SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00052
ISSUANCE DATE: May 8, 2024
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 21, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor
(USPSC) - Content and Digital Communications Advisor - Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)

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,
Juan E. Proaño
Senior Contracting Officer
Office of Acquisition & Assistance
(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00052
2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 8, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 21, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
This solicitation is open and continuous until October 21, 2024. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

Round One - June 21, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Round Two - August 19, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Final Round - October 21, 2024, 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: G3PC Recruitment Team, BHA.G3PCRecruitment@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Content and Digital Communications Advisor (Multiple Positions)
6. MARKET VALUE: $117,962 - $153,354 equivalent to GS-13 - 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.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Washington, DC - 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
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 Secret up to 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 (www.usaid.gov) (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helping people 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 (www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance).

The Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communication (G3PC) directs the Bureau’s leadership in global humanitarian policy, showcases BHA’s life-saving work through strategic communication and information, and manages collaboration with the U.S. Interagency and external stakeholders, including public and private partners, international and multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. The office is organized into seven divisions: Humanitarian Policy and International Systems; Humanitarian Multilateral; Humanitarian Organizations and Partnerships; Private Sector Engagement, Diaspora, and Innovation; Global Capacity and Leadership Development; U.S. Engagement, Strategy, and Programs; and Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Information (SCHI).

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

As part of the Content and Digital Communications Team, Content and Digital Communications Advisors are responsible for producing innovative and compelling creative content and social media posts that broadly inform the public about BHA’s activities and positions the Bureau as a go-to source for humanitarian information. Through the creation of blogs, videos, graphics, social media, and other materials, the team communicates the impact of BHA’s work through new and innovative means with the goal of reaching new audiences.

Content Creation and Digital Communications

● Conceptualize and develop external communications products (e.g. blogs, success stories, graphics, videos) that best showcase BHA’s work, and bring our activities, programs, and beneficiaries to life in new ways.
● Engage in every phase of the content production process—from identifying and pitching stories, drafting, editing, proofreading, and publishing—working in coordination with BHA geographic offices, SCHI Division colleagues, and other members of the Content and Digital Communications Team.
● Grow and maintain BHA’s social media platforms–including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts–to increase engagement and followers.
o Engage with BHA staff, partners, and other relevant parties to obtain compelling content.
o Draft social media posts, working in close coordination with relevant BHA staff.
o Review social media posts of team members.
o Monitor comments and mentions; participate in relevant online conversations; respond in a timely manner.
o Maintain BHA’s editorial calendar and Medium blog, working in close collaboration with the Content and Digital Communications Team Leader on production, layout, publishing, and promotion.
o Work with BHA staff and team members to support the social media for BHA’s Assistant to the Administrator and provide social media content for main USAID and USAID Administrator handles, as needed.
● Manage and coordinate BHA’s public messaging campaigns, working in close coordination with the Content and Digital Communications Team Leader and Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) to carry them out.
o Create and implement new public messaging campaigns that enhance and amplify the Bureau’s activities.
o Work closely with LPA to ensure that BHA’s activities are best showcased in USAID or United States Government (USG) messaging campaigns and on their social media platforms.
● Create, modify, and update BHA content on USAID.gov to better communicate BHA’s mission and impact to the public.
o Populate USAID website with BHA information and materials, including public fact sheets, maps, situation reports, graphics, multimedia content, and other materials.
o Review, monitor, and update online disaster and crisis response content for quality and timeliness, as well as for compliance with the agency’s information management procedures and practices.
o Liaise with the BHA web points of contact to make updates and apply editorial processes to systemically keep BHA webpages free of errors and up-to-date.
o Support the BHA-funded Center for International Disaster Information website (www.cidi.org) and PSAid student contest website (www.psaid.gov)
● Create next-level “evergreen” content—which is content that remains relevant for a long period of time—about BHA’s staff, mission, technical expertise, operational capabilities, and priorities. Develop and implement new ways to communicate BHA’s investments in early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience, which are activities designed to strengthen the capacities of vulnerable communities to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to shocks and stresses.

Response and Crisis Communications

● Provide timely and targeted content and social media support to BHA staff and geographic offices during disaster responses and emergencies that communicate BHA’s impact, expertise, and value to external audiences.
● During BHA disaster responses, work with BHA staff to produce a steady series of timely social media posts and strategic content (e.g. stories, infographics, videos) that draw in people to learn more about BHA’s response and life-saving activities.
● Coordinate social media efforts with key USG entities and facilitate amplification of BHA’s social media activities. Share BHA content—social media, photos, infographics, blogs—with key interagency partners, as appropriate.
● Travel to disaster locations and programmatic sites, as needed, to gather content (e.g. photos, video footage, interviews, stories) for hands-on creation of multimedia content. Work on location with contracted videographers and photographers, as needed, to support the development of content highlighting BHA’s efforts and partner activities.
● This position is expected to be able to qualify, train for and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for 4 to 6 weeks or longer 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).

Strategic Communications

● Monitor and analyze social media trends to advise on keeping BHA’s social media platforms in line with current trends. Look for new engagement opportunities and messaging methods.
● Research emerging technologies and messaging trends to tell engaging stories that also helps BHA reach a new and larger audience. Implement new strategies in close coordination with the Content and Digital Communications Team Leader.
● Provide editorial, creative, and technical support to team members.
o Review visual assets with a seasoned eye and provide constructive feedback to improve content quality of BHA-produced content.
o Ensure content developed by the Content and Digital Communications Team meets BHA and USAID visual communication standards.
● Work closely with the broader SCHI Division, BHA offices, and LPA to ensure that digital and visual communication efforts are responsive to current priorities, key messaging strategies, and evolving needs.
● Foster cross-team collaboration with press, strategic communications, humanitarian information, programmatic, technical, and other BHA staff around messaging campaigns, content creation, and content promotion efforts. Work with these teams to build a culture of storytelling and creativity.
● Serve as a BHA representative in relevant USAID or USG meetings pertaining to content, social media, and digital communications.
● Mentor and assist in the development of other Content Team members and SCHI Division staff on content creation and storytelling.

Other Duties

● 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.
● As needed, staff is expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees. Training will be provided.
● 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.
● Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, office, and Bureau objectives.
● Participate in G3PC office-wide efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to Bureau programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas.
● 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 (ADS 302mar) and the AOR designation letter (ADS 303mai). In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.
● The Content and Digital Communications 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 will report to the Content and Digital Communications Team Lead, with guidance from the SCHI Division Chief or a designee of the SCHI Division.

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 is primarily sedentary and does not involve undue physical demands. Work is primarily performed in an office setting.

During deployment on Disaster Assistance Response Teams(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 High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least nine (9) years of experience in communications, public outreach, journalism, multimedia production, content creation, international relations, or political science.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least five (5) years of experience in communications, public outreach, journalism, multimedia production, content creation, international relations, or political science.
OR
A Master’s degree in any discipline with at least three (3) years of experience in communications, public outreach, journalism, multimedia production, content creation, international relations, or political science.
AND
Specialized Experience:
● Experience producing creative content in various media formats (e.g., blogs, social media, success stories, videos, photography blogs, etc.);
● Experience managing social media platforms in a fast-paced environment and growing an organization’s social media audience using social media metrics to provide insights and analysis on future growth opportunities; and
● Experience developing and managing public messaging campaigns from start to finish.

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 of 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 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 Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of an offer or removal.
● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance and maintain it throughout the life of the contract. More information on medical clearance classifications can be found in 16 FAM 211.2 Clearance Classifications or the Department of State webpage on medical clearances (https://www.state.gov/popular-topics-medical-clearances/#Clearance).
● 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 evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses. Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process. The rating factors are as follows:

Specialized Experience (20 points)
Interview Performance (35 points)
Timed Writing Test (35 points) - The offeror will be required to submit a writing sample to USAID. If the offeror doesn’t meet all of the submission instructions, a score of zero (0) will be designated for this portion of the evaluation.
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points) - Offerors must provide their references to BHA upon request no later than seven (7) days from the initial request. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the offeror being removed from consideration for this solicitation. In addition, the Agency has the right to seek any additional feedback on the offeror as needed.
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 and GS level 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. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field 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) 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 of 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. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.