SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00009

ISSUANCE DATE: March 17, 2023
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: September 22, 2023, 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

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00009

2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 17, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: This solicitation is open and continuous until September 22, 2023. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

April 17, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
June 30, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
September 22, 2023, 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: FARO Recruitment Team, BHA.FARORecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Support Relief Group (SRG) Shelter and Settlements Advisor (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: This position can be filled at either the GS-12 ($71,099 - $92,429 ) or GS-13 ($84,546 - $109,908), or GS-14 ($99,908 - $129,878) equivalent level.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-12 will be considered for the GS-12 level positions. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-13 will be considered for the GS-13 level only. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-14 will be considered for the GS-14 level only.

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.

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. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide
Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.

8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing:

STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:
The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as part of the SRG. BHA intends to contract for these services for a maximum of 250 days per calendar year. Activation days vary but will not exceed 250 days during each contract year.

The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by BHA and the contractor. Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, BHA will contact the contractor and provide the following information:

1. Date contractor is needed to report to BHA or assignment in the field
2. Duration of Assignment
3. Place of Performance

The contractor will notify BHA within 24 hours of availability. At the time the contractor accepts the assignment, he/she is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment. While the contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 250 days). The contractor shall notify BHA at the time of commitment if their existing schedule would preclude an extension. Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify the contractor from the assignment but will simply assist BHA in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if the contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, the contractor will be required to give BHA 10 days’ notice for release from the assignment.

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 Support Relief Group (SRG) is a program developed by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) to satisfy its growing need for surge capacity. In response to numerous disasters worldwide, it became clear that BHA could not find, in a timely manner, adequate staff to cover all positions in the field and in Washington, and to backfill for permanent staff deploying to the field. The SRG program brings on board select candidates who could work on a part-time intermittent basis, for no more than 250 days per calendar year, and who can be deployed within hours to facilitate BHA’s response to disasters, or to backfill staff in Washington and other locations. SRG positions are contracted for five years.

The activation of the SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisor will be coordinated with the Office of Technical and Program Quality’s (TPQ’s) Shelter and Settlements Team. The Shelter and Settlements Team supports BHA’s efforts to provide safer, habitable, and covered living spaces and settlements where affected households can resume critical social and livelihood activities. This assistance focuses not only on reducing the immediate and short-term economic, social, and physical vulnerability of disaster-affected households and their communities, but - importantly - also lays the foundation for longer term recovery.

BHA requires the services of SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisors in order to meet its objectives of programming, monitoring, and evaluating BHA Shelter and Settlements programs.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

At the GS-12 Level:
● Provide technical assistance in assessment, design, planning, implementation, operations, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation regarding BHA’s Shelter and Settlements activities and interventions.
● Assist in the strategic planning and development of BHA’s and agency-wide Shelter and Settlements activities.
● Provide technical expertise to ensure that BHA Shelter and Settlements activities are sound, sustainable, and appropriate within the BHA mandate.
● Provide systematic analysis of available Shelter and Settlements tools and programmatic guidance.
● Assist regional teams and technical leads in assessing gaps and needs.
● Review and analysis of Shelter and Settlements efforts of other organizations.
● Assess priority countries for Shelter and Settlements interventions.
● Develop strategic, integrated, and comprehensive approaches to Shelter and Settlements.
● Review and comment on project proposals and regional strategies related to Shelter and Settlements activities.
● Coordinate with the BHA Training Unit to incorporate Shelter and Settlements activities into various BHA training modules, as appropriate, in order to build capacity within BHA and among partner relief agencies.
● Identify potentially relevant and applicable concepts, theories, and practices and operationalize them to a given situation context.
● Identify potentially relevant and applicable urban planning concepts, theories, and practices and adapt them to sector activities to fashion comprehensive, coherent, rational, and implementable response programs to fulfill mission objectives.
● Identify potentially relevant and applicable engineering, building, and construction principles, practices, and methods (e.g., critical path methods, computerized drafting tools), and adapt them to the situation context of any given humanitarian shelter and settlements intervention.
● Support the development of technical papers, guidelines, and informational publications to help lead and inform the sector and the population at large of shelter and settlement programs, strategies, and directions.
● Work with other USAID’s bureaus/offices, development community actors, and humanitarian community actors, to advocate and provide insight for the integration of Shelter and Settlements activities into development activities and identify ways to incorporate Shelter and Settlements Sector activities into early recovery and transition activities.

At the GS-13 Level:
● Conduct initial sector-specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities, both for the initial disaster response phase and for longer-term disaster risk reduction related to shelter and settlements sector activities. Assessments may be conducted at the local, regional, sub-regional, or national level, and may be related to disaster response or to comprehensive strategy development.
● Support BHA in emergency shelter sector discussions and activities, display expert technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a resource person for shelter and settlements.
● Contribute to BHA thinking on shelter and settlements sector activities, formulate shelter and settlements sector strategies and recommendations, and provide technical support for BHA field offices, other offices within USAID, and to BHA’s TPQ Office.
● Contribute to planning and decision-making on a wide range of shelter and settlements activities, both in the Washington, D.C. and in the field.
● Support U.S. Government (USG) emergency response activities within the shelter and settlements sector with the USAID Mission, other donor agencies, and the U.S. Embassy.
● Liaise with other humanitarian organizations (United Nations (UN), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations (IOs)) and host governments to coordinate BHA activities within the shelter and settlements sector with those of the wider humanitarian community.
● Provide technical review of submitted proposals and/or concept notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practice in the shelter and settlements sector.
● Monitor and evaluate BHA-funded shelter and settlements sector activities in relation to other sectors (e.g., protection, livelihoods, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), etc.). Work requires extensive experience in and understanding of integration with other sectors (e.g., protection, livelihoods, environment, WASH, health, DRR, etc.), as well as experience and understanding of transitional, recovery, and reconstruction issues related to shelter and settlements.
● Prepare written and oral reports on shelter sector activities and issues.
● Assist in workshops and support internal training on shelter and settlements to build capacity of BHA.
● Support shelter and settlements sector activities across a wide range of actors (UN, NGOs, IOs, host governments, etc.) to ensure consistency of programming.
● Work with local, national, international, and academic fora, host country officials, and civil society organizations, to include training and publication as part of education and outreach.

At the GS-14 Level:
● Lead initial sector-specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities, both for the initial disaster response phase and for longer-term disaster risk reduction related to shelter and settlements sector activities. Assessments may be conducted at the local, regional, sub regional, or national level, and may be related to disaster response or to comprehensive strategy development.
● Actively lead BHA in emergency shelter sector discussions and activities, serve as a USG shelter and settlements sector resource person, and display expert technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a primary resource person for shelter and settlements.
● Take technical leadership roles for BHA thinking on shelter and settlements sector activities, author shelter and settlements sector strategies and recommendations, and communicate technical support for BHA field offices, other offices within USAID, and to BHA’s senior management.
● Take the lead in planning and decision-making on a wide range of shelter and settlements activities, both in the Washington, D.C. and in the field.
● Facilitate and coordinate actual USG emergency response activities within the shelter and settlements sector with the USAID Mission, other donor agencies, and the U.S. Embassy.
● Liaise with other humanitarian organizations (UN, NGOs, IOs) and host governments to coordinate BHA activities within the shelter and settlements sector with those of the wider humanitarian community.
● Provide coordination and managerial oversight of BHA-funded shelter and settlements technical activities to ensure the proper use of BHA program funds.
● Provide technical leadership in review of submitted proposals and/or concept notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practice in the shelter and settlements sector.
● Take the lead in monitoring and evaluating BHA-funded shelter and settlements sector activities in relation to other sectors (e.g. protection, livelihoods, DRR, WASH, etc.). Work requires extensive experience in and understanding of integration with other sectors (e.g., protection, livelihoods, environment, WASH, health, DRR, etc.), as well as experience and understanding of transitional, recovery, and reconstruction issues related to shelter and settlements.
● Author written and oral reports on shelter sector activities and issues which shows ability to articulate technical concerns to audiences not familiar with Shelter and Settlements.
● Conduct or support studies to examine market conditions for building materials and non-housing portions of the building stock in affected areas. Apply new developments in the shelter and settlements sector to BHA programming.
● Facilitate workshops and lead trainings on shelter and settlements to build capacity of BHA and its partners.
● Lead and facilitate shelter and settlements sector activities across a wide range of actors (UN, NGOs, host governments, etc.) to ensure consistency of programming.
● Provide shelter and settlements assessments following a disaster and decide on sector strategy and programming.
● Work entails engagement and representation at local, national, international, and academic fora, and with host country officials and civil society organizations, as well as other related activities, to include training and publication as part of education and outreach.

All GS Levels
● Sign up for and serve as needed 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. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.
● As needed, may serve on a temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.
● Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, division, office, and Bureau objectives.
● Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to Bureau and TPQ programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas.
● Attend and actively participate in personal-development activities, such as anti-harassment and diversity training opportunities, brown bag sessions, working groups and/or focus group discussions.
● 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 Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
● The SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisors 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 Office of Field and Response Operations/Response Resources Division Director or his/her designee. When activated, the  SRG Shelter and Settlements Advisor will be a part of TPQ’s Shelter and Settlements Team, receiving day-to-day guidance and management from the Shelter and Settlements Team.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

At the GS-12 and GS-13 Levels:
Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available; the USPSC consults with the supervisor to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. The USPSC is responsible for planning approaches or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.

At the GS-14 Level:
Supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out programs, projects, studies or other work. Results are considered authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

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.)

At the GS-12 Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines:
construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least one (1) year was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment; architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, four (4) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least six (6) months was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

At the GS-13 Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least two (2) years were obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, five (5) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least one (1) year was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

At the GS-14 Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of nine (9) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least three (3) years were obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in one of the following disciplines: construction in the built environment, architecture for the built environment, engineering for the built environment, urban planning or regional planning, economics in developing economies, humanitarian systems for disasters, disaster risk reduction in post disaster environments; plus, a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian relief and response, of which at least two (2) years was obtained in the international humanitarian shelter and settlements sector.

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.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract, if applicable.
● 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:

MATRIX (30 points)

At the GS-12 Level:
Donor or Non-Profit Experience:
● Experience working in a humanitarian organization and supporting shelter and settlement in an emergency response. (10 points)

Teamwork:
● Experience working within diverse teams. (10 points)

Field Experience:
● International work experience in one of the following areas: construction, urban planning, architecture, or engineering. (10 points)

At the GS-13 and GS-14 Level
Donor or Non-Profit Experience:
● Experience working in a humanitarian organization and supporting shelter and settlement emergency responses. (8 points)
● At least 1 year of demonstrated experience working with or within the Global Shelter Cluster in a developing country. (4 points)

Teamwork:
● Experience working within diverse teams. (8 points)

Field Experience:
● International work experience in one of the following areas: construction, urban planning, architecture, or engineering. (paid)assist (8 points)

Representation/Communication:
● Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills in communicating error-free complex humanitarian topics to groups across a range of meeting types and range of participants. (2 Points)

Interview Performance (40 points)

Timed Writing Test (20 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 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 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.

5. Ensure Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.* USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

*See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.

6. NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.

7. NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained; the offer may be rescinded.

8. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION: This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.