SOLICITATION - CONTRACT SPECIALIST USPSC (2) (1) (1).pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062121R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: April 30, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: May 21, 2021

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC Local hire) - Contract Specialist (Acquisition and Assistance Specialist)

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, Timothy Pruett Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 72062121R00009

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062121R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 30, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 21, 2021

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Hussein Tuwa, email at htuwa@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Contract Specialist (Acquisition and Assistance Specialist)

6. MARKET VALUE: $ 55,204 - $ 71,764 equivalent to GS-11 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 year estimated to start on July 05,2021.

“The base period will be 1 year, estimated to start on July 05,2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for [set time period(s)] for the date(s) estimated as follows:”

Base Period: July 5, 2021 - July 4, 2022 Option Period 1: July 5, 2022 - July 4, 2023 OPtion Period 2 July 4, 2023 - July 4, 2024 Option Period 3 July 5, 2024 - July 4, 2025 Option Period 4 July 5, 2025 - July 4, 2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dar es salaam,Tanzania with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Offerors must be Resident US Citizens including but not limited to, Eligible family members (EFM). Please note that as this is a resident (local) hire USPSC position, offerors must be resident in Tanzania and have a valid work permit and exemption certificate or demonstrate an ability to obtain these requisite documents at the time the contractual agreement is signed. USAID/Tanzania will not be responsible for obtaining work permits and exemption certificates. In this case, USAID/Tanzania will provide all the necessary documents to obtain the permits and certificates and there would not be any costs, but it is up to the local hire resident to obtain these documents, including costs for travelling to Dodoma where the documents are issued.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) plays a pivotal role in the successful execution of USAID/Tanzania’s Strategic Goals and Objectives through the planning, solicitation, award and administration of contracts and agreements. OAA staff includes experienced Contracting/Agreement Officers (CO/AO), US Personal Services Contractors and Foreign Service Nationals (FSN), all of whom work with the technical teams to develop, award, and administer programs. The incumbent works independently on activity design and implementation of A&A assignments and is responsible for a wide range of A&A actions of all types. The incumbent must be able to apply procurement skills for any sector or program. The incumbent is also required to work with multiple entities in a cross-cultural environment.

The Contract Specialist is an assistant to the Contracting/Agreement Officer for specific A&A actions within the Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The incumbent can apply contracting experience (either directly or via private industry experience in managing or administering US Government contracts at the prime and/or subcontract level) to a full range of Acquisition and Assistance challenges. The incumbent does this by applying Acquisition and Assistance knowledge, skills and abilities while working as independently as possible on activity design and implementation related to Acquisition and Assistance assignments.

Responsibilities involve a wide range of Acquisition and Assistance actions, including a preponderance of complex actions, e.g., term, award fee or completion cost type contracts, task orders, international and interagency agreements, grants and cooperative agreements. The incumbent is responsible for pre-award and post-award functions involving complex negotiated procurements of importance to the Agency. Requirements of the contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and inter-agency agreements are typically specialized and involve complex systems or sensitive international programs.

USAID/Tanzania has a varied and complex country program with several multimillion-dollar Acquisition and Assistance actions, very complex multi-sector programs with numerous activities, high funding levels, and significant work related to Global Health, including PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief). Besides being able to apply professional procurement skills through all manner of Acquisition and Assistance instruments, the incumbent is expected to deal with multiple entities, not to mention the complications of cross-cultural business dealings.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed.

(a) 60% of Time

● Assist with the management of complex portfolios to include Task Orders (TO), Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Purchase Orders (POs);

● Analyze requests and other documents requiring procurement action and obtaining necessary clarifications from the appropriate person, typically the Contracting/Agreement Officer's Representative (COR/AOR);

● Prepare no-cost and cost modifications, purchase orders, and administrative acquisition and assistance modifications;

● Prepare awards for the Contracting Officer/Agreement Officer's signature, including review of the statement of work; source selection and assistance plans; acquisition strategies and necessary terms and conditions and applicable provisions and clauses;

● Properly assemble and complete the award files for the Contracting Officer/Agreement Officer's review to include incorporating and making requested revisions, changes and corrections to the file;

● Perform acquisition or assistance administrative functions (such as providing review, recommendation and drafting of correspondence for Contracting Officer's signature on administrative award approvals and clarifying award terms and provisions to awardee and COR/AOR) as assigned by the supervisor.

● Utilize the USAID Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) and ASSIST in the process of awards.

● Liaise with technical office program managers to assure timely completion of all contracting actions;

● Contribute to the design and implementation of new country program operations as related to contractual issues;

● Develop and maintain collaborative and effective relationships with USAID Tanzania offices and Contractors, as appropriate;

● Ensure the proper distribution of executed award documents following Contracting or Agreement Officer's signature; and

● Advise program officials on acquisition and assistance instruments available for use in implementation of development assistance activities, assist in the identification of the instrument most appropriate to the specific program objective being addressed;

● Assist technical offices in the drafting of solicitation language, to ensure compliance with agency acquisition and assistance policies, regulations and procedures; review draft scopes of work to ensure that performance requirements are clearly stated and contractible;

● Assist OAA staff with the preparation and publication of solicitation documents, ensuring that Federal requirements for competition have been adequately addressed; schedule publication/dissemination of solicitation announcements as needed; monitor receipt of offers and applications submitted in response to solicitations; assist in the preparation of documents associated with the technical evaluation of proposals received;

● Assist OAA staff in the conduct of the research and analysis needed to initiate negotiations, including detailed analysis of cost proposals, evaluation of proposed key personnel, and assessment of the viability of proposed schedules and milestones;

● Assist OAA staff in the preparation of the total procurement package, ensuring that all relevant documentation is completed properly and in a timely manner;

● Following award of the procurement action, develop schedules for oversight and administration of the award; identify reporting requirements and monitor compliance with reporting requirements; advise OAA staff of issues stemming from noncompliance with contract terms and/or deadlines;

● Establish close coordination with the COR/AOR/supervisor on assigned actions; respond to questions from these officials as needed, conferring with the CO/AO, as needed; Draft procurement documents as requested, including contracts, grants and cooperative agreements, and amendments or terminations.

● Serve as lead negotiator on behalf of the OAA principal officer (contracting officer, grants officer, etc.), resolving issues independently to the maximum extent possible.

(b) 20% of time

● Incumbent will serve as the USAID/Tanzania OAA audit point of contact.

● Incumbent will work with the cognizant Contracting or Agreement Officer to present concise and precise answers to the RIG, auditors, auditees, and other relevant stakeholders, representing USAID's compliance with legislation and Congress's mandate for appropriated funds

● S/he must be present during the interviews and intercede on OAA's behalf, if clarifications are needed. The incumbent must remain calm in the face of potentially contentious issues and provide steadfast support before, during and after the interviews. This aspect of the position is paramount during the exit/entrance conferences at the start and end of an audit. At the exit conference, s/he needs to have an understanding of audit results and recommendations.

● The A&A Specialist will also be responsible for participating in Mission Financial Reviews;

pre-award assessments (NUPAS); and site visits, as needed.

● Review audit reports and RIG recommendations. Analyze reports and supporting documentation, recommend to the A/CO that questioned costs be allowed or disallowed with supporting rationale. Works with IP to ensure they provide documentation and or establish plans to address internal control issues. Reviews those plans and makes a recommendation to the A/CO on which management decisions to make.

● Recommends Financial reviews and/or audits to FMO in coordination with A/CO’s.

(C) 20% of time

● A&A Specialist will be the lead OAA Local Partner Liaison. Track and follow up on specific award conditions are being met by Implementers. Incumbent works with relevant mission teams and local partners to identify issues and risks to performance (compliance/technical/M&E) are identified and coordinates a response to resolve/address them with the cognizant C/AO, C/AOR, Financial Analyst, and/or other relevant staff.

● A&A Specialist will plan and/or facilitate periodic workshops and training for local implementing partners on a range of relevant topics and may assist with establishing a community of practice for Implementing Partners (IPs). The incumbent will identify resources for local partner organizations to use to improve the quality of their submissions.

3. Supervisory Relationship - The incumbent is directly supervised by the Supervisory Contracting/Agreement Officer or his/her designee,who makes assignments by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Under the administrative oversight of the Supervisory Contracting/Agreement Officer the employee independently plans his/her work; carries out successive steps of assignments; handles problems and/or deviations that arise in accordance with instructions, policies, and guidelines; and, refers new or controversial issues to the supervisor for direction.

4. Supervisory Controls - Incumbent has no supervision or oversight over others.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

● Minimum Education - The incumbent must have a bachelor’s degree in any field. The

Bachelor’s degree must include successful completion of at least at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, public administration, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

● Work Experience - At least 24 months of previous work experience directly related to contracting and/or assistance work, such as issuing or responding to solicitations for contracts or grants with U.S. government departments or agencies, other international development organizations, or the private sector is required.

● Language proficiency - Level IV English ability (fluent) is required the incumbent must possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English.

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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks. For purposes of this solicitation, Offerors will be required to have the minimum qualifications expressed in Section II and will be assessed based on the following factors:

1. Knowledge in Acquisition and Assistance - (45 Points)

2. Ability to work independently - (25 Points)

3. Work experience - (30 Points) 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 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated in Section II above. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors. Please note that not all applicants will be interviewed or contacted. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews unless expenses are pre authorized. The applicant's references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

After the closing date for receipt of offers, a selection committee will be convened to review offers and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Offers from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered or scored. Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists.

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

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

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

Interested applicants must submit the following: (1) a current Form AID 302-3, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contract-attached to this solicitation; (2) a current resume or curriculum vitae;

(3) a cover letter, not to exceed three pages, addressing how the applicant meets the Required Qualifications {(a) education; (b) prior work experience; (c) knowledge, (d) skills and abilities}; and

(4) any other documents (certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned, etc.) that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above, and a list of three (3) to five (5) references with complete contact information, including email address and telephone numbers.

Submittals should be sent to USAID/Tanzania PSC Applications mailbox, at daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

IV. 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 http://www.usaid.gov/forms

V. TAXES

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

VI. 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)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 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)

QUANTI

T 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: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

Option Period 4 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info: [insert from

Phoenix/GLAAS]

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 .

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