Solicitation - Global Health Security Advisor .pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72069524R00007

ISSUANCE DATE: September 24, 2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 18, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Central Africa Time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) and Third Country National Personal Services Contractor (TCNPSC) to perform as a Global Health Security Advisor.

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), 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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on 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 1.

Sincerely, Douglas W. Quiggle Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72069524R00007

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 24, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 18, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Central Africa Time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resource Office, email at usaidburundihr@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Global Health Security Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604 to $135,987 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Bujumbura, Burundi with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from 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 will be two years, estimated to start on or about December 1, 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option period(s) for one year based for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period o/a December 1, 2024 to o/a November 30, 2026

Option Period 1 o/a December 1, 2026 to o/a November 30, 2027

Option Period 2 o/a December 1, 2027 to o/a November 30, 2028

Option Period 3 o/a December 1, 2028 to o/a November 30, 2029

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. and Third Country Nationals

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

a. BACKGROUND mailto:usaidburundihr@usaid.gov

More than a decade since the conclusion of ten years of civil war and five years of civil conflict, Burundi remains one of the least developed countries in the world, with alarming levels of poverty and malnutrition that were exacerbated by the political crisis in 2015. The health system remains fragile and ill-equipped to respond to the emerging health needs of the population. Burundi is one of the poorest and least developed nations globally, with the highest rates of chronic malnutrition in the world (54 percent stunting in children <5 years). Chronic underdevelopment in the health sector limits the country’s ability to prevent and respond to endemic health threats, such as cholera, measles, and malaria, and to new and emergent health threats including Rift Valley Fever, Ebola, Marburg and SARS-CoV-2. Barriers to achieving health goals are associated mainly with the fragility of the health system, the heavy burden of communicable diseases, chronic noncommunicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and the vulnerability of women, children, and adolescents.

The Government of Burundi is dependent on external health investments, and USAID is one of the largest donors in the health sector in Burundi. Each year USAID/Burundi invests about $23 million through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in HIV epidemic control, $13 million in malaria through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) control and prevention, $5 million in maternal and child health, and $10 million in family planning. Burundi has recently become a Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Intensive Support Country with $3,000,000 in resources planned for this year.

USAID’s Global Health Security (GHS) portfolio works to strengthen countries’ multisectoral capacities to reduce the risk and impact of emerging and reemerging disease threats that are of greatest public health concern. The program emphasizes country capacity building and systems strengthening in a series of critical health security technical areas including: zoonotic diseases prevention and control, national laboratory systems, infectious disease surveillance, health workforce, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial resistance. These capacities are multisectoral in nature, including the public health, animal health, and environmental sectors in a One Health approach. Activities are implemented at the national, subnational, and community levels. GHS embraces the One Health approach, recognizing the critical role that wildlife, livestock, other domestic animals, and the environment play in emerging zoonotic diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential and in antimicrobial resistance.

Other important aspects of the GHS program include the identification and minimizing of zoonotic disease spillover risks at their source in animals and a comprehensive approach to antimicrobial resistance that includes the livestock, agriculture, and environment sectors.

USAID’s GHS portfolio also leverages other USAID programing in the areas of health systems strengthening, food security, economic growth, and disaster assistance. For example, healthy animals provide a safe and nutritious food supply component, and additionally, jobs and livelihoods all along the value chain from producer to final consumer. Livestock industries are huge contributors to national economies. Ensuring that animals are safely, economically managed and that food is safe for human consumption not only minimizes the risk of transferring zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, but also greatly assists with enhancing partner countries’ capacity for agricultural development and participation in international trade. Other Global Health infectious disease initiatives such as malaria, tuberculosis, PEPFAR, and neglected tropical diseases also contribute to reaching GHS targets.

The GHS Advisor will support USAID’s contribution to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) global initiative that was launched in 2014. The GHSA’s goal is to advance a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats and to elevate global health security as a national leaders-level priority. The GHSA supports technical areas that work across human health, animal health, and other sectors to help countries to achieve GHSA/GHS objectives and to meet country requirements for the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) and related animal health regulations. Progress toward achieving the GHSA targets and objectives is measured by WHO’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE), a tool which consolidates the GHSA and IHR metrics into specific technical areas.

Under the direct supervision of the Health Team Director, the GHS Advisor is responsible for leading USAID’s contributions to GHS in collaboration with USAID/Washington’s GHS Team. The GHS Advisor will coordinate USAID partners, provide recommendations regarding GHS challenges, ensure effective implementation of GHS projects, build relationships with Government of Burundi counterparts, and liaise with multiple inter-agency, USAID/Washington, and regional counterparts involved in GHS.

Strong interpersonal skills as well as spoken and written communication abilities are required. The incumbent may also supervise one or more Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs).

b. STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

The GHS Advisor will work in collaboration with the USAID/Washington GHS team and with regional colleagues to implement USAID activities, ensuring alignment with Government of Burundi priorities. The Advisor will ensure effective U.S. Government (USG) interagency coordination and work closely with USAID colleagues and other USG partners, particularly the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) offices currently or expected in the future to be working in Burundi at the national and sub national levels, which also provide support for GHS implementation. The U.S. State Department provides important support for in-country USG interagency collaboration.

Working as part of the Embassy Bujumbura GHS Team within the Health Office, the USAID GHS Advisor will complete the following duties and responsibilities:

A. Ensure implementation and coordination of USAID GHS activities within USAID’s existing GHS program, and with other USG agencies on GHS-related activities. Maintain strong partnerships between agencies as well as implementing partners of respective agencies, and build strong partnerships with other development partners in Burundi:

1. Represent USAID in the USG GHS interagency. Work collaboratively with USG agencies while representing USAID priorities.

2. Maintain frequent, regular, and ad hoc meetings with USG partners including CDC, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and other Embassy agencies to discuss activities, maintain coordination, and to keep each other informed on changes to GHS activities.

3. Work collaboratively with USG agencies to develop annual GHS work plans to ensure coordination of USG GHS-supported activities and to avoid duplication.

4. Provide technical expertise to USAID and USG leadership for GHS technical areas of work.

5. During disease outbreaks in which the government requests support by USAID and other partners, ensure that USAID’s efforts are coordinated to support the national government.

6. Establish Partner/Donor coordination and collaboration mechanisms to advance GHS in Burundi. Such partners include USAID partners, other donors, the Government of Burundi, private sector, international and local NGOs, multilateral organizations, etc.

B. Liaise between the Mission in Burundi and USAID Washington:

1. Report on activities in Burundi to USAID GHS Washington-based and regional team members.

2. Assist the Agreement Officer’s Representatives and Contracting Officer’s Representatives (A/CORs) by monitoring and guiding implementing partner activities to ensure consistency with project objectives and to ensure that activities contribute to advancing Burundi’s targets, including GHSA and JEE metrics.

3. Report on GHS and GHSA activities.

4. Work with USAID’s GHS Team to identify new opportunities and activities to contribute to Burundi’s GHS efforts. This includes activity design, assessments and scoping of new opportunities.

C. Serve as A/COR and/or Activity Manager for GHS Activities implemented in country.

1. For bilateral mechanisms, serve as A/COR and/or Activity Manager, ensuring effective coordination and implementation.

2. For HQ-based mechanisms, serve as an Activity Manager, working closely with the A/COR to ensure effective implementation of GHS activities in country.

D. Serve as USAID’s representative on technical working groups with Burundian counterparts related to GHS activities. Build and maintain strong relationships with multiple Government of Burundi Ministries and Agencies:

1. Represent USAID on donor/government coordination groups related to emerging infectious diseases and other GHS activities.

2. Develop relationships with animal and public health ministries and USAID regional bureaus.

E. Provide coordination across all USAID GHS activities in Burundi:

1. Establish and maintain coordination networks among USAID implementing partners in Burundi whose activities are related to GHS. Facilitate opportunities for USAID implementing partners to collaborate and leverage each other’s activities. Communicate and promote to Implementing Partners (IPs) USAID’s expectations for IPs to function as a cohesive program working together to advance GHS targets in Burundi, in consultation with relevant A/COR.

2. Use the coordination network to facilitate the GHS IPs’ successful completion of work plan activities and to maximize USG investments.

3. Engage with IPs and multi-sectoral Burundian and other stakeholders to promote the skills, capacities and environment in Burundi across the ministries, to investigate diverse and complex conditions that resemble pathologic patterns that will or could affect public health.

4. Provide technical guidance to USAID IPs to promote and leverage existing USAID activities and the contributions of other stakeholders in Burundi to achieve JEE targets.

F. Coordinate multiple reporting requirements that require input and clearance from diverse stakeholders.

1. [for Intensive Support Countries including Burundi] Lead development of USAID contributions to semi-annual GHSA Progress Reports and annual work plans.

2. Apply a strong knowledge of assessments and scoring related to GHSA Joint External Evaluation (JEE) Reports.

3. Provide weekly/bi-weekly updates to the Embassy inter-agency GHS Team.

4. Develop weekly updates for USAID Burundi Front Office on GHS progress, events and upcoming visitors.

G. Serve as Duty Officer for the embassy as requested.

c. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Incumbent may also supervise one or more Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs)

d. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Incumbent will receive direction in terms of broadly defined functions from the USAID Health Team Director or designee. Incumbent independently (or in collaboration with other technical leads) plans for and carries out portfolio investments to ensure strategic value in reaching GHS objectives and results. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Health Team Director or their designee. The GHS Advisor has responsibility for independent planning and implementation of required tasks and activities. The Advisor keeps the Supervisor informed of progress, potential controversial matters, and any other concerns. Completed work is expected to be technically sound and of high quality.

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

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education and work experience requirements must be met at time of application.

1. Education: Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, including but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, Epidemiology, public health, social science or infectious disease.

2. Prior Work Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in One Health, Animal Health, Public Health or Epidemiology. Prior experience working with a bilateral or multilateral donor in development programming is required. Developing country work experience is highly desirable.

3. Language: Proficiency in both written and spoken English and French is required.

4. Job Knowledge: Professional knowledge of a broad range of infectious disease, One Health, antimicrobial resistance, health systems, and development issues; knowledge of Africa, preferably the East Africa cultural/work environment. Knowledge of how to engage with senior level executives and officials in government and development sector contexts, and to build trust-based relationships with senior-level executives. Knowledge of how to engage with technology entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators.

Knowledge of how to work with stakeholders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

5. Skills and Abilities: The applicant must possess strong management, negotiation, collaboration, team building, networking and interpersonal skills. The candidate must have a proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal skills are required to establish and maintain strong contacts with counterparts both inside and outside of USAID and in order to explain USAID objectives and procedures to government officials, private businesses, corporations, foundations, NGOs, and other non-traditional development organizations. The incumbent must also have a high degree of technical, analytical, and quantitative skills in scientific approaches and in analysis of development activities and policies. Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and to foster teamwork is required as is the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships at all levels.

Given the nature of the position, effective written and oral communications are absolutely critical to perform successfully in this position. The candidate should have a demonstrated ability to produce professional quality analytical pieces and make oral presentations. The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively with Mission employees; local government officials at the Senior Minister level;

international and local organizations, donors and other embassies; and various Burundi-based and Washington-based U.S. Government agencies.

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.

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

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 will USAID evaluate TCN offers.

To meet the basic eligibility requirements for this position the offeror must:

● Be a U.S. or a Third Country National citizen with eligibility to work lawfully in Burundi.

● Submit a complete application as outlined in Section IV. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

● Have the ability to obtain and maintain a security certificate (Facility Access, and possibly up to Secret for a U.S. citizen candidate.)

● Have the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract.

● Not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

● Present verified academic credentials if asked.

After the closing date for receipt of applications, those that meet the minimum qualification requirements (Education and Experience) will be referred to a TEC. Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. The TEC will review and score the applications to create a list of applicants to be further evaluated. Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on information presented in the application, interview, and obtained through reference checks. An applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about past performance and abilities.

BASIS OF RATING

Applicants are rated as outlined below. The TEC will consider all offerors below the full performance level on an equal basis for their demonstrated potential to rise to the full performance level.

Application Review 20 points

The TEC will review the cover letter, application form, and résumé (or curriculum vitae) assessing the extent to which education and experience demonstrate the ability to perform assigned duties (see 12.b.i through 12.b.iii).

Interview 80 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

Interview questions will be intended to explore the offerors’ experience, job knowledge, and skills regarding the functional roles of the position. They will also assess the ability of the offeror to work productively and effectively within the USAID Rwanda and Burundi Mission. There will be at least one question regarding the concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).

Total Possible 100 points

Reference Check PASS/FAIL

A “FAIL” Reference Check would result from information regarding confirmed illegal or unethical activities or a preponderance of negative feedback from numerous references; e.g., not a single critical comment.

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. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.

This form must be signed (ink or electronic signature).

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 4.

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

4. Your résumé must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

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/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

1. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.

2. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (AID 309-2)

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

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

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

6. Fingerprint Card (FD-258). **

7. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). **

** Forms 3 through 7 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an offeror is the successful candidate for the job.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

benefits marked with an * are also applicable to TCNPSC:

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) 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).* (n/a to Rwanda)

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220).*

(d) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230). (n/a to Rwanda)

(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)*

(j) Danger Pay. (Section 650) (n/a to Rwanda)

NOTE: Family members of USPSC's seeking employment in the local economy overseas need to be aware of the work permit regulations in the host country. If a country does not have a bi-lateral work agreement with the U.S. Government, USPSCs must seek Chief of Mission and Contracting Office approval to seek employment in the local economy; approval is not guaranteed.

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/ads/policy/300/aidar For TCNPSCs, USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and With a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

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)

QUAN

TITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Year 1 - (NTE Six Months)

Compensation, Fringe

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) Award after

- Award Type: Cost negotiations

- Product Service Code: 497 with

- Accounting Info: [GHS] 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 06-10 – PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility

AAPD 21-05 – Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

FAR 52.222-50 – Revised Combating Trafficking in Persons

FAR 52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application.

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.

5. 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-services-contracts-ombudsman

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

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION Jun 2023 http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-services-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov

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