USPSC Technical Program Officer (Multiple Positions)

USPSC Technical Program Officer (Multiple Positions)

USPSC Technical Program Officer (Multiple Positions)

USPSC Technical Program Officer (Multiple Positions)

Published
November 22, 2022
Location
Washington, D.C.
Position type
Experience (minimum)
2-5 Years
Education (minimum)
Bachelor's
Travel required?
None
Base salary (minimum)
Not specified

Description

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, Sonja Stroud-Gooden, Contracting Officer

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA22R00069

2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 22, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 05, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time This solicitation is open and continuous until July 05, 2023. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

January 06, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time // April 06, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time // July 05, 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: TPQ Recruitment Team, BHA.TPQRecruitment@usaid.gov

5. POSITION TITLE: Technical Program Officer (Multiple Positions)

6. MARKET VALUE: Depending on the qualifications of the offeror, this position can be filled at either the GS-11 ($56,983 - $74,074), GS-12 ($68,299 - $88,792), or GS-13 ($81,216 - $105,579) equivalent level, includes 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 when remote work is authorized. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay. This position can be filled at either GS-11 ($56,983 - $74,074), GS-12 ($68,299 - $88,792), or GS-13 ($81,216 - $105,579) equivalent level, including Washington, D.C. locality pay. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-11 will be considered for the GS-11 level positions. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-12 will be considered for the GS-12 level only. Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-13 will be considered for the GS-13 level positions. Offerors selected at the GS-11 may have an opportunity for advancement to the GS-12 equivalent after at least two years at the GS-11 level, if the individual receives a recommendation from the supervisor for advancement along with an Exceeds Fully Successful performance evaluation. Offerors selected at the GS-12 may have an opportunity for advancement to the GS-13 equivalent after at least two years at the GS-12 level, if the individual receives a recommendation from the supervisor for advancement along with an Exceeds Fully Successful performance evaluation. Advancement to the GS-12 and GS-13 levels are not guaranteed. 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: Remote 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.

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

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret 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.)

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT The Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) leads the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance’s (BHA) 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 planning, activity 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. The TPQ Programs Team manages a large portfolio of TPQ funded awards which pilot, promote, and improve technical best practices, knowledge sharing and program quality. The TPQ Technical Program Officer (TPO) is a member of the TPQ Programs Team that will administer a diverse group of awards that further the advancement of technical best practices in humanitarian response and resilience settings. The TPQ TPOs play a central role in improving USG’s humanitarian assistance, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience programs. As Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) they manage a cadre of awards with a diverse group of partners that directly support a wide range of humanitarian and resilience technical sectors. The TPOs work closely with TPQ Technical Advisors to design, procure, administer, monitor, and evaluate a portfolio of programs which research strategies and pilot new approaches that will improve global technical best practices and maximize the impact of program funds.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

The TPOs will perform the following: At the GS-11 equivalent level:

Context Specialty:

● Assist in monitoring developments across a range of humanitarian technical sectors.

● Assist in identifying humanitarian, disaster risk reduction (DRR), resilience, and early recovery issues, priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities in technical sectors supported and applying those to potential new programs.

● Assist in monitoring 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.

● Assist in the review and monitoring of national and regional resilience and DRR efforts/plans in the area of responsibility in collaboration with regional teams and technical specialists. Portfolio Management:

● Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of TPQ’s program strategy and the implementation of the resulting awards.

● Support technical team efforts to develop appropriate programmatic strategies.

● Provide written and oral responses to requests for information on TPQ’s activities in the area of responsibility for a wide range of USG and public audiences to include briefing papers, memorandums, talking points, formal presentations, and informal briefings.

● Support the development of competitive procurements including drafting Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and providing support to the technical evaluation committee.

● Review the conceptual soundness, technical feasibility, and budget for disaster assistance activities, resilience projects, and operational research.

● Review and process all award documentation according to BHA’s Guidelines, USAID Automated Directives Systems (ADS), and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) including coordinating multi-unit participation, ensuring timely application review, and processing award approval.

● Input appropriate award data into Office and Agency administrative and financial tracking systems for transmittal to the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA).

● Track and process all post-award management issues to ensure timely response to partner requests and provide guidance to partners, as necessary.

● Review, track, and file program reports from awardees ensuring reports are received in a timely manner and that program objectives have been achieved.

● Collate input from reports for feedback to grantee, and share reports with regional team members, as appropriate.

● Conduct periodic site visits to the assigned region of responsibility to monitor grant activity, where feasible.

● Upon completion of programs, close out awards according to Agency policies, identifying funds for de-obligation and/or equipment for disposition.

● Maintain standardized office files for activities that are assigned as principal responsibilities.

Representation:

● Represent TPQ in virtual meetings with individual partners discussing programmatic priorities, objectives, progress, results, and challenges.

● Participate in other interagency and partner-wide virtual meetings as assigned by the Team Leader.

● Attend virtual bureau-wide coordination meetings as TPQ’s primary point of contact in the area of responsibility and ensure TPQ interests and priorities are clearly articulated.

● Maintain regular contact with BHA Geographical and Support Offices to improve coordination of activities and interaction with shared partners.

General Duties:

● Attend virtual Team and other meetings as assigned by the Team Leader and, when necessary, prepare summaries of these meetings.

● Expedite the flow of programmatic and other documents through the clearance process. At the GS-12 equivalent level (If the PSC is promoted during contract performance):

The USPSC will perform the following in addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined above at a GS-11 level:

Context Specialty:

● Independently identify priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities in technical sectors supported and apply those to potential new programs.

● Collaborate with TPQ technical specialists and Washington and field based BHA representatives to gain a holistic understanding of regional resilience and DRR efforts/plans in the area of responsibility.

● Serve as a resource for BHA for program-related planning efforts to include event and scenario-based contingency planning.

● Serve as a primary point of contact/specialist in the area of responsibility for BHA team leadership. Portfolio Management:

● Participate actively in the development of programmatic strategies for technical sectors supported.

● In coordination with TPQ technical advisors, work with implementing organizations regarding concept papers and applications for BHA funding to ensure they align with BHA’s objectives and grant guidelines.

● Ensure implications of policy decisions at BHA, USAID, and interagency levels on the portfolio are understood by TPQ division leadership. ● Independently manage all aspects of award management throughout the award cycle.

● Recommend approaches to write and deliver integrated priority messages in written and oral responses to requests for information on TPQ’s activities in the area of responsibility for a wide range of USG and public audiences to include briefing papers, memorandums, talking points, fact sheets, formal presentations, and informal briefings

● Recommend to the Team Leader or Division Chief policy and program options consistent with USG foreign policy objectives and provide effective and appropriate responses to meet the needs of the disaster victims (or potential victims).

Representation:

● Represent TPQ in virtual public and private forums of USG interagency, partners, international organizations (IOs), and other stakeholders—to include mid- and senior-level managers and decision makers.

● With guidance from the Team Leader, lead virtual bureau-wide humanitarian coordination meetings.

● Represent BHA in virtual coordination meetings in the area of responsibility, as appropriate.

● Independently serve as BHA’s representative in virtual Bureau and Agency meetings as assigned by the Team Leader.

General Duties:

● Deploy on short notice to serve on Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) or serve on the Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), as required with increasing levels of responsibility to include serving independently as a Program Officer or Field Officer on a DART or as a Planning Coordinator on an RMT.

● Ensure communications, both oral and written, are error-free, professional, and comprehensive. At the GS-13 equivalent level (If the PSC is promoted during contract performance):

The USPSC will perform the following in addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined above at a GS-12 level:

Context Specialty:

● Display mastery of identifying humanitarian issues, priorities, lessons learned, and opportunities in the technical area of responsibility and applying those to program strategy development and implementation.

● Maintain an in-depth understanding of technical areas of support, its impact on humanitarian response, and its place within the humanitarian architecture.

● Prepare strategic and analytical reports and plans on current programming and new areas of potential research or technical investment.

Portfolio Management:

● Lead monitoring and tracking of risk mitigation plans and reports of diversion, waste, fraud, or abuse, including coordination across BHA and advising team members on required processes.

● Independently manage the strategy development process for the technical area covered, monitoring program funding and implementation against established strategies, analyzing trends and actively participating in strategy-related activities for the technical area, and advising the Team Leaders of recommendations.

● Lead the development of competitive procurements including drafting opportunities, being the intermediary with the planned Agreement Officer (AO), and chair the technical evaluation committee.

● Advise fellow program staff on USG and BHA program policy and procedures and serve as the team’s expert on BHA programming requirements and guidelines across the area of responsibility.

● Influence programmatic policy in the area of responsibility, drawing upon expertise in humanitarian programming and understanding of portfolio strategies.

● Analyze partner performance on an ongoing basis.

● Identify overarching trends across the area of responsibility and propose new methodologies, responses, or processes as a result.

● Identify programming issues and concerns across the area of responsibility and work to resolve them with team and office leadership in coordination with other BHA offices.

● Demonstrate leadership on programming and in the area of responsibility.

● Coordinate the technical team’s program efforts with field-based BHA staff, other BHA colleagues, USAID bureaus, and other humanitarian stakeholders, in support of an inclusive USG response to the declared disasters or other humanitarian initiatives.

Representation:

● Independently represent technical humanitarian interests in a wide range of senior-level fora across bureaus at USAID, as well as at the desk officer level within the USG interagency, especially to influence policy and reconcile conflicts. General Duties:

● The TPO 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.

● Deploy on short notice to serve on DARTs or serve on the Washington-based RMTs, including service in leadership positions that require staff management for operational and planning functions, as required.

● Develop communications, both oral and written, that are error-free, professional, and comprehensive. Advise and review team colleagues’ work as needed to ensure a consistent high level of error-free communication across the team.

All GS equivalent levels:

● Become certified and serve as an AOR/Contracting Officer’s Representative (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.

● May be requested to be on-call/sign up for and serve as needed on Washington-RMTs, which provide services and support to 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.

● 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.

● 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.

● Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, office, and bureau objectives.

● Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), 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.

Qualifications

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-11 Level:

High School Diploma plus seven (7) years of experience working in the United States Government (USG) or a business setting, with relevant work experience Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO), non-governmental organizations (NGO), International Organizations (IO) or United Nation (UN) Agency. Such experience must include a humanitarian or development focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework.

OR

Bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of relevant work experience with the USG, PVO, NGO, IO or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian or development focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework.

OR

Master’s Degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience with the USG, PVO, NGO, IO or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian relief or development focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. At the GS-12 Level High School Diploma plus nine (9) years of experience working for the United States Government (USG) or a business setting, with relevant work experience, PVOs, NGOs, IOs or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian or development focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include at least one (1) year directly managing assistance awards or grants. Experience must include overseas field work in humanitarian assistance supporting program implementation, program operations, needs assessment, or monitoring.

OR

Bachelor’s degree plus five (5) years of relevant work experience with the USG, PVOs, NGOs, IOs or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian relief or development focus and include progressive responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing, monitoring, or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include at least one (1) year directly managing assistance awards or grants. Experience must include overseas field work in humanitarian assistance supporting program implementation, program operations, needs assessment, or monitoring.

OR

Master’s Degree plus four (4) years of relevant work experience with the USG, PVOs, NGOs, IOs or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian relief or development focus and include progressive responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing, monitoring, or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must also include at least one (1) year directly managing assistance awards or grants. Experience must include overseas field work in humanitarian assistance supporting program implementation, program operations, needs assessment, or monitoring.

At the GS-13 Level:

High School Diploma plus eleven (11) years of experience working in the United States Government (USG) or a business setting, with relevant work experience with PVOs, NGOs, IOs or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian or development focus and include responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include at least one (1) year directly managing assistance awards or grants. Experience must include overseas field work in humanitarian assistance supporting program implementation, program operations, needs assessment, or monitoring.

OR

Bachelor’s degree plus seven (7) years of relevant work experience with the USG, PVOs, NGOs, IOs or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian relief or development focus and include progressive responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing, monitoring, or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must include at least one (1) year directly managing assistance awards or grants. Experience must include at least one (1) year of cumulative overseas field work in humanitarian assistance supporting program implementation, program operations, needs assessment, or monitoring.

OR

Master’s Degree plus five (5) years of relevant work experience with the USG, PVOs, NGOs, IOs or UN Agency. Such experience must have a humanitarian relief or development focus and include progressive responsibility in determining budget levels, selecting programs for funding, or managing, monitoring, or evaluating funded programs in a results type framework. Experience must also include at least one (1) year directly managing assistance awards or grants. Experience must include at least one (1) year of cumulative overseas field work in humanitarian assistance supporting program implementation, program operations, needs assessment, or monitoring. 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 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.

Application instructions

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) Offerors must notate on their resume what GS level equivalent is being applied for. Applicants may list more than one GS level on their resume. (b) 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. (c) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. d) 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. (e) U.S. Citizenship (f) 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 each grade level 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.

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.

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.

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