SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00028

ISSUANCE DATE: May 3, 2023
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 9, 2024, 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
U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC
www.usaid.gov

720BHA23R00028

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00028

2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 3, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 9, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern
Time

This solicitation is open and continuous until February 9, 2024. The following are the closing
dates for each review period:

September 5, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
December 4, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
February 9, 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: Humanitarian Information Officer (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: $112,015.00 - $145,617.00 equivalent to GS-13, 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.

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

720BHA23R00028

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

Within USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), 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 has seven divisions, including the Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Information
Division (SCHI).

G3PC, through its SCHI Division, plays a critical role in strategic communications and humanitarian
information and is responsible for providing strategic communications guidance for the Bureau, as
well as managing and coordinating bureau-level external and internal communications. This includes
positioning BHA as a leader in humanitarian messaging by best showcasing our high-profile disaster
responses and creating a wide range of public information products in close coordination with other
external communications and press offices within USAID and the broader U.S. Government (USG)
interagency. This division also analyzes BHA’s communication activities, develops and implements
comprehensive strategies, and creates content to increase awareness of BHA’s impact, expertise, and
value added to internal and external audiences. It includes the Humanitarian Information Team
(HIT); Press Team; Content and Digital Communications Team; and Strategic Communications and
Outreach Team.

The HIT is responsible for factual reporting to the public and USG interagency on humanitarian
assistance and response efforts globally. HIT Humanitarian Information Officers (IOs) are the lead
reporting point of contact for BHA, providing clear, accurate, and timely information on
humanitarian developments and response to inform the public and support program staff and USG
senior leadership in humanitarian operational and strategic decision-making.

BHA/G3PC requires the services of multiple Humanitarian IOs based in Washington, D.C. and available
for deployment–often on short notice–to disaster zones and conflict-affected areas in order to
support and sustain quality reporting on international humanitarian crises and USG response. The
Humanitarian IO will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on humanitarian conditions and response activities, compiling and disseminating information about USG
humanitarian activities, and producing a wide range of public and internal information products.
The Humanitarian IO will report to the HIT Team Lead (TL) and HIT Deputy Team Leads (DTLs) and will
work closely with other teams in the division.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

Humanitarian Reporting
● Collect and synthesize information pertaining to regional and country-specific humanitarian
situations and response efforts.
● Analyze gaps in information and independently develop methods and sources to address them.
● Draft, edit, appropriately format, and disseminate a wide range of internal and external
information products in Washington, D.C., and overseas.
● Prepare talking points, memos, PowerPoint presentations, official cables, and other
correspondence.
● Assist with the preparation of agendas and briefings for USG officials interested in humanitarian
issues.
● Travel internationally on rotations to BHA regional or country offices for extended periods of
time.
● Serve on Disaster Assistance Response Teams (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.
● When deployed, in coordination with regional team staff and disaster response team leads,
perform an enhanced representational role when liaising with BHA, USAID Mission, U.S. Embassy, and
other USG personnel, as well as other donor government representatives and United Nations
(UN)/private voluntary organizations/non-governmental organizations (NGOs)/international
organizations, to present an inclusive and comprehensive picture of U.S. humanitarian response
efforts in information products:
○ Produce field notes, trip reports, relevant meeting and call notes, updates, reporting cables,
public reports, and other information products.

720BHA23R00028

○ Manage data and produce or facilitate the production of a range of visual information products,
such as maps, photos, tables, and charts.
○ Assist in the preparation of agendas and briefings for official USG visitors.
○ Obtain appropriate clearances for all information products.
● Attend humanitarian coordination and other meetings in Washington, D.C., and in crisis zones and
collaborate closely with information counterparts from humanitarian organizations, including UN
agencies and NGOs, to ensure that all relevant humanitarian information is obtained and
incorporated into humanitarian products and provided to counterparts in a timely manner.
● Participate in meetings with BHA partners, humanitarian assessments, and site visits, when
possible, in order to obtain information for field reports.
● 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 DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The
duties on RMTs will vary.

Portfolio Management
● Work closely with supervisors to establish systems, processes, and norms to facilitate the
day-to-day operation of a regional or thematic portfolio, including workflow management and the
delegation and assignment of tasks.
● Facilitate and ensure the implementation of established guidelines and standards across
portfolios to support the quality control efforts for team-produced information products.
● Mentor and assist in the development of other IOs, specifically regarding appropriate information
sources, organizing information, and established style guidelines.
● Lead on the most complex assignments and information requests, including those with elevated
political sensitivities and policy implications.

Other Duties
● 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
scope of work 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.
● 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.
● The Humanitarian IO 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.
● In times of emergency humanitarian assistance, the PSC will serve on temporary details within
the Bureau. Duties performed while on detail will correspond to the level and market value for the
position and the work specified to be performed in the Statement of Duties.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the HIT Deputy Team Leader, with guidance
from the HIT Team Lead or a designee of the Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Information
Division.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

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

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

720BHA23R00028

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 with seven (7) years of experience working on communications, international
development, or humanitarian response.

OR

Master’s degree with five (5) years of experience working on communications, international
development, or humanitarian response.

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.

720BHA23R00028

● 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:

Professional Experience (20 points)

Matrix
● Experience gathering information from a variety of sources for a humanitarian organization. (1
point)
● Experience analyzing information from a variety of sources for a humanitarian organization. (2
points)
● Experience synthesizing information from a variety of sources for a humanitarian organization.
(2 points).
● Experience writing humanitarian information products for the public, USG, Public International
Organizations, NGOs, or other governments in a team environment. (7 points)
● Experience editing information products for public consumption. (3 points)
● Experience working under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. (3 points)
● Experience with humanitarian response efforts in international settings. (2 points) Interview
Performance (35 points)
Timed Written Exercise (40 points)
Each candidate selected for the interview will also be asked to participate in a written exercise
to demonstrate their technical skills in preparing strategic communication materials. This test
will be conducted after the oral interview.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (5 points) Total Possible Points: 100

720BHA23R00028

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 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. 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.).

720BHA23R00028
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.