Solicitation USPSC Resident Hire Project Management Specialist (Democracy).pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72051823R00001

ISSUANCE DATE: March 6, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: March 27, 2023 at 17:00 (Quito time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Project Management Specialist (Democracy), GS-10 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.: 72051823R00001

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 6, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 27 , 2023 at 17:00 (Quito time)

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

5. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Democracy)

6. MARKET VALUE: $53,990 - $70,190 equivalent to GS-10 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/Ecuador. 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 from 6 to 12 months. Full-time 40 hours per week.

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 Ecuador 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:

The incumbent will manage meetings, refined reports, site visits, and communications related to USAID Ecuador’s justice/citizen security, local governance service delivery, cyber-security and donor to donor agreements for a two-year period. The incumbent acts as backstop to the office director on daily and weekly taskings from Washington to ensure timely, quality responses on matters such as local service delivery as a cross-cutting theme across the entire Mission portfolio and tracking and scheduling engagement with the government in anti-corruption efforts. The incumbent serves as an activity manager on anti-corruption reforms for USAID Ecuador and serves as a back-up point of contact for engaging with the Ecuadorian Government on key justice/security, service delivery, and cyber security issues. The incumbent participates in the mailto:limausaidhr@usaid.gov design, implementation and monitoring of democracy activities implemented in Ecuador, serving as Activity Manager for any Washington-managed activities described below. In this capacity, the incumbent promotes the policy interests of the U.S. Government at the central, regional, and municipal levels of the host country and gains Ecuadorian government and donor community acceptance of USAID conceptual and policy frameworks and operating practices.

This work involves gaining civil society and GOE acceptance of service delivery models and policies to have quick impacts. She/he co-manages the USAID’s relationship with Ecuadorian Government officials and civil society to find common ground on service delivery issues, as well as with counterparts in other donor organizations, such as EU Delegation, UNDP, WB, IMF, and others.

The Project Management Specialist acts as an activity manager (assisting the COR/AOR) for democracy portfolio activities with a total budget of over $15 million USD. She/he leads the drafting of portions of the Ecuador Annual Report for the relevant sectors included in his/her portfolio and other key USAID strategy documents, such as the CDCS, PADs. She/he prepares environmental compliance documentation for activities mentioned above.

The incumbent conducts research and analysis into anti-corruption/service delivery issues and participates in key pre-design assessments.

B. MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Advisory and Reporting : 50%

Scope and effect of the work performed: The incumbent will represent the democracy office and Mission on various working groups internal and external to the Embassy to provide coverage and prompt communication to stakeholders.

1. Monitors program strategies and provides monthly updates and recommendations on the

Government of Ecuador's development and execution of its public service delivery and anti-corruption, and cybersecurity policies.

2. Analyzes the degree to which the objectives of USAID/Ecuador’s democracy programs are meeting public service delivery and anti-corruption programming commitments on a quarterly basis, reviewing team progress against program and financial measures.

3. Presents strategic and programmatic findings on a monthly basis in a clear and concise manner (verbally and in writing) to a wide range and high level audience; including

Department of State personnel, new USAID employees, and USAID superiors (Office

Directors, Office Deputies and the Front Office).

4. In the first two months of the assignment, identifies suitable opportunities that may increase Ecuadorian government and private sector contributions to democracy in areas where USAID assistance can have an impact. Such activities could include policy dialogue, major alliances with new partners and coordinated approaches with other major donors.

Delivers an outreach plan and enacts it over the succeeding four months.

5. Promotes expansion of effective strategies and approaches that can expand transparency and reduce corruption, especially in service delivery. Within the first two months, reviews all mission work plans to identify where each project manager can improve anti-corruption and/pr public service delivery components in their activities and creates a tracker to indicate progress of these improvements.

6. She/he assists in negotiations with the host country government on project design and implementation, ensuring that host country officials at the highest level are apprised of program progress on a quarterly basis in coordination with the Strategy and Program

Office.

7. Prepare launch of this flagship project by preparing procurement, participating in the technical review , assisting in the launch the first work plan by September 2023, and assisting the AOR/COR in the monitoring and managing of the project.

8. Broker monthly meetings in key sectors with civil society and government leads in these key sectors.

9. Prepare high-level briefing materials for Washington visits, for the Ambassador and for the Mission Director, on a weekly basis.

10. Review and update DG Project documents, plans and budget as it pertains to anti-corruption/service delivery, and citizen security efforts within the first month of assignment.

B. Activity Management : 50%

1. Ensure that the Mission is offering opportunities to partner with local organizations and transition awards are built into awards with international partners in order to work more closely with local organizations. This will require intense monitoring of project partners and sub-partners. Produce quarterly progress reports demonstrating how local partners have been integrated into USAID’s portfolio.

2. Coordinate, on USAID’s behalf, a comprehensive Embassy cyber-security initiative in cooperation with DoD, Economics section and other Embassy sections by participating in monthly meetings.

3. Conducts research and analysis into anti-corruption issues and participates in key pre-design assessments, and therefore must have a basic understanding in applying an anti-corruption lens to a broad range areas, including public service delivery at the municipal level, to carry out the full range of policy related advisory functions in a timely manner and according to the Supervisor's stated deadlines.

4. Assists AORs and CORs in the monitoring, lessons learned and reporting to ensure that activities achieve their intended results. She/he provides technical and organizational assistance on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of democracy programs.

5. Acts as the back-up point of contact (POC) in the area of anti-corruption and public service delivery issues. She/he provides proficient and professional guidance along with technical direction to the implementing partner/s after consulting with the

AOR/COR.

6. Acts as the main point of contact (POC) for the Donor Coordination activities related to the anti-corruption/public service delivery at the municipal level, justice/security sector, and cyber security sector.

7. Conducts and provides one page reports on quarterly site visits to monitor program progress, as well as implementing partners, stakeholders, and counterparts’ implementation of activities at the local, and regional government level on a periodical basis.

8. Organizes and leads internal review meetings to evaluate contractor’s performance based on identified criteria in a timely manner and according to the Supervisor's stated deadlines.

9. Collaborates with other USAID projects, and other donors and organizations in the democracy sector to ensure synergy of program activities with those of other organizations, to achieve maximum pertinence and impact.

10. Prepares all necessary internal USAID program implementation documentation for smooth program implementation, including Program Implementation Letters (PILs), GLAAS actions and other required reporting per the Supervisor's stated deadlines.

C. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

While the incumbent will serve under the direction of the Democracy Office Director, 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.

D. SUPERVISORY CONTROL:

The supervision of USAID staff is not contemplated.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position will be located in Quito, Ecuador. Quarterly trips to remote areas of Ecuador to monitor project progress.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree in international development/international project development, political science, law, public administration, journalism, business administration, economics, or other appropriate field is required.

Experience: The Specialist is required to have a minimum of five (5) years of democracy project management experience.

Job Knowledge: Basic knowledge of USAID project development, design, management, performance monitoring and reporting, and procurement policies and procedures is required.

The incumbent shall demonstrate a professional level of judgment and initiative in order to respond to intra-Mission, inter-office, inter-agency and inter-governmental activities. Sound judgment is required to deal effectively with government officials. Judgment to anticipate and identify office needs related to administrative and program support is important. She/he is also required to use sound judgment in dealing with implementing partners and other U.S.

governmental entities. The incumbent is expected to analyze situations and the requirements to resolve problems.

Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must have superior communication skills. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain mid-level contacts with Host Governments, donor organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, private-sector organizations, and educational institutions. The ability to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and prepare precise, accurate and complete reports is required. Proven, demonstrated ability to work independently under tight deadlines and heavy workload within agreed upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance and while exercising sound judgment is required. Skills in participating in the conceptualizing of project programming, policies and plans and participating in developing strategies for their implementation is required. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and proactively work to achieve consensus on policy, project and administrative matters is required. The position requires an ability to diplomatically and tactfully confront and resolve institutional and interagency bureaucratic challenges while maintaining collaborative relations. The incumbent must have computer skills including ease and skill in using word processing and power point programs, email.

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) Prior Work experience demonstrates impact and results in developing contexts for democracy programming (25%).

b) Possess a wide range of experience across development contexts , which demonstrates they have a mid-level understanding of democracy programming and results (25%).

c) Must provide recent examples of working under tight deadlines in difficult contexts and what results were achieved (25%).

d) Reference checks will be included in the scoring (25%).

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

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) ** http://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/forms

** 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

2. 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 Lodging 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) https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101

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 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf 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 negotiatio ns 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 https://www.usaid.gov/forms http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

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

[End of Solicitation]