Solicitation.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Great Massoud Road Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel: +1.301.490.1042 Email: kblaiddocinformation@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan

1/1

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72030621R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: May 11, 2021

CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 01, 2021 (04:30 PM Kabul Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for the U.S Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) and Third Country

National Personal Service Contractor (TCNPSC) - Contract Specialist (Senior

Acquisition and Assistance Specialist) GS-13

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S Agency for International

Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified individuals to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. For further information about

USAID/Afghanistan please visit https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan.

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, Ann Guardian

Contracting Officer mailto:KBLAIDDOCInformation@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1 [72030621R00009]

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72030621R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 11, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS:

June 01, 2021 no later than 04:30 PM Kabul Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Ann Guardian, Contracting Officer

5. POSITION TITLE: Contract Specialist (Senior Acquisition and

Assistance Specialist)

6. MARKET VALUE:

$79,468 - $103,309 equivalent to GS-13

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The base period will be 1 year, estimated to start on o/a September 2021. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional three (3) option periods of one-year for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: September 2021 – September 2022

Option 1: October 2022 – October 2023

Option 2: November 2023 – November 2024

Option 3: December 2024 – December 2025

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, USAID/Afghanistan

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens (including Permanent

Residents) and Third Country (non-US, non-

Afghan) Nationals*

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret clearance (if U.S. Citizen), or Facility

Access authorization (if U.S. Permanent Resident or Third Country National)

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1) General Statement of Purpose of Contract:

The Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) plays a pivotal role in the successful execution of USAID/Afghanistan Strategic Goals and Objectives through the planning, solicitation, award and administration of contracts and agreements. OAA staff includes experienced Contracting/Agreement Officers (CO/AO), U.S and Third Country National

Personal Services Contractors (U.S/TCNPSC) and Cooperating Country Nationals (CCN), all of whom work with the technical teams to develop, award and administer programs. The incumbent is the primary assistant and team leader to the Contracting Officer assisting

USAID/Afghanistan Development Objective Teams (DOTs) with achieving implementation results and DO goals and objectives. 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 professional procurement skills for any sector, program and will be expected to fulfill a leadership, training, and supervisory role for

USAID/Afghanistan CCN employees. The incumbent is also required to work with multiple

U.S. and host government entities and cross-cultural issues.

The Contract Specialist is a key assistant to the Contracting/Agreement Officer and team leader for specific A&A actions within the Afghanistan/Office of Acquisition and Assistance.

The incumbent is a crucial player for assisting the Afghanistan/Office of Acquisition and

Assistance. The incumbent is readily able to apply comprehensive U.S Government contracting experience (either directly or via private industry experience performing 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 high-level 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 all pre-award and post-award functions involving highly complex negotiated procurements of significant importance to the Agency. Requirements of the contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and inter-agency agreements are typically highly specialized and involve complex systems or sensitive international programs.

USAID/Afghanistan has a varied and complex country program having multi-tens or hundreds of million-dollar Acquisition and Assistance actions, very complex multi-sector programs with numerous projects, high funding levels and significant infrastructure work.

Besides being able to apply professional procurement skills through all manner of

Acquisition and Assistance instruments, the incumbent will be expected to deal with multiple

U.S and host government entities, not to mention the complications of cross-cultural business dealings.

2) Statement of Duties to be Performed:

The incumbent may serve in a Team Leader position and is the principal advisor for a broad range of USAID Acquisition and Assistance activities, to include high dollar, complex competitive procurement actions, but also assistance (grants and cooperative agreements), modifications, delivery and purchase orders, interagency agreements and supply schedule or other related actions. The incumbent exercises leadership skills in conducting technically proficient procurement and assistance, fully complying with all relevant laws, regulations and procedures and performed in a positive, team and customer-oriented manner. The incumbent has a formal decision-making authority in the many aspects of the broad areas of acquisition and assistance.

1. Pre-Award Expertise and Services: Performs or directs all actions required to conceptualize, plan, solicit, negotiate, and award many kinds of acquisition and assistance actions of varying complexity. Conducts Acquisition and Assistance planning and subsequent pre-award activities fully supportive of USAID's strategic and special objectives and related results expectations and requirements:

a. The incumbent fully understands performance-based Acquisition and Assistance principles with a resulting capability to mold Acquisition and Assistance services into specific contributions to appropriate USAID objectives and lower-level indicators, outputs and inputs.

b. The incumbent organizes, directs, conducts and/or coordinates pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences for complex procurement actions, especially construction or architect-engineering actions, but also for complicated services (and perhaps even commodities).

Ensures the proper establishment of requirements for bid and/or performance bonding in applicable requests for proposals.

c. The incumbent reviews requests for Acquisition and Assistance actions (to include consulting on scope of work or program description documents), and manages the

Acquisition and Assistance process whereby the comprehensive requirements of the Federal and USAID Acquisition Regulations (FAR and AIDAR), Contract Information Bulletins

(CIBs), Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs), Procurement Executive

Bulletins (PEBs), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Office of Management & Budget

Circulars (OMB Circulars), Automated Directive System (ADS), etc., are used to competitively, (or when justified, via other means), proceed through the entire offer/application solicitation process. The incumbent manages the technical and cost/price evaluation process plus subsequent negotiation processes in all actions (competitive or otherwise) to arrive at business management-appropriate instruments, including grants and cooperative agreements, etc. This includes completing fully documented files with certifications, negotiation memoranda reflecting complete explanations for Contracting

Officer decision rationale, a comprehensive record of commitments and obligations of the parties. Finally, the incumbent manages the award process from beginning to conclusion with fully executed contract or assistance documents.

d. The incumbent develops long-range plans for new or complex programs. Responsible for procurement planning activities in assigned organizations, which may include reviewing and clearing project papers and representing OAA at program planning meetings. Identifies within assigned major program(s) those significant subsystems, components, equipment and services to be acquired by contract, grant or cooperative agreement or Inter-agency

Agreement. The incumbent develops objectives for the program in terms of competition and price range, and constructs the contractual or assistance vehicle, which includes the use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside polices, and similar considerations.

Prepares and maintains current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules and keeps OAA management informed of anticipated workload demands. The incumbent anticipates problems and provides advice to project personnel on effective implementation and time frames required. Serves on project review committee.

e. The incumbent serves as advisor to program officials in project planning meetings.

Advises program officials of the procurement instruments to be used and assists in the preparation of statements of work or program descriptions. The incumbent provides guidance and training to new project/technical staff on USAID regulations and FAR requirements.

Collaborates in the development of evaluation criteria.

2. Post-award Expertise and Services. The incumbent performs all actions required to administer the complete variety of Acquisition and Assistance instruments from contractor/recipient mobilization through to closeout. Relies on a comprehensive mastery of the Mission Development Objective (DO) Plan, FAR, AIDAR, ADS, CFR, OMB Circulars and other procurement/assistance guidance sources to conduct output-based administration which enhances achievement of the Mission's program and assures timely delivery of the purchased supplies and/or services:

a. The incumbent exercises a proactive role during the administration phase to include coordinating with technical, controller and legal officers, conducting meetings and conferences as required, maintaining good communications with contractors, recipients and grantees, interpreting contract or award provisions, and negotiating and finalizing instrument modifications when warranted.

b. The incumbent coordinates special requirements with other US Government offices and agencies, including the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Defense Contract Audit

Agency (DCAA), General Accounting Office (GAO), The Commission on Wartime

Contracting (CWC), Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) and

Small Business Administration. The incumbent ensures that the results contractually required are documented and that Acquisition and Assistance actions are properly closed out, to include final audits, resolving indirect cost matters and preparing any needed final modifications. Responds to Freedom of Information Act requests.

c. The incumbent Provides backstopping services to technical team personnel by advising on resolution of special procurement problems associates with waiver requests, expediting of deliveries, apparent overlapping of responsibilities, and resolution of claims.

Conducts in-depth compliance review and evaluation of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract actions requiring higher-level approval.

d. The incumbent is responsible for contract administration sufficient to ensure contract terms and conditions are met and that the contractor delivers the required goods or services in a timely manner to achieve the objectives of the Agency's projects and programs.

Responsibilities typically include periodic site visits, approval of changes to incremental funding, preparation of rate and cost adjustments, redirection of level of effort, coordination of time extension, incorporation of change orders, preparation of stop work orders, sub-awards consents, approval of key personnel, equipment purchases, property disposition reviews and approvals, preparation of cure notices or show cause letters, and contract closeout. The incumbent advises technical office counterparts, contractors and recipients on their administration responsibilities contained in the award. Evaluates the adequacy of the awardee's business management systems for areas such as personnel compensation, insurance subcontracting procedures, and results of the financial audits.

3. DO Team Membership and Support Services. The incumbent serves on one or more DO

Teams and/or provides support to DO team located in USAID/Afghanistan as assigned or needed. The incumbent collegially represents the Office of Acquisition and Assistance viewpoint with the objective of having all team members fully understand and appreciate the key nature of the procurement and assistance function, how to obtain needed services or assistance to meet DO time schedules, as well as the statutory and procedural requirements established by Federal and USAID authorities for the purpose of protecting the U.S.

Government’s best interests.

4. Mission Support Services. As one of the Mission's Senior Acquisition and Assistance

Specialists, the incumbent provides crucial knowledge of the international and local contractor, recipients and NGO community via consultation and advice to Senior Mission

Management. Establishes and maintains an authoritative Mission presence to include travel and provision of consultative advice on Acquisition and Assistance policies and procedures to external groups (e.g., other USG agencies, NGOs, public international organizations (PIOs), for-profit contractors, other donors, etc.):

a. The incumbent serves as a key trainer and advisor for Cooperating Country National

(CCN) and Third Country National (TCN) Acquisition and Assistance staff, providing advice, training and support for mission CCNs and TCNs. The training/mentoring will be broad-based, to include job-specific technical training, informal day-to-day training and sharing of experience-based knowledge. The incumbent counsels on consensus-building in a team environment, and methodology on professional conflict resolution technique.

b. The incumbent responds to protests and audits findings and recommendations by researching and developing necessary analysis, documentation, and history of the awards.

Works with the Regional Legal Advisor in preparing the mission’s position and provide assistance to the Contracting Officer to support the Government's defense on protests to the

GAO, and programmatic and financial audits conducted by OIG, SIGAR, CWC and GAO.

3) Supervisory Relationship:

The incumbent is directly supervised by the Contracting/Agreement Officer or the designee, who makes assignments by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Under the administrative oversight of the Contracting/Agreement Officer, the incumbent employee independently plans 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. The supervisor reviews work products from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other works, or effectiveness in meeting requirements.

4) Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent serves as a senior advisor and mentors staff but will not directly supervise

CCN or EFM staff. The frequent turnover of CCN/EFM staff at USAID/Afghanistan means that quickly and effectively training new staff is critical to enable those staff to make meaningful contributions to OAA’s work. The incumbent trains and mentors staff in all aspects of providing Acquisition and Assistance support in the areas of Pre-award, Post award, Audit and Closeout documentation and filing. The incumbent will endeavor to involve staff extensively in OAA’s work, exposing them to increasing levels of responsibility, substance, and independence.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications.

Offers will be pre-screened and only those that meet the minimum qualifications will be considered. The minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position are as follows:

a) Education: A Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: accounting, business administration/management, finance, law, purchasing/procurement or economics is required. (Education requirements must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

b) Work Experience: At least seven (7) years of previous employment or interaction in acquisition and assistance with U.S. government department or agencies or other international development organizations field is required. (Work experience requirements must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with

FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer (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 Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors in order to be considered. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed.

1. SELECTION PROCESS

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed.

Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant’s concurrence.

2. EVALUATION FACTORS

Applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as on the applicant’s writing, presentation, and communication skills. On a supplement document included with the application package, applicants should cite specific, illustrative examples to address each factor. Responses are limited to below specified word-counts (paper size A4 or Letter) typed (12-point font) per factor. Applicants should describe specifically and accurately the experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to the factor. Applicants should include their name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in the applicant not receiving full credit for pertinent experience.

FACTOR #1: In 1,000 words or less, outline how you have demonstrated your knowledge in

Acquisition and Assistance; provide examples of your success in one or more of the position’s responsibilities: planning, solicitation, analysis of proposals, award negotiation, cost, and price analysis, etc.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

FACTOR #2: In 500 words or less, outline how you have demonstrated an ability to work independently, manage competing due dates, and manage a complex negotiation.

FACTOR #3: In 500 words or less, compare and contrast what you learned in formal education to what you have learned through on-the-job experience, as it relates to your profession.

3. BASIS OF RATING

Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses.

Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant rating system is as follows:

Evaluation Factors:

Factor #1 15 points

Factor #2 15 points

Factor #3 10 points

Total possible points for the Evaluation Factors: 40

Interview questions will revolve around the candidate’s propensity to:

1. Work effectively in a team

2. Quickly adjust to a challenging operational tempo

3. Communicate effectively

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total possible points for the Interview Performance: 60 points

Total Possible Points: 100

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. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted by email to Afgpscjobs@usaid.gov

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents and in the subject line of the application email.

Eligible offerors are required to submit the following documents to be considered for this position:

1. Form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contract with Individuals,” available at: https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2 http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:Afgpscjobs@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

2. A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.

3. A supplemental document with written responses to the Evaluation Factors.

Documents must be compatible with Microsoft Word or PDF and not compressed (.rar/.zip etc.).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the

CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

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

2. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306);

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561);

4. Pre-Deployment Physical Exam Acknowledgement Form (DS-6570);

5. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85);

6. Fingerprint Card (SF-87);

7. Statement of Prior Service (SF-144A).

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

1) Employer’s Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) Contribution

2) Contribution towards Health & life insurance

3) Pay Comparability Adjustment

4) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

5) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

6) Annual & Sick Leave

7) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service as per post policy

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable) *:

1) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

2) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

3) Danger Pay (Section 650)

4) Education Allowance (Section 270)

5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

6) Education Travel (Section 280)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

*Eligibilities for allowances are in accordance with Standardized Regulations (Government

Civilians Foreign Areas) based on the type of appointment and Mission Policy.

VII. TAXES

USPSC’s 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,” 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 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award

Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g.

R497] - Accounting Info:

Appropriation: 72201000

Fund Code: OE/2020

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:

[e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded

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:

[e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD at award after negotiations with contractor

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) -

Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code:

[e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded

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.

- AAPD 21-01 Applicability of FAR 4.21 to USAID personal services contracts with individuals under the AIDAR Appendices D and J

- AAPD 20-08 Leave and Holidays for CCNPSCs and TCNPSCs, including country https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs leave for qualifying posts for eligible TCNPSCs

- AAPD 18-02 REVISED Revisions to Medevac Policies for USPSCs and TCNPSCs

- 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

- AAPD 06-08 AIDAR, APPENDICES D AND J: USING THE OPTIONAL

SCHEDULE TO INCREMENTALLY FUND CONTRACTS

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.

https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations