SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: November 15, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 01, 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

720BHA23R00005

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00005

2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 15, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 01, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

This solicitation is open and continuous until June 01, 2023. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

December 15, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

March 09, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

June 01, 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: ALAC Recruitment Team, BHA.ALACRecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Deputy Team Lead (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: $126,233 - $164,102 equivalent to GS-14 (includes 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: USAID/Washington

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 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 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 Offices of Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (MENAE) and Asia, Latin America, and Caribbean (ALAC) design, provide, and assess humanitarian assistance, including assistance related to responding to, recovering from, and reducing the risk of man-made, complex emergencies, and natural disasters, while linking with other USAID investments which build resilience. To achieve these objectives, humanitarian experts based overseas coordinate with local authorities and USAID Missions, while humanitarian experts based in Washington, D.C., coordinate with the Department of State, Department of Defense, National Security Council, and USAID Regional Bureaus.

Both Offices consist of (3) three geographic Divisions: MENAE contains 1) Europe and North Africa, 2) the Middle East Arabian Peninsula and Iran, and 3) the Middle East and Levant; ALAC contains 1) Latin America and the Caribbean, 2) East Asia and the Pacific, and 3) South and Central Asia. These divisions are responsible for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance through grants and cooperative agreements to non-governmental organizations (NGOs); international organizations (IO) including United Nations (UN) agencies; and to other partners to ensure the implementation and delivery of this assistance. These divisions also oversee Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) nonresponse efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience, and humanitarian transition in their respective regions.

The Deputy Team Leads (DTLs) play a central role in the USG’s disaster response, humanitarian assistance, DRR, resilience, and early recovery programs. Their core function is to lead, manage, and support BHA portfolios that require significant USG policy engagement and humanitarian program management. The DTLs will report to the Regional Team Leaders who work closely with Division Chiefs in Washington, and report to the appropriate Office Director. The ALAC and MENAE Offices each require the services of experienced humanitarian professionals, who will serve as the DTLs in Washington, D.C. to support a complex portfolio and its implementation, ensuring that BHA’s objectives for disaster assistance, risk reduction, strategic reporting, interagency coordination, situational analysis, and staff management are met.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

This position requires an individual to manage and represent the humanitarian portfolio for Washington, D.C. After the BHA Team Leader (TL), the DTL will serve as the secondary contact and liaison for BHA’s ongoing humanitarian assistance activities as well as for resilience and DRR programs in a given region. The DTL will be responsible for program analysis and strategy development and work closely within the BHA Team, and with other USAID/Washington D.C. staff, as well as with the international donors, UN organizations, IOs, and international/local NGOs in disaster mitigation, and responding to humanitarian needs and sudden onset disasters. Depending on the size of the team, it is likely the DTL will also oversee and guide staff on program management. In the absence of the TL, the Deputy will serve as Acting TL as needed. Contextual Specialty

● Develop and maintain knowledge of the key humanitarian, DRR, and resilience issues within the Team portfolio.

● Maintain an in-depth understanding of political, humanitarian, organizational, and stakeholder interests specific to the Team portfolio.

● Monitor incipient disasters, international disaster response plans and efforts, and major humanitarian issues and challenges in the area of responsibility through a wide range of USG and international sources.

● Identify humanitarian issues, priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities within and relevant to the Team portfolio.

● Prepare and/or provide substantive assistance in the preparation of regular strategic and analytical reports on current or anticipated emergencies, as well as comprehensive preparedness documentation on the Team portfolio. Portfolio Management

● In consultation with field colleagues, manage Washington, D.C. engagement efforts to identify and assess on-going and emerging humanitarian assistance requirements, target beneficiary groups, and locations, oversee the general direction of existing relief and transition-oriented programs, and broadly recommend the types of interventions and budget levels required in the team portfolio.

● In conjunction with the BHA TL, closely collaborate with USAID Regional and colleagues from other USAID Bureaus on program coordination to share information, avoid overlap, and explore opportunities for synergies and transition efforts. ● Liaise with partners and other donors, coordinate with USAID BHA staff on issues of mutual interest, and provide coordinated field feedback to the partners.

● Coordinate collection of information and provide updates and recommendations through written reports on issues related to the humanitarian situation, including the following:

● Capacity and ability of UN, IOs, NGOs, and local institutions to carry out programs.

● Capacity of the logistics infrastructure to support programs.

● Security situation of beneficiaries, personnel, convoys, and relief operations in general.

● Contributions by other donors, problems arising from implementation of relief and reintegration programs, and any other issues that require the attention of BHA.

● Humanitarian coordination issues and any recommendations for change.

● Based on BHA’s Guidelines for Unsolicited Proposals and Reporting, provide guidance to organizations that are developing proposals for BHA.

● Review concept papers and proposals and provide timely recommendations/comments to BHA.

● Ensure reporting on a timely basis to the BHA TL, Division Chief, and other Washington, D.C. stakeholders on the quality of grantees’ work, noting deficiencies, attributes, and evolving operational conditions.

Representation

● As directed by the USAID TL, represent BHA at meetings within the USG and with humanitarian stakeholders to convey humanitarian concerns and priorities from the USAID and BHA perspective through oral and written briefings.

● Coordinate meetings such as:

● Meetings with individuals and groups of implementing partners discussing programmatic priorities, objectives, progress, results, and challenges.

● Donor and implementing partner coordination forums.

● Feed into discussions, meetings, and papers informing USG foreign policy in areas with humanitarian concerns or impacts.

● Serve as the supporting point of contact for BHA for humanitarian issues and serve as a liaison on program issues among USAID Mission staff, the U.S. Embassy, and other USG agencies, military representatives, BHA/Washington, and the overall humanitarian community.

● Present USAID and BHA perspectives to NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies relating to humanitarian assistance strategies and priorities, including BHA’s approach to sustainable, resilience- oriented humanitarian programs.

● Work closely with the USAID/BHA TL and Team to discuss and understand sectoral priorities.

● As directed by the TL, represent USG humanitarian interests at national and international meetings and conferences, and facilitate, as requested, travel and briefings for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues. Leadership

● Provide recommendations on current and future directions of BHA’s portfolio to include programmatic, budgetary, and human resource requirements.

● The DTL 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 within the BHA Team in USAID/Washington, D.C. ● Participate, as assigned, in a wide range of office-wide policy, process, and strategic initiatives and working groups to ensure ALAC/MENAE Office’s priorities and operating realities are reflected in outcomes. ● Actively solicit and consolidate feedback from the division on these initiatives and work with the Office Directors, Division Chiefs, TLs, and other DTLs to identify the division’s strategic interests and find creative ways to find solutions beneficial to the division as well as the office.

● In coordination with other BHA Offices and field teams, incorporate humanitarian concerns into regional activities and identify opportunities to leverage USAID interventions.

● Support the professional development of team members through mentorship. General Duties

● Serve in Deputy leadership, planning, or program positions on response teams, assessment teams, or provide coverage for field offices within and outside the region.

● May serve on Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) overseas. While not common, this may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time but this requirement is flexible during the current pandemic and the office would take personal situations into consideration. Staff preparedness and readiness are essential for safety while ultimately providing for a successful response mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. BHA has standardized and systematic preparedness requirements in place to ensure that both its systems and personnel are always prepared for a no-notice event.

● May serve as needed, on Washington, D.C.-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.

● As needed, may serve on a temporary detail within the office. Duties performed while on the detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.

● Develop professional and technical skills of staff working on RMTs and DARTs.

● Communicate and coordinate information, programs, and strategies with staff in the USAID Regional Bureaus, USAID regional offices, and with US Mission counterparts.

● 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 the 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.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The DTL will report directly to the BHA TL within USAID or their designee.

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.)

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; and nine (9) years of progressively demonstrated experience in emergency relief, DRR, disaster preparedness or related programming and management, which must include three (3) years of field work in international humanitarian assistance or disaster response needs assessment, analysis, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation.

OR

Master’s degree in any discipline; and seven (7) years of progressively demonstrated experience in emergency relief, DRR, disaster preparedness or related programming and management, which must include two (2) years of field work in international humanitarian assistance or disaster response needs assessment, analysis, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation.

AND

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen;

● 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 after award);

● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

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.

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● 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.

● 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)

Matrix

● (Leadership) Demonstrated experience creating a collaborative environment for a team of diverse staff in a fast-paced environment while meeting ongoing deadlines. (6 points)

● (Leadership) Demonstrated experience drafting office-wide policies, processes, and strategic initiatives. (6 points)

● (Representation/Communication) Demonstrated experience with: (1) Internal representation to senior leadership on program or policy issues, and (2) External representation on humanitarian policy or programming matters. (6 points)

● (Analysis) Demonstrated experience analyzing a humanitarian situation in order to inform program approaches or strategies, internal or external reporting, or to make recommendations to management or other relevant stakeholders. (6 points)

● (Program Design and Management) Within humanitarian, disaster resilience, or early recovery programs: demonstrated experience managing programs or portfolios to include: (1) strategy or program design, (2) proposal development or review, and (3) Implementation and monitoring. (6 points)

Interview Performance (50 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (20 points)

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education and 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. 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. 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.

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

Forms outlined below can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/main.do

1. Resume.

2. USPSC Offeror Form (AID 309-2)

3. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). **

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or **

5. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). **

6. Finger Print Card (FD-258). **

7. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). **

** Forms 3 through 7 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an offeror is the successful candidate for the job.

About the Organization

BACKGROUND

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian assistance overseas in response to all types of international disasters, including slow-onset disasters such as droughts or famine, natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, or man-made disasters such as conflict or war. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas:

● Humanitarian Response activities comprise needs-based humanitarian assistance provided to save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies. Humanitarian assistance is grounded in humanitarian principles and is directed toward the most vulnerable populations.

● Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) activities will set the initial foundations for longer-term recovery as appropriate and will work in close conjunction with humanitarian assistance. Early recovery is an approach that supports communities impacted by crises to protect and restore basic systems and service delivery. Early recovery builds on humanitarian response efforts and establishes the initial foundations of long-term recovery. Early recovery activities are implemented for a specified, appropriate timeframe that assists populations recovering from an identifiable shock. Risk reduction is the prevention of new and reduction of existing disaster risk and management of residual risk, which contributes to strengthening resilience and to the achievement of sustainable development. Resilience is the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

BHA has seven offices, as follows:

The Bureau’s three geographic offices are: (1) Office of Africa; (2) Office of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and (3) the Office of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Each geographic office designs, provides, and assesses humanitarian assistance for their respective regions, including assistance related to responding to, recovering from, and reducing the risk of man-made and natural disasters, while linking with other USAID investments that build resilience.

The Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC) shapes and influences USAID’s role within the international humanitarian system; leads engagement on a range of policy, programmatic, and operational issues; and positions the Agency to influence collective response to emergency needs across the globe.

The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads the Bureau's efforts to provide high-quality programmatic and technical leadership, oversight, and guidance. In addition, TPQ leads the Bureau’s external engagement with academia and coordinates research to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of humanitarian and multi-year programming.

The Office of Humanitarian Business and Management Operations (HBMO) is responsible for maintaining 24/7 operability by providing leadership, planning, quality assurance, technical expertise, and process management. HBMO ensures effective stewardship of the Bureau’s support services, including workforce planning, staffing, financial management, internal controls, facilities operations and infrastructure.

The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) leads and manages operational assistance and the purchase and delivery of goods and services in response to declared foreign disasters and international humanitarian needs in key functional areas, including supply-chain management, procurement, logistics, oversight, and operational coordination with the U.S. military.