INL Regional Program Coordinator

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL)

You have received this "Personal Services Contractor" (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application.

Position Title: INL Regional Program Coordinator
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Salary Level: FS-02 - $86,374 - $126,843 (Equivalent GS-14)
Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions.
Issuance Date: June 26, 2019
Closing date: July 10, 2019
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number: PSC-19-066-INL
Job description: See below

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include:
a. Paid a 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 any overseas 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. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
e. U.S. Citizenship

Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

Supplemental document specifically addressing:
f. Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor.

3. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to:

Michelle Washington
U.S. Department of State
INL/RM/GAPP
washingtonm1@state.gov

Sincerely,

Anthony Pierce
Contracting Officer
U.S. Department of State

SUBJECT

A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation.

PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011)
This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, "Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors," or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award.

HOW TO APPLY
Offerors proposal shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process.

NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION

This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application.

Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed):
4. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
5. Resume and Evaluation Factor Responses
6. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references.

Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed.

*** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214.

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

Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of:
INL/Michelle Washington
E-mail: washingtonm1@state.gov

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Michelle Washington
E-mail: washingtonm1@state.gov

INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT
Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of state is the President's principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State's mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world.

Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.

INL's Office of Africa and the Middle East Programs (AME) develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues in both regions. INL/AME collaborates with Embassies to design and implement INL programs that enhance the criminal justice sectors of Benin and other countries in West Africa. INL's primary goal in West Africa is to create an inhospitable operating environment for transnational organized crime and drug traffickers. The INL Regional Program Coordinator's objective is to work regionally and bilaterally to support the Beninese government and other West African institutions and governments in the fight against transnational crime and drug trafficking.

The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to perform the responsibilities of INL Regional Program Coordinator (IRPC). The IRPC will oversee management of INL programs in Benin and other West African countries where INL programs are being implemented, as needed. The IRPC will also provide internal control and accountability for the delivery of equipment, technical assistance, training, and other INL assistance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Embassy Cotonou Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) or his/her designee, the IRPC will perform the following duties:

• Advise respective U.S. embassies and INL/AME on developments in the criminal justice sector in subject areas including anticorruption, law enforcement, justice sector, and rule of law. Identify potential areas of development for future programs that will fulfill INL's goals and objectives. Ensure that the U.S. government is fully informed on the capabilities, capacity, performance, and opportunities with regard to all elements of the host governments' criminal justice sectors.
• Consult with host government officials to help them determine how best to develop their institutions to contribute to a more just society. Generate support for and actively advance U.S. policy objectives with key stakeholders, including host government officials, civil society, the media, and other influential leaders in the private sector.
• Work with INL/AME to plan and develop assistance programs that meet host nation development needs and advance U.S. and INL goals. Ensure programs are coordinated with other U.S. programs and assistance efforts.
• Liaise with and assist implementers, as well as potential implementers, to develop
results-oriented proposals to advance INL goals while ensuring that no commitments of USG funds are made before properly authorized.
• Advise respective embassies and INL/AME on the performance of host government agencies and implementing partners operating in conjunction with INL assets and resources. Monitor performance and evaluate progress towards results, and recommend program improvements.
• Maintain necessary professional relationships with implementers, host government agencies, international organizations and commissions, civil society actors, and other important partners in the fight against transnational crime and drug trafficking. Act as liaison between these entities and other components of the U.S. Mission(s).
• Ensure compliance with Leahy vetting requirements for INL projects that include security forces.
• Facilitate Embassy Cotonou's compliance with end-use-monitoring (EUM) regulations for INL-funded sensitive and high-value items donated to the host government.
• Assist in the preparation of such reporting as the annual budget request for International Narcotics, Crime and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds and the Mission Resource Requests. Coordinate annual reporting requirements for INL (e.g., the INCSR parts I and II, the End-Use Monitoring Report, etc). Prepare program documentation and procurement requirements for assistance projects. Help prepare and ensure quality of regular reporting, and create monthly status reports for INL/AME.
• Brief Department officials, interagency partners, Congressional representatives, and other international dignitaries orally and in writing on INL programs in host countries. Prepare documents for presentation to the U.S. Congress, or audit entities.
• Assist official travelers by developing relevant itineraries, ensuring appropriate travel and lodging arrangements, and accompanying them to meetings, as necessary.
• Establish and maintain appropriate internal management control systems. Ensure that INL programs are not subject to waste, fraud, or mismanagement. Help manage and monitor the use of all U.S.-provided commodities intended for criminal justice sector purposes.
• Provide analysis and guidance in project budget preparation as well as program planning.
• Conduct or commission field surveys, evaluations, and special studies, as directed.
• Maintain security awareness and properly handle classified and controlled items and information.
• Supervise locally employed staff.

TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post.

2. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post.

3. Completes the FSI contracting officer's representative (COR) course, and FSI grants officer's representative (COR) successfully within (120) days of assignment.

4. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (OT650) prior to deployment to Post.

5. If applicable - Consultations with the INL Program Office in Washington will generally be required prior to deployment.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin. The incumbent will also occasionally travel and work in other countries in West Africa, as circumstances dictate and allow.

RELATIONSHIP
The IRPC will report to the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), and will send reports to the DCM and INL/AME program officer in Washington, DC. The IRPC will also liaise with actors in the region working to combat transnational crime and drug trafficking. These actors include U.S. government officials, host government contacts, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and/or international organizations or commissions.

The IRPC will consult with INL/AME to manage programs to produce results. The IRPC will exercise independent judgment to develop new and improved methods to analyze and review INL programs throughout the West Africa region, noting new and unforeseen gaps and opportunities as circumstances evolve.

COMPLEXITY
This position involves planning, organizing and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity. Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken. The IRPC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions.

SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS
The IRPC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotic programs in Cotonou, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security and Medical clearances.
2. Graduate degree from an accredited institution and eight (8) years of practical experience in one or more of the following areas: law, criminal justice, business management, international development, international affairs, political science, public administration, or a related field; or,
a. An undergraduate degree with a minimum of ten (10) years of practical experience in one or more of the listed fields above.
3. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in program design/execution, program management, monitoring and evaluation on assistance programs or international development.
4. A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in a developing country.
5. Demonstrated experience in drafting complex, analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level U.S. government officials or equivalent.
6. Demonstrated experience in working with international development programs, including drafting related reports/documents, annual budgets, and strategic plan submissions.
7. Demonstrated oral and written French communication skills, at the FSI 3/3 equivalent level.
8. Demonstrated experience in planning, strategizing, implementing and reporting on projects, including familiarity with basic requirements and mechanisms for contract management and procurement.
9. A minimum of two (2) years of experience working on criminal justice issues or working within the criminal justice system.
10. A minimum of four (4) years of experience working within the U.S. government in a foreign affairs role, within an international organization, or equivalent.

EVALUATION FACTORS
(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Factor 1 Program Management (20 points)
Demonstrated experience in program management, especially in international programs involving multiple agencies that include foreign government entities; to include experience involving analytical, planning, management, advisory, operational, or evaluative duties. Experiencing managing U.S. government programs is preferred. Substantive knowledge of and experience within African rule of law or law enforcement programs, and with Francophone civil code systems is highly valued.

Factor 2 International Experience (20 points)
Demonstrated experience-managing programs in foreign, post-conflict environments; to include ability to live, work, and travel in difficult conditions with limited support, manage programs in a complex and fluid environment, and show good judgment in challenging security situations. Experience in Africa generally, and West Africa in particular, is preferred.

Factor 3 Interpersonal Relations (15 points)
Demonstrated experience in conducting meetings and discussions that justify, defend, and overcome resistance/settle highly significant or controversial issues; to include experience coordinating and/or integrating the work of participating groups with conflicting or undefined priorities, requiring accomplishment of major compromises in the project goals, techniques and methodologies prior to substantial progress.

Factor 4 Written Communication (15 points)
Demonstrated independent experience in preparing and writing reports, audits, memoranda, etc., in English and French, in a subject area related to the duties of the position; to include reports and decision papers requiring independent analysis and having a significant impact in the program area on an international level.

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:
Factor #1 - 20
Factor #2 - 20
Factor #3 - 15
Factor #4 - 15
Total Possible - 70 Points

Interview Performance - 30 points

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

Past performance evaluation of applicant's ability to perform under the contract. In conducting
the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information
available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other
sources.

Total Possible Points: 100

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection.

COMPENSATION (BASE PAY)
For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements.

BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES
AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE
• Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution
• Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance
• Pay Comparability Adjustment
• Annual Increase
• Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
• Annual, Sick and Home Leave
• 401K Plan
• MEDVAC (provided by DOS Med)

ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE
• Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post
• Housing Allowance
• Post Allowance
• Supplemental Post Allowance
• Maintenance Allowance (SMA)
• Education Allowance
• Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary)
• Post Hardship Differential
• Danger Pay
• Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables

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