Senior Regional Criminal Justice 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: Senior Regional Criminal Justice Program Coordinator
Location: Bamako, Mali
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: August 5, 2019
Closing date: August 19, 2019
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number: PSC-19-075-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:

Dominique Chittum
U.S. Department of State
INL/RM/GAPP
ChittumDA@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/Dominique Chittum
E-mail: ChittumDA@state.gov

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Dominique Chittum
E-mail: ChittumDA@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.

In Mali, INL supports a regional initiative called the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), which seeks to enhance the criminal justice sectors of Sahel and Maghreb countries, including Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia. Additionally, Mali is part of the Security Governance Initiative (SGI), a joint endeavor between the United States and six African partners that offers a comprehensive approach to improving security sector governance and capacity to address threats. INL's Office of Criminal Justice Assistance and Partnership (CAP) assists police contributing countries (PCCs) to improve the quality and timeliness of police deployed to UN missions through training, capacity building, and equipment assistance to PCCs.

The incumbent will serve as Senior Regional Criminal Justice Program Coordinator (SRCJPC) at the U.S. Embassy Bamako. S/he will have a regional role and assist INL with oversight and management of foreign assistance programs in Mali, regional programs, and potentially other countries in the sub-region. Additionally, the SRCJPC will provide guidance to a locally employed staff member working out of the Embassy.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Bamako based Political Section Chief or his/her designee, the Senior Regional Criminal Justice Program Coordinator will perform the following duties:

1. Develop and manage effective INL programs in line with INL policy and priorities.
2. Advise respective U.S. embassies and INL/AME on local and regional developments in the criminal justice sector in subject areas including, but not limited to, 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 the U.S. Government is fully informed of the capabilities, capacity, performance, and opportunities with regard to all elements of the host governments' criminal justice sectors, including through periodic front channel reporting.
3. Advise respective embassies and INL/AME on the performance of host government agencies and implementing partners operating in conjunction with INL assets and resources. Evaluate progress towards results and recommend program improvements.
4. Engage with host government officials on key areas of the strategic goals outlined in the Embassy Integrated Country Strategies and INL strategy documents to determine how best to develop institutions so as to contribute to a more accountable government and just society, in line with both TSCTP and SGI initiatives. 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.
5. 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 activities and projects implemented by partners have demonstrable outcomes in line with programmatic goals and strategic priorities, including through assisting with coordination, monitoring, recommending adjustments, and initiating new projects to fill in gaps.
6. Liaise with and assist implementers, as well as potential implementers, to develop
results-oriented proposals to advance SGI, TSCTP, and other INL priorities while ensuring no commitments of USG funds are made prior to the proposal evaluation process.
7. Assist in the preparation of such reporting as the annual budget request for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds and the Mission Resource Requests (MRR). 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. Prepare and ensure quality of regular reporting, and create monthly status reports for INL/AME.
8. Brief Department, Congressional, and other international dignitaries orally and in writing on INL programs and projects in host countries. Prepare documents for presentation to the U.S. Congress, or audit entities. Develop appropriate itineraries and accommodations for official travelers, as necessary.
9. Coordinating input, drafting, clearing, and transmitting front channel reporting on regional security and justice issues. This includes regular (~bimonthly) INL program updates. This reporting should focus on connecting INL foreign assistance activities and projects to strategic goals and priority policy issues;
10. Establish and maintain appropriate internal management control systems. Ensure INL programs are not subject to waste, fraud, or mismanagement. Manage and monitor the use of all U.S.-provided commodities.
11. Provide analysis and guidance in project budget preparation as well as program planning.
12. Conduct or commission field surveys, evaluations, and special studies, as directed.
13. Maintain security awareness and properly handle classified and controlled items and information.
14. Supervise locally employed staff. Provide guidance and oversight for INL-funded positions in Mali, which currently include a DOJ/OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor, a DOJ/ICITAP TPC Senior Law Enforcement Advisor, and a TPC Senior Corrections Advisor.

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 mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (OT650) prior to deployment to Post.
4. If applicable - Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Embassy Bamako, Mali. Regular travel and work primarily in the region is required, including potentially Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Niger.

RELATIONSHIPS
The incumbent will report to the Political Section Chief and will send reports simultaneously to the DCM and the INL/AME Mali program officer(s) in Washington, DC. S/he will advise them and their respective leadership on criminal justice sector issues, including both diplomatic and programmatic engagement to meet U.S. policy objectives. S/he will be a member of the Country Team. S/he coordinates with other components of Embassy Bamako, including RSO, DOJ, OSC, USAID, and others. The RSCJPC will also liaise with actors in the region working to strengthen criminal justice institutions, including U.S. government officials, host government contacts, civil society organizations, academic institutions, other donors and international organizations.

The incumbent will exercise a significant degree of judgment and independent action in developing and coordinating criminal justice sector programs. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and rule of law programs. The RSCJPC will consult with INL/AME and INL/CAP on how to design, monitor, and manage programs and jointly analyze INL TSCTP and SGI programs, including opportunities for adapting existing or developing new projects. The incumbent will also coordinate with implementers in the region, including those funded by INL and others, to de-conflict training curricula, avoid duplicative effort, and identify opportunities for joint programming.

The incumbent will also support and develop regional INL programs to enhance linkages among different countries in the region, including help the countries in the region learn from and with each other.

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 PSC 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 PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial
programs spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Mali, 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 REQUIREMENTS
1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain DOS Secret security and Medical clearances.
2. A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience working with either the U.S. government, an international organization, or a large international non-government organization in a policy/operational role involving criminal justice sector issues.
3. A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience in program design, program management, and coordination on international development assistance programs, two (2) years of which should relate to governance and/or criminal justice issues/programs (e.g., access to justice, judicial reform, law enforcement support, corrections). Such experience should involve planning, strategizing, implementing, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and familiarity with basic requirements and mechanisms for contract management and procurement.
4. A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in a developing country
5. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (preferably in the areas of law, business management, international development, international affairs, political science, public administration, or a related field) or 4 years of equivalent work experience.
6. Demonstrated experience drafting complex, analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for senior-level officials or equivalent.
7. Demonstrated oral and written French proficiency at a professional working level.
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 (25 points)
Demonstrated experience in program management, especially in international governance, rule of law, and/or criminal justice sector programs to include experience involving analytical, planning, management, advisory, operational, or evaluative duties as well as multi-donor and interagency coordination. Previous experience managing U.S. government assistance programs.

Factor 2 - Interpersonal Relations (20 points)
Demonstrated experience in conducting meetings and discussions that justify, defend, negotiate, overcome resistance or 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 3 - International Experience (15 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, interact successfully across culture, and show good judgment in challenging security situations. Experience in international development or security work in Africa.

Factor 4 - Written Communication (10 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 address specifically 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 - 25
Factor #2 - 20
Factor #3 - 15
Factor #4 - 10
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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