Solicitation-USPSC Financial Analysis Specialist.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052723R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: January 5, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: January 26, 2023 at 17:00 (Lima time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Resident Hire Financial Analysis Specialist, GS-13 equivalent

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 V 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 Attachment I.

Sincerely, Magdalena Maxwell Contracting Officer USAID/Peru

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72052723R00003

2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 5, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: January 26, 2023 at 17:00 (Lima time)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resources Office, email at limausaidhr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Financial Analysis Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $84,546 - $109,908 equivalent to GS-13 Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. This is a resident-hire position. It does not include offshore benefits such as housing, post differential, and post allowance.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Peru. 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 contract duration will be for one (1) year.

Part-time 20-30 hours per week, or Full-time 40 hours per week. Work schedule will be a mutual decision, based on Offeror availability and that she/he can fully perform the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident/registered alien

(“green card holder”). This solicitation is open to Resident-Hire U.S. Nationals who are currently residing in Peru and legally permitted to work in the country without needing a work permit.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

A. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:

USAID/Peru’s Regional Financial Management Office (RFMO) is responsible for the overall financial management and oversight for USAID/Peru and its client missions in Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. RFMO is organized into three principal sections - Budget & Accounting, Financial Analysis, and Payments. RFMO provides an array of support to its clients: serving as their official accounting station, preparing annual program and operational budgets, payment review and processing, risk assessment and mitigation planning, audit management and resolution, training and implementation support to clients and implementing partners, while also providing general oversight and ensuring accountability.

The incumbent will be a key member of the RFMO Financial Analysis team focused on assessing organizations’ administrative and institutional capacities to implement USAID’s development programs, including developing training for local organization staff, analyzing budgets, supporting locally led development, and conducting quarterly financial reviews, as well as addressing complex financial issues that arise during project implementation, such as preparing mitigation plans, resolving audit issues, or improving internal controls.

The incumbent will report to the Deputy Controller and will work closely with guidance from the Supervisory Financial Analyst in the Financial Analysis Section consisting of six Financial Analysts.

B. MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(a) Financial Management Responsibilities: He/she performs financial reviews by:

(i) Assessing prospective grantee’s administrative and institutional capabilities to implement USAID’s programs.

(ii) Establishing appropriateness and effectiveness of grantee’s operating procedures and cash management practices in accordance with USAID’s regulations to properly expend and adequately account for USAID funds.

(iii) Providing an opinion on the confidence to be placed on the grantee’s internal controls and procedures, offering advice on weaknesses detected and suggesting possible solutions to management on identified problems.

(iv) Providing input to project work plans, expenditure plans and related budgets.

(v) Monitoring the financial and accounting performance of grantees and contractors, assuring that implementation plans and procedures manuals are being complied with and that appropriate corrective measures are taken in a timely manner.

(vi) Guiding contractors and grantees in their compliance with local laws and regulations, assuring that project activities are being implemented in accordance with the host country’s regulations.

(vii) Providing financial management guidance and training on USAID procedures and accounting control requirements to client mission staff, grantees/contractors staff and other activity partners and stakeholders.

(b) Audit Management Responsibilities: He/she serves as the DOT and/or Regional Client

Missions audit control officer by:

(i) Implementing and keeping the Controller’s approved Audit Management Plan under responsibility.

(ii) Controlling the audit inventory, assuring that all planned audits are executed.

(iii) Facilitating and tracking audits, assuring that grantees and contractors comply with the annual requirement established by the audit clause included in each agreement.

(iv) Coordinating the audit contract process with grantees and contractors by reviewing and clearing audit scopes of work and audit services contracts.

(v) Serving as audit liaison for ongoing audits.

(vi) Monitoring, reporting and assisting as needed in the closing of audit recommendations, in coordination with Ofice of the Inspector General in San

Salvador (OIG/SS) and the Office of M/CFO/Audit, Performance, and

Compliance (APC) in AID/W.

(c) Management Responsibilities:

The Financial Analyst has a broad responsibility in this area. He/she must work closely with Development Objective Teams and/or Regional Client Missions in designing appropriate assistance instruments to optimize accomplishment of results at minimum costs. He/she must also manage the financial side of an activity from inception through implementation, administration and ultimately, close-out of activities. He/she deals directly with high-level staff of contractors and grantees to discuss financial matters related to the implementation of activities. He/she advises Mission management, senior host country representatives and contractor and grantee executive management staff (including Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Board Members of such organizations) on financial matters and procedures for successful implementation of USAID’s activities. He/she is considered as a problem solver of complex financial issues that might arise during project implementation. Assists contractors and grantees in developing internal control procedures and/or internal mission policies, when required. Advises the Supervisory Financial Analyst in audit matters such as: audit reports, audit findings and resolutions, audit inventory, internal control assessment at mission level, etc. He/she is responsible for monitoring financial management regulations and policies and ensuring that all administrative and financial staff at contractors and grantees is aware of these regulations avoiding their exposure against non-compliance of USAID’s regulations. He/she conducts workshops and seminars on audit related matters to keep audit firms up-dated on latest developments in this area.

(d) Development Objectives and Client Missions Responsibilities:

He/she serves on one or more DO Teams and/or Regional Client Missions to support locally-led efforts. Provides guidance on the management of local currency financing.

Develops budgets at the project design stage when required. He/she prepares and takes into consideration all financial aspects of project design and implementation documents. He/she performs financial analyses on activities implemented and reports to host country agencies financial info as required. He/she participates periodically in work sessions at DOT level and/or Regional Client Missions to review status of implementation and proposes corrective actions when needed. He/she verifies accuracy of financial data and appropriateness of documentation presented by grantees in support of fulfillment of conditions precedent prior to disbursements.

He/she assists and proposes appropriate actions regarding accounts receivable.

(e) Internal Control Assessment Responsibility:

He/she participates in the implementation of the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) on an annual basis by:

(i) Identifying the appropriate environment accountability units and operating within the DOT and/or Regional Client Missions.

(ii) Conducting or leading the assessment of risks, development of control techniques, review of internal controls and assuring compliance with reporting requirements.

C. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

While the incumbent will serve under the direction of the Deputy Regional controller, in the exercise of their duties on a day-to-day basis, they must be able to perform their duties with little to no direct supervision. They must be able to make solid financial management decisions independently from day one.

D. SUPERVISORY CONTROL:

While the position will not supervise staff directly, the incumbent will have approval authority over many of the work objectives of staff working on their portfolio. As a result, the incumbent must exercise a high degree of leadership to achieve mission objectives.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position will be located in Lima, Peru. Travel could occur to support a client mission. However, it is unlikely under normal circumstances.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (accounting, economics, finance or business administration) is required.

Experience: 5 years of relevant professional experience, such as audit or corporate financial analysis, is required.

Language: Fluent spoken and written English and Spanish level 3 are required. This will be tested.

Job Knowledge: Familiarity with financial management automated systems, including MS Word and Excel is required.

Skills and Abilities:

A high level of interpersonal and communication skills with peers, colleagues, and staff, as well as external stakeholders is expected. Must be able to create and conceptualize innovative solutions to increase efficiency, improve customer service and meet changing work demands. Must possess the ability to work under high pressure with tight deadlines.

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

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references form individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before of after a candidate is interviewed.

1. 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 and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range will be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical tests and interviews to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offerors.

2. Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offerors.

3. Evaluation and Selection Factors. Applicants meeting the required qualifications of the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. The following is the evaluation criteria for this position:

a) Education: 10 points

b) Work Experience: 30 points

c) Technical Knowledge: 20 points

d) Abilities and Skills: 30 points

e) Language 10 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail

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. A cover letter of no more than 1 page that demonstrates how the Offeror’s qualifications meet the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.

3. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which, at a minimum, describes education, experience, and career achievements relevant to the evaluation and selection factors in section III of this solicitation.

4. Names of three professional references that have knowledge of the offeror’s ability to perform the duties set forth in the solicitation, including current and accurate contact information. This information may be included in in cover letter, resume/CV, or in a separate document.

5. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

6. Offers must be received by the closing date and time and submitted to the Point of Contact specified in Section I.

7. Offerors submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.

8. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors- The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror is fully vaccinated against COVID- 19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit and approved reasonable accommodation o the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated. *

*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

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms

1. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

2. Form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals”

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843) **

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF-86) ** or

5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) **

6. Fingerprint Card (FD-258) **

** Forms 3 through 6 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

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

[If the solicitation is also open to TCNs, the CO must insert the benefits and allowances specifically approved by the Mission Director for a TCN offeror in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J, sec. 4(c)(2)(ii)(B).]

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

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. ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01c)

(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 E.O. 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

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: to be specified in the award

1 LOT $TBD $TBD at award after negotiations with contractor

1001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost negotiations with contractor

2001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost negotiations with contractor

3001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost negotiations with contractor

4001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost negotiations with contractor

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

AAPDs/CIBs specifically applicable to this position include:

AAPD 16-03: Expanded Incentive Awards for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals

AAPD 15-02 REVISED - Continuation of Deviation from the ‘Leave and Holidays’ clause, including Family and Medical Leave, for U.S. Personal Services Contractors

AAPD 10-03 Amendment 1: AIDAR, Appendix D: Implementing Benefits For Same-Sex Domestic Partners of USPSCs

AAPD 10-01: Personal Services Contracts -- Changes in USG Reimbursement Amounts for Health Insurance and Physical Examination Costs

AAPD 06-10: PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility

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 https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

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

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

[End of Solicitation]