Solicitation - Senior Advisor (Democracy Gender and Rights).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

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72030624R00002

ISSUANCE DATE: October 20, 2023

CLOSING DATE/TIME: November 18, 2023 / 16:30 (ET)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Senior Advisor (Democracy, Gender and Rights), GS-14

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.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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

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

Sincerely, Julie Lamadrid Contracting Officer mailto:KBLAIDDOCInformation@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan

ATTACHMENT 1 72030624R00002

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72030624R00002

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 20, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 18, 2023 no later than 16:30

(ET)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Julie Lamadrid, e-mail at kblaidhr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Advisor (Democracy, Gender and Rights)

6. MARKET VALUE: $99,908 - $129,878 equivalent to GS-14

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Astana, Kazakhstan.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 base year plus 4 option years estimated to start on

December 18, 2023.

The base period will be 1 year, estimated to start on December 18, 2023. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise option period for 4 years for the date(s) estimated as follows:”

Base Period: December 18, 2023, to December 17, 2024

Option Period 1: December 18, 2024, to December 17, 2025

Option Period 2: December 18, 2025, to December 17, 2026

Option Period 3: December 18, 2026, to December 17, 2027

Option Period 4: December 18, 2027, to December 17, 2028

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Security Clearance.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1) General Statement of Purpose of Contract:

The Senior Advisor (Democracy, Gender, and Rights) reports to the Office Director and will serve as the Acting Office Director or Acting Deputy Office Director for the Office of Democracy, Gender and Rights. The Senior Advisor oversees and guides ODGR technical operations, supports the office's technical assistance team, responds to taskers and inquiries and serves as the ODGR point of contact for the Mission's support offices. The portfolio includes activities focused on civil society and media, human rights, peacebuilding, community resilience, women’s empowerment, Countering Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) and gender rights. DGR programming, with its focus on mailto:kblaidhr@usaid.gov human and gender rights, has been highly politically sensitive since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. ODGR maintains a multi-year portfolio that addresses some of the USG highest-profile foreign policy priorities in Afghanistan, in particular, protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls. Strong interagency and representational skills are required for this position, which interacts regularly with high-level USG, donor, UN, and Afghan civil society and media representatives. Strong knowledge of working in “closing political spaces” and post-conflict and authoritarian environments. Ability to Travel for work will be required up to 20 percent and telework will be situational.

2) Statement of Duties to be Performed:

USAID and Interagency Program/Project/Activity Planning and Management The Senior Advisor supports all aspects of USAID/Afghanistan's ODGR programs / projects / activities: planning, designing, organizing, monitoring implementation, coordinating, and monitoring for results. The Senior Advisor takes an active role in developing DRG programs goals, strategies, objectives and initiatives, preparing required design documents, directives, memoranda, statements, and proposals. S/he introduces new initiatives and recommends effective operations consistent with the USAID’s DGR strategic framework and its development objectives, including promoting universally recognized human rights, and integrating democracy, human rights and gender principles and practices across USAID’s development portfolio.

The Senior Advisor works closely with Afghan civil society organizations, UN agencies and other organizations to make sure that DGR programs/projects/activities are carried out correctly and in a timely manner; and presents findings and recommendations for appropriate remedial action to correct identified program deficiencies.

The Senior Advisor should be AOR/COR certified as they may serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) for the office's cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts under DRG programs/projects/activities, provides appropriate technical directions and guidance and work in close collaboration with the Contracting Officer/Agreement Officer (CO/AO), and Regional Legal Officer as needed. S/he participates with implementing partners (IPs) in the development of work plans for implementation of activities, activity monitoring plan, branding strategy and marking plans.

Skill sets required: Ability to draft scopes of work, scopes of objectives, action memoranda, justifications, program descriptions, waivers, independent government cost estimates, pre-obligation checklists, activity checklists, Initial Environmental Examination, Request For Assistance, Request For Procurement, activities extension, IP performance review for contract, etc.

The Senior Advisor works closely with other USAID technical offices to integrate participation, inclusion, and country ownership throughout USAID’s portfolio, including working in education, health, and economic growth sectors for more responsive governance, local capacity building, and sustainable development. S/he mentors and supports a junior program manager and a new COR/AOR by providing on-the-job training to improve their skills.

Administrative Management The Senior Advisor is responsible for providing oversight and monitoring of the program activities s/he is COR/AOR for, including reviewing IPs narrative and financial reports, monitoring use of funds for adherence to proposed activities, preparing quarterly pipeline reviews/budget status reports, following up on irregular findings, providing advice for realignments of budgets, and preparing quarterly accruals. S/he maintains files and records specific to the programs/projects/activities for which s/he is responsible, including reports, meeting summaries and minutes, copies of all grants/cooperative agreements/contracts, assessment, evaluation, whenever possible these records will be filed electronically.

The Senior Advisor supports and helps to advise the office's technical assistance team and serves as the ODGR point of contact for the Mission's support offices. The Specialist prepares and occasionally presents briefings for the United States Government high-level visitors and participates in making arrangements for visits and serves as a spokesperson as required. The Specialist serves as control officer for site visits for agency and inter-agency senior-level officials, as needed.

DGR Coordination The Senior Advisor may represent USAID and the U.S. Government at technical, policy, and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with officials and cooperating partners, briefing senior Agency officials, U.S. Mission Country Team members, and interested officials of other U.S. Government agencies as appropriate.

The Senior Advisor may participate as one of the USAID/DGR's representatives at inter-agency administrative and strategic planning meetings and may serve as a USAID representative on inter-agency technical working groups (TWGs) for purposes of developing approaches to strengthening existing activities with minimal overlap and unnecessary duplication.

3) USAID Consultation or Orientation:

The selected applicant may be required to proceed to Washington, D.C. for mandatory training or consultation.

4) Supervisory Relationship:

The Senior Advisor reports to the Office of Gender and Human Rights (ODGR) Director. The Senior Advisor helps to guide ODGR technical operations, helps to manage the office's technical assistance team, and serves as the ODGR point of contact for the Mission's support offices. The Senior Advisor may also serve as Acting Director or Deputy Director and may supervise up to two USPSCs, who manage the ODGR technical assistance activities.

5) Supervisory Controls:

Subject to availability of funds, this will be a two-year contract, with an option to extend, depending upon continuing need of the services.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

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 master’s degree or local equivalent in International Relations, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, International Development, Development Sciences and Techniques, or in a closely related field involving DRG is required.

b) Work Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the development, management, and evaluation of Democracy, Gender and Rights programs. Experience presenting complex concepts to diverse audiences is required.

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 technical evaluation committee 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. 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.

After the closing date for receipt of applications, applications will be reviewed for basic eligibility (quality check, submitted all required documents, meeting the set requirements, education and experience). Successful Applications will be forwarded to the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for review. The TEC will review and score the application. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed.

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 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 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far to 500 words (paper size A4 or Letter) typed (font size 12) 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.

EVALUATION FACTORS

• Factor #1: Background and experience in designing, managing and evaluating democracy, gender and human rights programs in Afghanistan.

• Factor #2: Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written reports and analysis for various audiences and demonstrated ability and skills to interpret project development related policies and procedures, technical aspects of the project and communicate with and advise the stakeholders, colleagues and senior officials.

• Factor #3: Demonstrate your ability and skills to analyze the current democracy, gender and human rights issues in Afghanistan, develop mitigation and contingency plans for senior officials.

The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Only the highest-ranked applicants may be interviewed.

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 Factors. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating System is as follows:

Evaluation Factors: 40 points

Factor #1: 15 points Factor #2: 15 points Factor #3: 10 points

Interview Performance: 60 points

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

Total Possible Points: 100 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 Contract with Individuals,” available at:

https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-2

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

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number and position title in the subject line of the email as follows:

72030624R00002 – Senior Advisor (Democracy, Gender and Rights)

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

a. Cover Letter

b. A current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume

c. Supplemental document containing responses to the evaluation factors

d. AID 309-2 “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contract with Individuals”

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:

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

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

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

Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85);

4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258);

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

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS:

a) Employer’s Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) Contribution (for USPSC’s only)

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

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&amp%3Bmenu_id=101

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,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

2. 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-FAR22-01c)

(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.

mailto:http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 mailto:http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&amp%3Bmenu_id=101 https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

(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. 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: R497

- Accounting Info:

Appropriation: 7217/181037 Fund Code: es-oco-1/2015/2020

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: 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)

1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD at award after https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/ https://www.usaid.gov/forms

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded negotiations with contractor

3001 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded

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

4001 Option Period 4 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: To be incrementally funded

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

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

- AAPD 21-05

- AAPD 21-04

- AAPD 18-02

- AAPD 10-01

- AAPD 06-10

5. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

6. PSC Ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the Agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

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

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AAPD-21-05.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AAPD21-04_Revision3.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AAPD-18-02-Rev2.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aapd10_01.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aapd06_10.pdf https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman about:blank