PSC_Solicitation.pdf

RFP #SOL-OAA-17-000061

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-OAA-17-000061

ISSUANCE DATE: March 15, 2017 CLOSING DATE/TIME: April 20, 2017

12:00 PM, Eastern

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) in the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance

Position Title: Disability Rights Advisor in the Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human

Rights and Governance (DCHA/DRG Center)

Salary Level: $87,693 - $103,639 per annum, GS-12, Step 4 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.

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 the attached information.

Sincerely, /s/

Mir Ershadullah

Contracting Officer U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SOL-OAA-17-000061

ISSUANCE DATE: March 15, 2017

CLOSING DATE/TIME: April 20, 2017 / 12:00 PM, Eastern

POSITION TITLE: Disability Rights Advisor

MARKET VALUE: This position is the equivalent of a GS-12, Step 4.

The salary range is $87,693 – $103,639 per annum.

The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the daily pay range depending on qualifications, salary and work history, experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C., area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) years, with three (3) one-year option periods.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C., with field assignments

SECURITY ACCESS: Secret

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all U.S. Citizens

POINT OF CONTACT: Joy Burriss U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition and Assistance Telephone: 202-567-4174 Email: jburriss@usaid.gov

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Background: The DRG Center requires this PSC in order to bolster its ability to foster more disability inclusive development practices both in the DRG Center as well as the Agency. The DRG Center is faced with increasing demand, both in Washington, D.C. and its field missions for technical expertise in disability inclusive development.

This PSC position is in the DRG Center’s Empowerment and Inclusion (EI) Division which leads the Center’s efforts on programming for vulnerable populations. These programs work to reduce risks to vulnerable populations and to reinforce the capacities of communities, local civil society organizations, and governments to provide services and protection for vulnerable groups. The programs help vulnerable and marginalized populations gain access to opportunities that support their full participation in society. The division provides bureau and center leadership on issues such as assistive technology, physical rehabilitation, trauma and torture, children in adversity and disability. The EI Division consists of a Division Chief, two Foreign Service Officers, one Global Health Fellow, and approximately ten institutional contractor technical advisors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The PSC will be primarily responsible for leading the overall strategic approach of and managing the Disability Funding Program, including serving as Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) for centrally-funded and managed projects. A key responsibility of managing the Disability Funding Program is reporting to Congress annually. This requires producing reports that respond to Congressional interests and communicate the strategic approach of the program. The PSC will be required to orally brief Members of Congress on the funding program and other disability-specific issues as requested. The PSC will also chair the technical review process for the Disability Funding program, facilitate funding allowances to the field, and monitor ongoing projects through site visits and other means.

As requested, the PSC will represent USAID on issues related to disability rights and inclusive development in Inter-Agency processes, such as serving on technical review committees for other USG agencies and inter-agency policy committees, and bi-lateral/multi-lateral donor coordination bodies such as the Global Action on Disability. The PSC liaises with external, non-USG organizations and serves as the main point of contact for disability. In this role, the PSC coordinates joint activities and represents USAID in public forums.

Within the Agency, the PSC advises on disability inclusive development and strategically advances disability inclusion at the program and policy level. To do this, the PSC is required to have an intermediate to advanced level of technical expertise across varying sectors of development and be able to advise on program design, implementation and key policy considerations. The PSC must demonstrate a strong understanding of international disability and human rights standards and their relationship with the global development agenda.

The PSC provides direct technical assistance to Missions as requested. This includes conducting field-based, national-level disability needs assessments that often require meeting with and obtaining relevant information from host-country government counterparts and civil society. Other types of direct assistance includes drafting program design documents and advising on the development of Mission-level policy documents such as Mission Orders and Strategies on Disability Inclusive Development.

Within Washington, the PSC conducts and shares multi-disciplinary learning and best practices on disability inclusive development, and develops training materials and resources to further disability inclusive development.

SUPERVISORY AND COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP

The Disability Advisor will report to the Empowerment and Inclusion Division Chief or Acting Division Chief. He/she will work closely with other division staff and USAID Mission officials when on TDY.

Under the general supervision of the EI division chief, the PSC is expected to carry out work assignments using independent professional judgment to ensure that effective field support and technical leadership is provided. The PSC receives minimal day-to-day guidance. When reviewed, completed work is evaluated for adherence to policy and to ensure broad objectives of the Disability Program are met.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

USAID expects to award a personal services contract to a U.S. citizen for a two-year period, which may be renewed in one year increments for up to three additional years (not to exceed a period of five years total) as necessary by mutual agreement subject to satisfactory performance, requirements of the program, and availability of funds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is generally performed in an office environment.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education/Experience

• Education/Experience:

o Master’s degree in disability studies, disability inclusive development, Special

Education, International development or related field; plus at least 5 years of experience working in disability inclusive development at an international level;

o OR a Bachelor’s degree in a pertinent field plus at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in disability inclusive development at an international level

• U.S. Citizenship

• Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance as provided by USAID

• Verification of academic credentials

• Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs).

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Each sub-factor will be weighted equally within the rating factor. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will select candidates to interview based on a preliminary review of applications. References will be checked only for those candidates interviewed. The TEC can request references from others who know the candidate’s work in addition to the references provided by the candidate. Upon completion of interviews and reference checks, TEC members will revise their scores for those candidates. The candidate with the highest overall score will be selected based on the criteria below.

Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs):

1. Technical Expertise (50 points)

• Demonstrated ability to provide high-level analysis and technically sound recommendations on international disability inclusive development issues.

• Demonstrated technical expertise in conceptualizing strategies and designing evidence-based programs to support international disability inclusive development in low and middle income countries.

2. Communication (30 points)

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with high-level officials, including Members of Congress, with minimal editing or supervision.

• Proven track record of quickly gathering, analyzing and synthesizing information for use by principals.

• Demonstrated productive and positive working relationships and communication with colleagues and peers.

3. Teamwork (20 points)

• Proven track-record of working effectively and collaboratively on diverse teams, both as a team leader and as a team member.

• Sound judgment and collegiality when working in environments with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and of diverse opinions.

The rating system is as follows:

i. Technical Expertise: 50 points

ii. Communication: 30 points

iii. Teamwork: 20 points

Total possible points: 100 points

The successful candidate will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, skills, and abilities; an interview; and the results of reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the chairperson of the Technical Evaluation Committee. Security clearances will be required after selection of candidate.

IV. HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified individuals are required to submit:

1) A USAID form AID 302-3 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts) with hand-written signature (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/);

2) A resume must be attached to the AID 302-3. Resumes must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination of meeting experience requirements as stated in this solicitation.

This information should be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

In order to fully evaluate applications, resumes must include:

a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

c. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Upon request Transcripts and/or certifications must be submitted.

3) A brief appendix or cover letter that demonstrates how prior experience and/or training address directly the evaluation criteria should be attached.

4) Names and current contact information of three professional supervisory references that have knowledge of the applicant’s ability to perform the duties set forth in this solicitation.

5) Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, and submitted to the Point of Contact identified in Section I.

6) To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, Applicants must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the application submission.

By submitting your application materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the application is true, correct, and complete and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the application to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/a302-3.doc http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ your application may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS 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 application.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT

In accordance with FAR 4.1102, USPSCs must be registered in SAM prior to award, except for contracts with individuals for performance outside the U.S. and its outlying areas as indicated in FAR 4.1102(a)(4.)

(see 309.3.1.f). USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number for all individuals working outside of the United States.

For general information about DUNS Numbers and SAM, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

https:/acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov.

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS

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

Once the CO informs the successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.

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 Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC 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) http://www.usaid.gov/forms/

(e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

(f) Annual and Sick Leave

2. ALLOWANCES (only if applicable to position):

Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas)

a) Temporary Quarter 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), and

j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

VII. TAXES

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

VIII. ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDS) AND CONTRACT

INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) 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 .

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 .

AAPD 06-10 – MEDICAL EXPENSE PAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY (OCTOBER 2006)

(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at http://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Programs.

(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below. The contractor and each eligible family member are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except that section (e) supplements General Provision 25. “MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES.”

http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92

(c) When the contractor or eligible family member is covered by health insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services provided to that contractor or eligible family member(s) both in the United States and abroad. The primary insurer’s liability is determined by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance policy. When the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).

(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of the contractor and eligible family members who are covered by health insurance, where the following conditions are met:

(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;

(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or medical condition, including obstetrical care; and

(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical condition.

(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or an eligible family member in accordance with the General Provision 10, Travel and Transportation AAPD 06-10 PSC Medical Expense Payment Responsibility 6 Expenses (July 1993), section

(i) entitled “Emergency and Irregular Travel and Transportation.” In the event of a medical emergency, when time does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-3067 provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her medevac insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the medevac insurer pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by the medevac insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below. In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under the corresponding General Provision, the contractor must provide USAID written evidence that medevac insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.

(f) If the contractor or eligible family member is not covered by primary health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for the uninsured contractor or eligible family member. In that case, the contractor will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the contractor’s invoice payments under this contract, any other contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any other available debt collection mechanism.

(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521.

When USAID pays the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section (e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or an eligible family member) who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies. As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid on the individual’s behalf or the repayment amount determined by the Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her medevac provider.

(h) In the event that the contractor or eligible family member fails to recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/dependent.

(i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs. If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the Contracting Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).

(End of Provision)

AAPD 06-12 – HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE-12 (HSPD-12) (SEPTEMBER 2006)

In response to the general threat of unauthorized access to federal facilities and information systems, the President issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. HSPD-12 requires all Federal agencies to use a common Personal Identity Verification (PIV) standard when identifying and issuing access rights to users of Federally-controlled facilities and/or Federal Information Systems. USAID will begin issuing HSPD-12 “smart card” IDs to applicable contracts, using a phased approach. Effective October 27, 2006, USAID will begin issuing new “smart card” IDs to new contractors (and new contractor employees) requiring routine access to USAID controlled facilities and/or access to USAID’s information systems.

USAID will begin issuance of the new smart card IDs to existing contractors (and existing contractor employees) on October 27, 2007. (Exceptions would include those situations where an existing contractor (or contractor employee) loses or damages his/her existing ID and would need a replacement ID prior to Oct 27, 2007. In those situations, the existing contractor (or contractor employee) would need to follow the PIV processes described below, and be issued one of the new smart cards.)

Accordingly, before a contractor (including a PSC* or a contractor employee) may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement) authorizing him/her routine access to USAID facilities, or logical access to USAID’s information systems, the individual must provide two forms of identity source documents in original form and a passport size photo. One identity source document must be a valid Federal or state government-issued picture ID. (Overseas foreign nationals must comply with the requirements of the Regional Security Office.) USAID/W contractors must contact the USAID Security Office to obtain the list of acceptable forms of documentation, and contractors working in overseas Missions must obtain the acceptable documentation list from the Regional Security Officer. Submission of these documents, and related background checks, are mandatory in order for the contractor to receive a building access ID, and before access will be granted to any of USAID’s information systems. All contractors must physically present these two source documents for identity proofing at their USAID/W or Mission Security Briefing.

The contractor or his/her Facilities Security Officer must return any issued building access ID and remote authentication token to USAID custody upon termination of the individual’s employment with the contractor or completion of the contract, whichever occurs first.

The contractor must comply with all applicable HSPD-12 and PIV procedures, as described above, and any subsequent USAID or government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies, including any subsequent related USAID General Notices, Office of Security Directives and/or Automated Directives System (ADS) policy directives and required procedures. This includes HSPD-12 procedures established in USAID/Washington and those procedures established by the overseas Regional Security Office.

In the event of inconsistencies between this clause and later issued Agency or government-wide HSPD- 12 guidance, the most recent issued guidance should take precedence, unless otherwise instructed by the Contracting Officer.

The contractor is required to include this clause in any subcontracts that require the subcontractor or subcontractor employee to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical access to USAID’s information systems.

(End of Provision)

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 RFP #SOL-OAA-17-00061)