Solicitation No.72016823R00006 for USPSC Financial Managment Advisor, GS-15_signed by CO.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72016823R00006

ISSUANCE DATE: 04/05/2023

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 04/26/2023/5:00 p.m. Sarajevo/Local Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Financial

Management Advisor, GS-15, USAID Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attachment 1.

Sincerely, Ken Seifert, Supervisory Executive Officer / Contracting Officer

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Roberta C. Frasurea 1, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Tel: (387-33) 704-000 Fax: (387-33) 219-298 www.usaid.gov/where-we-work/europe-and-eurasia/bosnia http://www.usaid.gov/where-we-work/europe-and-eurasia/bosnia

SOL: 72016823R00006 – USPSC Financial Management Advisor

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72016823R00006

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 04/05/2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 04/26/2023 at 5:00 p.m. Sarajevo

Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Ken Seifert, Supervisory Executive Officer, email at kseifert@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Financial Management Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $117,518 to $152,771 equivalent to position grade level GS-15

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Four (4) month period. The performance dates are estimated as follows:

Base Period: o/a July 10, 2023 to November 10, 2023

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful Offeror must obtain a U.S. Government

“Facility Access”. If the access is not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Introduction

The Regional Financial Management Center (RFMC) in Sarajevo, BiH supports a wide variety of USAID programs across missions in BiH, North Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Greenland, and offices across Europe. The operating expense budget responsibility totals approximately $26 million. RFMC is headed by a Controller, supported by a vacant Deputy Controller position, and an FSN staff complement of 13 personnel organized into three units: Financial Analysis, Accounting, and Accounts Payable.

1. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The Financial Management Advisor is a key business advisor, skilled in applying strategic planning and policy formulation tools to develop and implement financial management solutions supporting the USAID Mission and its program objectives overseas. The Financial Management Advisor serves the Mission as senior officer, providing the full range of business management, analysis, and planning services, covering the full range of overseas program activities including financial advisory services to Mission management and staff. Additionally, the incumbent will be involved in mailto:kseifert@usaid.gov the full range of Financial Management functions, including Phoenix accounting, budgeting, funds control, audit management, financial analysis, program design, and financial reporting. The Financial Management Advisor will serve as the Authorized Certifying Officer as required.

2. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Financial Management Advisor will be providing coverage during absence of assigned Financial Management Officers to assure that Financial Management Advisor operations are running smoothly. Responsibilities may include the following:

· Advising the Mission Director on internal Mission financial and risk management matters requiring his/her action or attention and interacting with senior Mission and Post management to implement policies and procedures governing Mission operations, particularly where Mission-specific guidance is not developed.

· Actively participating on Mission program activity teams. Financial Management Advisor is expected to provide general financial advice to project teams beginning with the pre-planning stages, and through initiation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation stages, to assure project management teams and implementing partners can meet project goals with resources on hand and to ensure that project activities are managed in compliance with USAID regulations.

· Collaborate with the Mission’s Program and Technical Offices in formulating the annual budget resource requirements and administer the Mission’s OE budget.

· As required and in coordination with EXO, represent Mission oversight of administration of the ICASS program, collaborating closely with the Department of State (DOS), and other Agency management personnel to ensure accurate and timely shared services cost allocation.

· Coordinate with Legal Officers and EXO’s regarding implementation of the USAID ethics program, related training, and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) 450 and OGE 278 submissions.

· Provide a full range of financial services including development of budgets and financial plans;

control and track obligations and expenditures; preparation and audit of payment vouchers;

administration of payroll plans; salary, benefits, and allowance payments; cashier operations; local currency management and programs; and act as an authorized certifying office for the disbursement and collection of funds.

· Provide financial management advisory services to assist managers in program decision-making and planning by analyzing financial aspects of various strategies, programs, and activities so that managers can determine the best use of limited resources.

· Conduct financial reviews and assessments and provide organizational capacity development to foreign governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, and local entities on their financial management and organizational practices by assessing, providing recommendations, and aiding in implementation of industry-recognized best practices in accordance with various laws and regulations.

· Lead/mentor members of the Financial Management workforce to assume increasing levels of responsibility and technical acumen within their respective roles.

· Prepare and communicate financial or regulatory reports required by laws, regulations, and Agency policies and directives.

· Coordinate and lead the internal controls assessment and review process, audit performance and compliance management, and develop controls for the prevention of fraud, waste, and mismanagement.

· Maintain current knowledge of federal policies and directives, and current accounting standards.

3. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The Financial Management Advisor will take direction from and will report to the Deputy Mission Director during the absence of the Controller and Deputy Controller.

4. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The position functions well within the limits of Personal Services Contracts. That is, the position does not and will not require supervision of U.S. direct-hire employees of USAID or other U.S.

Government agencies. The employee will supervise USAID/BiH Controller’s office local staff. S/he may be required to facilitate high level meetings, lead teams, and assign tasks to the RFMC team leads. While the USPSC may participate in personnel selection, s/he will not have authority to make a final decision. The Financial Management Advisor is expected to plan, design, and carry out duties independently. The Financial Management Advisor is considered the technical authority in matters of financial management and will have wide latitude to make decisions with little to no day-to-day supervision. In the absence of the Controller, the Financial Management Advisor will lead the RFMC team, and as such, will be the Mission’s senior most official for financial management related issues.

5. SUPPORT ITEMS:

USAID BiH will provide the support services, equipment and supplies necessary to perform the work.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested is generally sedentary and poses few physical demands. The incumbent may be required to visit activities within the regional area of responsibility, including North Macedonia, Albania, and Moldova.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education (10 points): A Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, Accounting, Management, or a related field is required.

Prior Work Experience (20 points): A minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible work experience in international development performing and supervising USG financial management operations, including accounting, audit management, budget formulation and execution, financial analysis, and management controls, with eight (8) of the twelve (12) years of relevant overseas experience is required.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities (15 points):

Thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology, as well as the principles and accepted procedures of U.S. Governmental and business financial accounting, budgeting and reporting is required. A thorough knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures associated with USAID financial management and a high level of independent judgment about USAID’s financial management policies and regulations, is also required. Excellent communication, writing, analytical and social/interpersonal skills, demonstrating diplomacy and an ability to communicate and represent a US Government organization’s mission and core values diplomatically to implementing partners, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and host government officials is required. Demonstrated ability mentoring support teams is required; as well as demonstrated customer service and teamwork skills.

Language proficiency: Level IV (fluency) in English both spoken and written required. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent English writing and speaking skills. S/he must be able to communicate complex policy and strategy issues orally and in writing in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.

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 Evaluation Factors listed below will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed.

Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs):

1. Prior Work Experience: 30 points

2. Knowledge: 30 points

3. Skills and Abilities: 30 points

4. Cultural and Language Abilities: 10 points

5. Satisfactory Professional Reference Check: pass/fail

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 100 points

Factor 1: Experience (30 Points)

• Demonstrated experience managing office financial management functions for the USG and/or an international organization providing development assistance programming overseas;

demonstrated experience with financial management and internal control systems to ensure procedures are most effective and support the organization’s achievement of critical, high-profile objectives.

Factor 2: Knowledge (30 Points)

• Deep knowledge and experience required to manage the overall financial operations including funds control, year-end procedures, payment cycle, generally accepted accounting principles, operating expense budgeting, financial analysis, pipeline management, forward funding principles, and all aspects of financial reporting.

Factor 3: Skills and Abilities (30 Points)

• Excellent communication, writing, analytical and social/interpersonal skills, demonstrating diplomacy and an ability to communicate and represent a US Government organization’s mission and core values diplomatically to implementing partners, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and host government officials.

• Demonstrated ability mentoring support teams.

• Demonstrated customer service and teamwork skills.

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

Factor 4: Cultural and Language Abilities (10 Points)

• Familiarity with the Balkans culture and business operating environment.

Factor 5: References (Pass/Fail) Total Possible Points: 100

SELECTION PROCESS:

After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required qualifications 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. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be requested to complete writing sample and will be interviewed via Google Meet at USAID’s discretion.

The hiring official may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations may be conducted with the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors at the conclusion of evaluations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must be:

1. A US citizen.

2. In possession of, or able to obtain, a “Facility Access”. The successful applicant must be able to receive a USAID access that involves an applicant's comprehensive background investigation performed by a US Government Agency.

3. In possession of, or able to obtain, a medical clearance. Details of how to obtain US Department of State medical clearance will be provided.

4. Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required or necessary.

5. Willing to travel to program sites as and when requested.

6. Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit:

1. A signed offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with

Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms by e-Mail only to: kseifert@usaid.gov.

2. Cover letter clearly indicating the position for which you are applying to (with clear explanation how you meet the minimum requirements);

3. Curriculum vitae/resume specifically addressing each Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as outlined in http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:kseifert@usaid.gov the solicitation;

4. Three (3) professional references (e.g. supervisor, peer and/or subordinate in current or previous employment) with current email address and telephone number;

Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact specified in the Section I, Item 4.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. Late offers or delayed electronic submissions will not be accepted.

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 an approved reasonable accommodation to 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

Once the Supervisory Executive Officer (S/EXO)/Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the S/EXO/CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit all required forms, including:

A. Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) B. Medical History and Examination Form/Medical Clearance Update (Department of State Forms DS-6561/DS-3057) C. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86) or D. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) E. Finger Print Card (FD-258)

Timely completion and submission of the required documents are needed to obtain the necessary Security and Medical Clearances. Failure of the selected offeror to accurately complete and submit required documents in a timely manner may be grounds for the CO to rescind any conditional pre-contract offer letter and begin negotiations with the next most qualified/highest ranked offeror.

Selected offerors who are unable to obtain required Security and Medical Clearances in a reasonable timeframe are considered un-qualified for this position.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a U. S. citizen/Alien (offshore) PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

(a) Employer’s FICA Contribution

(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment

(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

(f) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

(g) Annual and Sick Leave

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 Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) B. Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) C. Cost-of-Living Allowance (Section 210) D. Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 220) 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 US PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts With a

U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad, “including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf .

2. AAPD 21-04 EXECUTIVE ORDER 14042 ON ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19

SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL AWARDS (OCT 2021) (DEVIATION) (FAR

Deviation No. M-OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01c) 52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70:

PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses

52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.

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.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

(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 Services Quantity Amount

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

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 TBD at award

1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 TBD at award

4. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins

(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

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.

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

USAID Bosnia and Herzegovina expects to award a personal services contract for a US Citizen commencing as early as practically possible, subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability. The duty post for this contract is Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

USAID PROVIDES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT IN

EMPLOYMENT TO ALL PEOPLE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX

(INCLUDING GENDER IDENTITY, TRANSGENDER STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

AND PREGNANCY), NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, AGE, GENETIC INFORMATION,

POLITICAL AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, AND/OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTORS

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman mailto:PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov