Solicitation - IT Specialist - Systems Administratio - GS-12 US-TCNPSC.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

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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72030621R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: January 06, 2021

CLOSING DATE/TIME: January 21, 2021 (04:30 PM Kabul Time)

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

National Personal Service Contractor (TCNPSC) - Information Technology

Specialist (Systems Administration) GS-12

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, Diego Marquez

Contracting Officer mailto:KBLAIDDOCInformation@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1 [72030621R00003]

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72030621R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 06, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR

RECEIPT OF OFFERS:

January 21, 2021 no later than 04:30 PM Kabul

Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Diego Marquez, Contracting Officer

5. POSITION TITLE: Information Technology Specialist (Systems

Administration)

6. MARKET VALUE:

$66,167 - $ 86,021 equivalent to GS-12

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 June 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: June 2021 – June 2022

Option 1: July 2022 – July 2023

Option 2: August 2023 – August 2024

Option 3: September 2024 – September 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 Moderate

Risk Public Trust (MRPT) access authorization (if

U.S. Permanent Resident or Third Country

National)

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1) General Statement of Purpose of Contract:

The system architecture is a virtualized MS Windows platform and consists of the following basic elements: Domain Controllers, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) Servers, Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems, File and Print Servers, Structured Query Language

(SQL), and Internet Information Services (IIS) WEB Servers. The virtual environment is supported by VMware vSphere and NetApp HA data storage clusters. Due to the security environment, contingency planning, its implementation and regular testing is vital for business continuity of the Mission. In addition, there are many peripherals and multi-functional devices supporting office operations.

As the mission faces new and unpredictable security challenges, the incumbent is responsible to develop data protection concepts, custom solutions and procedures in order to support business continuity and data recoverability for the Mission.

Within the Executive Office, the Information Technology Unit is responsible for providing information and communication technology services and support as well as overall management of USAID/Kabul’s computer systems. These services include the following:

general systems administration; information security and data protection; organization of all data and vital records; computer advisory services; system integration between USAID systems and Department of State systems; facilitation of the sharing of programmatic information with sister agencies, implementing partners and the Government of Afghanistan;

The incumbent provides all levels of IT systems management and support for USAID enterprise architecture, to include: Systems administration, systems engineering and coordination of deployment, user assistance and training, management of help-desk operations, systems and application troubleshooting. USAID also maintains a wide array of enterprise software applications. These include: ASIST/Documentum document management and archiving, online web portals and collaboration tools and security tokens for remote access.

The incumbent develops the Mission's information and coordinates with CIO/Washington on the Agency’s technology strategy and provides necessary guidelines to the staff in the office of information technology. The incumbent manages activities of the Cooperating Country

National (CCN) Computer Management Specialist and three (3) helpdesk employees

(Computer Management Assistants). The incumbent provides expertise in the areas of information resources management and administration, research, design, development, and implementation.

The incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Executive Officer-Operations (D/EXO-O), but may receive technical guidance from the Chief Information Officer in USAID/Washington.

The incumbent is responsible for providing on the job training to any temporary employees in the IT office. This training will cover all areas of operation of the Mission systems and telecommunications from physical maintenance and repair of the systems’ hardware to support for the various application systems. The training will also include advising on general data-hygiene, safeguarding of Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) data, providing routine hardware installation, troubleshooting advanced telecommunications, systems application development, script writing, and code debugging.

2) Statement of Duties to be Performed:

Information Resources Management and Administration

The incumbent plans and implements procedures for controlling the security of the Mission's information technology services and all related equipment in accordance with directives from

USAID/Washington and the Mission's Supervisory Executive Officer (S/EXO). Implement and monitor security controls in coordination with Information Resources Management

(IRM) to prevent data loss and/or unauthorized access. The incumbent ensures that computer hardware systems and peripheral equipment are operated in accordance with Agency computer security policies, standards, and guidelines.

The incumbent completes and implements the Mission’s computer system disaster recovery/contingency plan procedures, to minimize loss of data and/or systems and ensure quick recovery from such disasters by implementing workable contingent system operation plan(s). The incumbent works with the Network Operations Center (NOC) in Washington to maintain the Mission critical Information Communication Technologies such as VPN over

ISP, DTSPO and VSAT connectivity which feeds the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone trunks and Mission hardware platform.

The incumbent is responsible for the Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network

(WAN) including management of a medium sized virtual “server farm” and a complex collection of LAN devices and equipment that supports nearly 100% availability. The incumbent is responsible for almost $1,000,000 worth of computer equipment. The incumbent manages installation and maintenance of additional servers, network software and clients (PCs), upgrade new software releases, patch operating systems, optimize network performance, upgrade client software and maintain backed up copies of server data to prevent accidental loss. The incumbent also monitors the network and perform traffic analysis; and test and evaluate computer operating systems. Further, the incumbent will determine LAN and WAN effectiveness relative to systems in use and their support capability and compatibility with program applications.

The incumbent provides support for video conferencing to USAID/Afghanistan. The incumbent supports video streams so USAID/Afghanistan can participate in such events as

Town Halls conducted from USAID/Washington. The incumbent keeps the computer services in a high availability status, LAN and WAN operation and administration includes troubleshooting of servers, PCs, and LAN devices by replacing broken parts and performing preventive maintenance as required; maintaining system images and antivirus software on both servers’ and users' side; and controlling access to Mission devices by maintaining positive control of network devices.

The incumbent properly performs LAN and WAN Operations and Administration; all networked devices must be monitored on a daily basis. The incumbent is responsible to detect vulnerabilities and take corrective action, such as monitoring and deploying security patches and anti-virus updates, and updating e-mail filtering tools to maintain USAID’s high standard of Information Systems Security. Information security is taken very seriously and assisting users to successfully navigate information security policy is also an important part of the job.

The incumbent is responsible for maintaining equipment inventories and proper disposal of equipment, including advising and assisting Implementing Partners with proper disposal. The incumbent continually provides information technology solutions that best support the number of staff at the Mission.

The incumbent presents recommendations to the D/EXO-O and/or EXO Management regarding reconfiguration and procurement.

Computer/System Engineering

The incumbent assesses highly complex information and data requirements and devising computer hardware and software configurations to support specified requirements; improve systems capacity through designing, planning and managing hardware and/or software changes and through operating systems configuration; oversee all areas of information processing and equipment security, alerting senior management to problem areas; identify and take corrective/preventive action to improve system productivity and to mitigate risk of information loss.

The incumbent oversees the telecommunications system such as Microsoft Active Directory networks, Agency WAN Link (VSAT & DTSPO), Internet Access through ISP, and troubleshoot the more highly complex and difficult data and voice communications problems with AID/W. The incumbent manages the information technology infrastructure for

USAID/Kabul.

The incumbent performs analysis, testing and evaluation of computer operating systems and utilities to determine their effectiveness relative to systems in use and their support capability and compatibility with program applications being run. The incumbent recommends necessary equipment and software upgrades and/or new information technology equipment procurement to the D/EXO-O and/or S/EXO.

The incumbent keeps servers, Local Area Network (LAN) equipment and PCs in high availability status. This includes troubleshooting of PCs, LAN equipment and servers, replacing parts that need replacement and preventive maintenance as requested by the equipment vendors. Maintain system images and antivirus software on both servers and users' side.

Application Support/User Training

The incumbent manages and provides support to all Mission staff on applications, such as: e-mail usage (including the sharing of calendars), spreadsheets, word processing, photo management, graphics, financial management, procurement, project administration, timekeeping, travel management and personnel records. The incumbent also develops and implements and conducts in-house training courses on the above-mentioned software as needed. The incumbent issues IT equipment as approved by the S/EXO and maintains inventories.

The incumbent provides advanced support of existing software applications including customization and further development of software applications, scripts, macros and queries.

Training of Staff

The incumbent mentors staff in the Mission in the areas of IT operations. This will include:

skills unique to USAID, new techniques / developments, other areas that staff members need to be familiar with, over and above their job skills, in order to do their jobs well. The incumbent provides hands on instruction, ensuring that workers not only know current technologies but are also prepared for the emerging ones. The incumbent is expected to provide expert training, mentoring, coaching, and guidance to IT staff.

3) USAID Consultation or Orientation:

The selected applicant shall proceed to Washington, D.C. for at least two (2) weeks of mandatory training to complete the Foreign Affairs Counter Threat CT-650 (FACT) and the

Afghanistan Familiarization RS-415 (FAM) courses (if FAM/FACT was not completed within the past five (5) years and if FACT training did not include the ESCAPE Module) prior to proceeding to USAID/Afghanistan to commence duties as outlined in the statement of work. FACT and FAM are mandatory courses for service in Afghanistan.

4) Supervisory Relationship:

The incumbent reports directly to the D/EXO-O who establishes basic parameters of work and determines priorities, but may receive technical guidance from the Chief Information

Officer in USAID/Washington. Routing reoccurring work is reviewed on a periodic test basis while task-oriented work is reviewed and completed.

5) Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent supervises one (1) CCN Computer Management Specialist and oversees the work of four (4) CCN Computer Management Assistants. The incumbent is responsible for providing expert training, mentoring, coaching, and guidance to IT staff.

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 the fields of computer science, information systems management, or software engineering is required. (Education requirements must be met at the time of application for the subject position).

b) Work Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of responsible experience in system development and programming, system administration, PC support is required.

Hands-on experience working with VMware vSphere, NetApp HA storage clusters, Windows 2008/2012 Servers, Exchange 2003/2010 Servers, and WEB Servers (IIS) is required. Database administration in MS SQL Server and/or Oracle is required.

Experience should include significant analytical and judgmental responsibilities and the overall management and logistical operation support of the most complex computer systems and data-centers 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 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far 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 a 500 words (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: Demonstrate your knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, critical thinking, active listening, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

FACTOR #2: Describe your technical competence in information resources strategy / planning and information systems network security.

FACTOR #3: Outline your management and teamwork skills you have utilized in previous work environments.

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 20 points

Factor #2 10 points

Factor #3 10 points

Total possible points for the Evaluation Factors: 40

Interview questions will revolve around these four (4) principle areas:

1. Knowledge/Experience

2. Customer Service

3. Teamwork/Productivity

4. Judgement/Decisiveness

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

Total possible points for the Interview Performance: 60 points

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

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:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:Afgpscjobs@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

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. Finger Print 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.

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.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations