SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA22R00057

ISSUANCE DATE: October 31, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: August 11, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

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

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), 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 of 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 stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented 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 cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely,

Sonja Stroud-Gooden

Contracting Officer

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA22R00057

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 31, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 11, 2023, 12:00 P.M.
Eastern Time

This solicitation is open and continuous until August 11, 2023. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

December 15, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
April 14, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
August 11, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered for positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be canceled at the Contracting Officer’s discretion.

4. POINT OF CONTACT: FARO Recruitment Team BHA.FARORecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Support Relief Group (SRG) Senior Humanitarian Advisors (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: $112,890 - $146,757 equivalent to GS-15 (not eligible for locality pay)

Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.

Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

If the position is for a Washington based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide

Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date
from closing

STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:
The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as part of the SRG. The Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) intends to contract for these services for a maximum of 250 days per calendar year. Activation days vary but will not exceed 250 days during each contract year.

The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by BHA and the contractor. Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, BHA will contact the contractor and provide the following information:

1. Date contractor is needed to report to BHA or assignment in the field
2. Duration of Assignment
3. Place of Performance

The contractor will notify BHA within 24 hours of availability. At the time the contractor accepts the assignment, he/she is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment. While the contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 250 days). The contractor shall notify BHA at the time of commitment if their existing schedule would preclude an extension. Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify the contractor from the assignment but will simply assist BHA in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if the contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, the contractor will be required to give BHA 10 days’ notice for release from the
assignment.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret. (If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance after award)

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT
BHA needs to maintain a roster of SRG personnel to meet its surge capacity objectives. Each SRG is deployable to backfill Washington positions, to be assigned to field offices for staff enhancement, to serve on various response teams, both domestically and overseas, as disaster response demands, and to assess critical situations as warranted. BHA needs to maintain a roster of SRG Humanitarian Advisor personnel to provide the Bureau, in particular the Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs and Communications (G3PC) with surge capacity during periods of increased activity. SRG personnel provide technical advice and assistance for the analysis of policy issues ranging from displacement and humanitarian principles to disaster risk reduction and will fulfill coordination roles in the field and in Washington, D.C. for disaster response. These positions will help the organization lead on policy issues and assist in planning for BHA strategies and responses to humanitarian crises, as well as advocate and educate on humanitarian issues, and help prepare key briefings and policy guidance.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

The SRG Senior Humanitarian Advisor may perform the following tasks as needed by BHA:

● Work on senior policy issues and serve as a resource on critical issues related to ongoing responses or Agency policy initiatives.
● Serve in a representational role on a range of different policy and coordination issues for G3PC within senior level fora.
● Develop and conduct specialized humanitarian training on the international humanitarian architecture and executive leadership initiatives.
● Attend various international humanitarian meetings, including meetings with the United Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donors, and other country representatives and provide authoritative information and views to formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues for the USG.
● Work cooperatively with relevant USG offices and serve as a point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.
● Represent USAID at meetings with the UN, international organizations, and other donors and other conferences sponsored by members of the international community, and provide guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiating strategies, and, in consultation with USAID/Washington, conduct negotiations with the donor community and make recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID.
● Work with counterparts in other donor organizations at the most senior levels to exchange information, establish meetings on specific donor issues, solicit publications, and collect information on training opportunities; coordinate these activities with relevant USAID officers.
● Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with the US Mission to the UN offices and relevant USG offices and serve as a point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.
● Coordinate with other federal agencies on international disaster responses and plan and organize regular meetings on disaster response and disaster risk reduction with the USG interagency.
● Provide strategic oversight and planning for multi-platform, multi-stakeholder initiatives. Establish and maintain relationships across platforms and contractors to provide a high level of coordination. Support development of and provide significant input into strategic plans and programmatic objectives. Oversee the formulation and preparation of the annual operating expense budget and work plan to ensure effective management and implementation.
● Serve as the liaison to executive-level platforms that include representation from across the humanitarian sector, including the UN, NGO, Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, as well as other donors, academia, and the private sector. Establish strong working relationships to facilitate coordination and engagement. Serve as the focal point for coordinating multi-stakeholder events, to include setting agendas, reviewing actions to be taken in response to feedback and recommendations, and conducting post-event follow-up as appropriate.
● Support program design and procurement processes. Draft detailed scopes of work for diverse requirements that align essential functions with programmatic requirements.
Review procurements for programmatic and financial soundness and reasonableness.
Advise program staff on programmatic and financial implications of agreements.
● Track implementation of activities and agreements of USAID implementing partners from a financial and programmatic management point of view and advise management on financial status of programs and activities. Review programmatic and financial reporting to ensure compliance and alignment with activity implementation. Communicate issues as they arise to implementing partners and track to resolution.
● Regularly review and serve as advisor to senior management as it relates to workforce planning, organizational structure, and personnel management for discrete initiatives. Identify gaps and suggest solutions. Draft position descriptions for a variety of personnel hiring mechanisms, ensuring position requirements align with market value justifications. Liaise with agency representatives responsible for hiring processes, participating in recruitment, onboarding, and day-to-day positional support as required.
● May serve as needed, on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs),
which provides services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.
● May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.
● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance
Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
● Create, contribute to, and maintain a collaborative and effective team environment while setting the tone and example for open communication and regular coordination; a work environment conducive to mutual respect; clear expectations for performance; and clear delegations of roles, responsibilities, and authority.
● Mentor team members to build technical and other professional skills which meet the professional goals of staff and the needs of BHA.
● Create a culture of civility and respect whereby both managers and employees are expected to behave professionally and cultivate a harassment free work environment at all times.
● Work with division and G3PC leadership to identify and address structural barriers to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in and across teams and divisions in the G3PC. Practice equitable supervision, task/project assignment, and leadership growth potential to all staff.
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.
● The SRG Senior Humanitarian Advisor does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and report to the FARO/R2D Division Director or his/her designee. When activated, the USPSC will take direction from and will report to one of the Division Directors or their designee within G3PC.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

Supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out programs, projects, studies or other work. Results are considered authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and
experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

High School Diploma. A minimum of thirteen (13) years of experience working on international
emergency response or humanitarian assistance or on humanitarian policy issues. Experience
working for the USG or with an international organization required.

OR

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Must have a minimum of nine (9) years of experience working
on international emergency response or humanitarian assistance or on humanitarian policy issues.
Experience working for the USG or with an international organization required.

OR

Master’s degree in any discipline. Must have a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working
on international emergency response or humanitarian assistance or on humanitarian policy issues.
Experience working for the USG or with an international organization required.

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. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at 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.

SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
● Complete resume submitted. See Section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.
This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance after award.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract.
● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM
The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:

Professional Experience (30 points):

● Direct experience with (6 points):
● USG international humanitarian agencies (3 points)
● Other international disaster response organizations (3 points)

● Experience managing humanitarian interventions in an international disaster context across the entire disaster management cycle to include: (6 points)
● emergency response (2 points)
● early recovery (2 points)
● disaster risk reduction (2 points)

● Demonstrated experience managing humanitarian policy interventions through (10 points):
● coordination efforts (2 points)
● strategy development (2 points)
● resource prioritization (2 points)
● program development (2 points)
● program management (2 points)

● Demonstrated experience (8 points):
● representing a country or organization in public settings (2 points)
● briefing senior or government officials (2 points)
● making recommendations to senior officials or members of the international community (2 points)
● working with multiple stakeholders to negotiate outcomes (2 points)

Interview Performance (50 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (20 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during the future phase of the selection process.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
2. Offers 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.
3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
4. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. 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. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.
(d) U.S. Citizenship
(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.

5. Ensure Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated. * USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.
*See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.

6. NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.

7. NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained; the offer may be rescinded.

8. 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 offer.