U.S. Personal Service Contract (USPSC) Supervisory Program Advisor Solicitation, GS-15 - USAID Serbia.pdf

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72016924R00003

ISSUANCE DATE: 08/20/2024

CLOSING DATE: 09/19/2024

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC)

Supervisory Program Advisor at USAID/Serbia

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 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 underrepresented 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 costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in this solicitation.

Sincerely, Marc Griego Supervisory EXO

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Solicitation No: 72016924R00003

2. Issuance Date: 8/20/2024

3. Closing Date/Time for Receipt of Offers: This solicitation is open and continuous until 9/19/2024

4. Point of Contact: Marc Griego (mgriego@usaid.gov), Supervisory EXO and/or belgrade_jobs@usaid.gov

5. Position Title: Supervisory Program Advisor

6. Market Value:

This position has been designated as a GS-15 equivalent level (current fiscal year rate $123,041 - $159,950) daily rate, non-locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value, based upon the offeror’s qualifications, previous relevant experience, past salary, work history and educational background.

7. Period of Performance:

To begin around early October 2024, with a level of effort not exceeding eleven (11) months. The final start date will depend on the contractor's ability to obtain security and medical clearances.

8. Place of Performance: USAID/Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

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.

9. Eligible Offerors: U.S.Citizens

10. Security Level Required: Facility Access - Active security and medical clearances will be considered as advantageous during the selection process

11. Statement of Duties:

USAID/Serbia’s Program Strategy and Coordination Office (PSCO) is seeking the services of a U.S. citizen under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) with extensive international development program management experience as Supervisory

Program Advisor (S/PA). The Foreign Service PSCO S/PO position became vacant in 2024 and will not be filled until the summer of 2025. As the Supervisory

Program Advisor, the incumbent will supervise eight staff covering strategy, mailto:mgriego@usaid.gov mailto:belgrade_jobs@usaid.gov activity design, budget, monitoring and evaluation, and development outreach and communications functions.

The incumbent will lead USAID/Serbia’s portfolio of 20 activities, valued at $141 million, and the Mission is currently designing and procuring two new activities with a life-of-project valued at $10 million. The FY 2023 program budget was $20 million with an Operating Expense budget of $3.5 million.

USAID/Serbia has 48 total positions, including eight U.S. Direct Hires, one USPSC, and 39 (38 filled) Foreign Service Nationals. USAID/Serbia manages a portfolio of

20 activities, valued at $141 million and is currently designing and procuring two new activities with a life-of-project valued at $10 million. The FY 2023 program budget was $20 million, with an Operating Expense budget of $3.5 million.

MAJOR DUTIES

The incumbent will be supervised by the Mission Director and serve as a member of the Senior Management Team and regularly collaborate with the Regional

Office of Acquisition and Assistance and Resident Legal Officer in Pristina, Kosovo, and the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Desk Officer and other staff in

Washington, D.C. S/he/they may also serve on Technical Evaluation Committees on an as-needed basis. The incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence and must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance. Work produced by the incumbent is considered authoritative.

S/he/they must be proactive and self-directed.

The incumbent will provide strategic direction to the Program Strategy and

Coordination Office (PSCO). S/he/they will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight, direction, and monitoring of PSCO staff’s work progress, deliverables, and quality of work. This will include delegating tasks, leading

PSCO staff meetings, reviewing documents produced by staff, providing feedback on documents, and giving direction in concert with Agency good practices, guidance, and regulations. This may also include coaching on professional development and completing evaluations.

Overall the incumbent is expected to apply a broad knowledge of the U.S.

government and USAID regulations and procedures and program and sector planning and design based on a comprehensive understanding of Agency objectives and requirements.

S/he/they will prepare and contribute to reports and other presentations on strategy development, program planning, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning. S/he/they will interpret and provide guidance on the application of the Agency and the mission program planning procedures and requirements to USAID staff members and assist with the analysis, design, planning, and procurement of activity proposals.

The incumbent will participate in broad development assistance assessments, program design, results framework development, and monitoring and evaluation planning. S/he/they will provide guidance to technical teams and/or other groups; coordinate information and build consensus from various offices, bureaus, and USAID staff; provide support in the preparation for Congressional briefings and draft responses to congressional inquiries; reviews and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data and performs other related duties as assigned.

The incumbent will apply critical thinking and detailed analysis in contributing to reports, strategic planning documents and evaluations for internal and external audiences, including operational plans and performance reports.

USAID/Serbia’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) was approved in 2020 and will expire in 2025. The current strategy reinforces U.S.

security and prosperity by fostering Serbia's development as a stable, reliable partner that advances our shared objectives of regional stability and a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Along with supporting reforms needed for Serbia's European Union accession, U.S. assistance programs reduce vulnerabilities to Russian pressure, support independent media, combat transnational crime and corruption, strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence, and counter violent extremism. U.S. assistance also helps improve the business environment, establishing a level playing field for U.S.

economic interests, and increases Serbia's integration into international markets. U.S. assistance also strengthens civil society's role in shaping reforms. Within a resource-constrained environment, USAID continues to support Serbia's democratic and economic growth, through partnerships with the government, civil society, and the private sector, to plan, finance, and implement solutions to solve its own development challenges.

USAID/Serbia will launch the new CDCS design process in spring of 2025, which will be led by the Supervisory Program Advisor, who will also be responsible for writing the new CDCS.

Specific responsibilities include:

● Leads the 2026-2030 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) process including liaising with the Mission leadership and offices, interagency at post, and USAID/Washington.

● Writes the new CDCS document including making revisions based on feedback received from stakeholders during the CDCS process.

● Oversees eight PSCO staff and provides daily direction and oversight. The

S/PA will not perform any of the functions that ADS 103.3.1.1(b) indicates are limitations for USPSCs. While the PSCO staffing pattern includes one junior

U.S. Direct-Hire (USDH) position (a C3 Foreign Service Program Economist), for the duration of the USPSC contract, the Mission will temporarily rearrange lines of reporting so that the USDH employee does not report to the S/PA or any other PSC for more than 60 days in any 180-day period.

● Serves as subject matter expert on USAID’s agency-wide programming principles.

● Supports Program Office excellence and ensures a customer service-oriented engagement with front, technical and support offices.

● Leads overall monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.

● Leads in preparing annual reports (e.g., Operational Plans; Performance, Plan and Reports; Congressional Budget Justifications; and other required documents);

● Reviews and edits a wide range of documents through the clearance process, including development outreach and communications products.

● Leads annual program budget, applies development and budget management knowledge and understanding to support budget and project planning processes.

● Leads the development and execution of Mission Portfolio Reviews, as needed.

● Produces high-quality material, including reports, memos, or briefers.

● Flexibly supports the PSCO and Mission through other tasks, as assigned.

POSITION ELEMENTS

Available Guidelines: The Supervisory Program Advisor is required to understand Agency-specific policies and procedures which govern program activity management, in addition to the USAID/Serbia established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats ADS. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given

(when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect the activities of the Mission, including but not limited to the

Automated Directives System (ADS), Mission Orders, Mission Notices, U.S.

government (USG) procurement regulations, and USAID Program Strategy and

Policy Documents. In addition, the Program Office team members, technical teams, support teams such as Financial Management, Executive Office, Office of Acquisition and Assistance and Resident Legal Advisor, and counterparts in

USAID/Washington are available as resources to provide advice and guidance.

Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well-informed judgment and ingenuity to interpret the intent of guides in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial, or policy problems. Excellent

(balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion, and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USAID personnel as well as representatives from other USG agencies and donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. The incumbent will also be required to follow and adhere to the Agency's Code of Ethics and

Conduct.

Scope and Effect: The incumbent is expected to support the Mission Director and other staff regarding issues affecting USAID/Serbia’s portfolio including programming, planning, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Personal Contacts: The employee will work closely with all the Mission’s offices for the purpose of providing overall support regarding issues affecting programming, planning, development, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring, managing for results, accelerating USAID implementation and procurement reform of USAID development assistance activities across the Mission’s area of responsibility.

Degree of responsibility for decision-making: A high degree of independent judgment is required to support office staff and technical teams on policies and practices related to program budget formulation, tracking, and reporting.

Level of management expertise in host-country offices: The employee is expected to have broad knowledge of the economic and political environment.

Sound expertise and knowledge of development projects in Serbia is required.

Stage of Program (formative or established): Established

Level of work of assignments: High-level technical, policy and programmatic.

The level of analysis for accomplishing work is high and will require original and unique thought to streamline programming in USAID/Serbia.

Level of supportive work in a professional or administrative field: A high level of supportive programmatic work will be required. This includes programming, planning, development, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing for results.

Level of knowledge or experience required to perform work assigned:

Professional experience in project design and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation in international development is required. Specifically, knowledge of USG laws, policies, ADS regulations and procedures related to international development assistance. Demonstrated experience leading multiple Country Development Cooperation Strategy processes and professional writing skills to draft the USAID/Serbia 2026-2030 CDCS.

Knowledge of USAID’s strategic program and project development process and the principles of sound program oversight, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, assistance and acquisition is required.

Supervision/Oversight Over Others: The incumbent will have supervisory responsibilities. S/he/they is expected to work independently with direction received from the Mission Director. S/he/they will oversee eight PSCO staff:

one FSN PSCO Deputy Director, one USPCS Development Outreach

Communications (DOC) Unit Manager, one FSN Program Development

Specialist, one FSN Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, one FSN DOC

Assistant/Translator/Interpreter, one Foreign Service Program Economist, one

FSN DOC Assistant, and one Development Program Assistant. S/he/they will also serve as a member of the Senior Management Team, reports to and works closely with the Mission Director, and regularly collaborates with colleagues at the Mission and within the Embassy.

The S/PA will not perform any of the functions that ADS 103.3.1.1(b) indicates are limitations for USPSCs. While the PSCO staffing pattern includes one junior

U.S. Direct-Hire (USDH) position (a C3 Foreign Service Program Economist), for the duration of the USPSC contract, the Mission will temporarily rearrange lines of reporting so that the USDH employee does not report to the S/PA or any other

PSC for more than 60 days in any 180-day period.

12. Physical Demands The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Minimum Qualification Requirements: Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria:

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in international development strategy design, project management and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, with U.S. government agencies are required.

Education: Master’s degree in economics, public or business administration, political science, international relations, or related field is required.

Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) in English.

Knowledge: Knowledge of U.S. government laws, policies, regulations, and procedures related to international development assistance. Working knowledge of development project design as well as the principles of sound program oversight, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and assistance and acquisition is required. A working knowledge of Serbia and the Southeast Europe region, its institutions, and development challenges is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work across multiple technical sectors is required.

Skills and Abilities: Excellent written and oral communications including experience drafting Country Development Cooperation Strategies; analytical, management, facilitation, and interpersonal/teamwork skills required. Organizational skills and computer skills, including the development and management of spreadsheets and tracking systems and the ability to interpret, organize, and present data to a variety of audiences preferred. Proven ability to mentor staff in program development and management skills required. Proven ability to represent organizational equities with leadership and the interagency required. Ability to work in teams is necessary.

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.

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

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

Evaluation factors Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are required to address each of the Evaluation Criteria (below) on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and awards or recognition they have received relevant to each criterion (Education; Work

Experience; Knowledge; Skills and Abilities; and Communication Proficiency), and any related considerations. This should not exceed two pages. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each additional page.

Education: (5 points)

Master’s degree in economics, public or business administration, political science, international relations, or related field is required

Prior Work Experience: (50 points)

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in international development strategy design including leading CDCS processes and drafting CDCS documents, project management and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (45 points)

Knowledge of U.S. government laws, policies, regulations and procedures related to international development assistance. Working knowledge of development project design as well as the principles of sound program oversight, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and assistance and acquisition is required. A working knowledge of Serbia and the Southeast Europe region, its institutions, and development challenges is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work across multiple technical sectors is required. Excellent written and oral communications; analytical;

management; and interpersonal/teamwork skills required. Organizational skills and computer skills, including the development and management of spreadsheets, tracking systems, and the ability to interpret, organize and present data to a variety of audiences preferred. Proven ability to mentor staff in program development and management skills required. Proven ability to represent organizational equities with leadership and the interagency required. Ability to work in teams is necessary.

Clearances: Active security and medical clearances will be considered as advantageous during the selection process.

IV. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

Interested individuals meeting the minimum qualifications above are required to submit the following:

1. Signed Form AID 309-2, Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts (available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/)

All offerors must submit complete dates (months/years) and hours per week for all positions listed on the form AID 309-2 to allow for adequate evaluation of your related and direct experiences. Offerors should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID 309-2 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, etc.

2. Cover letter and a current resume/curriculum vitae (CV). The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the application in accordance with the stated evaluation criteria. Broad general statements that are vague or lacking specificity will not be considered as effectively addressing particular selection criteria. Complete dates (month/year) are also required on CV.

3. References. Offerors must provide a minimum of three and a maximum of five references within the last five years from the Offeror’s professional life, namely individuals who are not family members or relatives. Three references must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the offeror’s work knowledge and professional experience. Offeror must provide e-mail addresses and/or working telephone numbers for all references.

4. Summary Statement. Offerors should provide the name of the Offeror, the announcement number at the top of each page, and the validity of the application. If the validity of the application is not provided, it will be assumed that the application will remain valid for at least 120 days. Offerors must also address the above Qualification and Evaluation section, in a summary statement to be included in the application. This summary statement, limited to two pages, must describe specifically and accurately, experience, training, education, and/or awards the Offeror has received that are relevant to each selection factor above.

The summary statement must also include the number of days an Offeror is available for overseas deployment in a calendar year cumulatively and the number of days an Offeror is available to deploy overseas consecutively (e.g, in a single deployment).

5. Offerors 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.

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ belgrade_jobs@usaid.gov

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

7. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

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

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

1. Application for Federal Employment (AID 302-3);

2. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or

4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

5. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

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

a. Benefits:

(a) Employer's FICA Contribution (USPSCs only)

(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) Annual and Sick Leave

(g) Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service (USPSCs only)

*Note: If a US citizen, the USPSC’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution.

b. Allowances:

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

(a) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)*

(b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 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) 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), and

(j) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650)

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

VII. TAXES

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

USAID Regulations, Policies, and Contract Clauses Pertaining to PSCs

VIII. 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/ads/policy/300/aidar

2. 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 Compensation, Fringe Benefits and

Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: TBC

1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at

Award after negotiatio ns with

Contractor https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar 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.

[The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant AIDAR deviation or other policy text as applicable by the type of USPSC.]

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/resources_standards-of-conduct.

5. 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.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED

APPLICATION

Jun 2023.

http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman about:blank