Solicitation 72051923R00010 - USPSC DG Senior Migration Advisor USAID El Salvador_REXO.pdf

SOLICITATION No.: 72051923R00010 ISSUANCE DATE: August 30, 2023 CLOSING DATE/TIME: September 13, 2023, 5:00 pm

(El Salvador/Local Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) Senior Migration Advisor, GS-14 Democracy and Governance Office (DG), USAID/El Salvador, Central America & Mexico (ES-CAM) Regional Mission

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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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, Andrew Reese Regional Executive Officer

Attachment No. 1 Solicitation No. 72051923R00010

Senior Migration Advisor Democracy and Governance Office (DG), USAID/El Salvador, Central America & Mexico (ES-CAM)

Regional Mission

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051923R00010

2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 30, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 13, 2023 (5:00 pm El Salvador/Local Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/El Salvador, Executive Office/Procurement

Email: sansalprocteam@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Migration Advisor Democracy and Governance Office (DG) USAID/El Salvador, Central America & Mexico (ES-CAM) Regional Mission

6. MARKET VALUE: $99,908 to $129,878 equivalent to GS-14.

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. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador.

Temporary duty travel as determined by the need of the agency.

Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission Policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance will be 2 years estimated to start o/a October 2023 through o/a September 2025.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens and Lawful U.S. Resident Aliens.

10. CLEARANCES:

Security Clearance: A U.S. Citizen selected offeror must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance at the “Secret” level. A Lawful U.S. Resident Alien selected offeror must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance at the “Facility Access” level.

Medical Clearance: Appropriate medical clearance from the Department of State (DS), Office of Medical Services.

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

mailto:sansalprocteam@usaid.gov

Senior Migration Advisor

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract Reducing irregular migration from Central America to the U.S. is a key foreign policy priority of the United States Government (USG). The Biden administration highlights irregular migration and human insecurity as a key focus of the White House National Security Strategy. Due to the vital interests of the United States and its interdependence with Central America, Congress has provided increased assistance to the region to address the root causes that drive irregular migration towards the U.S. By investing in the development of Central America, the likelihood of violence, insecurity, and mass migration is reduced. The Administration’s Root Causes Strategy identifies and prioritizes actions to address the underlying factors leading to migration in the region and ensure coherence of USG investments.

The Advisor will play a key role in fulfilling the Root Causes strategy and will be the point of contact for the Mission’s portfolio that directly addresses the root causes of migration. Multiple USG departments and agencies are involved in a multifaceted effort that seeks to reduce irregular migration in the short, medium, and long terms. USAID/El Salvador and Central America/Mexico’s regional migration prevention portfolio works to prevent vulnerable populations in Central America from migrating (or re-migrating) in the coming years. This is done primarily by providing a dignified reception to their country of origin (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) for migrants who have been returned from the U.S. and Mexico, including support for immediate needs, and then providing them with the resources they need to re-integrate economically, socially, and culturally into their community of origin. In addition, USAID is expanding its work in Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama to support integration efforts and economic opportunities for third country migrants. These same resources are available to populations who are at-risk of migrating but who have not yet attempted to migrate.

Other USAID activities in missions of the region work to prevent migration in the long-term by improving the systems that create educational and economic opportunities, healthcare resources, and safe environments.

The USAID/El Salvador and Central America 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, and protection of vulnerable populations. S/he works under the direction of the DG Office Director.

All DG portfolio programs tie under the overall Mission Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) goal of reducing the drivers of irregular migration by fostering a more self-reliant El Salvador. Regional Migration activities also support the Regional Cooperation and Development Strategy (RDCS) goal of reduced irregular migration from a Central America that is more prosperous, safe, and resilient.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed The Senior Migration Advisor’s primary duty will be to serve as Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) and manage a six-year, $57 million regional 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

Senior Migration Advisor 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), Government of Belize (GoB), Government of Costa Rica (GoCR) and Government of Panama (GoP), 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 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 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

S/he works under the direction of the DG Office Director and will directly supervise and provide mentoring and support on USAID systems and processes to an FSN Program Management Specialist.

While the Advisor must clear recommendations through the Office 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 Agreement Officer in the AOR designation letter. Once given the general framework within which to work, they should be able to perform duties with minimal supervision.

Senior Migration Advisor

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 DG 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.

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 have more than 10 years of experience addressing migration issues in Latin America. 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. Thorough knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology and results measurement is required.

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

Senior Migration Advisor able to explain to senior USAID and other USG officials the priorities, concerns, and attitudes of host country officials.

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, Guatemala, as well as the non-presence countries of Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama) 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 Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) and will manage a six-year, $57 million migration activity, Integrated Responses to Migration

(IRM).

Travel requirements:

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

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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, business administration, or a closely-related field.

● Language Proficiency: English fluency and professional-level Spanish equivalents. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential in English and Spanish. Proficiency will be assessed during the interview stage.

● Technical and Professional Experience: At least ten years of demonstrated professional-level experience in democracy, human rights, and governance programming. Prior experience with 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.

● 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

Senior Migration Advisor 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.

Rating System The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors.

Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:

Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs):

• 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. English fluency and professional-level 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 and Mentoring (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. Demonstrated supervisory experience including mentoring and supporting junior staff members on technical topics.

Offerors meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the offer. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews and reference checks with the top ranked short-listed offerors. USAID 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.

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

Senior Migration Advisor

Reference checks will be conducted and will be considered as part of the responsibility determination. At the end of the process, only the Offerors who are invited for an interview will be notified of the TEC 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 must contain sufficient and clearly identified information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job- related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

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, http://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. USAID also reserves the right to develop its own 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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 http://www.usaid.gov/forms

Senior Migration Advisor

d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

f) Annual and Sick Leave

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) 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)

j) Danger Pay (Section 650)

NOTE: Family members of USPSC's seeking employment in the local economy overseas need to be aware of the work permit regulations in the host country. If a country does not have a bi-lateral work agreement with the U.S. Government, USPSCs must seek Chief of Mission and Contracting Office approval to seek employment in the local economy; approval is not guaranteed.

An offeror meeting the definition of a Resident Hire is not eligible for any fringe benefits, differentials, or allowances; and are only eligible for contributions for FICA, Medicare, health insurance, and life insurance.

Resident Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC)” means a U.S. citizen or resident alien who, at the time of contract award, – (i) resides in the cooperating country for reasons other than U.S. Government or non-U.S. government employment, or under any contract or other arrangement, that provides for repatriation to the U.S; or (ii) is a spouse or dependent of a U.S.

citizen or resident alien who resides or will reside, in the cooperating country for the purpose of U.S. government or non-U.S. government employment, or under any contract or other arrangement that provides repatriation to the U.S.

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/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 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

Senior Migration Advisor

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: TBD

2 years LOT $ _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 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/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/partner-with-us/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman/psc-ombudsman.

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

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION (JUN 2023)

*** END OF SOLICITATION ***

https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman/psc-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-27