and sensitive level of cooperation required for this position, the Mission requires a PSC who has native level proficiency in Spanish and with extensive experience and knowledge of key local governmental counterparts and civil society groups working on migration and related issues in the region. The individual must

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3 Page 3 excel in advancing core mission strategies and bring strong experience working in the region on various sensitive issues including migration, internal displacement, labor rights, and human rights violations faced by vulnerable populations.

The Advisor must exercise excellent judgment in making decisions and recommendations requiring few revisions or changes on politically sensitive issues. The Advisor must be able to judge the quality of information provided by implementing partners and be effective in dealing with them. The Advisor must be able to listen to contradictory points of view and strongly articulate USAID policies and procedures. The individual will have wide latitude in planning and executing work assignments, and therefore must exercise sound judgment in establishing priorities for numerous requests and selecting the appropriate course of action.

The Advisor will take overall responsibility for ongoing, established programs, and for formulating new strategies and approaches within these programs. The Advisor will also develop strategies and approaches for new program areas in response to the developing migration environment within the Central American countries.

The Advisor's responsibilities will also include maintaining contacts with high-level local and USG officials across the region, as well as with influential civil society leaders. This will require excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) in English and Spanish, and a high degree of political savvy to successfully manage the interests of the aforementioned constituencies.

The Advisor will be expected to prepare memos, reports, talking points, speeches, presentations etc. As such, the PSC must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word) including familiarity with PowerPoint.

3. Supervisory Relationship and Controls

While the Advisor must clear recommendations through the Office Director/Deputy Director when dealing with politically sensitive issues, they are permitted to and should be able to make sound, independent judgments with minimal supervision. The PSC will exercise those responsibilities delegated to him/her by the Regional Contracting Officer in the COR designation letter. Once given the general framework within which to work, they should be able to perform duties with minimal supervision. Supervision/oversight over others is not contemplated.

4. Position Elements

Degree of responsibility for decision-making assigned to the position:

This Advisor position will serve as a top-level Senior Migration Advisor for USAID in Central America. The PSC will report to the DGS Deputy Director. The PSC will be an experienced expert in the one or more fields of migration dynamics, human rights, protection of vulnerable populations, and rule of law. The PSC will assist USAID globally in the design, management, and monitoring and evaluation of migration related programs. The PSC will exercise independent judgment while performing work with wide latitude and of outstanding difficulty and responsibility. The PSC will have formal decision-making authority within the broader DGS program area and will receive minimal day-to-day technical or policy guidance.

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Knowledge level required:

The Advisor must be a recognized expert in one or more fields of migration dynamics, human rights, protection of vulnerable populations, and rule of law, and has more than 10 years of experience addressing migration issues in this region. From the Mission’s perspective, it is critical to have the support of a Senior Migration Advisor with regional experience and deep understanding of migration concepts, principles, techniques, and practices that know how to both interrupt the cycle of illegal migration and protect and support returnees in areas with high levels of organized crime and gang activity in order to implement these high priority foreign assistance objectives successfully. Thorough knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology and results measurement is required.

Excellent English and Spanish communication skills, both oral and written, are essential.

Guidelines:

U.S. legislation, Executive Orders, policies, regulations, and procedures related to international development assistance; USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), USAID Mission Orders, Foreign Affairs Manual, Administrative Notices, Contracts, Grants, etc. The Advisor is permitted to and should be able to make sound, independent judgments with minimal supervision as it pertains to these guidelines. When developing new guidelines, the Advisor has independent judgement to create and will then get approval from the supervisor before implementation.

Complexity of the work environment/effect on the position’s responsibilities:

El Salvador is considered a low middle income country and the GOES organizational structure is on par with that of the USG. El Salvador and the United States enjoy a special relationship geographically, economically, and politically. US foreign policy interests in El Salvador are broad, permanent, complex, and uniquely intertwined with domestic concerns.

USAID/EI Salvador leads the US engagement with the GOES on development assistance and is the lead agency tasked with the preparation of the Embassy's Operational Plan in support of the Director of Foreign Assistance (F) goals for transformational diplomacy; USAID plays a substantive role in almost all of the national interest areas of the Mission's Strategic Plan.

USAID/El Salvador also serves as the Central America Regional Mission and as such is responsible for the design and implementation of programmatic regional activities with the considerable buy-in of other bilateral missions. The importance of this regional focus is essential to reducing insecurity and mass irregular migration.

Migration prevention is a complex environment that touches on almost every facet of society.

The majority of returnees cite lack of economic opportunities, insecurity, and a lack of government protections and services as their primary reason for leaving the region. Because of the interconnectedness of the issue, the Senior Advisor must be able to maintain contacts with high-level officials in GOES, GOG and GOH institutions (e.g. executive, legislative, and judicial branch representatives) in coordination with bilateral mission colleagues in the region, as well as with influential civil society leaders to explain USAID programs and regulations, and in turn must also be able to explain to senior USAID and other USG officials the priorities, concerns, and attitudes of host country officials.

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Scope and effect of the work performed:

The work involves establishing criteria, formulating projects, assessing program effectiveness, or investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or questions. The employee is recognized as an expert and their work affects the development of major aspects of administrative or professional programs or missions, or the well-being of a substantial number of people.

Level and purpose of contacts:

This position will require regular, high level contacts within the Central America region (e.g., government counterparts in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala) and civil society counterparts, among other regional counterparts as well as within the USG at both the technical and policy levels. The PSC must be able to work independently and effectively within an extremely fluid and political environment. The Advisor will liaise and maintain a working relationship with the directors of agencies responsible for migration in the region as well as directors of leading migration advocacy organizations, international organizations, and multilateral organizations.

Authority to make commitments:

The Senior Migration Advisor’s primary duty will be to serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and will manage a five-year, $34 million migration activity, Integrated Responses to Migration (IRM).

Travel requirements:

The PSC will be expected to occasionally travel regionally as required by the needs of the portfolio that will require ability and availability.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Aside from occasional travel as required by the statement of duties, the position does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, political science, law, public policy/administration, economics, or business administration.

• Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English and S4/R4 Spanish equivalents. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential in English and Spanish. Proficiency will be assessed during the interview stage as outlined below.

• Technical and Professional Experience: At least ten years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in the democratic governance and security sector with a focus on migration programming and human rights required. At least five years of this experience should have been in development assistance-related work as a project manager for high-profile programs.

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• Skills and Abilities: The PSC must be a recognized expert in one or more fields of migration dynamics, human rights, protection of vulnerable populations, and rule of law with in-depth knowledge of concepts, principles, techniques, and practices that know how to both interrupt the cycle of irregular migration and protect and support returnees throughout the region.

Thorough knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology and results measurement is required.

• The ability to obtain the security level and medical clearances required for the position.

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.

• Technical Expertise: (50 points)

Demonstrated ability to provide high-level analysis and technically sound recommendations on complex migration issues in dynamic country and regional contexts. Demonstrated technical expertise in conceptualizing strategies and designing evidence-based programs to respond to the developing migration environment within the Central American countries.

• Communication: (30 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, in both English and Spanish, with high-level officials or at migration related forums with minimal editing or supervision. Proven track record of quickly gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information for use by principals. Demonstrated productive and positive working relationships and communication with colleagues and peers. Level IV (fluent) English and S4/R4 Spanish equivalents are essential and required. Proficiency will be assessed during the interview. This will be done with questions both in English and Spanish followed by a writing portion for both.

• Teamwork: (20 points) Proven track-record of working effectively and collaboratively on diverse teams, both as a team leader and as a team member. Sound judgment and collegiality when working in environments with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and opinions.

Offerors meeting the above required minimum qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the offer.

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

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Offers from U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and U.S. Resident Aliens) will be evaluated first and only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Nationals (Citizens and U.S. Resident Aliens) then offers from Third Country Nationals (TCN) will be considered.

USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews and reference checks with the top ranked short-listed offerors. The interview and references will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

All of the following must be included in the offer package in order for the package to be considered complete:

1. A signed cover letter of no more than 3 pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the work requirements.

2. A Curriculum Vitae which, at a minimum, describes education, latest experience, and career achievements.

3. A completed and signed offer form, AID 309-2 (Offeror Information for Personal Services

Contracts with Individuals), which can be found at the following website, https://www.usaid.gov/forms/.

4. Names, current and accurate phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references that have knowledge of the Offeror’s abilities to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. USAID reserves the right to contact all references.

5. A signed written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the Offeror is available for the position.

6. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

7. Offer submissions must be received electronically by the closing date and time specified in Section I, Item 3 and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, Item 4.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the appropriate forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

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 (if applicable)

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

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

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/FORM_AID_309-2_FINALwith_OMB_approval.doc https://www.usaid.gov/forms/

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2. ALLOWANCES (If applicable):

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

(a) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(d) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(e) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

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

(g) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(h) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(i) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

(j) Education Travel (Section 280)

Resident-Hire USPSCs are not eligible for any fringe benefits, differentials, or allowances;

and are only eligible for contributions for FICA, Medicare, health insurance, and life insurance.

For Third Country National (TCN) PSCs an exception has been approved by the Mission Director in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and ADS 309maa, Requesting Approval to Use Alternate Classification Procedures (ACP)

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 by the illustrative table (no information required for offer submission):

https://aoprals.state.gov/ https://aoprals.state.gov/ https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/forms

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ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

2 1 yr $ _TBD__ $_ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 1 yr $ _TBD__ $ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

2001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 1 yr $ _TBD__ $ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 1 yr $ _TBD__ $ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

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