SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00030

ISSUANCE DATE: July 11, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: August 25, 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,

Ousay Wahaj

Supervisory Contracting Officer

Office of Acquisition & Assistance

(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)

 

ATTACHMENT 1 

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00030

2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 11, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 25, 2023 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: TPQ Recruitment Team, BHA.TPQRecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Engineering & Infrastructure (E & I) Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($84,546 – $109,908) or GS-14 ($99,908 – $129,878)

This position can be filled at either the GS-13 ($84,546 – $109,908) or GS-14 ($99,908 – $129,878) equivalent level.

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.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-13 will be considered for the GS-13 level positions. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-14 will be considered for the GS-14 level only.

Offerors selected at the GS-13 may have an opportunity for advancement to the GS-14 equivalent after at least two years at the GS-13 level if the individual receives a recommendation from the supervisor for advancement along with an Exceeds Fully Successful performance evaluation. Advancement to the GS-14 level is not guaranteed.

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

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Remote

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

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.

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 Engineering and Infrastructure Advisor, as a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), will support the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance’s (BHA’s) efforts to ensure technical quality, context appropriateness, cost-effectiveness, sustainability of infrastructure interventions in emergency response, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience-building Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) activities. This includes guiding infrastructure activities within the Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) and providing technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and U.S. Government (USG) colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to infrastructure interventions and construction policy.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED 

At the GS-13 equivalent level

● Support infrastructure interventions within FSL-related activities and provide technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and USG colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to infrastructure and construction policy for emergency and early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience (ER4) activities.

● With diverse teams, engage in the design of new activities and review of applications, particularly for ER4 interventions; and participate in workshops, activity refinement, and evaluations; all which may require travel to the field.

● With diverse teams, support monitoring of the effectiveness and appropriateness of infrastructure in emergency and ER4 activities, including conducting in-person or virtual site visits, as requested, to assess infrastructure quality, impact, and evidence of sustainability.

● Engage and coordinate with other relevant USAID bureaus/offices, particularly in relation to Agency Construction Policies and Construction Risk Management.

● Support the development and delivery of infrastructure guidance materials such as training, reports, case studies, or other media as requested or identified.

● Remain informed about literature and ongoing research related to infrastructure with particular emphasis on issues related to BHA activities and Agency priorities.

● Coordinate with BHA and USAID colleagues on infrastructure-related climate discussions and deliverables, including related to the USAID Climate Strategy.

At the GS-14 equivalent level (If the PSC is promoted during contract performance).

● Guide infrastructure interventions within FSL-related activities and provide technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and USG colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to infrastructure and construction policy for ER4 activities. May include serving as TPQ subject-matter expert on specialized infrastructure and engineering topics, as needed.

● With diverse teams, participate in and help lead the design of new activities and review of applications, particularly for ER4 interventions; and participate in and help lead workshops, activity refinement, and evaluations; all which may require travel to the field.

● With diverse teams, help lead monitoring and evaluation assessments of the effectiveness and appropriateness of emergency and ER4 food security and livelihoods activities (not only infrastructure interventions), including conducting in-person or virtual site visits, as requested, to assess quality, impact, and evidence of sustainability in BHA investments.

● Lead coordination with other USAID bureaus/offices and other USG or United Nations (UN) agencies, particularly in relation to Agency Construction Policies and Construction Risk Management. Using strong oral and written communication skills, help develop and implement policy and programmatic solutions to improve BHA construction risk management.

● Coordinate with the Infrastructure, Natural and Water Resources Management (INWRM) Team lead to oversee consistency and clarity in team reviews of infrastructure interventions in emergency applications, ER4 activities, and/or annual program documents.

● Develop and deliver infrastructure guidance materials such as training, reports, case studies, or other media as requested or identified.

● Contribute to or oversee (and remain informed about) the development of new literature and ongoing research related to infrastructure with particular emphasis on issues related to BHA activities and Agency priorities, including serving as Activity Manager for BHA-funded external research, as needed.

● Help lead infrastructure-related climate discussions and deliverables with BHA and USAID colleagues, including those related to the USAID Climate Strategy.

All GS Equivalent Levels:

● Contribute to and draft oral and written communications for USAID and BHA policy discussions and program development.

● Review emergency applications and non-emergency activities for adherence to relevant USAID and BHA guidelines and relevant technical standards, review emergency and non-emergency annual work plans, budgets, award reports and related documents, and provide feedback to implementers as well as other BHA staff.

● Maintain up-to-date, expert-level knowledge of the organizations engaged in infrastructure activities.

● Consistently model behaviors with 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.

● May be requested to be on-call/sign up for and serve on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

● 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.

● May serve on temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the statement of duties provided.

● 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 Performance Assessment Review System (CPARS). 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.

● The Engineering and Infrastructure 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 GASI Team Lead or their designee. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

At the GS-13 equivalent level

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.

At the GS-14 equivalent level

The supervisor provides administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for administering the program/project.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Qualifications

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.)

At the GS-13 equivalent level

Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study or pertinent to the specialized field (must be in: civil or environmental engineering, structural engineering, or other relevant engineering field), plus at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in infrastructure planning or design, construction, or infrastructure monitoring.

AND

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in relief or humanitarian assistance efforts to resource-restricted or underserved communities or with donor funding organizations or non-government organizations.

OR

Master’s degree from a U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study or pertinent to the specialized field (including: civil or environmental engineering, structural engineering, or other relevant engineering field), plus at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in infrastructure planning or design, construction, or infrastructure monitoring.

AND

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in relief or humanitarian assistance efforts to resource-restricted or underserved communities or with donor funding organizations or non-government organizations.

At the GS-14 equivalent level

Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study or pertinent to the specialized field (including: civil or environmental engineering, structural engineering, or other relevant engineering field), plus at least nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working in infrastructure planning or design, construction, or infrastructure monitoring.

AND

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in relief or humanitarian assistance efforts to resource-restricted or underserved communities or with donor funding organizations or non-government organizations.

OR

Master’s degree from a U.S. or internationally recognized institution with significant study or pertinent to the specialized field (including: civil or environmental engineering, structural engineering, or other relevant engineering field), plus at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in infrastructure planning or design, construction, or infrastructure monitoring.

AND

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in relief or humanitarian assistance efforts to resource-restricted or underserved communities or with donor funding organizations or non-government organizations.

Application instructions

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. 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.