Solicitation_Senior Humanitarian Program Analyst_GS-13.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72012124R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: October 24, 2023 CLOSING DATE/TIME: November 24, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST)

SUBJECT: Solicitation No.: 72012124R00005 for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), Senior Humanitarian Program Analyst, GS-13

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, Sections I through VIII 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 information.

Sincerely, David Smale Contracting Officer

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72012124R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 24, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 24, 2023 (11:59 p.m.

EST)

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Program Analyst

5. MARKET VALUE: $84,546-$109,908 per annum, equivalent to GS-13.

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: one (1) year, with four (4) option years. Options may be exercised based upon satisfactory contractor performance, mutual agreement between the Contractor and USG, continued Mission requirements and the continued availability of funds.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kyiv, Ukraine

8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret

9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The Senior Humanitarian Program Analyst (SHPA) will monitor BHA-funded programs, liaise with the UN and NGO community, provide assessments when appropriate, and make program recommendations. The SHPA position requires an individual who is able to travel outside of the place of performance for extended periods of time to support the Ukraine response. The SHPA will serve as a primary contact and liaison for on-going disaster activities related to disaster response, preparedness, mitigation and training programs in Ukraine. The SHPA will work to increase the capability of the host government, IOs, and NGOs to respond and prepare for disasters in Ukraine. The SHPA will be responsible for disaster analysis, program monitoring, and overseeing NGO partner implementation.

The SHPA will ensure that BHA’s objectives for disaster response and assistance, strategic reporting, and analysis are met.

BHA requires the services of an SHPA for USAID/Ukraine Office of Humanitarian Assistance (OHA) with a place of performance in Kyiv, Ukraine, in order to meet its objectives of programming, monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating disaster response activities and carrying out its lead role in facilitating and coordinating USG emergency assistance in Ukraine.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working under the guidance and supervision of the USAID/Ukraine’s OHA leadership, the SHPA supports the OHA through the management of humanitarian activities in Ukraine, assisting with program analysis, monitoring, strategy development, and coordination with partners in the humanitarian community. The SHPA will work closely with the programs team that includes the Ukraine OHA Office Director (OD), Humanitarian Assistance Officer, Humanitarian Program Analyst, Humanitarian Program Officers, Project Management Specialists and Project Management Assistants. The SHPA will perform the following:

Contextual Specialty:

• Develop a baseline understanding of the humanitarian context in Ukraine and monitor changes to the context, including political, social, and operational issues impacting humanitarian efforts.

• Develop and maintain knowledge of USG foreign policy priorities in Ukraine and USAID’s humanitarian and development strategies and objectives, including priority sectors, geographic areas of focus, and key humanitarian stakeholders.

• Provide regular reporting, through cables and other means, on issues related to the humanitarian situations in Ukraine.

• Provide regular reports on site visits, meetings, relevant current events, and other issues that impact humanitarian relief efforts.

• Develop and maintain a specialized understanding of humanitarian developments across the region to include political, social, and operational issues impacting humanitarian efforts.

Portfolio Management:

• Work with BHA’s Washington-based Ukraine Team to develop program strategies for emergency response, resilience, and Disaster Risk Reduction activities in Ukraine, overseeing day-to-day management of the portfolio and its budgets.

• Support team members in assessing emergency response and Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) needs in Ukraine in order to ensure BHA’s programs are appropriately responsive.

• Assist Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) in managing and monitoring humanitarian awards by providing field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives.

• Travel as permitted, to assess, evaluate, and monitor humanitarian conditions in Ukraine, and make strategic recommendations for appropriate and relevant interventions.

• Provide guidance on regulations and policies.

• Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of BHA’s humanitarian portfolio in Ukraine.

• Provide field-based insights, knowledge, and perspectives to support and inform award management.

• Participate in office-wide discussions on initiatives that impact program implementation to provide field-based perspectives, as assigned.

• Lead the Ukraine OHA’s program staff in the day-to-day management of emergency response activities and program budget in Ukraine.

• Guide implementing partners in developing applications based on BHA’s Emergency Application

Guidelines. Review concept papers and applications and provide timely recommendations to BHA/Washington D.C. Provide guidance on USAID award regulations and policies to partners.

• Assist in humanitarian activities outside of immediate areas of responsibility, as needed.

Representation:

• Support the regional team in maintaining relations with senior leadership in the humanitarian community, including but not limited to UN agencies, IOs, NGOs, USG personnel, donors, host-country authorities, and others;

• Engage in and report on joint donor humanitarian evaluations and UN-led assessments, and participate actively in the international community response structures.

• Prepare briefing papers, notes, and presentations on BHA programming for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues.

• Support USAID/Ukraine’s OHA in maintaining relations with relevant leadership in the country in representing USAID and BHA on humanitarian issues. This will include but is not limited to U.N. agencies, IOs, NGOs, USG personnel, donors, host government authorities, and others.

• Attend meetings on behalf of the USAID/Ukraine’s OHA, USAID, or US Embassy and report back to the Office on relevant issues and updates.

• Assist the USAID/Ukraine’s OHA to coordinate with the donor community on policy issues affecting humanitarian operations, and developing integrated, non-duplicative programs, as needed.

• Represent BHA with various audiences, as requested.

Leadership:

• In close coordination with OHA program team members, and Washington, DC, work with NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies that are developing proposals for BHA (including grant amendments and extensions) to ensure compliance with BHA’s guidelines.

• Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.

• Conduct field monitoring of USG-funded humanitarian assistance projects and assessments of affected areas as required.

• Leverage advanced understanding of BHA grant guidelines and USAID business practices to advise implementing partners and the BHA Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) of the field’s preferred course of action on concept notes, new proposals, and decision points that arise during award implementation and management.

• Provide input to strategies and related operational plans.

• The SHPA does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.

• Serve as a peer mentor to team members on grants and portfolio management, to include BHA’s business process, portfolio-specific budget and workload management, and post-award monitoring and management.

General Duties:

• Work effectively in a challenging and restrictive work environment and strictly adhere to U.S.

Embassy security guidelines.

• Serve in planning or program positions on response teams, assessment teams, or to provide coverage for field offices within the region.

• Brief on portfolio programs and strategies, and provide programmatic input for information products.

• Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.

• Engage in at least one workforce diversity initiative or activity focused on helping to improve the organizational culture.

• Lead and foster a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, office, and bureau objectives.

• As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the Bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.

• May be requested to be on-call or serve as needed, on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

• May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

• Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System (CPARS/APARS). They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

For all duties above the supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available; the USPSC consults with the supervisor to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. The USPSC is responsible for planning approaches or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Assistance Office Director of the USAID Regional Mission for Ukraine and Belarus, or her/his designee.

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens only

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Travel requirements: May be requested to be on-call or serve as needed, on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/302mar https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mai on RMTs will vary. May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: All questions and offers must be submitted by email to KyivVacancies@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education/Professional Experience: Bachelor's degree plus seven (7) years of progressively demonstrated experience in emergency relief, disaster risk reduction or disaster preparedness programming and management, including at least two (2) years of overseas field experience as demonstrated by short-term deployments or assignments in emergency situations.

OR

Master's degree plus five (5) years of progressively demonstrated experience in emergency relief, disaster risk reduction or disaster preparedness programming and management, including at least two

(2) years of overseas field experience as demonstrated by short-term deployments or assignments in emergency situations.

Only offerors clearly meeting the above minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation.

Security and Medical clearances: The ability to obtain the required security and medical clearances in a reasonable timeframe is considered a minimum qualification. See Section V.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the aforementioned minimum education and work experience qualification requirements may be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see section IV below) and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range may be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks may be conducted with the highest-ranked offerors. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror. 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.

MATRIX (35 points) Professional Experience (15 points):

• Experience working across the entire disaster management cycle to include any of the following: emergency response, early recovery and transition, disaster risk reduction, resilience. (4 points)

• Experience monitoring and reporting on humanitarian crises in an international disaster context. (4 points)

• Experience implementing humanitarian interventions including any of the following: needs assessment, strategy development, budget management, resource prioritization, program development, program management. (3 points)

• Experience reviewing the budget and technical elements of grant proposals. (2 points)

• Experience managing and reviewing USG grants or awards from the Non-Governmental

Organizations (NGOs), or Private Voluntary Organization (PVOs), or Public International Organizations. (2 points)

Skills and Abilities (10 points):

• Experience with external representation to humanitarian or development partners on program or policy matters. (2 points)

• Ability to communicate complex humanitarian issues to a range of audiences through written products. (4 points)

• Experience communicating humanitarian objectives to USG government officials or UN organizations. (4 points)

Program Management (10 points):

• Knowledge of USG acquisition and assistance regulations. (4 points)

• Experience developing, or designing, or evaluating proposed humanitarian interventions against response or disaster risk reduction strategies and identified needs. (4 points)

• Experience managing USG acquisition or assistance awards to include post-award administration and regulation compliance. (2 points)

Interview Performance (50 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

IV. APPLYING

1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit all the following documents and information in English in order to be considered for the position. Submit your complete application package to kyivvacancies@usaid.gov:

mailto:kyivvacancies@usaid.gov

a. Completed and signed form Form AID 309-2,“Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts,” available also at Forms | U.S. Agency for International Development. Only include base salary information in box 4 of sections B and C.

Do not include bonuses, differentials, cost of living allowances, or other types of compensation. During negotiations, salary history may be verified through pay slips, earnings and leave statements, or other appropriate documentation.

b. A cover letter of no more than 2 pages that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.

c. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) of not more than 3 pages which, at a minimum, describes education, experience and career achievements relevant to the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.

d. Names of three professional references, including at least one current/former supervisor, that have knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation. This information may be included in the cover letter or resume/CV.

Late, incomplete, and/or un-signed offers will not be considered.

2. Offers containing all required documents must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted electronically to the email Point of Contact in Section I, item 12.

3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors should prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.

V. PRE-AWARD DOCUMENTATION / LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES

Once the Contracting Officer (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, needed to obtain medical and security clearances.

1. Medical History and Examination Form/ Medical Clearance Update (DS-1843; DS-1622 /DS- 3057)

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

3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

4. Fingerprint Card (SF-87)

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.

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

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

Within 2 weeks after written notice from the CO that all required clearances have been received, or unless another date is specified by the CO in writing, the selected offeror shall proceed to Kyiv, Ukraine to perform the services specified in section I, item 9.

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an Off-shore hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

1. BENEFITS:

● Employer's FICA Contribution

● Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

● Pay Comparability Adjustment

● Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

● Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

● Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable) *:

● Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

● Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

● Cost of Living Allowance (Chapter 210) (d)

● Post Allowance (Section 220)

● Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

● Education Allowance (Section 270)

● Educational Travel (Section 280)

● Post Differential (Section 500)

● Payments During Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

● Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

● Special COLA

● Hardship Differential (Section 500)

*Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas

There are additional incentives for service in Ukraine as a critical priority. EFMs are eligible for Involuntary SMA. When in Kyiv, contractors currently receive a 20% hardship differential, 35% danger pay, a special COLA of $45 per day, Extraordinary Quarters Allowance of $25 per day when residing in hotel accommodations, 2 R&Rs, and 20 workdays of administrative leave for R&Rs.

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Resident Hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits:

BENEFITS:

● Employer's FICA Contribution

● Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

● Pay Comparability Adjustment

● Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)

● Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

● Annual and Sick Leave

In accordance with AIDAR, Appendix D, 1 (Class Deviation M/OAA-DEV-AIDAR-21-02c):

(b) Definitions:

(5) Resident Hire U.S. Personal Services Contractor (PSC) means a U.S. citizen or resident alien who, at the time of contract award.

(i) resides in the cooperating country for reasons other than the U.S. government or non-U.S.

government employment, under any contract or employment arrangement that provides repatriation to the U.S.; or

(ii) is a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident alien with U.S. government or non-U.S.

government employment, under any contract or employment arrangement that provides repatriation to the U.S, 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 AIDAR, Appendix D

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at Forms | U.S. Agency for International Development https://www.acquisition.gov/aidar/appendix-d-chapter-7-direct-usaid-contracts-u.s.-citizen-or-u.s.-resident-alien-personal-services-abroad https://www.usaid.gov/forms/aid-309-1

Line Item Table

ITEM

NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(DESCRIPTION) (B)

QUANTI

TY (C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE (E)

AMOU

NT (F)

0001 Compensation and Fringe Benefits/Other

Direct Costs (ODCs) Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info:

1 year LOT

1001 Option Period (OP) 1 – Compensation and ODCs Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info:

1 year LOT

2001 OP 2 – Compensation and ODCs Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info:

1 year LOT

3001 OP 3 – Compensation and ODCs Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info:

1 year LOT

4001 OP 4 – Compensation and ODCs Award Type: Cost Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info:

1 year LOT

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available are at Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contracts Information Bulletins

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 Standards of Ethical Conduct Standards of Ethical Conduct

5. PSC Ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency.

https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Legal%20Research%20Search%20Collection?OpenForm

Please visit our page for additional information: Ombusdsman The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: pscombudsman@usaid.gov.

END OF SOLICITATION

https://www.usaid.gov/partner-with-us/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman/psc-ombudsman mailto:pscombudsman@usaid.gov