SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA22R00051
ISSUANCE DATE: September 6, 2022
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 21, 2022 , 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, Partnership, and Communication (G3PC) is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Senior Humanitarian Advisor under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation.

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.

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.
U.S. Agency for International Development

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 www.usaid.gov

 

 

2. 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 UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) NUMBER 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.

All new SAM.gov entity registrations 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/gsafsd_sp

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

 

 

 

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA22R00051

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 6, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 21, 2022, 12:00 P.M.
Eastern Time

4. POINT OF CONTACT: G3PC Recruitment Team, BHA.G3PCRecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $126,233 - $164,102 equivalent to GS-14 (includes locality pay) Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. If the position is for a Washington based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Washington
Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S. based positions.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens

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 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, non governmental organizations (NGOs) 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 a Senior Humanitarian Advisor to meet its objectives of programming, coordinating with other donors, and situational analysis on humanitarian policy issues and
developing policy guidance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Humanitarian Advisor will provide critical analysis on humanitarian policy issues,
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), NGOs, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the USG Interagency,
U.S. Congress, and other organizations such as think tanks, academic institutions, and
foundations. He/She/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 Senior 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. This assignment involves providing experienced analytical and advisory
support on humanitarian issues for the planning, development, and execution of U.S. foreign policy
within a broad and complex geographic or functional specialty area. The Senior Humanitarian Advisor will be required to be available for overseas travel which may be over an extended period of time.

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

Policy Leadership & Analysis:
● Lead on 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.
● Represent USAID at multilateral, donor, and U.S. Congressional meetings covering a broad range of humanitarian issues, including related to PIO policy and programs, and provide BHA with analysis
and guidance on relations with the UN system.
● Provide technical guidance and analysis on a range of topics pertaining to PIO programming,
policy, management, governance, and oversight.
● Attend various NGO, UN, PIO, and other meetings and provide critical information and views to
formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues.

● Lead coordination
efforts with IFIs and explore innovative financing opportunities.

● Backstop the Team Lead on
USAID/BHA representation in U.S. delegations to PIO executive board meetings and other strategic
engagement with PIO governance structures.

External Relations:
● Interact with Department of State colleagues on developing strategies and policies toward UN
agencies, PIOs, and humanitarian issues
● Lead BHA’s planning and preparation for regular consultations with PIO partner organizations,
often in coordination with other USAID bureaus and offices and the USG interagency.
● Represent BHA on specific programming and policy issues of concern with international
organizations (IOs). Initiate and maintain strong working relationships with key staff at partner
PIOs and other donor countries to promote humanitarian principles and coordinate disaster response activities.
● Manage visits of senior UN officials engaged in programmatic responses to ongoing humanitarian
crises, including liaising with other USAID offices and the USG interagency. ● Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with the USG Interagency, including
U.S. Congress, Department of Defense, and other USG agencies. Serve as a skilled point of contact
for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.
● Represent BHA on specific humanitarian issues of concern with IOs and NGOs and convey demarche messages as needed.
● Represent USAID at senior-level meetings with the USG interagency, UN, PIOs, and other donors and other conferences sponsored by members of the international community; provide guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiate strategies, 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 Systems (ADS) 308 policy on international
agreements with PIOs.
● Actively participate and lead on Technical Evaluation Committees.

● Anticipate the needs of the organization regarding developments in the areas of humanitarian
affairs and prepare analyses, briefings, documents, and meetings as required; lead the preparation
of memoranda and briefing papers by liaising with other BHA offices and G3PC divisions.
● 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.
● 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.
● Work with division leadership to formulate the Division’s internal budget, including drafting
narrative justifications and budget revisions.

Award Portfolio Management & 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.
● Develop internal guidance to streamline the awards process and serve as a BHA-wide resource on
USAID policies governing PIOs, particularly related to the International Disaster Assistance
account.
● Provide recommendations for complex questions and concerns from BHA staff and PIO partners
related to award standard provisions and policies.
● 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.
● 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 statements of work for solicitations, identification of members
of technical evaluation committees, and review of award packages. ● Manage G3PC-funded PIO awards.
● Ensure consistency and compliance with BHA PIO grant management processes. ● Conduct quality assurance and lead peer reviews of PIO application and BHA PIO grant documentation.

Administrative and Other General Duties and Responsibilities:
● Act as Team Leader when the Team Leader is out of the office on leave, a detail assignment, or
temporary duty. The Senior 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.
● 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 vary.
● 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 align with the Division’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 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 set forth in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
● Create, contribute to, and maintain a collaborative and effective team environment while setting
the tone and example for open communication and regular coordination; a work environment conducive to mutual respect; clear expectations for performance; and clear delegations of roles,
responsibilities, and authority.
● Mentor team members to build technical and other professional skills which meet the professional goals of staff and the needs of BHA.
● Create a culture of civility and respect whereby both managers and employees are expected to
behave professionally and cultivate a harassment free work environment at all times. ● Work with
division and G3PC leadership to identify and address structural barriers to diversity, equity,
inclusion, and accessibility in and across teams and divisions in the G3PC Office. Practice equitable supervision, task/project assignment, and leadership growth potential to all staff.
● 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.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

The USPSC will take direction from and report to the designated Division Chief or his/her/their
designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

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

12. 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).

13. 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.

14. 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. Nine (9) years of professional experience working in emergency relief and
humanitarian assistance, of which at least two (2) years are experience managing complex
humanitarian programs or policy issues.

OR

Bachelor’s degree in any field plus minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, of which at least two (2) years
are experience managing complex humanitarian programs or policy issues.

OR

Master’s degree in any field plus minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience
working in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance, of which at least two (2) years are
experience managing complex humanitarian programs or policy 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 level clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring
access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be
asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level
clearance as provided by USAID.
● 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 (30 points)

● Experience working with:
○ PIOs on humanitarian policy issues (2 points)
○ NGOs on humanitarian policy issues (2 points)
○ USG Interagency on humanitarian policy issues (2 points)
○ IFIs on humanitarian policy issues (2 points)
● Experience analyzing humanitarian policy (2 points)
● Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders (2 points)
● Experience representing an organization (3 points)
● Experience preparing others to represent policy positions (3 points)
● Experience managing humanitarian awards (3 points)
● Experience working on humanitarian programming interventions with:
o PIOs (2 points)
o NGOs (2 points)
● Experience managing organization budgets (3 points)
● Experience ensuring organizational policy compliance (2 points)

 

Interview Performance (40 points) Timed Writing Test (15 points)
Scoring based on content, following directions, style/formatting, and coherence.
▪ content: 8 points
▪ following directions: 2 points
▪ style/formatting: 2 points
▪ coherence: 3 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 future phase of the selection process.

IV. 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.
2. 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