SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA22R00039  

ISSUANCE DATE: Tuesday, May 17, 2022  

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, May 17, 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) Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communication  (G3PC) is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Humanitarian  Advisor under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the  solicitation. 

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.  Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 

1. 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.  

1. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.  This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2  is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

NOTE REGARDING ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR  FEDERAL CONTRACTORS 

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. 

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (UEI) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT 

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Unique Entity  Identifier (UEI) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database  prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this  requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided  with guidance regarding this registration 

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the  UEI number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can  be found via the below Federal Service Desk link: 

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b& sysparm_search=kb0013183 

Instructions to obtain a UEI can be found via the SAM.gov link 

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received.  Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers.  Your complete resume must be emailed to: 

G3PC Recruitment Team 

E-Mail Address: BHA.G3PCRecruitment@usaid.gov 

Website: www.BHAjobs.net 

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the G3PC Recruitment Team via the  information provided above. 

Sincerely, 

Sonja Stroud-Gooden 

Contracting Officer

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA22R00039 
2. ISSUANCE DATE: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: Wednesday, May 17, 2023,  12:00 P.M. Eastern Time 

This solicitation is open and continuous until Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The following are  the closing dates for each review period: 

Monday, June 27, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time 

Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time 

Wednesday, May 17, 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  G3PC’s discretion. 

1. POINT OF CONTACT: G3PC Recruitment Team, BHA.G3PCRecruitment@usaid.gov 5. POSITION TITLE: Humanitarian Advisor 
2. MARKET VALUE: $106,823 - $138,868 equivalent to GS-13 (includes locality pay) Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years  
4. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C.  
5. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens 
6. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top  Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID. 
7. STATEMENT OF DUTIES  

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

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. 

INTRODUCTION 

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 external stakeholders,  including public and private partners, international and multilateral organizations, NGOs and  academic institutions, and the U.S. Interagency. The office is organized into seven divisions,  namely, 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. 

OBJECTIVE 

G3PC requires the services of multiple Humanitarian Advisors in order to meet its objectives of  programming, coordinating with other donors, situational analysis on humanitarian policy issues,  and developing policy guidance. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Humanitarian Advisor will provide critical analysis and serve as a key source of information  on humanitarian and humanitarian policy issues. The Humanitarian Advisor will collaborate with  high-ranking officials within the international community, manage humanitarian policy awards,  and work to strengthen BHA’s relationships with public international organizations (PIOs), non 

governmental organizations (NGOs), international financial institutions (IFIs), the USG  Interagency, Congress, and other organizations such as think tanks, academic institutions, and  foundations. They will help plan organizational strategies and responses to humanitarian crises,  actively work with members of United Nations (UN) delegations on USG positions on  humanitarian issues, provide effective liaisons with the UN offices in Geneva, Rome, and New  York, and anticipate and prepare documents and briefing memos on humanitarian issues for  important meetings and events.  

The Humanitarian Advisor will be a principal source of information and advice to G3PC on global  grants management procedures and will be charged with the oversight of grants administration  laws and regulations as well as providing advice and guidance on grants policies, issues, and  administration.  

The Humanitarian Advisor’s duties and responsibilities include the following: Policy Engagement:

• Assist in the identification, research, analysis, and development of recommendations on all  issues and matters relating to humanitarian affairs and anticipate the need for such policy  analysis. 
• Provide guidance and recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID on USG  positions and negotiation strategies related to humanitarian policy and, in consultation with  others, assist in conducting negotiations with PIOs. 
• Attend various NGO, UN, PIO, and other meetings and provide critical information and views  to formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues. ● Advance opportunities in innovative financing for humanitarian action and finance efforts  aimed at reducing global humanitarian need, in coordination with other relevant teams  throughout BHA. 

External Relations: 

• Interact with Department of State colleagues on developing strategies and policies toward UN  agencies, PIOs, and humanitarian issues  
• Initiate and maintain strong working relationships with other donor countries, PIOs, IFIs and  international organizations (IOs) to promote humanitarian principles, effective humanitarian  action, information exchanges, and coordinate disaster response activities. 
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with the USG Interagency,  including Congress, the Department of Defense, and other USG agencies. Serve as a skilled  point of contact for these groups by responding to inquiries, performing outreach services,  facilitating their access to relevant BHA staff  
• Represent BHA on specific humanitarian issues of concern with IOs, PIOs, IFIs, and NGOs,  and convey demarche messages as needed. 
• Provide support to BHA Geographic Offices working directly with IFIs in a humanitarian  context.  
• Represent USAID at multilateral donor meetings, Congressional meetings or conferences  covering a wide range of humanitarian issues, and provide guidance and advice on USG  positions, negotiate strategies, provide authoritative information and views to formulate  humanitarian principle and, in consultation with USAID/Washington, conduct negotiations  with the donor community and make recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID. 

Internal Coordination: 

• Manage the team’s coordination with relevant USAID bureaus and offices, including the  USAID Office of General Counsel, USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance, and  USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning. This includes keeping track of the latest  USAID standard provisions pertaining to PIOs and USAID Automated Directive System  (ADS) 308 policy. 
• Anticipate the needs of the organization regarding developments in the areas of humanitarian  affairs and prepare analyses, briefings, documents, and meetings as required.
• 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. 
• Provide analysis and guidance on a range of topics pertaining to PIO programming, policy,  management, governance, and oversight.
• Advise USAID/BHA staff on issues regarding donations and requests for USG support and  information sharing from private and public interest groups, including those formed on an ad  hoc basis during disaster assistance operations. 

Award Guidelines and Regulations: 

• Serve as a technical resource for BHA staff, NGO, and PIO partners on BHA awards, including  on USAID policies governing PIOs or NGOs and adherence to USG regulations.
• Promote uniform policies and procedures relating to PIO and NGO partner agencies on award  management and contribute to the development of internal guidance to streamline the awards  process. 
• Participate in Bureau- and/or Agency-wide working groups to ensure award consistency on all  levels, including policy-related decisions that impact programs such as partner vetting, ADS  revisions, and PIO categorical exclusions. 
• Serve as a member of BHA working groups that assist in formulating and maintaining BHA  grant policy and guidelines. 
• Assist the team in planning, organizing, and implementing BHA’s global PIO award  management functions, policies, and procedures related to funding PIOs 
• Mentor and train new G3PC and BHA staff on PIO or NGO award making and management.
• Evaluate compliance with existing processes and procedures. 
• Contribute to the development of solicitations, review committees, and award packages. 

Administrative and Other General Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assist in promoting and cultivating team morale and workplace collaboration in a diverse,  equitable, and inclusive work environment. 
• Sign-up for and serve as needed multiple times throughout the year 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 be varied. 
• As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment  overseas for an extended period of time. 
• As needed, may serve on temporary details within the Bureau. Duties performed while on  detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as 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/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 set forth in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

• 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 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 designated Division Chief or his/her  designee, with guidance from the Office Director or his/her designee. 

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: 

Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available. The USPSC consults with his/her  supervisor to develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for  planning and carrying out assignments, and for planning approach or methodology to be used in  carrying out assignments.  

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The work is generally sedentary and does not pose 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). 

1. WORK ENVIRONMENT 

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. 

1. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

   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 degree. Must have a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience working  in emergency relief or humanitarian assistance or humanitarian policy or programming issues.  

OR 

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Must have a minimum of five (5) years of professional  experience working in emergency relief or humanitarian assistance or humanitarian policy or  programming issues. 

OR 

Master’s degree in any discipline. Must have a minimum of three (3) years of professional  experience working in emergency relief or humanitarian assistance or humanitarian policy or  programming issues. 

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.  

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 cover page 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 will not be accepted.
• Ability 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  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:  

Policy Leadership and Analysis Experience (10 points) 

• Experience working with Public International Organizations (PIOs) or non-government  organizations (NGOs) or US Government (USG) Interagency or United Nations (UN) or  International Financial Institutes (IFIs) on complex humanitarian policy issues. 
• Experience analyzing policy or developing or implementing policy recommendations. 
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to negotiate outcomes. 
• Experience representing an organization. 

External Engagement Experience (10 points) 

• Experience coordinating effectively with USG or PIO or NGO stakeholders, or an  international disaster response organization. 
• Experience in communicating through written or oral materials. 
• Experience representing or preparing others to represent policy positions. 

Award Management and Compliance Experience (10 points) 

• Experience managing humanitarian awards. 
• Experience working with PIOs or NGOs on humanitarian programming interventions.
• Experience managing organization budgets or experience developing budget guidance.
• Experience developing internal organizational policy and ensuring compliance. 

Interview Performance (40 points) 

Timed Writing Test (15 points) 

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 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 the selection package. 

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. 

1. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Qualified individuals are required to submit: 

1. 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.  

1. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.  This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2  is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. 

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.

DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS 

Via email: BHA.G3PCRecruitment@usaid.gov