Rvd_PSC_LLAS_BRAZIL_SOLICIT_FINAL__IAF_Cover_Letter_English.pdf

March 10, 2017

SUBJECT: INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF) PROFESSIONAL LOCAL

LIAISON ADVISORY SERVICE (LLAS) CONTRACTOR FOR BRAZIL

Dear Potential Applicants, The Bureau of the Fiscal Service, on behalf of the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), is seeking applications from qualified citizens living in Brazil to provide services as a LLAS Contractor in Brazil under a Personal Services

Contract (PSC), as described in the following solicitation: TFSAIAF17CI0007. This document describes the job of the LLAS Contractor. Please read it carefully.

This contract will be awarded for a Base Period of one (1) year and four (4), one (1) year Option Periods in accordance with the following Statement of Work (SOW) and Contract Terms and Conditions. Option periods are not guaranteed and will be exercised at the discretion of IAF based on the Contractor’s performance.

The applicant assumes full responsibility for ensuring that their responses are received at the place as delineated herein and by the date and time identified below. The Respondent assumes full responsibility for ensuring electronic submissions are formatted in accordance with Security Requirements. The following file extensions are unacceptable: BAT; CMD; EXE; PIF; RAR; SCR; VBS; HTA; AND CPL FILES. Microsoft Office compatible documents and Adobe PDF are acceptable. Submitted materials with unacceptable or unreadable formats may be found non-responsive.

Applications shall be e-mailed to purchasing@fiscal.treasury.gov, with the subject line “Applications for

TFSAIAF17CI0007 LLAS CONTRACTOR, Attn: MWomack/PWhite/BBurnworth” and received on or before 3:00 pm EDT, March 31, 2017. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Although this request for applications is being posted in Brazil, only complete applications submitted to the e-mail address above will be considered.

A complete application shall include the following seven (7) items:

1. In submitting your response by email, the subject line must reference Applications for

TFSAIAF17CI0007 LLAS CONTRACTOR, Attn: MWomack/PWhite/BBurnworth.

2. Provide a Cover Letter in Portuguese that demonstrates the applicant’s capability to perform each of the required work responsibilities identified in the statement of work.

3. Provide a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that demonstrates the applicant has the required qualifications identified in Section 4.0 of the statement of work. Furthermore,

a. The resume or CV must be written in Portuguese

b. Write “TFSAIAF17CI0007 LLAS CONTRACTOR” on the front page of the resume or CV.

c. Applicant should hand sign the last page of the resume or CV.

4. A list of three (3) references with contact information (telephone number and if available, email).

5. A copy of applicant's educational diploma.

6. A copy of applicant’s identification card with photograph (driver’s license, national identification card, or passport acceptable).

7. Provide applicant’s salary history for last three jobs.

Thank you for your interest in IAF. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Brandon D. Burnworth

Contracting Officer

Fiscal Service/OSS/DPS

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

The Government will evaluate Applications following phases:

1.0 EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS: QUALIFICATIONS

Evaluation Criteria 1: Technical Capability

Applicants shall provide a Cover Letter that clearly and sufficiently addresses in written form their capabilities to perform each of the work responsibilities identified in the Statement of Work (pages 6 herein).

Go/No-Go Factors: To be considered a complete application, applicants shall submit applications that include the following items as attachments to their email:

____ 1. A CV/resume, written in Portuguese demonstrating the ability to perform the required services as described in the SOW with the applicant’s hand signed signature on the last page of the CV or resume.

_____2. The candidate currently resides in Brazil and will reside in Brazil for the duration of the award.

_____3. The candidate possesses B.A or M.A degree in an appropriate field (page 8 herein)

_____4. Has at least 10 years of experience related to IAF’s work in Brazil, _____5. Is fluent in Portuguese

2.0 Application Evaluation Process

The above criteria described in Section 1.0 will be evaluated for applicants in the following two

(2) phases:

Phase I - Initial Review Applicants evaluated in Phase I who have provided all the required documents/information, appear to meet all criteria in Section 1.0, demonstrate the capability to provide the services as described in the SOW, and are evaluated with the highest scores will be moved to Phase II and may be scheduled for an interview.

Phase II - Interview Interviews shall be conducted via telephone or video conference.

Phase III –Reference Check The Evaluation Panel will select applicant(s) from Phase II for the reference check. The references questions will be consistent for all candidates and will be relevant to similar work performed in comparison to this requirement.

IAF will practice diligence to contact references or others provided for applicants being considered for Award. However, time will dictate the number of contacts made. If at all possible, at least 1 direct reference contact should be made for all applicants considered for award.

An applicant must not receive any negative reference responses to receive further consideration for contract award

3.0 Award

An offer for award will be made to the applicant receiving the highest evaluated score, considering references and availability. If the offer is not accepted, the Government reserves the right to make an offer to the next preferred applicant without further discussion.

The Contractor shall obtain a satisfactory security certification through the United States Embassy within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the contract. This certification will be initiated and costs assumed by IAF.

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

BRAZIL LOCAL LIAISON ADVISORY SERVICE (LLAS)

BACKGROUND

Created by Congress and established as part of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969, the Inter-American

Foundation is an independent agency of the United States government that channels development assistance directly to the organized poor development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IAF responds with grant support to the best ideas it receives in response to its call for proposals. Successful proponents offer grassroots solutions to the problems of poverty, demonstrate substantial beneficiary participation in the design and management of their projects, and contribute counterpart resources in cash and in kind toward the success of their efforts. Since beginning operations in 1972, the Inter-American

Foundation has awarded nearly 5,000 grants, valued at more than $700 million, to fund projects in agriculture, enterprise development, education and training, environmental conservation, culture, housing, and health care and other services.

The position is located in Country and reports directly to the IAF Foundation Representative.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Management

Prepare and submit monthly work plans, reports and invoices.

Contribute to the analysis of grant proposals as requested by the IAF representative;

Keep IAF representative apprised of important events in country and the situation of grantees in the country;

Facilitate communication between IAF grantees and IAF staff and contractors, such as Data

Verifier and Auditor including coordination and exchange of information virtually or through face-to-face periodic meetings.

Assist in monitoring and managing the portfolio, may help with outreach related to the IAF program in these countries and provides in-country support on a variety of program-related, logistical and administrative issues and activities.

Participate in an orientation visit with all new IAF grantees. This may be conducted in conjunction with the FR, auditor and data verifier.

Conduct visits with FR to each IAF-funded project in this country approximately once per year, or as requested, to review project activities, progress, accomplishments, and provide in-depth analysis to the IAF.

Review grantee financial, programmatic and other related reports, and provide comments to the

FR and grantees.

Attend meetings with donor agencies, public officials, and/or with public and private sector entities who are interested in collaborating to support grassroots development through partnerships, resource mobilization, or public education about grassroots participatory development.

Manage technical Contractors as needed.

Facilitate ongoing exchanges among IAF grantees within country, including developing and establishing a system for grantees to request exchange opportunities, recommending possible exchange ideas to grantees and FR, and providing support with travel, lodging and logistics.

Facilitate the coordination and exchange of information with other IAF contractors in country virtually and through periodic meetings.

Technical Support

Provide guidance to grantees in topics such as: incorporating efficient management and institutional strengthening practices for NGOs; designing strategic work and fund-raising plans;

incorporating best practices for engaging target populations; implementing successful programs and project activities; supporting and encouraging the formation of democratic and participatory practices; analyzing program impact within local and national contexts, or any others as they arise.

Arrange for the provision of technical assistance to grantees on specialized topics upon request by the grantee. Identify learning topics and assist in identifying other Contractors who can carry out learning projects. May supervise multiple technical Contractors providing technical support to grantees or carrying out research projects on the portfolio.

Accompany the FR and other IAF staff and contractors on visits as requested;

Orient grantees to IAF grant agreements, administrative and reporting procedures.

Facilitate provision of technical assistance and capacity building to IAF grantees.

Conduct visits and organize regional presentations of information to organizations that wish to submit proposals for funding to the IAF, being sure to clarify all necessary application criteria and requirements. Provide same information to potential proponents by telephone and email as necessary.

Conduct occasional IAF information dissemination events targeted at community-based groups and other development actors who are interested in economic development at the local level and community initiated partnerships with local governments.

Conduct or participate in occasional additional activities, e.g., presentations, speeches, delegations, writing articles, etc.

Review proposals, as referred by Foundation Representative, and participate in screening visits;

Conduct research on proponent organizations and their proposed activities

Travel and Logistics Coordination

Organize, plan and coordinate the IAF representative and other IAF staff, board or delegation visits to country

Coordinate and conduct at least one field-based learning exchange for grantees per year in order to facilitate the sharing of information about lessons learned, best practices, and program results with respect to current IAF grants/projects. The agendas and other details for the learning exchanges will be decided in the work plan.

Participate in and facilitate the coordination of exchanges with IAF grantees in other countries.

Coordinate or attend conferences in country and assist with the planning and logistics as requested.

Other

Performs other duties as assigned.

The Contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the IAF to perform temporary duties (TDY) or attend conferences/meetings as required and to travel to other assignments within IAF as assigned. Any such reassignment or transfer shall be subject to agreement of the Contractor. The Statement of Work as defined will remain the same; however the duties may be subject to change as determined by the Contracting Officer.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in business administration, management, public administration, finance, community development, economics, sociology or a related field.

2. Minimum of ten years of professional experience working in grassroots development, business development, economic development, banking, monitoring and evaluation, and/or management of international development programs. At least half of this experience must be in country of performance.

3. Reside in country of performance

4. Fluency in language of country of performance

5. Experience working with marginalized groups and/or community-based enterprises

6. Experience managing client relationships, especially in grants management, banking, business development, or international development context

7. Ability to travel throughout country/region

8. Experience with participatory development methods

9. Competence with standard Microsoft Office suite of computer programs – Word, Excel, etc.

10. Network of contacts in host country (government, NGO, etc.)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Proficiency in English and/or Spanish

2. Experience working with U.S. Federal Government

3. Experience working with grant management

4. Knowledge of IAF mission goals and priorities

5. Valid driver’s license

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A – Active Grants List - Brazil

Attachment B – ADV Pay Guide

Attachment C – ADV Pay Form

Attachment D – Questions for References

Attachment E – PSC Contract Articles Template

Attachment F – IPP Waiver

Attachment G – Contractor’s Release Form