Solicitation- Senior CARPE Advisor USAID ROC - 092020 .pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066020R00015

ISSUANCE DATE: September 22, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 20, 2020; 5:00 PM, DRC Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S./Third Country National Personal Service Contractor (US/TCNPSC) – Senior Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) Advisor, USAID/ROC

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 offer.

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

Sincerely, /S/

Priscilla Sampil Contracting Officer

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066020R00015

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 22, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 20, 2020 before and/or on 5:00 PM

(DRC local time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Christiane Lemba at usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior CARPE Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 – $120,868 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be two (2) years, estimated to start on May 2021 or earlier if required clearances are obtained. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise three (3) additional option periods for one (1) year for the dates estimated as follows:”

Base Period: May 02, 2021 to May 01, 2023 Option Period 1 May 02, 2023 to May 01, 2024 Option Period 2 May 02, 2024 to May 01, 2025

Option Period 3 May 02, 2025 to May 01, 2026

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo (ROC), with possible regional and international travel.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, Resident Aliens (USNs) and Third Country Nationals

(TCN).

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The final selected candidate must obtain both the appropriate security (Secret level for USPSCs and Facility Access authorization for TCNs) and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). If such clearance is not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BACKGROUND

The Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) was initially authorized as a 20-year regional initiative in 1995, with the objective to reduce the rate of forest degradation and loss of biodiversity through increased local, national, and regional natural resource management capacity in the Central Africa region.

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Phase I (1995-2002) was to coordinate work on identifying and establishing the conditions and practices required to reduce deforestation and loss of biological diversity in Central Africa. In its first phase, CARPE's partners focused on increasing the knowledge of Central African forests and biodiversity and building institutional and human resources capacity.

In Phase II CARPE implemented sustainable natural resources management practices in 12 landscapes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo (ROC), Gabon, Cameroon and Central African Republic (CAR) to conserve biodiversity, forest management, mitigate climate change effects through support to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) strategies and action plans, implementation of Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) and improve overall environmental governance in the region, and strengthen natural resources monitoring capacity.

CARPE Phase III was authorized through September 30, 2018. The Goal of CARPE III was “Central Africa’s transition to climate-resilient, low emissions development accelerated through sustainable management of bio-diverse forests.” CARPE’s Development Objective was to maintain the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystem of the Congo Basin. Four intermediate results supported this objective: (1) Targeted forest landscapes sustainably managed; (2) Threats to biodiversity in targeted forest landscapes mitigated; (3) Policy and regulatory environments supporting sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation established; and (4) Capacity to monitor forest resources, greenhouse gas emission and biodiversity strengthened.

Under CARPE Phase IV, USAID is in the middle of a significant strategic transition, including re-designing and re-competing nearly all activities in the portfolio. This transition includes increased field presence in ROC where USAID has recently established its first ever Development Objective Agreement (DOAG) with the Government of ROC. This DOAG raises the level of engagement and commitment between the Government of ROC and USAID on activities implemented in ROC.

Furthermore USAID is putting greater focus on implementation activities in ROC that support the Government of ROC’s strategic investments and priorities around conservation and developing a “Green Economy” in ROC.

1. General Statement of Purpose of Contract

The objective of this position is to provide leadership and representation for USAID in ROC focused on CARPE. Successful completion of this objective will require working with a wide array of US Government partners, local government ministries, other donor partners, regional economic bodies, international organizations, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and implementing partners.

The CARPE Advisor, working with the CARPE team in Kinshasa will provide management , coordination, and representational expertise for USAID in ROC, with a key focus on achieving results under USAID’s CARPE portfolio. Further, the CARPE Advisor is the senior USAID representative at post. The responsibilities of this position include:

1) Implementation of CARPE activities in ROC;

2) Leading or participating in development dialogue at all levels with country stakeholders;

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3) Coordination with the U.S. Embassy and the Government of ROC on policy and administrative reform efforts impacting USAID programs;

4) Working in close coordination with the USAID/Central Africa Regional Operating Unit (CAROU)/CARPE to identify and address technical programmatic, or other support needs for the country team and relevant programs;

5) Supervision of designated USAID‐funded staff;

6) Serving as the primary USAID liaison for donor coordination.

The CARPE Advisor reports to the Director of CARPE or his/her delegate. The CARPE Advisor, on behalf of CAROU/CARPE, has the responsibility to ensure that all administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID operations are conducted in compliance with Agency Regulations, policies, and procedures. The Advisor will consult with Financial Management, Contracting, Executive Office and Legal Officers of USAID as needed to ensure compliance.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

1. Coordination, management and technical input for CARPE activities in ROC (45% LOE)

a. In close concert with CARPE FSN staff, ensure appropriate management and oversight of CARPE activities in ROC; this may include being AOR/COR or alternate and/or Activity Manager for some activities.

b. Ensure compliance in reporting from implementing partners, and within USAID – to the CARPE office in Kinshasa and USAID/Washington as appropriate. Work with the USAID/CAROU Program Office to represent the ROC portfolio.

c. Ensure that all projects are compliant with USAID regulations and requirements.

d. Develop and support budget planning and financial reporting of USAID programs in

ROC.

e. Represent CARPE as appropriate to within the USG. Respond to communication requests and other taskers.

f. Support development of CARPE indicators and performance monitoring plans. Monitor progress in ROC according to this plan.

g. Facilitate the liaison of CARPE implementing partners with the government of ROC and other USG offices.

h. Liaise with CARPE in Kinshasa on regional CARPE efforts as needed to ensure best implementation and coordination of activities.

i. Document and track lessons learned in ROC which will help guide the implementation of the CARPE more broadly. This includes writing cables, and working with the Development Outreach and Communications Specialist (DOC).

2. Coordination of USAID Initiatives and Partners (25% LOE)

a. Facilitate the coordination of USAID ROC activities more broadly. This requires being aware and engaged on all USAID investments in ROC.

b. Facilitate coordination of USAID Implementing partners in ROC – including through partner meetings; also ensure that all USAID implementing partners are compliant with USAID regulations and contractual agreements.

c. Reinforce the role of the Government of ROC to establish and maintain a coordination network

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among partners in the country whose activities are related to CARPE activities. Such partners include: bi‐lateral donors, international organizations, relevant ministries, private sector, international and local NGOs, etc.

d. Support the coordination of other assistance programs in ROC.

e. Develop and maintain relationships with relevant ministries in the country to ensure that assets can be coordinated and provided as support if needed.

f. Ensure cost effective coordination of CARPE activities with the broader USAID portfolio: seeking economies of scale, and opportunities for leveraging resources.

g. Seek opportunities to bring new partners into CARPE programming, including private sector or other donors.

3. Technical Advice on Biodiversity and Forest Conservation, Sustainable Lanscapes (Policy and Practice) Implementation (20% LOE)

a. Provide information to CARPE and USAID/Washington on biodiversity and forest conservation and climate change context and capacities in ROC.

b. Work closely with the ROC country team to engage in high‐level advocacy with various ministries from the host government to ensure effective USAID support to the environmental goals and commitments of the Government of ROC. Represent CARPE to the USG, Senior Government of ROC Officials, and other external partners as appropriate ‐ this includes both speaking and written.

c. Provide technical support/guidance to the host government in developing and revising their priorities and goals for the environment.

d. Keep abreast of new developments and emerging issues that affect CARPE via literature review, attendance at technical meetings, workshops, and participation in relevant training events. Share relevant information and recommendations with CARPE and other USG colleagues.

4. USAID Donor representation and coordination (10% LOE)

a. Represent USAID Activities in ROC to the U.S. Embassy in ROC and other USG Departments or Agencies in‐country.

b. Communication ‐ respond to taskers and inquiries from Washington, and represent ROC programs to VIP visitors to ROC.

c. Represent USAID programs in ROC to the Government of ROC in coordination with the U.S.

Embassy.

d. Represent USAID/ROC for donor coordination and involvement with other development stakeholders.

e. Other related and pertinent representation of the USAID portfolio in ROC as needed.

3. Supervisory Relationship

The Senior CARPE Advisor will be supervised by and report to the Director of CARPE or his/her designee.

4. Supervisory Controls

The Senior CARPE Advisor will supervise the two CARPE CCN staff in ROC.

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If a third country national (TCN) is selected for award, during the period of this contract, the TCN personal services contractor must provide at least 10 hours/week of training to a cooperating country national (CCN) designated by USAID. The PSC Supervisor will establish a training plan with benchmarks to measure the TCNPSC's progress toward achieving this training deliverable.”

2. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Determine basic eligibility for the position. Applicants who do not meet the comprehensive range of broad experience and formal education requirements are considered NOT qualified for the position. are required

1. Required Education:

A postgraduate degree in environmental science with specialty in international conservation, conservation biology, forest management, sustainable ecological systems or equivalent is required.

2. Required Experience:

A minimum of 15 years of progressive levels of authority and responsibility managing programs, resources and personnel in overseas, in developing country settings. At least five of these years must be work experience in Francophone Africa.

3. Language Proficiency:

• At least a Foreign Service Institute or equivalent French language rating of 3 speaking and 3 reading.

● Fluency in spoken and written English.

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.

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

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QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRF)

Applicants who meet the Education, Experience and Language requirements will be further evaluated based on the two (2) Quality Ranking Factors listed below. The applicant will address each factor on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately the experience, training, and/or education they have that is relevant to each factor. Please provide a word count after each response.

EXPERIENCE (40 points):

Substantial executive management level experience managing natural resource management development programs. Executive experience managing USG-funded development programs or similar non-USG programs with complex management, performance monitoring, budgeting requirements.

SKILLS (60 points):

● Demonstrated experience in drafting Program Documents –Requests for Applications, Scopes of Work, etc.

● Demonstrated ability in managing a complex portfolio of projects/activities (Grants and

Contracts) and managing multiple implementing partners

● Demonstrated capability in managing complex biodiversity conservation, climate change or other environmental programs

● Demonstrated ability to live and work effectively in cross-cultural settings evidenced by work experience in several countries, teamwork and interpersonal skills and ability to interact with high-level officials and other stakeholders (verifiable by information from reference checks)

● Excellent oral and written communication skills demonstrated by public speaking and scientific publications or similar complex written expression.

● Demonstrated ability to successfully lead teams in complex contexts.

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

Total Possible Points: 100

SELECTION PROCESS:

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 evaluated and scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

As part of the selection process, the most qualified candidates may be requested to complete a writing sample and be interviewed either in person, telephone or videoconference at USAID’s discretion.

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Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered for selection. The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position.

The security clearance and medical clearance are required for the top-ranking candidate, after conducting and receiving the positive reference checks at the conclusion of evaluations.

“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 then will USAID evaluate TCN offers.”

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 to the Point of Contact in Section I.

3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

4. Letter of application/cover letter.

5. Current resume/CV.

6. Supplemental document specifically addressing the three QRFs (Education, Experience and

Skills).

7. Application must be submitted ONLY via usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov and the email subject must say –: 72066020R00015 Senior CARPE Advisor, USAID/DRC.

8. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date.

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:

● Security Eligibility/Facility Access

● Medical Clearances and Certifications http://www.usaid.gov/forms

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VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

1. BENEFITS (if applicable):

(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) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable):

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 Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(d) 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), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650).

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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.

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

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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: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

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: TBD

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: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiations with

Contractor_

3001 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

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 .

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