Solicitation 72067420R00025 Senior Regional Acquisition and Assistance Specialist.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72067420R00025

ISSUANCE DATE: October 7, 2020

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: November 6, 2020 – 17:00 –

Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa

SUBJECT: Solicitation for US/TCN Personal Service Contractor (US/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, Shelby Hunt

Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72067420R00025

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067420R00025

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 7, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 6, 2020

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Engeline Sebego, e-mail at esebego@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Regional Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (two positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 78,681- $ 102,288 equivalent to GS- 13

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five years estimated to start on January 2021

“The base period will be two years, estimated to start on January 2021. Based on

Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows:”

Base Period: January 2021 to January 2023

Option Period 1: January 2023 to January 2025

Option Period 2: January 2025 to January 2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pretoria, South Africa with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (U.S.) Citizens and Third Country Nationals (TCN)

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Employment Authorization - Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

A. Basic Function:

USAID's programs in the Southern Africa region aim to increase and integrate trade, fight the

HIV/AIDS epidemic, mitigate food insecurity, support democratic processes, protect human rights, fight climate change and wildlife crime, and address cross-border issues. USAID’s operations in the

Southern Africa region comprise of country offices in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (formerly

Swaziland), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and

Zimbabwe, and the Power Africa office located in Pretoria. Each Mission/Office manages USAID country programs that aim to advance development through bilateral relationships with respective host country governments. These offices vary in size from full, large scale Missions led by a USAID

Mission Director, to smaller non-presence country offices with few staff. USAID’s offices in those countries rely in varying degrees on services, or alternatively surge support, provided out of the

USAID Southern Africa (USAID/SA) regional platform, located in Pretoria, South Africa.

In addition to bilateral programming, USAID Southern Africa implements regional activities that aim to complement country-specific programs by addressing cross-border issues and common development needs and provides support services to USAID Missions in the region. USAID/ SA, one of the

Agency’s largest Missions, also houses and provides support to two other operating units in South

Africa: The Regional Inspector General and Power Africa. USAID/SA provides technical, programmatic, legal, financial, and administrative services to USAID’s offices in 11 Southern African countries, and it serves as a regional center for conferences and training for the African continent.

The USAID/SA Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance (ROAA) provides acquisition and assistance (A&A) services supporting USAID’s programs in the Southern Africa region, including the bilateral programs in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia and South Africa, as well as for cross-border regional programs and for Power Africa. ROAA is comprised of 28 positions that include: eight U.S. direct hires, five US/TCN personal services contractors and fifteen cooperating country nationals (CCN). ROAA also provides technical oversight for A&A team at USAID/

Madagascar. ROAA’s portfolio is currently comprised of 120 A&A awards with a total life of project value of $3.1 billion for development assistance activities throughout Southern Africa and across the continent.

The Contractor serves as a Senior Regional Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (SRAAS) located within USAID/SA ROAA in Pretoria, South Africa. While the ROAA serves a number of countries, the Contractor primarily works on actions relating to assigned portfolio(s). The incumbent is expected to deal with cross cultural issues and occasional travel is required. USAID/SA and its client Missions and Offices (in the non-presence countries) have a wide range of multi-million-dollar actions and very complex multisectoral programs with high funding levels.

B. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The incumbent is responsible for providing expert acquisition and assistance (A&A) services for the full range of pre-award, award, post award and closeout functions involving highly complex, multi-year, multi-million dollar negotiated acquisition and assistance mechanisms of all types. Requirements for A&A actions are typically highly specialized and involve complex systems or sensitive international programs. The incumbent must conduct negotiations, prepare award documents and file award documentation. The incumbent must also be available to train and mentor more junior A&A

Specialists on all steps of the USAID procurement cycle. The incumbent will work under the direction of a U.S. direct hire Contracting and Agreement Officer (CO/AO) to support USAID’s implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) activities in South Africa, activities of significant priority and importance to the Agency.

1. Pre-Award Duties:

Planning and Design: The incumbent is responsible for A&A planning activities for assigned actions, including for new programs or extensions of existing programs. Planning will include reviewing and clearing procurement plans and procurement documents and representing the CO/AO at program planning meetings. S/He will develop appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules and keeps superiors informed of anticipated workload demands. Under the direction of the CO/AO, s/he advises the technical office on activity planning. The incumbent will interact directly with Senior Mission

Technical Staff and will guide in the preparation selection of instrument memoranda, statements of work, program descriptions, activity budget estimates or independent government cost estimates, and other A&A planning documents. The incumbent advises the technical office in the development of evaluation criteria, instructions to offerors/applicants, and key personnel requirements, as applicable.

Requisition and Solicitation: The incumbent guides the requestor on what is needed for the requisition and upon receipt, ensures that the requisition is complete and actionable. S/He prepares solicitation documents for the CO/AO review; once approved, s/he publicizes the solicitation in accordance with applicable guidelines. The incumbent conducts pre-solicitation/pre-proposal conferences, manages inquiries related to the solicitation and receives proposals.

Evaluation and Negotiation: The incumbent reviews proposals for compliance, prepares for the technical evaluation or selection committee debriefing, assists the CO/AO in debriefing the TEC/SC, manages the evaluation process, reviews TEC/SO memos, performs complex cost analyses, and completes all functions related to the proposal evaluation process. The incumbent serves as lead negotiator representing USAID on behalf of the CO/AO. S/He plans, leads, and coordinates the strategy for negotiations on both technical and cost related points with contractors/grantees to develop the award price/amount and terms.

2. Award Duties:

After completing negotiations and all pre-award requirements, the incumbent assists in determining the responsibility of the contractor/recipient and prepares decision documentation for the CO/AO. S/he drafts the contracts/grants and all related award documentation, completes all relates processes to ensure compliance with award requirements, and recommends their execution by the CO/AO. The incumbent distributes and files the award and relevant documentation appropriately. S/he responds to protests, if any are received, by liaising with the CO/AO and GC, and by researching and developing necessary analysis, and support documentation.

3. Post-award Duties:

The incumbent oversees all aspects of post-award administration, ensures compliance with award terms and conditions, monitors performance to ensure the achievement of the objectives and deliverables of the award, and works with the CO/AO to address compliance and performance issues in a timely manner. S/he plans post-award orientation meetings with the partner and coordinates any follow-up actions. S/He conducts analyses and prepares required documentation for various types of actions, including administrative approvals, award modifications to add incremental funding or to make changes to the award’s terms, scope, time, budget or cost, and all other post-award actions. S/he interprets award provisions for awardees and for officials of the agency, and provides appropriate advice and guidance, and advises technical office counterparts and contractors /grantees/recipients on their administration responsibilities contained in the award. S/He resolves audit findings on post-award audits.

4. Award Closeout Duties:

The incumbent performs all of the steps related to the closeout of the award, including receipt of deliverables and reports, property disposition, payment of final invoices, de-obligation of excess funds, receipt and closure of final audits, modification of the award to close it out, and preparation and distribution of all supporting documentation.

5. Other Assignments:

Contributes to the management of the ROAA as required

i) Organizes and supports data collection efforts

ii) Conducts special projects including research, training and presentations as needed.

iii) Ensures proper data entry into USAID acquisition and assistance management information systems (including Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System, USAID’s

Acquisition and Assistance Plan, FBO.gov, GLAAS, ASIST, etc.)

iv) Performs other duties as appropriate.

6. General Requirements:

Travel Requirements: Travel may be necessary within South Africa, and potentially to other countries served by USAID/Southern Africa.

Responsibility for decision-making: The incumbent will be expected to complete tasks with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, and make sound recommendations to the CO/AO, who will have the ultimate decision-making authority.

Level of complexity, scope and effect: The incumbent will be expected to perform a wide range of difficult and complex tasks, and s/he will independently manage multiple complex assignments simultaneously. Tasks include those of the highest level of complexity, including multi-year, multi-million-dollar international development assistance programs that are of the utmost priority for the

U.S. Government’s foreign policy interests in Southern Africa. Duties are significantly varied and require many different processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of problems/situations that require a substantial depth of analysis. Decisions involve multiple complex areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine a solution. There are continuing changes in program, emerging and changing requirements for reporting and monitoring, and sometimes requirements are conflicting. Assignments can be of considerable breadth and intensity and frequently require the participation and support of others. The work involves programs that affect the well-being of a substantial number of people. The work involves planning, developing and carrying out vital programs which are essential to providing life-saving interventions to millions of people.

Guidelines: Guidelines are complex and numerous, often subject to interpretation, and are sometimes unclear and potentially contradictory. Analysis, sound judgment, and ingenuity is required to interpret the intent of guides and to develop applications/guidelines

Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will report to the CO/AO for South Africa’s health portfolio.

The incumbent will not have supervisory responsibilities.

Post Entry Training: The incumbent is expected to be an expert in the field of USG acquisition and assistance procedures. If required, USAID specific training will be provided, but it is not envisioned.

If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 180 days of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education and Training: A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in international relations, accounting, law, business or other related field. Training equivalent to the requirements for Federal

Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) at Level II is desired.

Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of acquisition and assistance is required. Demonstrated professional experience in negotiation and administration of all types of A&A awards is required. A&A experience in an overseas environment in the field of development assistance with a nongovernmental organization, an international or U.S.

Government organization is highly desirable.

Language Proficiency: Level VI (fluent) in both spoken and written English.

Knowledge: Successful performance of the duties of the position requires mastery of A&A knowledge and processes, a level which typically requires specialized training and extensive relevant professional experience. A thorough and complete knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition and assistance portfolio in accordance with USG regulations is required.

Knowledge of relevant policies, procedures and regulations to be used by the incumbent in performing the duties shall include, but is not limited to, the following: Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), the Code of Federal Regulations, OMB Circulars, A&A

Policy Directives (AAPDs)/Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs), USAID Automated Directive

Systems (ADS), USAID Notices, and other reference and guidance as applicable. Knowledge of the

Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) and other related systems is highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities: Attention to detail, good analytical skills, and excellent organizational skills to perform the full scale of A&A functions. Discretion, tact and the ability to work independently under accelerated schedules and deadlines and to effectively complete required actions. Excellent interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills and the ability to work independently. Written

English capability to prepare correspondence and contractual documentation in a professional and competent manner requiring little or no editorial changes. Computer skills in Word and Excel etc, so as to independently prepare correspondence and documentation with minimal office administrative support.

II. 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.

• Education: 20 Points

• Prior Work Experience and Knowledge: 60 Points

• Abilities and Skills: 20 Points

All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary.

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.

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

III. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

• 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.

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) or resume: Your CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the minimum qualifications and evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation.

• References: Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

• Security Clearance: Prior to signing a contract, the selected individual will be required to obtain an

“employment authorization” if a US Citizen or US Green Card Holder. This temporary security clearance will be requested while a personal background investigation is conducted. Instructions for obtaining the security clearance will be forwarded to the selected individual once negotiations have been concluded.

• Submissions shall be in accordance with the above information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the required qualifications. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the

AID309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the AID309-2.

• Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.

• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the

Solicitation number in the offer submission.

Methods of application submissions:

For applicants to be considered for this position the following guidelines will be adhered to and forms completed, signed and submitted to jobapplications@usaid.gov, to allow the evaluation committee to thoroughly and objectively review your application vis-a-vis the requirements of the position.

If sent via email:

Engeline Sebego

Human Resource Assistant

Telephone: +27 12 452 2112

E-mail address: jobapplications@usaid.gov

IV. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award. Forms outlined below can be found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms:

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

• AID 309-2

• Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). **

• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **

• Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

** Forms 2 through 4 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

V. 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

(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), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

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

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(h) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), If a TCN is selected for this position the benefits will be adjusted as per Mission policy.

VI. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. A

TCN will be eligible to pay taxes as specified by their respective country.

VII. 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. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTIT

Y

(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:

1 LOT $ _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:

1 LOT $ _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:

1 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 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 .

***END OF SOLICITATION***

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations