SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00076
ISSUANCE DATE: August 19, 2024
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 7, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor
(USPSC), Senior Veterinary Advisor

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 and Agreement Officer
Office of Acquisition & Assistance
(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00076
2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 19, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 7, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
4. POINT OF CONTACT: TPQ Recruitment Team, BHA.TPQRecruitment@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Veterinary Advisor
6. MARKET VALUE: $104,604.00 - $135,987.00 equivalent to GS-14.

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.

1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Official USAID Worksite - Washington/BHA/TPQ. A Remote Alternative Worksite will be authorized at the time of award.

This position has been designated as suitable for remote work. The contractor will be authorized to perform the services under this contract from an alternative worksite. For PSCs authorized to remote work, the alternative worksite determines the locality pay for compensation purposes.

Personal Services Contractors must telework or remote work in the same country as the official USAID worksite for which services are being provided. U.S.-based USPSCs are authorized to telework or remote work only within the United States. For more information and the telework or remote work policies and procedures, please reference Telework and Remote Work Policy for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (PSCs).

Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions. No costs will be reimbursed to the contractor relating to the alternative worksite. Personal services contractors who are teleworking or remote working continue to be subject to policies and procedures of the official USAID worksite, including those related to attendance, timekeeping, conduct, performance management, and random drug testing.

1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing
2. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only
3. 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.

1. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (https://www.usaid.gov/) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) leads and coordinates the U.S. Government’s humanitarian assistance efforts overseas, responding to an average of 75 crises in 70 countries every year. BHA delivers humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate the suffering of people affected by disasters around the world. We also help the world’s most vulnerable people prepare by giving them the tools and ability to respond, recover, and transition from crisis toward resilience. You can learn more about BHA on our website (https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance).

The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads BHA’s efforts to ensure high quality programmatic and technical leadership, oversight, and guidance. TPQ captures, applies, and strengthens capacity in technical best practices and contextually appropriate programmatic approaches focused on all dimensions of BHA programming from humanitarian response and transition into longer-term resilience programming, as well as risk analysis and early warning. TPQ is responsible for providing policy, normative guidance, tools, facilitation, and capacity building to assist the Bureau in achieving optimal humanitarian outcomes through strategic design, consistent and effective performance monitoring, comprehensive and appropriate evaluation, and purposeful learning across the full spectrum of BHA responses and programming. The Office promotes USAID’s humanitarian voice through active participation and technical leadership in interagency and global fora, including leading the Bureau’s technical engagement with academia and thought leaders. TPQ designs, supports, and coordinates research to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of BHA programming. TPQ leads BHA in meeting the increasing demand for technical support and guidance in all facets of the Bureau’s work as the geographic and topical areas of coverage expand, and as the Bureau seeks increased technical and programmatic standardization, integration, and oversight to meet Agency, Congressional, and other demands.

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

BHA requires a Senior Veterinary Advisor to provide technical advice and assistance within the agriculture sector. The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Veterinary advisor include the analysis of potential agricultural sector vulnerabilities and risks; activities to increase sustainable agricultural capacities at the community level; pest management; support for livestock and animal health activities; and the provision of veterinary pharmaceuticals.

The Senior Veterinary Advisor will be part of TPQ’s Agriculture Team within the Food Security and Livelihoods Division. TPQ’s Team includes experts in crops, horticulture, livestock, and pests and pesticides, and provides a multidisciplinary approach to disaster response and risk reduction. The Team’s objectives are:

• To ensure that the projects BHA supports are aligned with globally recognised best practices,
• Maximize impact for local communities and globally,
• Monitor existing programs,
• Meet with partner staff,
• Advise on strategy,
• Participate in disaster assistance response teams and ensure effective responses,
• Advance the overall practice and knowledge base of the Food Security and Livelihood sector and promote best practices,
• Promote USAID’s humanitarian voice through active participation and leadership in interagency and global fora.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Guide USAID and BHA staff in Washington, DC and field offices on agriculture sector interventions during a disaster response.
• Contribute expertise to the development of humanitarian programmatic strategies and guidance in the agriculture sector in collaboration with BHA Washington and regional staff.
• Accurately convey the technical and policy positions of BHA through interactions with Non- Governmental Organization partners, other donor agencies, the international humanitarian community, and other USAID staff working in the livestock or animal health sectors; attending meetings and other events as appropriate.
• Review and comment on proposals/applications in the agriculture sector and health sector in response targeting zoonotic disease outbreaks.
• Provide expert advice on disaster response, disaster risk reduction, and resilience strategies for selected agriculture sector specialties including, but not limited to, crops, horticulture, pests and pest management, livestock, aquaculture/fisheries, and animal health activities worldwide.
• With BHA pharmacists, review requests for purchase of veterinary commodities and pharmaceuticals proposed by BHA partners.
• Analyze emergency outbreaks of livestock and zoonotic diseases as they occur, provide expertise to BHA on program priorities, and technical recommendations for managing the diseases and mitigating economic impact on vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrate expertise of the linkages between livestock and pastoralism and agropastoralism.
• Coordinate with appropriate Bureau for Global Health staff on activities related to disaster responses to zoonotic diseases.
• Provide internal brownbag presentations to USAID and BHA staff on current livestock-related topics.
• Contribute to internal USAID policy decisions regarding livestock or animal health in humanitarian assistance.
• Endorse and implement principals of One Health to coordinate across sectors and leverage technical expertise in the application of Agency-wide policy, strategy, and framework.
• Serve as an advisor in the capacity of livestock-related advocacy at technical meetings.
• Develop technical livestock guides for BHA staff to use in program decision-making and activities such as application review
• 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 2 to 4 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 (https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/references-chapter/302mar) and the AOR designation letter (https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/references-chapter/303mai). In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.
• The Senior Veterinary Advisor does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Agriculture Team Lead or 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 are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher-level official technically responsible for administering the program/project.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve 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). 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 Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited institution with
  an active US Veterinarian License, and at least two (2) years of experience working in international
  livestock and animal health. Graduates of foreign veterinary medical schools must meet the OPM
  guidance outlined here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedulequalification-standards/0700/veterinary-medical-science-series-0701/.

AND

Specialized experience

• Program design, implementation and technical advisement of emergency livestock activities in international humanitarian contexts overseas.
• Representation and coordination with stakeholders involved in implementation of international emergency livestock activities.
• Experience implementing, managing, and monitoring international emergency agriculture or livestock awards, either in a donor or implementer role.

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 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 (https://www.state.gov/popular-topics-medical-clearances/#Clearance).

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.

III.A 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.

III.B 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 - See Section II. Pass or Fail.

Specialized Experience - See Section II. 30 points.

Interview - See Section III.C. 60 points.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - See Section III.D. 10 points

III.C Interview Performance (60 points)

During the interview process, a selection panel will assess the candidate’s suitability for the position.

III.D Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)

Offerors must provide their references to USAID 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 will 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. Professional references will be evaluated and academic credentials will be verified 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. 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 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.