SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00021

ISSUANCE DATE: March 4, 2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 18, 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,

Joy Burriss

Contracting Officer

Office of Acquisition & Assistance

(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)

 

 

ATTACHMENT 1 

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00021

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 4, 2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 18, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: Africa Recruitment Team, BHA.AfricaRecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Humanitarian Advisor

6. MARKET VALUE: $88,520 - $115,079 equivalent to GS-13 OR $104,604- $135,987 equivalent to GS-14. The GS equivalent Market Value for this position is 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.

This position can be filled at either the GS-13 ($88,520 - $115,079) or GS-14 ($104,604- $135,987) equivalent level, without locality.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-13 will be considered for the GS-13 level positions. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-14 will be considered for the GS-14 level only unless designated otherwise per the guidance in IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER of this solicitation.

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

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Mogadishu, Somalia

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 Senior Humanitarian Advisor will be assigned to the place of performance.

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 days 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 Africa (OA) 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 D.C. coordinate with USAID Regional and Pillar Bureaus. The Office of Africa consists of five (5) geographic divisions: East Africa; Central Africa; Sudans; West Africa; and Southern Africa. 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 Office of Africa’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.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

This position requires an individual to support the management and representation of the humanitarian portfolio for Somalia. Reporting to the Office of Humanitarian Assistance (OHA) Director in Somalia, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor (SHA) will be responsible for program analysis and strategy development and work closely with the USAID/Somalia staff, the U.S. Embassy, U.S. military representatives, and other United States Government (USG) interagency partners, other donors, Government of Somalia officials, IOs, NGOs, and the UN, in responding to humanitarian needs and sudden-onset disasters. Because of the substantial coordination requirements of this position, an individual with a highly collaborative work style is necessary. The SHA must be prepared to function effectively in a challenging and restrictive work environment and be willing to strictly adhere to U.S. Embassy security guidelines.

Specifically, the SHA will be responsible for the following:

At the GS-13 Equivalent:

Contextual Specialty:

● Develop and maintain knowledge of the key humanitarian, resilience, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) issues within Somalia.

● Maintain an in-depth understanding of political, humanitarian, organizational, and stakeholder interests specific to Somalia.

● Monitor incipient disasters, international disaster response plans and efforts, and major humanitarian issues and challenges in the area of responsibility through a wide range of USG and international sources.

● Identify humanitarian issues, priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities within and relevant to Somalia and apply those to program strategy development and implementation.

● Provide substantive assistance in the preparation of regular strategic and analytical reports on current or anticipated emergencies, as well as comprehensive preparedness documentation on Somalia, under the direction of the BHA Somalia Team Lead in Nairobi.

Portfolio Management:

● Primary focus is to provide full time in-country coordination and management of USAID humanitarian emergency and resilience programming. This will be achieved through regular coordination and consultation with several BHA Somalia teams in Nairobi and the Sudans, East and Central Africa Regional Office (SECARO).

● Serve as the primary point of contact for BHA programming in Somalia.

● With strong coordination and collaboration with the Somalia humanitarian team based in Nairobi, the incumbent will support efforts to identify and assess new humanitarian assistance requirements, target beneficiary groups and locations, oversee the general direction of existing relief and transition and resilience oriented programs, and broadly recommend the types of interventions and budget levels required in Somalia.

● Closely collaborate with Mission colleagues on program coordination to share information, avoid overlap, and explore opportunities for synergies and resilience efforts, ensuring the BHA Somalia Team in Kenya is consulted throughout. Maintain ongoing dialogue with BHA SECARO and Washington Team Leads for Somalia on these efforts.

● Monitor ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts in Somalia.

● Liaise with partners and other donors, coordinate closely with SECARO, and provide coordinated field feedback to the partners.

● In consultation and collaboration with the BHA Somalia Team in Kenya, coordinate collection of information and provide updates and recommendations through written reports on issues related to the humanitarian situation, including the following:

○ Capacity and ability of UN, IOs, NGOs, and local institutions to carry out programs; ○ Capacity of the logistics infrastructure to support programs;

○ Security situation of beneficiaries, personnel, convoys, and relief operations in general; ○ Role of in-country UN leadership and the UN Mission in Somalia in facilitating humanitarian assistance;

○ Contributions by other donors, problems arising from the implementation of relief and reintegration programs, and any other issues that require the attention of BHA; and ○ Humanitarian coordination issues and any recommendations for change.

● In consultation and collaboration with the Nairobi-based humanitarian team, provide guidance to organizations that are developing proposals for BHA, based on “BHA’s Emergency Application Guidelines”, as appropriate.

● In collaboration with the Nairobi-based humanitarian team, review concept papers and proposals and provide timely recommendations/comments to BHA/Washington and the SECARO.

● In collaboration with the Nairobi-based humanitarian team, ensure reporting on a timely basis to BHA Washington and SECARO on the quality of grantees’ work, noting deficiencies, attributes, and evolving operational conditions.

● Along with the Nairobi-based humanitarian team, maintain regular, close coordination and communication with the SECARO and BHA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

● Participate in discussions on the current and future directions of BHA’s Somalia portfolio to include programmatic, budgetary, and human resource requirements.

Representation:

● Work closely with the SECARO on developing BHA Somalia’s policy and program positions, seeking BHA Somalia Team Lead guidance, input, and clearance wherever possible. ● Provide regular situation updates to the USAID Mission Front Office, and ensure the Front Office remains abreast of any major changes, shocks, or challenges with the humanitarian programming in Somalia.

● Consult with the SECARO prior to senior level meetings with USG and other humanitarian stakeholders. Based on these consultations, represent USAID’s humanitarian portfolio in-country at senior level meetings within the USG and with humanitarian stakeholders, and convey humanitarian concerns and priorities from the BHA perspective through oral and written briefings.

● Participate in policy development meetings such as:

○ Meetings with individuals and groups of implementing partners discussing programmatic priorities, objectives, progress, results, and challenges;

○ Discussions, meetings, and papers informing USG foreign policy in areas with humanitarian concerns or impacts; and implementing partner coordination forums. ● Serve as a point of contact in-country for BHA for humanitarian issues and serve as a liaison on program issues among USAID mission staff, the U.S. Embassy and other USG agencies, military representatives, BHA/Washington, and the overall humanitarian community.

● Present USAID’s humanitarian perspectives to NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies relating to humanitarian assistance strategies and priorities, including USAID’s approach to sustainable, resilience-oriented humanitarian programs. Work closely with the Somalia Team Lead and BHA’s technical advisors to consult on and understand sectoral priorities.

● Coordinate the representation of USG humanitarian interests at national and international meetings and conferences with the SECARO.

● Facilitate travel and briefings for official USG visitors to Somalia interested in humanitarian issues.

General Duties:

● This position may be expected to be able to qualify, train for and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for 6 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., 6-12 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).

● 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.

● 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, monthly 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.

● 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.

At the GS-14 Equivalent:

Contextual Specialty:

● Develop and maintain knowledge of the key humanitarian, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience issues in Somalia.

● Maintain an in-depth understanding of political, humanitarian, organizational, and stakeholder interests specific to Somalia.

● Monitor incipient disasters, international disaster response plans and efforts, and major humanitarian issues and challenges in the area of responsibility through a wide range of USG and international sources.

● Identify humanitarian issues, priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities within and relevant to Somalia and apply those to program strategy development and implementation.

● Prepare regular strategic and analytical reports on current or anticipated emergencies, as well as on comprehensive preparedness documentation on Somalia.

Portfolio Management:

● Lead efforts to identify and assess ongoing and emerging humanitarian assistance requirements, target beneficiary groups, and locations, oversee the general direction of existing relief and transition-oriented programs, and broadly recommend the types of interventions and budget levels required in Somalia.

● Closely collaborate with USAID Mission colleagues on program coordination to share information, avoid duplication, and explore opportunities for synergies and transition efforts

● Maintain regular communication and close coordination with BHA/Sudans, East, Central Africa Regional Office (SECARO), and BHA/Washington on these efforts.

● Monitor ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts in Somalia. Liaise with partners and other donors, coordinate with the SECARO on issues of mutual interest, and provide coordinated field feedback to the partners.

● Coordinate collection of information and provide updates and recommendations through written reports on issues related to the humanitarian situation, including the following: ○ Capacity and ability of UN, IOs, NGOs, and local institutions to carry out programs; ○ Capacity of the logistics infrastructure to support programs;

○ Security situation of beneficiaries, personnel, convoys, and relief operations in general; ○ Role of in-country UN leadership and the UN Mission in Somalia in facilitating humanitarian assistance;

○ Contributions by other donors, problems arising from the implementation of relief and reintegration programs, and any other issues that require the attention of BHA; and ○ Humanitarian coordination issues and any recommendations for change.

● Provide guidance to organizations that are developing applications for BHA, based on BHA’s Guidelines for Unsolicited Applications.

● Review concept papers and applications and provide timely recommendations/comments to BHA/Washington and BHA/SECARO.

● Ensure reporting on a timely basis to BHA/Washington and SECARO on the quality of grantees’ work, noting deficiencies, attributes, and evolving operational conditions.

Representation:

● Represent BHA at senior level meetings within the USG and with humanitarian stakeholders and convey humanitarian concerns and priorities from the BHA perspective through oral and written briefings.

● Coordinate policy development meetings such as:

○ Meetings with individual and groups of implementing partners discussing programmatic priorities, objectives, progress, results, and challenges;

○ Discussions, meetings, and papers informing USG foreign policy in areas with humanitarian concerns or impacts;

○ Donor and implementing partner coordination forums.

● At the direction of the OHA Director, serve as the principal point of contact in-country for BHA/Somalia for humanitarian issues, and serve as a liaison on program issues among USAID mission staff, the U.S. Embassy, and other USG agencies, military representatives, BHA/Washington, and the overall humanitarian community.

● Present BHA perspectives to NGOs, IOs, and UN agencies relating to humanitarian assistance strategies and priorities, including BHA’s approach to sustainable, resilience-oriented humanitarian programs. Work closely with the Regional Advisor and BHA’s technical advisors to discuss and understand sectoral priorities.

● Represent USG humanitarian interests at national and international meetings and conferences, and facilitate, as requested, travel and briefings for official USG visitors interested in humanitarian issues.

● Engage as the humanitarian specialist in U.S. Embassy policy conversations, remaining available to provide timely reporting and clearances in response to high-level USG queries originating from the region or from Washington, DC.

Leadership:

● Provide recommendations on current and future directions of BHA’s Somalia portfolio to include programmatic, budgetary, and human resource requirements.

● Serve in a leadership role within the BHA Office in USAID/Somalia, in coordination with USAID Mission senior leadership, to incorporate humanitarian concerns into Mission activities and identify opportunities to leverage USAID interventions.

● Serve as the Acting Deputy Office Director or Acting Office Director as needed, excluding supervising direct hire employees of USAID or USG.

● Serve as direct supervisor to non-direct hire employees of USAID or USG team members on grants management and portfolio management, including BHA’s business process, portfolio-specific budget and workload management, and post-award monitoring and management as needed.

● Manages an ethnically and culturally diverse team of program, technical and/or administrative staff, as needed.

● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile, inclusive work environment that values diversity, equity and is free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, bullying, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.

General Duties:

● This position may be expected to be able to qualify, train for and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for 6 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., 6-12 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).

● 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.

● 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, monthly 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.

● 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 Team Lead or his/her designee. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

At the GS-13 equivalent:

The supervisor sets overall objectives. USPSC and supervisor together develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC independently plans, designs, and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements, or expected results. Technical problems are generally resolved without reference to supervisors.

At the GS-14 equivalent:

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

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The work requested 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.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION 

At the GS-13 equivalent: 

● High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least nine (9) years of general experience with program or activity management, international policy research or analysis, humanitarian or development assistance, or portfolio management (including proposal development, grant, or award administration, determining budget levels, budget oversight, or monitoring and evaluating programs).

OR

● A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least five (5) years of general experience with program or activity management, international policy research or analysis, humanitarian or development assistance, or portfolio management (including proposal development, grant, or award administration, determining budget levels, budget oversight, or monitoring and evaluating programs).

OR

● A Master’s degree in any discipline with at least three (3) years of general experience with program or activity management, international policy research or analysis, humanitarian or development assistance, or portfolio management (including proposal development, grant, or award administration, determining budget levels, budget oversight, or monitoring and evaluating programs).

AND

Specialized Experience:

● International experience managing, supporting, or directly implementing humanitarian assistance, emergency management, relief, DRR, post emergency rehabilitation, recovery, or resilience.

● Experience with program management and design.

● Experience participating or representing at official functions.

At the GS-14 equivalent:

● High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least ten (10) years of general experience with program or activity management, international policy research or analysis, humanitarian or development assistance, or portfolio management (including proposal development, grant, or award administration, determining budget levels, budget oversight, or monitoring and evaluating programs).

OR

● A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least six (6) years of general experience with program or activity management, international policy research or analysis, humanitarian or development assistance, or portfolio management (including proposal development, grant, or award administration, determining budget levels, budget oversight, or monitoring and evaluating programs).

OR

● A Master’s degree in any discipline with at least four (4) years of general experience with program or activity management, international policy research or analysis, humanitarian or development assistance, or portfolio management (including proposal development, grant, or award administration, determining budget levels, budget oversight, or monitoring and evaluating programs).

AND

Specialized Experience:

● International experience managing, supporting, or directly implementing humanitarian assistance, emergency management, relief, DRR, post-emergency rehabilitation, recovery, or resilience.

● Experience with program management and design.

● Experience leading, facilitating meetings, or representing teams at official functions. AND

● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.

● 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 Secret up to a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance after award). 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.

Application instructions

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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.

1. 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.
2. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
3. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.

(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.

(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional:  How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for which you are applying. 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.

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.

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.

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.