Solicitation _ USPSC TCN OAA Specialist - 72066722R00005.docx (1).pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066723R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: 07/21/2023

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 08/04/2023

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S Personal Service Contractor (US/TCN PSC) – Senior A&A Specialist, 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.

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 offers.

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

Sincerely, Susan C. Easley

Supervisory Executive Officer Contracting Officer

72066723R00005

ATTACHMENT1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066723R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 07/21/2023

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 08/04/2023 (16:00)

4. POINT OF CONTACT: Susan Easley, Supervisory Executive Officer, Wafaa Hassan, Human Resources Specialist – khartoumusaidhr@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist

6. MARKET VALUE: $99,908 to $129,878 equivalent to GS-14. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years starting on/about October 20, 2023, with the possibility of extension/s of the contract until October 19, 2028 depending on the need for continuation of services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

Base period October 20, 2023 to October 19, 2025 Option 1 October 20, 2025 to October 19, 2026 Option 2 October 20, 2026 to October 19, 2027 Option 3 October 20, 2027 to October 19, 2028

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Remote telework from home of record or country of origin, with frequent TDY to Nairobi, Kenya a/o other locations as work dictates. Place of performance is subject to change depending on the situation in Sudan, a/o when a permanent presence of USAID/Sudan is established.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents, or both types of persons (USNs) and Third Country Nationals (TCNs) are eligible offerors per AIDAR 702 and Appendix.

mailto:khartoumusaidhr@usaid.gov

For USPSC:

● Be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.

● Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING.

● Be able to obtain facility access authorization.

● Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

● Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained.

For TCNPSC:

● Be a Third Country National. Third Country National means an individual:

● Who is neither a citizen nor a permanent legal resident of the United States nor of the country to which assigned for duty.

● Who is eligible for return to his/her home country or country of recruitment at

U.S. Government expenses.

● Submit a complete application as outlined in the section titled SUBMITTING AN OFFER

(Section IV);

● Be able to obtain a required Facility Access Authorization.

● Be able to obtain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance.

● Be willing/able to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested.

● Employment is subject to funds availability and all required approvals/clearances obtained.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The incumbent is responsible for advising on A&A matters to the USAID/Sudan Mission with the objective of ensuring the successful attainment of the Mission’s foreign assistance development objectives for Sudan. The incumbent will support multiple offices. In this regard, the incumbent is responsible for managing a full range of A&A functions for the Mission’s portfolios. The incumbent shall have a comprehensive knowledge of the manner and method for executing the position’s roles and responsibilities, to include all applicable statutory, regulatory and Agency guidance and directives, while possessing the necessary skills, experience, expertise, judgment, and capabilities required. The incumbent is an integral and active member of the OAA’s management staff as well the Mission’s Development Objective (DO) Teams assisting in mentoring and training staff to develop their understanding and abilities to properly apply A&A processes. Incumbent interacts in a similar fashion with the Mission’s implementing partners, as well with the host-country government and its ministries/departments.

This position entails: a) advice on resolving complex A&A issues; b) advise on the most advantageous and appropriate method of achieving DO Team’s strategies through A&A methodologies, c) assist in the development of requirements and their definition to ensure contractibility and meeting the needs of the DO Teams, d) manage a full range of complex A&A actions as well as the resultant mechanisms, e) consult on and drafting A&A policy guidance for the Mission, f) participate in OAA’s overall execution of the Mission’s A&A program, and, g) maintain contacts throughout the Mission as well within the American Embassy community and with the host-country government.

Given the sensitivity, scope, complexity, and purpose of the role and position of the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist and the critical nature and complexity of the Mission programs that are being implemented in a very fluid political environment, it is essential that the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist be able to function as an expert in all technical areas of the assignment, and fulfill the position’s responsibilities with the complete confidence of the supervisor. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist’s understanding of the assignment and ability to integrate issues, conflicts, continually changing working requirements, creative problem solving, and the introduction of new theories and methods to resolve unique problems is of great importance.

The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist reports directly to the USAID/Sudan Mission Director and/or his/her designee(s).

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will provide expert technical competence and leadership support to the Mission’s OAA as follows:

1) The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will provide technical assistance to USAID/Sudan in the execution of program/project-funded contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, and inter-agency agreements, including providing staff support on all aspects of procurement and contract management relating to and affecting USAID assistance programs, policy and project planning, design, implementation and evaluation. The incumbent participates in project and mission policy formulation, project design resource assessments, sector analyses, and other studies. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will serve as contractual advisor to major development program initiatives and in the Mission. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will prepare and negotiate modifications of basic contractual text, terms and conditions, specifications, scopes of work, program descriptions, and costs in the full range of award instruments. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will plan for and provide A&A management support to accomplish program objectives and provide proper and timely administration of all Mission A&A awards to include clarifications and interpretations of directive correspondence, and other miscellaneous administrative modifications to procurement instruments. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will seek resolution and settlement of contract disputes, termination and settlement of A&A instruments, close outs, and reporting of contractor performance. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will compose and prepare all manner of A&A correspondence.

2) The majority of the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist’s responsibilities will be in direct contracting and administration of large, complex foreign assistance implementing programs. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist’s responsibilities will encompass the negotiation, award, administration, and management of both Assistance and Acquisition-type instruments to accomplish development projects.

Specifically, in all cases the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will supervise and prepare pre-award documents, conduct negotiations, and prepare award documents and award file documentation in final form for the review and signature of Contracting/Agreement Officer. These documents involve an obligation of potentially tens of millions of dollars in U.S. Government funds. The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist must be available for consultation on contracting issues with USAID/W and Mission senior management and technical staff, other in-country U.S. Government officials and representatives (Ambassador level and below), Government of Sudan officials, implementing partners (CEO level and below), and others, as required. This effort requires extensive knowledge of Federal regulations, and the associated governing guidance (e.g., the FAR , CFR, OMB Circulars, FAM, and FTR) for all types of A&A awards.

3) In addition to the execution of contracts and modifications as identified above, the Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will also research issues contained in, and draft responses to, items of correspondence as assigned. Examples include, but are not limited to:

subcontract consent requests, salary approvals, equipment approvals, etc., on a wide variety of contract and assistance awards.

4) The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will serve as a senior and trusted policy and technical advisor to the Mission Director, USAID/Sudan core Leadership and the U.S. Mission staff on all manner of A&A issues. The incumbent will speak for the Contracting Officer on technical A&A matters, as directed by the Contracting Officer or as required.

5) The Senior Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will be required to assist in creating a supportive work environment that values diversity and elicits the highest possible level of performance.

6) The Specialist may also be required to provide work guidance, training and supervision of up developing CCN A&A staff, including mentoring, coaching, and implementation of continuous improvements that will ensure the office meets the needs of its customers.

USAID/Sudan may have junior and/or developing staff needs. As such, the Specialist will provide on-the-job training on A&A matters to all mission staff, especially DO team staff and Contracting and Agreement Officer’s Representatives. The Specialist, under the CO’s guidance and direction, will also create a series of training sessions for Mission staff on relevant A&A topics.

7) The incumbent should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work across teams and portfolios and with diverse clients. S/he must be fully versed in internet applications, vital of which is Google’s G Suite, and other mandated US Government and Agency applications and software related to A&A work, such as the full

Microsoft Office Suite, the Global Acquisition & Assistance System (GLAAS), and the Agency Secure Image and Storage Tracking (ASIST) system.

8) In addition to training staff, the incumbent will also play a lead role in conducting new recipient training, especially in adherence to USAID audit requirements. The incumbent will also be expected to participate as an OAA expert on financial review teams and conduct on-site training and oversight through field visits to recipient locations throughout Sudan, if/when security situation permits.

3. Supervisory Relationship

The Acquisition & Assistance Specialist will be supervised with respect to work responsibilities by the USAID/Sudan and/or designated Contracting Officers. The incumbent’s work objectives will be jointly developed between the incumbent and the supervisor.

4. Supervisory Controls

No direct supervisory authority is included in this position, however, Incumbent will be responsible to mentor and train other Acquisition and Assistance staff if/when additional staff join the OA.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education: A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college/university degree (equivalency accreditation if a non-U.S. institution is required) in accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, organization and management, or a related field is required. Strongly recommended that the candidate have completed courses for a FAC-C Level Two Certification.

b. Prior Work Experience: Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of direct U.S. Federal Government contracting experience in complex pre-award, award, and post-award responsibilities involving Acquisition and Assistance.

C. Language Proficiency: Fluency (Level IV) in speaking/reading of English language is required.

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.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)

Applicants who meet the Education, Experience, and Language Proficiency requirements will be further evaluated based on the three (3) Quality Ranking Factors listed below. The applicant will address each factor on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately the experience, training, and/or education they have that is relevant to each factor.

Relevant Work Experience (50 points) Demonstrated experience to effectively manage complex pre-award, award, and post-award acquisition and assistance responsibilities working with U.S. Government agencies. Experience working in high volume, high visibility, politically sensitive environments managing U.S.

Government procurement activities. Strong experience participating in the project and activity design process and all other pre-obligation processes in collaboration with the Program Office.

Proven management, mentoring, coaching, and training of seasoned and junior acquisition and assistance staff and technical teams. Must have demonstrated experience working with diverse cultures and work environments.

Management and Communication Skills (30 points) to the extent to which the Offeror demonstrates the following skills: 1) Excellent management and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with co-workers, USAID-funded implementing partners, and business and industry officials. 2) Tact and diplomacy; maintains strict confidentiality and high ethical standards relating to all areas of acquisition and assistance matters; independently organizes, prioritizes, and follows through on all assignments in an efficient manner; provides leadership and management while introducing innovations and best practices; and operational, analytical, and management skills, and experience working in a team setting. 3) Proven capacity to prepare procurement documents that adequately reflect and protect the U.S. Government interests in the accomplishment of the programmatic objective and comply with pertinent statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements and comply with Agency and Mission requirements and appropriateness for the proposed action.

Technical Knowledge (20 points) Extensive knowledge of current Federal and USAID regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to acquisition and assistance mechanisms as well as activity design processes.

Demonstrated knowledge of a wide range of acquisition and assistance tools and approaches within the USAID procurement landscape. Technical expertise on how to: research and interpret regulations and prepare high quality procurement documents is necessary; make concise recommendations, propose well-thought out procurement strategies; and resolve highly complex procurement issues is critical.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks-Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Total

Possible Points: 100

USAID policy specifies that U.S citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are preferred over third country nationals (TCNs). Therefore, USN and TCN offers will not be evaluated together. USAID will evaluate USN offers first and if the CO determines that there are no qualified USNs, only then will USAID evaluate TCN offers.

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. 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.

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

4. Letter of application/cover letter.

5. Current resume/CV.

6. Supplemental document specifically addressing the three QRFs above.

7. List of minimum three (3) professional references with contact information (telephone numbers and e-mail addresses). The applicant’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

8. Application must be submitted ONLY via X@usaid.gov and the email subject must say –: SOL # [Insert SOL #]; Sr.A&A Specialist.

9. Late and incomplete applications will be at the discretion of the CO; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date.

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:

●Security Eligibility/Clearance

● Medical Clearances and Certifications)

VI. BENEFITS/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, if eligible) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

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) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(b) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210)

(c) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(d) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(e) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(f) Education Travel (Section 280)

(g) Post (Hardship) Differential (Section 500)

(h) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

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 CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

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.

Insert the following clause in all solicitations and contracts for personal services with individuals performing in the United States or its outlying areas. COs may incorporate this requirement into new solicitations and resulting contracts for personal services with individuals performing outside of the United States or outlying areas (United States National (US), Cooperating Country National (CCN), and Third Country National (TCN), depending on local conditions.

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. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT

PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001 Base Year 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 negotiation s with Contractor

0002 Base Year 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 negotiation s with

Contractor

0003 Base Year 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 negotiation s with Contractor

0004 Base Year 4 - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT $ _TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiation

0005 Base Year 5 - Compensation, Fringe

Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Product Service Code: R497

Accounting Info: TBD

1 LOT TBD $_TBD at

Award after negotiation

4. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

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

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission to Sudan provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Sudan also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.