Solicitation Development Program Specialist 72052723R00009.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052723R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: May 4, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 1, 2023 at 17:00 (Lima time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Resident Hire Development Program Specialist, GS-13 equivalent

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, Sections I through V 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 in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment I.

Sincerely, Magdalena Maxwell Contracting Officer USAID/Pe

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72052723R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 4, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 1, 2023 at 17:00 (Lima time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resources Office, email at limausaidhr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Development Program Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $84,546 - $109,908 equivalent to GS-13 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. This is a resident-hire position. It does not include offshore benefits such as housing, post differential, and post allowance.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Peru. 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 base period of performance will be from o/a July 2023 to July 2024.

Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period (OPs) as follows:

Base Period: o/a July 2023 to July 2024 Option Period 1: o/a July 2024 to July 2025 Option Period 2: o/a July 2025 to July 2026 Option Period 3: o/a July 2026 to July 2027 Option Period 4: o/a July 2027 to July 2028

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident/registered alien (“green card holder”). This solicitation is open to Resident-Hire U.S. Nationals who are currently residing in

Peru and legally permitted to work in the country without needing a work permit.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

mailto:limausaidhr@usaid.gov

A. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

The incumbent is a member of USAID/Peru’s Regional Program Office (RPO), the office responsible to oversee and coordinate all aspects of the USAID Program Cycle for the Peru bilateral program and the South America Regional (SAR) program. As a Senior Development Program Specialist, the incumbent plays a role in all aspects of the USAID Program Cycle. Duties include: strategic planning and research; budget planning and execution; policy alignment and compliance; program design; program monitoring and implementation review; information management and reporting; donor coordination; and liaison with USAID/Washington, the U.S.

Embassy in Peru (the interagency), the Government of Peru (GOP), and other stakeholders. The incumbent undertakes objective assessments and analyses, manages information, prepares plans, and coordinates information-sharing. The Senior Development Program Specialist also supports USAID/Peru in achieving its objectives by assisting in the development of technical internal and public information materials that promote a better understanding of USAID/Peru programs. The incumbent works closely with the USAID Front Office, USAID technical teams, interagency colleagues, and other RPO team members to plan, research, produce and manage written materials and other media in support of all of the Mission’s development objectives and areas of involvement, and contributes to implementing the Mission’s overall strategic communications strategy.

B. MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent performs key program functions that span USAID’s Program Cycle, including strategy and program planning, design, and review; communications, information management and reporting; and monitoring, evaluation and learning. The incumbent’s specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

Program Planning, Design and Review 50%

● Ensures that USAID Automated Directives System requirements (ADS Chapter 201) are met throughout the Program Cycle, especially for program planning, development and design.

● Contributes to Mission strategic reviews and adjustments to the country development strategy, making recommendations based on current information about USAID programs, updates to Agency policy, and analyses of the development context in Peru.

● Serves as member of Mission project and activity design teams and otherwise supports the design process by conducting literature reviews and analyses; advising technical teams on procedural requirements; preparing written inputs; and helping to manage the design approval process.

● Supports the integration of cross-cutting themes into Mission programs by collecting information, undertaking analyses, and making practical recommendations related to program planning, design, and implementation.

● Draws evidence from assessments and/or evaluations conducted by the Government of Peru (GOP), other donors, and non-governmental organizations to complement Mission analyses on topics related to USAID’s strategy and USG development policy.

● Helps coordinate Mission-wide and special reporting including the Operational Plan (OP), Performance Plan and Report (PPR), Mission Resource Request (MRR), Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ), Congressional Notifications (CN), and special reporting requirements originating from USAID, the Embassy, the U.S. Congress or other USG stakeholders; and prepares and coordinates inputs for the drafting and refinement of narratives for selected sections of such reports.

● Monitors, analyzes, and reports on economic, political, cultural and social data, trends, and factors affecting the strategic direction of USAID’s programming.

● Establishes contacts and maintains two-way dialogue with donor representatives, non-governmental organization staff, and other stakeholders, exchanging information on programs, policies and development priorities. Keeps current information on the programs of other donors in Peru.

● Provides support across the range of Program Cycle functions to Mission’s technical teams.

● Supports senior specialists in budget planning, tracking, and reporting, and maintaining budget summaries for Mission leadership.

● Ensures that program documentation complies with Agency policy, USG regulations, and any other relevant guidance and that it is of high quality and is completed in a timely manner and reviews; and clears documentation for this purpose.

Communications 30%

● Assembles information and drafts documents for internal USG and external audiences on Mission programs, in response to formal requests from Mission leadership, USAID/Washington, and interagency colleagues.

● Prepares written materials on USAID program topics that span the entire Mission program or involve multiple sectors.

● Assists with communications and outreach activities including the planning of events and site visits, the drafting, review and editing of outreach materials, and briefing materials for USAID and Embassy officials.

● Assists in the management of Mission information management systems, including document clearance systems.

● Helps to manage and respond to information requests and other tasks received from the interagency, GOP, Washington, and other stakeholders.

Monitoring and Evaluation 20%

● Participates in Mission activity monitoring and evaluation duties, including the development and updating of Performance Management Plans (PMPs); and prepares reports on performance and results.

● Assists in managing the Mission’s development information systems, including the Development Information Solutions (DIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and applications; the activity database; and other tracking systems.

● Coordinates, reviews and analyzes the results of program and portfolio reviews;

identifies implementation issues and lessons learned; and makes programmatic recommendations.

● Supports the Mission COR for the Mission’s monitoring, evaluation and learning contract, as assigned.

C. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

While the supervisor sets overall work objectives, the incumbent has wide latitude to complete work products to meet these objectives and is expected to handle work independently in accord with established policies. The incumbent and supervisor jointly develop project expectations and set deadlines based on current need; and work together to adjust priorities based on new requirements generated by the USAID Front Office, the Ambassador, or Bureau leadership in USAID/Washington. The supervisor expects the incumbent to independently plan, organize and carry out individual work projects (examples include: participate in a design;

coordinate the production of a mandated report; draft a new mission order) and use professional judgment in setting day to day work priorities to meet deadlines. In working within USAID, with Embassy staff, and external contacts, as needed, to obtain input on schedule and will normally resolve any bottlenecks or differences in interpretation without involving the supervisor. The supervisor expects work products to be complete. Completed work is reviewed and cleared for responsiveness to overall direction given and for policy conformance.

D. SUPERVISORY CONTROL:

The incumbent will not have supervisory responsibilities.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is mostly sedentary, but there is some traveling required to project to sites, facilities and in-country.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree or graduate degree in social sciences, physical sciences, business, liberal arts, humanities or a related field.

Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international development assistance, private sector, government, non-governmental organization, or similar office environments. A graduate degree may substitute for up to two years of work experience.

Language: Level IV speaking, reading and writing (Fluent) ability in English

Job Knowledge:

● General knowledge of project design, management, and monitoring systems; budget planning and tracking; and communications.

● A broad understanding of issues related to international development.

● Excellent knowledge of English grammar and style and American word usage.

● Knowledge of research approaches as applied to policy and programs.

● Familiarity with information management systems.

● Understanding of use of websites and social media for internal and public communications.

Skills and Abilities:

● Strong analytical skills (ability to obtain, analyze, organize, and interpret data and present findings).

● Strong communication (written and oral) communications skills, including the ability to convey technical information clearly and in a way that is appropriate for the intended purpose and audience.

● Strong organizational and project management skills including the ability to lead projects with multiple participants and ensure deadlines are met.

● Ability to work with a large degree of independence, with minimal guidance.

● Ability to apply detailed Agency and Mission operational directives and substantive policy guidance on a daily basis to tasks that span USAID’s Program Cycle for a large and complex development assistance program.

● Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, adjust priorities to meet urgent needs and still meet targets.

● Ability to use a wide range of information technology platforms and office productivity software (Google suite; MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; data visualization and graphics tools).

Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.

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

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references form individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before of after a candidate is interviewed.

1. Offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range will be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests and interviews to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors.

2. Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offerors.

3. Evaluation and Selection Factors. Applicants meeting the required qualifications of the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. The following is the evaluation criteria for this position:

a) Work Experience: 30 points

b) Knowledge : 30 points

c) Skills and Abilities: 30 points

d) Interpersonal Skills and Cross-Cultural Communications: 10 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail

IV. 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. A cover letter of no more than 1 page that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.

3. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which, at a minimum, describes education, experience, and career achievements relevant to the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.

4. Names of three professional references that have knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation, including current and accurate contact information. This information may be included in in cover letter, resume/CV, or in a separate document.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far http://www.usaid.gov/forms

5. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

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

7. Offerors submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

8. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors- The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit and approved reasonable accommodation o the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated. *

*See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.

V. 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.

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms

1. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

2. Form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals”

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843) **

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF-86) ** or

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

6. Fingerprint Card (FD-258) **

** Forms 3 through 6 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

[If the solicitation is also open to TCNs, the CO must insert the benefits and allowances specifically approved by the Mission Director for a TCN offeror in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J, sec. 4(c)(2)(ii)(B).]

1. BENEFITS:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms

(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) Leave and Holidays

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 Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) c)Post Allowance (Section 220)

d) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

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)

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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2. ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT

2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01c)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause - United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

(End of clause)

Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the

Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”). In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

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

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: to be specified in the award

1 LOT $TBD $TBD at award after negotiatio ns with contractor https://www.usaid.gov/forms

1001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: to be specified in the award

1 LOT $TBD $TBD at after negotiatio ns with contractor

2001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497 after negotiatio ns with contractor

3001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497 after negotiatio ns with contractor

4001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497 after negotiatio ns with contractor

4. 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

AAPDs/CIBs specifically applicable to this position include:

AAPD 16-03: Expanded Incentive Awards for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals

AAPD 15-02 REVISED - Continuation of Deviation from the ‘Leave and Holidays’ clause, including Family and Medical Leave, for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

AAPD 10-03 Amendment 1: AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

AAPD 10-01: Personal Services Contracts -- Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts for Health Insurance and Physical Examination Costs

AAPD 06-10: PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility

5. 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

6. PSC Ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency.

Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

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

[End of Solicitation] https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations