Solicitation Solomon Islands Country Coordinator signed by EXO.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72049220R00004

ISSUANCE DATE: April 13, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: May 13, 2020 / 4 PM PH time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Country Coordinator, Honiara, Solomon Islands

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 Attachment 1.

Sincerely, /sgd/ Thomas G. Bayer @ 1017H (Manila Time) on 13 April 2020

Thomas G. Bayer Contracting Officer

Solicitation Number: 72049220R00004 Country Coordinator – Honiara, Solomon Islands

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72049220R00004

2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 13, 2020

3. CLOSING DATE / TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 13, 2020, 4:00 PM (PH time)

4. POSITION TITLE: Country Coordinator

5. MARKET VALUE: $92,977 - $120,868 (per annum) equivalent to GS-14; Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be one year, estimated to start o/a July 2020. Based on Agency need, availability of funds and satisfactory performance, the Contracting Officer may exercise additional option periods of up to four years as follows:

Base Period o/a July 2020 – June 2021 Option Period 1 o/a July 2021 – June 2022 Option Period 2 o/a July 2022 – June 2023 Option Period 3 o/a July 2023 – June 2024 Option Period 4 o/a July 2024 – June 2025

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Honiara, Solomon Islands, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

8. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. citizens

9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret Clearance

10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Country Coordinator will provide overall management, communications, and program support to the Agency’s office in the Solomon Islands. While reporting to the USAID Senior Development Advisor in Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), the Country Coordinator will play a key role in informing the interagency Country Team at Embassy Port Moresby on all development issues in the country, and will supervise one Foreign Service National staff on the implementation of the USAID program. The Country Coordinator will ensure timely obligation and implementation of regional and bilateral development assistance funding in support of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and USAID’s Journey to Self- Reliance Framework and will serve as the USAID’s point of contact and representative to all external stakeholders in the Solomon Islands. The Country Coordinator will particularly focus on communications between the USAID Senior Development Advisor and the U.S. Embassy presence in Honiara. S/he will also be responsible for the annual reporting of project and budget documents, such as the annual portfolio review, the Performance Plan and Report, Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justification, and others, required and requested by USAID/Philippines.

• Major Duties and Responsibilities

a) Serve as the Alternate Agreement Officer’s Representative (A/AOR) or, as necessary, the

Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for USAID projects in the Solomon Islands, which will require obtaining and maintaining appropriate certification. This involves providing effective quality control and technical oversight, while also ensuring adherence to USAID policies and procedures. This will entail significant involvement in overseeing USAID/ program/s, reviewing work plans, engaging with various development partners, providing guidance to local staff regarding project implementation, advising implementing partners, drafting correspondence, recommending strategic and tactical adjustments, and assuring the achievement of program results.

b) Lead the preparation of significant program and project documentation, including program descriptions and statements of work, procurement plans, budgets, obligation schedules, procurement requisitions, Washington reports, and other materials, as required.

c) Establish and maintain an effective program monitoring system. This will entail assessing and making recommendations for ongoing program performance, in part through site visits, as well as through regular discussions and consultations with staff, partners, and counterparts. The incumbent may also be required to procure and implement external evaluation of programs.

d) Serve as the point of contact to the USAID Senior Development Advisor in Embassy Port Moresby. This will entail remaining up to date and knowledgeable on relevant, but often disparate development issues in the county, including democracy and governance, economic growth, agriculture and livestock, trade, energy, water and sanitation, etc.

e) Maintain communications between Embassy Port Moresby and the U.S. Embassy presence in Honiara. Advise and inform the USAID Senior Development Advisor: provide strategic guidance, analysis, advice, and recommendations regarding development issues to the interagency at Embassy Port Moresby and the USAID Senior Development Advisor. Also, provide similar inputs in discussions with other donors and counterparts.

f) Serve as outreach and donor coordinator: represent USAID to other heads of donor agencies, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, and the host country government. This will include drafting and delivering public remarks during USAID sponsored public events, representing USAID at heads-of-donor-agency meetings, and attending high-level events with senior Government of Solomon Islands officials.

g) Supervise one Foreign Service National (FSN) staff: provide overall direction and supervision for the Project Development Specialist and Program Management Assistant. Assist staff to set work objectives, develop individual development plans, and address training needs.

h) Serve as the Mission’s Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO). The full role and responsibilities of an MDRO are detailed in the USAID Field Operations Guide for Disaster Assessment and Response, which will be provided. Illustrative roles of a MDRO include:

1. In the case of a disaster, the MDRO is responsible for verifying the scope and magnitude of the event and the humanitarian impact through established information contacts and networks, including host government officials; other embassies, particularly other donor governments; NGOs; U.N. agencies; and other PIOs.

2. The MDRO immediately notifies the Chief of Mission and USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor in Bangkok and provides them with an overview of the situation.

• Supervisory Relationship and Supervisory Controls

The Country Coordinator will receive administrative direction and supervision from the USAID Senior Development Advisor in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. As supervisor, the USAID Senior Development Advisor will normally review analyses, evaluations, and recommendations developed by the Country Coordinator for their potential influence on broad agency policy objectives and program goals.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

12. POINT OF CONTACT: Ms. Weng Salud, HR Assistant, rsalud@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

To be considered for this position candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Must have United States citizenship;

2. Holds a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree but Master’s degree in business, economics, law, development studies, public administration/public policy, project management or related field is preferred;

3. Have at least seven (7) years of progressive experience in project or program management, with international development experience.

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.

For applicants meeting the minimum qualifications under Section II, further consideration and selection will be based on panel assessment of the selection factors listed below.

A. Education (5 points): At least a Bachelor’s degree, but a Master’s degree in business, economics, law, development studies, public administration/public policy, project management, or a related field is preferred. Candidates will be evaluated on the relevance of their educational accomplishment to the functional responsibilities of the position.

B. Professional Experience (35 points): At least seven (7) years of substantial program management experience in a developing context, preferably two-five years working and living in the Pacific region, involving a mix of public and private sector knowledge and expertise, as well as a diverse mix of relevant sectoral experience designing and supervising development programs

C. USG/USAID or other Donor Knowledge (20 points): Demonstrated familiarity with key elements of the major policy, administrative and technical elements involved in delivering donor programs successfully in a related multilateral or bilateral donor context. This includes demonstrated skills in planning, monitoring and implementing aid programs and activities.

D. Strong Interpersonal, Communication and Relevant Technical Skills (40 points): Demonstrated ability to work with a broad range of counterparts at all levels; contribute in a team oriented workplace;

employ strong interpersonal and intercultural skills; display good judgment and strong analytical skills;

and communicate effectively in both written and oral form.

Maximum Points Available: 100

SELECTION PROCESS

After the closing date for receipt of offers, a committee will be convened to review offers and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Offers which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID with respect to their offers. As part of the selection process, finalist offerors may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalists. The selected offeror must obtain required security clearance level, within a reasonable period of time, from USAID’s Office of Security in Washington, D.C. USAID will provide further guidance to the successful offeror.

USAID expects to award a personal services contract for the period of performance commencing as early as practically possible subject to security and medical clearances and funds availability.

IV. APPLYING

Offers must be received on or before the closing date and time specified in the cover letter via e-mail to: aidmnlhr@usaid.gov, with copy to: rsalud@usaid.gov. Please indicate the Solicitation Number in the subject line.

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. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed and scanned. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

2. Complete, current resume.

3. Supplemental documentation specifically addressing the evaluation factors and qualifications shown in the solicitation (Section III. Evaluation and Selection Factors).

4. A minimum of three and a maximum of five references, including two references who are direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the offeror’s knowledge.

mailto:aidmnlhr@usaid.gov mailto:rsalud@usaid.gov http://www.usaid.gov/forms

To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number (SOL NO. 72049220R00004) in the application submission.

By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated.

V. 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 (as applicable):

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

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

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

4. Finger Print (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, an individual meeting the requirements of Offshore- Hire USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

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) Annual and Sick Leave

(g) Shipment and storage of household effects

(h) Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle)

(i) Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service

ALLOWANCES: USPSCs (if and when applicable) will be eligible for allowances listed in the Standardized Regulations Government Civilian Foreign Areas Sections cited below

(a) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120)

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(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)

(k) Consumables Allowance

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 .

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:

Item No. Supplies/Services (Description) Quantity Unit Unit

Price Amount

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 3 – 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

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

1 Lot $ TBD $ TBD at Award after negotiations https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Product Service Code: R497 Accounting Info: TBD 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

-- End of Attachment 1 --http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations