SOLICITATION - USPSC BIODIVERSITY - current (1).pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72062120R00006

ISSUANCE DATE: May 14, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 05, 2020 5pm East African Time.

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Biodiversity Senior Technical Advisor

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, Timothy Pruett Contracting Officer

ATTACHMENT 1 Biodiversity Senior Technical Advisor Solicitation no. 72062120R00006

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. SOLICITATION NO.: 72062120R00006

b. ISSUANCE DATE: May 14, 2020

c. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 05,2020 5pm East African Time.

d. POINT OF CONTACT: Hussein Tuwa, e-mail: htuwa@usaid.gov

e. POSITION TITLE: Biodiversity Senior Technical Advisor

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

g. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Year with four option years, estimated to start on August 23, 2020.

“The base period will be one year estimated to start on August 23,2020 In accordance with FAR Part 17, subpart 17.2, section 17.203(a) based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for four years for the dates estimated as follows:

Base Period: 08/23/2020 to 08/21/2021 Option Period 1: 08/22/2021 to 08/20/2022 Option Period 2: 08/21/2022 to 08/19/2023 Option Period 3: 08/20/2023 to 08/24/2024 Option Period 4: 08/25/2024 to 08/23/2025

h. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

i. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Offerors/Applicants must be U.S. citizens

j. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret mailto:htuwa@usaid.gov

k. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Senior Technical Advisor will provide leadership and guidance on the full range of biodiversity conservation and development activities at USAID/Tanzania, working in the Environment Team in the Economic Growth Office. The incumbent will work at a senior level in a high priority U.S. government (USG) foreign assistance program. The role requires in-depth technical knowledge, experience, and an ability to function independently under a complex, demanding, frequently changing environment. The Senior Technical Advisor will provide managerial oversight, technical advice, and monitoring and evaluation functions to support overall programming and the implementation of the integrated environment portfolio, which includes bilateral awards and buy-ins to centrally and regionally managed mechanisms.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

A. Biodiversity Technical Expert 40%

• Serve as a high-level advisor to USAID/Tanzania on policies and regulations that integrate biodiversity conservation and development. S/he will keep abreast of conservation and development challenges and opportunities in Tanzania and provide recommendations for shaping USAID programs. S/he will advise on policies and related issues affecting USAID programming, such as land tenure, land use planning, wildlife conservation, and countering wildlife crime.

• Support implementation of the U.S. Eliminate, Neutralize, and Defeat (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act. The incumbent will contribute to U.S. interagency efforts by providing timely and up to date information on countering wildlife crime related efforts and supporting coordination with the interagency, the Government of Tanzania (GOT), development partners, and other key stakeholders.

• Establish and maintain external relationships in the environment sector. Coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism; other GOT officials at central, regional, and district levels; development partners; and other stakeholders to ensure aligned objectives and collaboration when possible.

• Represent USAID/Tanzania at external events including but not limited to meetings with implementing partners, donors (including the Development Partners Group on Environment), GOT, and civil society organizations. The incumbent may also represent USAID/Tanzania at international conferences and act as a regional resource on environment and development.

S/he will work closely with USAID/Washington and USAID/East Africa as needed.

B. Activity Management 40%

• Serve as Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager for activities in the environment portfolio.

• Work with partners on issues such as systems strengthening; improved data for decision making; capacity development; benefit-sharing mechanisms; community level financial management and transparency; managerial and business skills; and environmental compliance.

• Ensure the environment monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan is up to date and useful for management oversight. Ensure that data are being collected and stored so that they are accessible for reporting and available for adaptive management.

• Coordinate monitoring and evaluation efforts with environment team members, the Economic Growth Office, Program Office, implementing partners, and others as appropriate. Contribute to the design and manage analytical work, including assessments, evaluations, and data analysis in order to effectively shape development hypotheses and project/activity design.

• Undertake regular field trips to monitor implementing partner performance.

C. Management Support 20%

• Perform support services related to the management of the Environment Team, including but not limited to development of position descriptions for appropriate staffing of the Environment Team and liaising with the Executive Office on the hiring process; coordination of temporary duty assignments in support of the broader portfolio; and portfolio orientation for new employees and partners.

• Support the Economic Growth Office and Environment Team with preparation of key reporting and communications materials, including but not limited to portfolio reviews, financial reviews, Operational Plans, Project Performance Reports, presentations, technical and congressional notifications, information requests, social media posts, briefers, fact sheets, and talking points.

• Assist Environment Team with budget planning.

i. Supervisory Relationship

Work will be performed under the general direction of USAID/Tanzania’s Economic Growth Office (Environment Team Lead).

ii. Supervisory Controls

None

l. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

• Education: A Master’s Degree in biodiversity or a relevant discipline such as environmental management, environmental conservation, natural resources management, environmental policy, ecology, social science/economics, or other field related to development and environment.

• Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience working for a U.S. government agency, a donor agency or government, and/or a development organization, at least three of which were spent in a developing country context supporting biodiversity conservation projects. Prior work with USAID experience. Prior work USAID experience in the region . Experience working in a cross-cultural setting on teams with individuals of varied backgrounds is required.

• Language: Demonstration of level IV English ability through cover letter, CV, and a professional writing sample.

• Job Knowledge: The Biodiversity Senior Technical Advisor should have or be quickly able to acquire familiarity with USAID management procedures, regulations, and overall policies as they pertain to portfolio implementation. The Advisor should have a thorough knowledge of issues relating to natural resource management, biodiversity, and community engagement for sustainable development, including cross-cutting issues such as gender and youth. S/he should demonstrate expert knowledge of the latest research, technical resources, tools, and processes in biodiversity management.

• Skills and Abilities: The Advisor should have proven skills in project design, management, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation. S/he must be able to assume responsibility and work independently to manage USG financed activities. The Advisor must have effective written and oral communication skills, including computer skills. S/he must have the interpersonal, coordination, and diplomatic skills to be able to successfully interact with USG agencies, the GOT, other donors, and stakeholders to advance sector interests.

3. 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.

Offerors/Applicants will be required to have the minimum qualifications expressed in Section II and will be assessed based on the following factors:

1. Work Experience 40 points

2. Job Knowledge and Technical Skills 40 points

3. Language Proficiency 10 points

4. Education 10 points

After the closing date for receipt of offers, a selection committee will be convened to review offers and evaluative them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Offers from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered or scored.

Reference checks will be made only for offerors/applicants considered as finalists. If an offeror/applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the offeror’s/applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the offeror/ applicant.

5. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

a. 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.

b. 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.

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

Interested applicants must submit the following: (1) a current Form AID 309-2, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contract-attached to this solicitation; (2) a current resume or curriculum vitae; (3) a cover letter, not to exceed three pages, addressing how the applicant meets the Required Qualifications {(a) education; (b) prior work experience; (c) knowledge, (d) skills and abilities}; (4) professional writing sample of ten pages or less; and (5) any other documents (certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned, etc.) that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above, and a list of three (3) to five (5) references with complete contact information, including email address and telephone numbers.

d. Submittals should be sent to USAID/Tanzania PSC Applications mailbox, at daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov.

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far http://www.usaid.gov/forms mailto:daressalaampscsap@usaid.gov

6. 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:

(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 60)

7. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

a. 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

b. ALLOWANCES:

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

(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)

8. TAXES

USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.

http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&amp%3Bamp%3Bmenu_id=92 https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&amp%3Bamp%3Bmenu_id=101

9. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:

a. 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.

b. 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

TIEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUA

NTIT

Y (C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT (F)

1130008 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

1130008 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Contractor_

1130008 Option Period 2 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Contractor_

1130008 Option Period 3 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

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

1130008 Option Period 4 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

Contractor_

c. 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

d. 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 .

e. 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

f. 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 http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations