SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00039
ISSUANCE DATE: July 11, 2024
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: August 30, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor

(USPSC), Food Technologist

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,

Joy Burriss
Contracting Officer
Office of Acquisition & Assistance
(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)

ATTACHMENT 1
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00039
2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 11, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 30, 2024 at 12:00 PM. Eastern Standard Time
4. POINT OF CONTACT: TPQ Recruitment Team, BHA.TPQRecruitment@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Food Technologist
6. MARKET VALUE: $88,520 - $115,079 equivalent to GS-13.
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.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Official USAID Worksite - Washington/BHA/TPQ. A Remote Alternative Worksite will be authorized at the time of award.This position has been designated as suitable for remote work. The contractor will be authorized to perform the services under this contract from an alternative worksite. For PSCs authorized to remote work, the alternative worksite determines the locality pay for compensation purposes. Personal Services Contractors must telework or remote work in the same country as the official USAID worksite for which services are being provided. U.S.-based USPSCs are authorized to telework or remote work only within the United States. For more information and the telework or remote work policies and procedures, please reference Telework and Remote Work Policy for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (PSCs). Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions. No costs will be reimbursed to the contractor relating to the alternative worksite. Personal services contractors who are teleworking or remote working continue to be subject to policies and procedures of the official USAID worksite, including those related to attendance, timekeeping, conduct, performance management, and randomdrug testing.
8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 days estimated start date from closing
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 as provided by USAID.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helpingpeople in need become more self-reliant. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas: 1) Humanitarian Response during emergencies and 2) Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience activities to address longer-term recovery after emergencies. You can learn more about BHA on our website.
The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance’s (BHA) efforts to ensure high-quality programmatic and technical leadership, oversight, and guidance. TPQ captures, applies, and strengthens capacity in technical best practices and contextually appropriate programmatic approaches focused on all dimensions of BHA programming from humanitarian response and transition into longer-term resilience programming, as well as risk analysis and early warning. TPQ is responsible for providing policy, normative guidance, tools, facilitation, and capacity building to assist the Bureau in achieving optimal humanitarian outcomes through strategic design, consistent and effective performance monitoring, comprehensive and appropriate evaluation, and purposeful learning across the full spectrum of BHA responses and programming. The Office promotes USAID’s humanitarian voice through active participation and technical leadership in interagency and global fora, including leading the Bureau’s technical engagement with academia and thought leaders. TPQ designs, supports and coordinates research to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of BHA programming. TPQ leads BHA in meeting the increasing demand for technical support and guidance in all facets of the Bureau’s work as the geographic and topical areas of coverage expand, and as the Bureau seeks increased technical and programmatic standardization, integration, and oversight to meet Agency, Congressional, and other demands.
BHA’s DIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY
Your Uniqueness is Welcome Here!
It takes talented people with unique experiences to provide the best humanitarian aid possible. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. We strive to create an inclusive workplace, where everyone brings their authentic selves to work. We invite you to join us in providing humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate the suffering around the world.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED
At the GS-13 Equivalent Level:
● Provide technical support to BHA (and other USAID bureaus, as requested), implementing partners, and field missions in food science and food safety and quality, local and regional procurement, and product development.
● Stay abreast of technical developments and methodologies through work with relevant offices in USAID, other donors, international organizations, universities, and other institutions, and through participation in technical conferences, seminars, and other activities.
● Provide USAID/BHA technical representation, as required, within the Agency, with other USG agencies, and with external stakeholders (e.g., World Food Program (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)) in relation to the safety and quality of food assistance commodities, product and process improvement, new product development or renovation, packaging improvement, and research. Examples of external engagement include representing USAID in USG Codex processes and representing BHA on the USG Food Safety Working Group.
● Support efforts to research, analyze, plan, coordinate, and negotiate effectively with management and other USG teams to accept and implement recommendations related to food assistance products, packaging, supply chain and supplier approval, specifications, and business processes (e.g., food safety/quality incident management) where the proposals involve substantial agency resources or require extensive changes in established procedures.
● Participate as an integral member of the Nutrition Team and work closely with Nutrition Advisors on the development of literature reviews, talking points, and position statements, for example: integrating expertise in food safety and quality into broader nutrition programming issues.
● Support USAID Washington with specific field missions for assessment and monitoring of manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation of food assistance commodities, and prepare subsequent reporting documentation.
● Proactively engage in technical discussions, including review of agency policies, guidelines, and other documents, around topics of relevance to the agency on food safety and quality, and lead studies and strategic analyses to establish BHA positions around such topics, and to inform BHA senior management in decision making.
● Support the development and updating of USAID commodity reference documents and specifications, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
● Engage with food assistance suppliers on product and process improvement, new product development, and new packaging development and research.
● Track food safety, quality, and food systems activities implemented through other USAID Bureaus to ensure consistency and synergy with BHA.
● Support the development of work plans, with focus on food technology domains of work and in alignment with the team and agency’s priorities.
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.
● Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, division, office, and Bureau objectives.
● Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to Bureau and TPQ programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas.
● Attend and actively participate in personal development activities, such as anti-harassment and diversity training opportunities, brown bag sessions, working groups, and/or focus group discussions.
● The Food Technologist 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.
● This position may be expected to be able to qualify, train for, and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for 2 to 4 weeks (or more) intervals. These can either be Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and/or Response Management Teams (RMTs). DARTs are deployed to the field in response to disasters and operate in the field, providing staff an opportunity to deploy overseas for an extended period of time (e.g., 6-8 weeks). RMTs are based in Washington, DC, and provide services to support DARTs, such as coordination and external engagement, communications, planning, logistics, travel coordination, or other similar duties (depending on the RMT role). The food technologist would respond to the need for support from either of these teams for the time necessary.
● As needed, may serve on temporary short-term assignments (“detail”) on other teams within the office or bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the position’s scope of work.
● The PSC may be expected to obtain an Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) certification. The AOR/COR oversees agreements and/or contracts. This includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, monthly status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, financial/budget reports, contractor performance evaluations, and compliance. More information about the AOR/COR responsibilities and related requirements can be found in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter. In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.
● As needed, staff is expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees. Training will be provided.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Nutrition Team Lead or their designee, in close technical coordination with the other Food Technologists.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The supervisor sets overall objectives. USPSC and supervisor together develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC independently plans, designs, and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements, or expected results. Technical problems are generally resolved without reference to supervisors.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
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). 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.

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.)
● A Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, packaging, food microbiology, food safety, and
quality, food engineering, or food technology-related fields with at least five (5)years of
experience in food science and technology.
OR
● A Master’s in food science, nutrition, packaging, food microbiology, food safety, and quality, food
engineering, or food technology-related fields with at least three (3) years of experience in food
science and technology.
OR
● A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in food science, nutrition, packaging, food microbiology,
food safety and quality, food engineering, or food technology-related fields with at least one (1)
year of experience in any combination of general experience in food science and technology.

AND
Specialized Experience:
● Experience in food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, microbiology, or applied nutrition;
● Private industry level experience working on food product development; and
● Experience developing, producing or auditing fortified foods that need long shelf life under
severe conditions.