Solicitation-Senior Strategy and Learning Advisor.pdf

USAID

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72011423R00004

ISSUANCE DATE: March 28, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 27, 2023 (17:00 Georgia local time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Senior Strategy and Learning

Advisor, 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 offer.

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

Sincerely, Michael Fritz Executive Officer USAID/Caucasus

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72011423R00004

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 28, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 27, 2023 (17:00 Georgia local time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: All questions related to this solicitation should be sent via email to hr-tbilisi@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Strategy and Learning Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: USD 99,908 to USD 129,878 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. USPSCs performing abroad are not entitled to Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Caucasus, Tbilisi, Georgia. Travel may be required up to 10 percent of the time, generally in Georgia with possible international trips.

Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The base period will be two years, estimated to start o/a June 18, 2023 (based on the security and medical clearances receipt). Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for the date(s) estimated as follows, subject to available funding and programmatic needs:

Base Period o/a June 18, 2023 — 0/a June 17, 2025 Option Period 1 o/a June 18, 2025 — o/a June 17, 2026 Option Period 2 0/a June 18, 2026— o/a June 17, 2027 Option Period 3 0/a June 18, 2027—o/a June 17, 2028

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful offeror must be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance at the “SECRET” level. If the clearance is not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer may be rescinded.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Based in Tbilisi, the USPSC Strategy and Learning Advisor (“Advisor”) will support ongoing strategic and adaptive management of USAID/Georgia’s portfolio; management of ongoing reporting requirements; and other duties as assigned. The current $370 million portfolio consists of 41 implementing mechanisms which contribute to countering malign influence, Georgia’s fast-paced democratic transition, and spurring inclusive economic growth that results in jobs. Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and Georgia’s EU prospects require clear strategic leadership that is able to support the USAID/Georgia Mission to course correct and response agility. The Advisor will also support the Mission as it prepares for the next Country Development Cooperation Strategy, including laying the foundational groundwork.

As Georgia embarks upon its path toward EuroAtlantic integration and 2024 national elections, the USAID is front and center of USG support to Georgia’s transition to a stronger democracy and European Union (EU) candidate status. The Advisor will report to the Strategy and Program Office (SPO) Director. The incumbent’s primary purpose is to support the USAID/Georgia SPO office with the broad range of Program Office related tasks and responsibilities, especially strategy adaptation and learning. The advisor will also be expected to operate with a level of independence in reporting. It is preferred that he/she have demonstrated technical knowledge and expertise in strategic planning;

scenario planning; program reporting and communications across sectors and subsectors as well as with USG interagency counterparts; development of strategic documents and program descriptions;

development and oversight of budgets; countering malign Kremlin influence; and/or monitoring and evaluation of development programs.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Advisor serves as a principal advisor, playing a critical role in providing strategic and learning leadership. Serve as the alter-ego to the Supervisory and Deputy Program Officers, as needed.

Activities to be supported by the Advisor include the following:

Strategic Leadershir (40%)

- Provide strategic and technical advisory services in order to adapt the CDCS and

USAID/Georgia programming in response to changing political landscape.

- Support strategic communications oversight in line with USAID/Georgia’s CDCS and coordination with the Strategic Communications Working Group at Embassy Tbilisi.

- Monitor Agency policy priorities and directives and support Technical Offices, AOR/CORs, and Mission Management to adapt and contribute to Agency goals.

- Provide oversight and leadership in the planning for the 2025 CDCS, including planning and budgeting for all necessary assessments. Lead an evidence-based process that is inclusive of beneficiaries, FSNs, and incorporates USAID policy framework and Georgia’s geopolitics.

- Draft cables and other external and internal documents that synthesize and raise awareness of USAID/Georgia’s development progress, challenges, and opportunities.

- Represent USAID in Interagency working groups and with donor counterparts.

Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (35%)

- Serves as subject matter expert on USAID’s agency-wide learning and adapting principles.

- Plan, establish, and direct a wide range of organizational interventions (special studies, after action reviews, Partners meetings, organizational learning surveys, on-line engagements) for advancing USAID’s Collaborating, Learning and Adapting agenda to facilitate overall CDCS implementation. Develop guidance and make contributions towards:

o language for funding agreements that emphasizes collaborating, learning and adapting;

o development of “influence plans” as part of activity design to leverage the resources and actions of other development actors;

- Coordinate with key Strategy and Program Office, M&E and GIS staff to provide guidance to USAID technical teams on research design and methodologies, applied research studies, evaluation, knowledge capture and sharing, stakeholder engagement, and application of learning to program and project design and management.

- Work closely with Program Development Officers and technical teams to articulate development hypotheses, plans for testing those hypotheses. Based on implementation results, new learning and stakeholder feedback, work across Mission with Strategy and Program office and Technical teams to guide iterative course corrections and ensure ongoing and evolving alignment of portfolio with strategy and fluid context.

- Serve as R3 approver for exchange visitors.

Team Management (15%)

- Serve as interim Program Office Deputy Director or Director, as needed, to support team management, administration, staff coaching and supervision.

- Build strong relationships with Interagency Counterparts to ensure USAID is represented in decisions that affect our programming and included in strategic communications messaging.

- Support staff professional development.

Program Cycle Support (10%)

- Guide Program Office in Annual Reporting, including but not limited to, Operational Plan, Mission Resource Request, Performance Plan and Review, Annual Budget Review, Strawman Budget, and ad hoc reporting requests.

OTHER POSITION FACTORS:

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

The position is directly supervised by the SPO Director, who will provide guidance on USAID/Georgia strategic objectives and goals. The advisor will also be expected to operate with a level of independence in reporting. The incumbent’s work objectives and evaluation will be drafted by the supervisor. The incumbent is expected to establish priorities with minimal guidance and must be proactive as well as self-motivated and self-directed.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

At the SPO Director’s discretion, the incumbent may supervise several Foreign Service National (FSN) project management specialists. In addition, the incumbent coordinates and advises on strategy and learning with relevant technical staff and implementing partners.

DEGREE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISION-MAKING ASSIGNED TO THE POSITION

The incumbent is expected to work independently under broad guidance and policy direction. In collaboration with the incumbent, the supervisor will establish annual work objectives and review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies. The incumbent is expected to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. The incumbent must be proactive as well as self-motivated and self-directed.

SCOPE AND EFFECT OF THE WORK PERFORMED

The Senior Strategy and Learning Advisor serves as a principal advisor, playing a critical role in providing strategic and learning leadership. In providing strategic and technical advisory services in order to adapt the CDCS and USAID/Georgia programming as well as lay the groundwork for the 2025 strategy, the Advisor will have a wide ranging impact on the scope and effect of USAID’s programming.

LEVEL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

To effectively function in this position, the incumbent will be required to establish and maintain solid working relationships with all categories of USG staff and external stakeholders in Georgia. USG contacts are with USAID; U.S. Embassy staff; USAID/Washington; and other USG agencies. External contacts are with senior managers and executives of host government counterparts, regional institutions, other international organizations, other donors, universities, think tanks, and NGOs

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

In order to qualify for this position, the offeror must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: A Master’s degree in political science, international relations, history, economics, business, or related social science disciplines appropriate to the position is required.

• Relevant ExDerience: Minimum of ten (10) years of work experience required where the position responsibilities include leading strategic planning, scenario planning, and overseeing the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight of development assistance programs.

• Language fluency - The offeror must speak English fluently.

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

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

Ill. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with 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.acguisition .gov/browse/index/far.

The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) 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.

The application rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Applicants must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their application package, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided.

After the closing date/time for receipt of submissions, the received application packages will be reviewed and evaluated by the TEC in terms of meeting the minimum requirements (Section II) and in accordance with the below evaluation/selection criteria (Section Ill). The top ranked candidates within the competitive range will be invited to the interview.

The rating factors (total 100 points) are as follows:

Professional Experience (40 points)

- Demonstrated senior-level management of teams/organizations to achieve intended results.

- Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility in leading teams in complex and fluid environments.

- Demonstrated experience overseeing strategy development, conducting scenario planning, and designing, managing, monitoring, and/or evaluating development assistance activities.

- Prior work experience in the Europe and Eurasia (E&E) region, working with USAID, USG partners, or with other international development organizations.

- Demonstrated experience working effectively with host country governments and other development partners in developing countries in pursuit of common objectives.

Technical Knowledge (40 points)

- Demonstrated knowledge in one or more areas of USAID/Georgia programming such as elections and political processes, civil society and media, rule of law, human rights, governance, agriculture, energy, finance, trade, capacity building or related areas is ideal.

- Ability to take an analytical and interdisciplinary approach to evaluating issues within the context of international development assistance activities.

- Understanding of how to work effectively in developing country contexts with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector, and civil society.

- Demonstrated critical and creative thinking skills.

lnterersonal and Management Skills (20 points)

- Excellent interpersonal, leadership, communications, and team-building skills.

- Proven ability to develop strong working relationships across organizational boundaries and to work effectively in multi-cultural and team environments.

- Ability to plan, develop, lead, and evaluate important and complex activities independently or with a team.

- Ability to manage a complex, demanding, and highly visible program.

- Strong written and oral communication skills.

Reference Verification (Pass/Fail):

- Reference checks will be conducted only for applicant(s) considered as finalists.

- Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the applicant and without prior notification to the applicant.

- Any applicant not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position.

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;

- a cover letter and a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) containing sufficient relevant information that respond to the minimum requirements of the position (education and experience)

- a minimum of three and a maximum of five professional references from the last five years. Offerors must provide email addresses and current telephone numbers for all references provided.

2. Additionally applicants are required to submit a writing sample (no more than two pages) addressing each of the selection criteria describing specifically what relevant experience, knowledge and skills the applicant has received relevant to each selection criteria described above, providing periods of performance where possible.

The applicants who do not submit the documents requested above under Section IV, items

(1) and (2) will not be consideredfurther.

3. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted via email to the Point of Contact in Section I: hr-tbilisi@usaid.gov

Applications received after the closing date/time as specified in Section I, item 3, will be considered late and will not be further evaluated.

4. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the number of this Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

5. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors- Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor 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*. USPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVI D-19 requirements, *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 Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about what other forms are required for the security and medical clearances.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC 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)

e) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation

f) Leave and Holidays

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=1O1

a. Temporary Quarters 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:

USPSC5 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/a idar

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-Olc)

(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.

(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 [.0. 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

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUAN UNIT UNIT AMOUNT (F)

(A) (DESCRIPTION) TITY (D) PRICE

(B) (C) (E)

0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe 1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD at Benefits and Other Direct Costs — —

(ODCs) Award after negotiations

- Award Type: Cost with Contractor

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info:

[USAID/ Georgia PR funding]

1001 Option period 1 - Compensation, 1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD atFringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs — —

(ODCs) Award after negotiations

- Award Type: Cost with Contractor

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info:

[USAID/ Georgia PR funding]

2001 Option period 2 - Compensation, 1 LOT $ TBD $ TBD atFringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs — —

(ODCs) Award after negotiations

- Award Type: Cost with Contractor

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info:

[USAID/ Georgia PR funding]

3001 Option period 3 - Compensation, 1 LOT $ $_TBD at Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs

Award after(ODC5) negotiations

- Award Type: Cost with Contractor

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info:

[USAID/ Georgia PR funding]

4001 Option period 4 - Compensation, 1 LOT $ $_TBD at Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs

Award after(ODCs) negotiations

- Award Type: Cost with Contractor

- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497]

- Accounting Info:

[USAID/ Georgia PR funding]

4. 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.

- AAPD 22-02- Telework and Remote Work Policy for U.S. Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (PSCs)- July 13, 2022

- AAPD 21-05- Revised and Expanded Fringe Benefits for USPSCs- November 23, 2021

USPSC Paid Parental Leave Timekeeping / Payroll Process

- AAPD 21-04 Revision 4- Executive Order 14042 on Ensuring Adequate COVD-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Awards- June 06, 2022

AAPD No. 2 1-04, Attachment 4- Letter for contracts with performance requiring physical access to USAID domestic facilities.

AAPD No. 21-04, Attachment 5- Letter to Individuals with personal Services Contracts;

AAPD No. 21-04, Attachment 6- Overview of Applicability of FAR 52.223-99

- AAPD 21-01 - Applicability of FAR 4.21 to USAID personal services contracts with individuals under the AIDAR Appendices D and J- March 26, 2021

- AAPD 18-02 - Leave and Holidays for CCNPSCs and TCNPSCs, including country leave for qualifying posts for eligible TCNPSCs- December 22, 2020

- AAPD 18-02 REVISED - This AAPD extends and revises implementation of medevac regulations for USPSC5 and TCNPSCs under AIDAR Appendix D and J, § 12, clauses #25 in Appendix D, and #21 in Appendix J. — December 18, 2019

- AAPD 10-01 — PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS- Changes in USG reimbursement amounts for health insurance and physical examination costs- 01/08/10

- AAPD 06-10- PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility — October 30, 2006

- AAPD 06-08 - AIDAR, APPENDICES D AND J: Using the optional schedule to incrementally fund contracts —June 23, 2006

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 htts://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OG E%2ORegulations.

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. usa id .gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman

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