SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00053
ISSUANCE DATE: April 18, 2024
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: September 30, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard 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)

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00053
2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 18, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 30, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
This solicitation is open and continuous until September 30, 2024. The following are the closing dates
for each review period:
June 3, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
August 1, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
September 30, 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: ALAC Recruitment Team, BHA.ALACRecruitment@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Regional Humanitarian Advisor (RHA)
6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604 - $135,987 equivalent to GS-14 (not eligible for Locality Pay)
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for
domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative
worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.
Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide
There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will include
formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training. After completion
of initial training, the Regional Humanitarian Advisor will be assigned to the place of performance.
The RHA must be willing to be posted for long-term periods at any location in the Asia region,
including posts throughout the continent or undertaking Asia-focused work from Honolulu, Hawaii. At
the discretion of BHA/Washington, during the contract period the RHA may be reassigned/relocated
to a geographical location where the individual’s services are needed; post-specific allowances would
be adjusted accordingly for any change in place of performance. The potential post is Jakarta,
Indonesia but the location of service could be ultimately determined by the location of future
unknown operational requirements.
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Overseas USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the
country of performance, in accordance with Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside
the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the contract.
8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the
Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive
Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance
(BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helping
people in need become more self-reliant. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing,
achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual
areas: 1) Humanitarian Response during emergencies and 2) Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and
Resilience activities to address longer-term recovery after emergencies. You can learn more about BHA
on our website.
The Office of Asia Latin America and Caribbean (ALAC) designs, provides, and assesses humanitarian
assistance, 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. To
achieve these objectives, humanitarian experts based overseas coordinate with local authorities and
USAID Missions, while humanitarian experts based in Washington coordinate with USAID Regional and
Pillar Bureaus.
The Office of ALAC consists of (3) three geographic divisions: Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia
and the Pacific, 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 (IOs) including United Nations (UN) agencies; and to other partners
to ensure the implementation and delivery of this assistance. These divisions also oversee BHA’s
nonresponse efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience, and humanitarian transition.
BHA’s DIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY
Your Uniqueness is Welcome Here!
It takes talented people with unique experiences to provide the best humanitarian aid possible. We are
committed to having a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. We strive to create an
inclusive workplace, where everyone brings their authentic selves to work. We invite you to join us in
providing humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate the suffering around the world.
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STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED
RHAs play a central role in leading and managing the U.S. Government’s (USGs) humanitarian assistance
efforts, including disaster response and early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience activities, in their
region. Their core function is to support BHA portfolios that require significant USG policy engagement
and humanitarian program management. The RHAs report to the Regional Director who works closely
with Division Chiefs in Washington, D.C. BHA/ALAC’s Regional Office requires the services of RHAs in
order to meet its objective of disaster assistance, risk reduction, and resilience programming as well as
strategic reporting and analysis.
The RHA must be willing to be posted for long-term periods at any location in the Asia region, including
posts throughout the continent or undertaking Asia-focused work from Honolulu, Hawaii. At the
discretion of BHA/Washington, during the contract period the RHA may be reassigned/relocated to a
geographical location where the individual’s services are needed; post-specific allowances would be
adjusted accordingly for any change in place of performance. The potential post is Jakarta, Indonesia but
the location of service could be ultimately determined by the location of future unknown operational
requirements.
Working directly under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Director or their designee, the RHA
will work in close collaboration with a team that may include other RHAs, Humanitarian Program
Officers, Technical Specialists, Regional Team Leaders, Humanitarian Assistance Officers, Program
Assistants, Foreign Service Nationals, and others, depending on the work assigned.
Specifically, the RHA will be responsible for the following:
Contextual Specialty:
● Serve as an expert on humanitarian and resilience issues, priorities, lessons learned, and
opportunities in the region of responsibility related to DRR, innovation, private sector
engagement, and other cross-cutting humanitarian issues.
● Provide expert guidance on political, humanitarian, organizational, structural, and stakeholder
interests specific to the region of responsibility.
● Identify opportunities to expand support across the region to cross cutting issues that bring
together humanitarian, resilience, and recovery programming, while working closely with
humanitarian structures to support opportunities for cooperation between humanitarian and
development portfolios.
● Prepare and/or provide substantive guidance in the preparation of regular strategic and
analytical reports on current or anticipated emergencies, as well as comprehensive
preparedness documentation on assigned countries.
Response Leadership:
● Lead the development of country, or issue-specific strategies across the region of responsibility,
as well as timely revision of these strategies as contextual realities shift.
● Lead or conduct initial assessments to identify humanitarian needs, risk reduction, and resilience
opportunities in current disaster contexts or locations with high vulnerability.
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● Monitor ongoing humanitarian response, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience activities
to validate that program objectives are met and beneficiaries are served.
● Participate in the development of field-based recommendations on difficult resource and
programmatic trade-offs within the region.
Program Design:
● Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of BHA’s program strategy and the
implementation of the resulting grants and contracts in geographic or thematic areas of
responsibility.
● Guide regional team efforts to develop appropriate programmatic strategies for disaster
responses and risk reduction efforts in the area of responsibility.
● Review grant applications for conceptual soundness, technical feasibility, and alignment with
budget constraints for disaster assistance/emergency activities, resilience programming, and
recovery.
Portfolio Management:
● Support growth opportunities across the geographic areas of responsibility in areas such as
innovation and private sector engagement, and regularly identify linkages within USAID Missions
for this work.
● Identify opportunities for multi-year programs to respond to Agency priorities across the
humanitarian to development spectrum, including supporting the design and review of
applications for this kind of programming.
● Support knowledge sharing and the maximization of technical expertise across the region.
● Assess implementation approaches and strategies on an ongoing basis and make
recommendations for appropriate shifts in approach or resource allocation.
Representation:
● Establish and maintain rapport with representatives of host governments, donor governments,
IOs, NGOs, U.S. Embassies, and USAID missions to ensure efficient and coordinated humanitarian
response and DRR activities.
● Represent USAID in joint efforts to design, develop, and implement humanitarian strategies and
interventions with local governments, other donors, implementing partners, and other
stakeholders, as appropriate.
● Advise regional officials, including host country authorities and other USAID officials, on disaster
response, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience efforts.
● Work with local and regional institutions and private/public sector organizations to incorporate
risk reduction into appropriate programs.
Leadership:
● Support regional team efforts to develop current and future strategic direction for the regional
office to include programmatic, liaison and representational prioritization, and human and
financial resource requirements.
● Direct in a leadership role office-wide policy initiatives that ensure field perspectives are
well-represented.
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● Serve as a peer-mentor for program staff working to increase exposure and experience in
field-based humanitarian operations.
● Lead an ethnically and culturally diverse team of program, technical and/or administrative staff.
General Duties:
● Obtain and maintain all operational credentials, including completing all required and
recommended training, to ensure readiness to serve on responses across the geographic offices
in BHA.
● This position is expected to be able to qualify, train for and routinely serve on
disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for 8 to 12 weeks (or
more) intervals. These can either be Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and/or
Response Management Teams (RMTs). DARTs are deployed to the field in response to disasters
and operate in the field, providing staff an opportunity to deploy overseas for an extended
period of time (e.g., 6-8 weeks). RMTs are based in Washington, DC and provide services to
support DARTs, such as coordination and external engagement, communications, planning,
logistics, travel coordination, or other similar duties (depending on the RMT role).
● As needed, may serve on temporary short-term assignments (“detail”) on other teams within the
office or bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on
detail will be aligned with existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the
position’s scope of work.
● As needed, staff is expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees.
Training will be provided.
● The PSC may be expected to obtain an Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) or Contracting
Officer's Representative (COR) certification. The AOR/COR oversees agreements and/or
contracts. This includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, approvals, program/project
deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key
personnel requests, financial/budget reports, contractor performance evaluations, and
compliance. More information about the AOR/COR responsibilities and related requirements
can be found in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter. In the event that this
role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work
environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and
harassment of any kind.
● Lead/foster a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating
partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, office, and bureau objectives.
● The RHA 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 Regional Director or their designee.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
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
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SOL 7200AA24R00053 - Regional Humanitarian Advisor (RHA) - BHA
are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for
administering the program/project.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requested is primarily sedentary and does not involve undue physical demands. Work is
primarily performed in an office setting.
During deployment on 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). During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work
may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment,
and exposure to severe weather conditions.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and
experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
A High School diploma or its equivalent with at least ten (10) years of experience working with a
humanitarian or development focus and responsibility determining budget levels, selecting programs for
funding, or managing and evaluating funded programs.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least six (6) years of experience working with a
humanitarian or development focus and responsibility determining budget levels, selecting programs for
funding, or managing and evaluating funded programs.
OR
A Master’s degree in any discipline with at least four (4) years of relevant experience working with a
humanitarian or development focus and responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs
for funding, or managing and evaluating funded programs.
AND
Specialized experience:
● International experience managing, supporting, or directly implementing humanitarian
assistance, emergency management, relief, disaster risk reduction (DRR), post-emergency
rehabilitation, recovery, or resilience.
● Experience with program management and design.
● Experience leading, facilitating meetings, or representing teams at official functions.
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III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR
52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive
range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance
with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the
competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may
limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient
competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at
https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.
The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals
who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is
interviewed.
SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are
considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
● Complete resume submitted. See section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be
quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form
must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring
access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be
asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information
level clearance as provided by USAID. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of an offer or
removal.
● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance and maintain it throughout the life of
the contract. More information on medical clearance classifications can be found in 16 FAM
211.2 Clearance Classifications or the Department of State webpage on medical clearances.
● 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:
Education and General
Experience
Required years of general experience and
education
Pass or Fail
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SOL 7200AA24R00053 - Regional Humanitarian Advisor (RHA) - BHA
Specialized Experience Experience in required specialized skills, industry
knowledge to complete the duties/tasks
30 points
Offeror Interview Validation of required skills and knowledge for
suitability for the position.
60 points
Professional Reference
Checks
Written confirmation of current or previous
professional colleagues or supervisor.
10 points
SCORING OF OFFERORSSpecialized Experience 30 points
Interview Performance 60 points
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks 10 points
Offerors must provide their references to BHA upon request no later than seven (7) days from the initial
request. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the offeror being removed from consideration for
this solicitation. In addition, the Agency has the right to seek any additional feedback on the offeror as
needed.
Total Possible Points: 100
BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will
be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be
competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional
reference checks.
Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing
specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it
pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each
additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result
in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.
The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not
pay for any expenses associated with the interviews.
Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for
selection.
Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition
to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies
become available during the future phase of the selection process.
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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.).
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: All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to register in
the System for Award Management (SAM) database and must have an active Unique Entity ID
(UEI) number prior to receiving an award. If the SAM registration is not active by the selectee
within three months of acceptance of this offer, the offer may be rescinded. The selectee will be
disqualified if they either fail to comply with this requirement or if their name appears on the
excluded party list.
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 https://www.opm.gov/forms/standard-forms/
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. Fingerprint 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.