Solicitation 72067421R00003 Provincial HIV Technical Advisor - JHB.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72067421R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: October 26, 2020

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: November 25, 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 72067421R00003

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72067421R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 26, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 25, 2020

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Odessa Sifora, e-mail at osifora@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Provincial HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 92,977- $ 120,868 equivalent to GS- 14 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: Johannesburg, 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. Introduction:

The USAID/South Africa Health Office implements USAID’s largest President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programs in the world. USAID supports the Government of South Africa in its fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) by focusing resources in geographic areas of the country with the highest burden of HIV and TB. The overarching goal of the program is to reach epidemic control by treating over 90 percent of the population living with HIV.

PEPFAR/South Africa is oriented toward strategic partnership with all levels of the South African Government (SAG), with an emphasis on epidemic control, DREAMS, health systems strengthening, and cost efficiencies. The South Africa PEPFAR program continues to account for approximately one-quarter of all PEPFAR results globally; in this context the Advisor plays a critical, cross-cutting role that affects not only the direction and progress of PEPFAR/South Africa, but also of the global program.

B. Position Overview:

The contractor will serve as Provincial HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor for the USAID/SA bilateral health office, based in the Consulate General in Johannesburg. The position will be part of the Consulate General team reporting through the Consular General (CG) or his/her designee, as well as part of the extended USAID health office. The Advisor will provide technical expertise grounded in strong program implementation and management experience in the following fields as they relate to HIV/AIDS and TB:

Prevention, testing, care and treatment Orphans & Vulnerable Children: support and referrals for community resources Key Populations-focused health services Health Systems Strengthening: supply chain, health financing, health information systems, health research and human resources for health Nutrition: assessment, maternal and infant care, counseling and training Sexual and reproductive health and maternal and child health Gender-related services: support for victims of gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women Public Private Partnerships to advance health Government to government agreements and MOUs to advance health

The Advisor will provide significant technical assistance to existing HIV programs and will assist in the design, integration and implementation of new HIV programs. The Advisor will participate in the review and evaluation of existing HIV policies, as well as advocate for new and updated policies as necessary. The Advisor will provide technical support toward the design and improvement of programs in line with PEPFAR strategies and objectives and other public health needs as they arise.

S/he serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) or activity manager for selected USAID/Southern Africa contractors and grantee partners. In close collaboration with colleagues from the CDC and other USG agencies, the incumbent will be responsible for providing high-level quality control for the overall USG/South Africa results reporting system for Gauteng Province, including data analysis and data use for program improvement at all levels.

C. Position Title of Direct Supervisor:

The incumbent will report to the Health Office Director but will be part of the Consulate General Team under the supervision of the CG or his/her designee.

D. Supervisory Controls:

S/He is expected to work independently in carrying out responsibilities and is expected to develop annual work objectives.

E. Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership (50% LOE):

Provides technical advice and serves as an independent resource to provincial, metro, district, and city governments as well as organizations involved in implementing HIV/AIDS activities and other public health care priorities as needed.

Establishes and maintains contact with counterparts in the national, provincial, metro and district departments of health, and their various HIV/AIDS-related programs, Treasury, UN Agencies, the South Africa National AIDS Council, other bilateral donor partners and implementing partners working in HIV/AIDS.

Serve as subject matter expert to help ensure that USAID HIV/AIDS and other public health programs align to National Strategic Priorities such as the National Digital Health Strategy, the National Health Insurance Bill (NHI), the President’s Committee on Gender-Based Violence, and the National Command Center for the COVID-19 response.

Advise Gauteng Provincial government on sustainability strategies to support the journey to self-reliance.

Lead the design and procurement of new USAID implementing mechanisms as needed to strengthen USAID’s ability to respond to an ever-changing implementation environment.

Analyzes program-level results across a range of dimensions and variables for the USAID Health Office and other relevant stakeholders and drive program pivots and policy changes that improve quality of health care services.

Provides monitoring and evaluation of overall implementing partner performance against established benchmarks and targets.

Promotes exchange of best practices and lessons learned with partners, regional institutions and networks regarding best practices

Provides assistance, in conjunction with the U.S. Consulate General and/or USAID Public Affairs Officers, and contributes to the development of press releases, interviews, talking points or other material in preparation for, or as part of, Congressional Delegations, technical working group reviews or similar such visits in the development of site sheets and fact sheets for visitors.

Prepares correspondence and cables relating to implementation, management, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS activities and other public health care priorities as needed.

Project Management (25% LOE):

Serve as Activity Manager, Contracting Officer’s Representative and/or Agreement Officer’s Representative (C/AOR) for contracts and/or agreements (to include government to government and/or direct MOUs with authorities in Gauteng Province) in the USAID/Southern Africa HIV treatment portfolio, including all administrative, financial, and technical management responsibilities. At minimum, the Advisor will serve as Activity Manager for two District Support Partners (DSPs) with operations in Gauteng and C/AOR for USAID’s forthcoming Global Development Alliance.

Meet with the implementing partners on a regular basis, review and track activity progress, identify potential issues before they become problems, and keep the Care and Treatment, Health System Strengthening, DREAMS/OVC, and Strategic Information team leads informed of implementing partner performance and remediation actions.

Review acquisition and assistance requirements, including obligations, accruals, expenditures, burn rate and pipeline, ensuring that appropriate levels of funding are available.

Prepare timely and accurate documents for Mission reporting, administration, and planning needs;

including the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justification, technical notifications, and portfolio reviews.

Provides technical leadership in the development and finalization of work plans of implementing partners in Gauteng Province.

Coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Global Fund implementing mechanisms operating in Gauteng to avoid duplication and ensure a streamlined approach to program delivery.

HIV/AIDS Activity Quality Improvement and Assurance (25% LOE)

Participate in quality improvement and assurance work under the umbrella of Siyenza/Phuthuma (initiative names may change but work will not be altered substantially) to include facility visits;

development of facility improvement plans; use of daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly data to inform programmatic changes and course corrections.

Liaise closely with leadership of facility, sub-district, district, province and implementing partner as needed and relevant to ensure coordination of facility quality improvement plans, especially as they pertain to interventions beyond the facility (i.e. district or provincial-wide changes).

Promote change management among implementing partners in Gauteng Province to accelerate the adoption of new differentiated models for treatments, service delivery, novel prevention approaches, and new medicines and products.

Other Duties:

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education:

Master’s degree in a social science field with a focus on program design, management, and policy reform. The Advisor should have an educational background in qualitative and quantitative analysis and measurement for public health outcomes are emphasized.

Prior Work Experience:

A minimum of 7 years’ experience in international, public health monitoring and evaluation with field-based applications, and experience working in technical oversight, design, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with USAID or equivalent procurement, financial, and other systems.

Demonstrated experience in successfully designing, procuring, and managing new USAID implementing mechanisms that incorporate innovative capabilities such as differentiated models of HIV/AIDS service delivery, advanced analytics, data science, novel approaches to human resources for health, health financing and economics, private sector engagement, and services for vulnerable populations such as adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), reaching men, and key population groups.

Demonstrated experience improving program efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and scaling cost-effective interventions in large-scale programs.

Demonstrated experience in successfully managing service delivery mechanisms supporting at minimum 250,000 people on HIV treatment.

Skills and Abilities:

Experience providing subject matter expertise in HIV/AIDS, policy, program strategy, and monitoring and evaluation technical assistance to large, complex public health programs (e.g., more than 50 implementing partners and over $100 million per annum in overall budget) in contexts of high disease burden.

Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in the demography and epidemiology of HIV and AIDS and other infectious diseases

Track record of successfully managing programs that relate to key populations, prevention, strategic information, health systems strengthening, and care and treatment.

Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in understanding the current evidence base as it applies to HIV and AIDS program design, management, and evaluation.

Strong track record for leading major change management initiatives such as program shifts in response to COVID-19 and adjusting programs in response to major local health reforms such as national health insurance.

Strong quantitative, analytical and reasoning skills, verbal skills and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues.

Excellent management, interpersonal and teamwork skills with experience in operating effectively in a cross-cultural environment and working within an interagency setting.

A thorough working knowledge of U.S. Government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies and programs and previous relevant working experience with the USG, particularly USAID and OGAC.

The ability to obtain the necessary security clearance.

A high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity, and originality to interpret technical and political opportunities and constraints.

Prior budget or financial management experience.

Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host-country government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and the private sector.

Language Ability:

Level IV (fluent) ability in written and spoken English. Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills including a demonstrated ability to present highly technical information, analysis, and recommendations in clear written and oral formats. A preference will be given to candidates who are fluent in at least one of the other ten official languages of South Africa.

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.

The following factors are listed in descending order of importance and will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. 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.

A. Work Experience (45 points):

A minimum of 7 years experience in providing similar services to a large USG or international organization.

Additional years of progressively greater responsibility and authority as demonstrated through previous work experience beyond the minimum of ten years’ overseas experience.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with USAID or equivalent procurement, financial, and other systems.

Demonstrated experience in successfully designing, procuring, and managing new USAID implementing mechanisms that incorporate innovative capabilities such as differentiated models of HIV/AIDS service delivery, advanced analytics, data science, novel approaches to human resources for health, health financing and economics, private sector engagement, and services for vulnerable populations such as adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), reaching men, and key population groups.

B. Abilities and Skills (45 points):

Demonstrated excellent, interpersonal, oral and written communication and computer skills.

Experience providing monitoring and evaluation technical assistance to large, complex public health programs (e.g., more than 50 implementing partners and over $100 million per annum in overall budget) in the context of high disease-burden.

Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in the demography and epidemiology of HIV and AIDS and other infectious diseases

Track record of successfully managing programs that relate to key populations, prevention, strategic information, health systems strengthening, and care and treatment.

Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in understanding the current evidence base as it applies to HIV and AIDS program design, management, and evaluation.

Strong track record for leading major change management initiatives such as program shifts in response to COVID-19 and adjusting programs in response to major local health reforms such as national health insurance.

Strong familiarity with HIV and AIDS modeling of incidence and prevalence and the ability to interpret modeling results in a meaningful way to a layperson-audience.

Strong quantitative, analytical and reasoning skills, verbal skills and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues.

Excellent management, interpersonal and teamwork skills with experience in operating effectively in a cross-cultural environment and working within an interagency setting.

A thorough working knowledge of U.S. Government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies and programs and previous relevant working experience with the USG, particularly USAID and OGAC.

Strong quantitative, analytical and reasoning skills, verbal skills and the ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues.

Demonstrated ability to work within a team framework and positive interpersonal skills as well as an ability to work independently with minimal supervision is required. Cultural sensitivity, previous management, supervisory and staff development skills are required.

Education (10 points)

Master’s degree in a social science field with a focus on program design, management, and policy reform. The Advisor should have an educational background in qualitative and quantitative analysis and measurement for public health outcomes are emphasized.

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

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:

Odessa Sifora Human Resource Contracts 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:

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

(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:

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***