SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00007

ISSUANCE DATE: February 27, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 7, 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
U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC
www.usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00007

2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 27, 2023

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: April 7, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

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

5. POSITION TITLE: U.S. Mission to United Nations in New York (USUN) Senior Advisor/Team Lead

6. MARKET VALUE: $160,013- $183,500 equivalent to GS-15 (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 if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to
Locality Pay.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/New York
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

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

Created in 1947 by the United Nations Participation Act, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in
New York (USUN) assists the President and the Department of State (DOS) in conducting United States
policy at the UN. An important function of USUN is to keep the DOS informed of events at the UN.
USUN officers report on meetings and make recommendations to DOS as to what course of action the
U.S. should pursue. This information is also relayed to overseas American Embassies which have an interest in particular items under UN consideration. USUN is also a link between the USG and the UN Secretariat. USAID/BHA maintains a humanitarian team at USUN to help provide humanitarian operational experience at USUN, troubleshoot humanitarian issues with UN agencies in New York, help negotiate UN General Assembly (UNGA) and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) humanitarian resolutions, represent USAID and the USG interagency views and interests on humanitarian assistance issues and to report to the USG on the proceedings of UN activities.

The USUN Senior Advisor/Team Leader (SATL) position will manage the team of BHA Humanitarian
Advisors based at the USUN offices in New York City. The USUN SATL serves as an authoritative
source of information on humanitarian issues and humanitarian policy for USUN Ambassadors and
staff. He/She will help plan USUN strategies and responses to humanitarian crises, actively lobby
members of UN delegations on U.S. positions on humanitarian issues, provide effective liaison with
the UN Secretariat and the representational offices in New York of UN specialized agencies;
negotiate resolutions in the UNGA and ECOSOC, and anticipate and prepare documents, briefing memos
and statements for USUN Ambassadors for important meetings and events. The USUN SATL is expected to represent at senior levels within the UN and USG and will also set strategic direction, prioritize
workload of the humanitarian team and help further USG policy priorities in close coordination with
USAID, State Department and USUN. The USUN SATL is expected to raise critical issues with the UN on
behalf of USAID and other USG agencies.

G3PC requires the services of a USUN SATL in order to meet its objectives of humanitarian
diplomacy, strategic planning, negotiating, and managing institutional relationships with actors at
the USUN.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

The USUN SATL will provide skilled analytical and advisory support for the planning, development
and execution of U.S. foreign policy within a broad and complex geographic or functional specialty
area. The work requires applying a rigorous analytical approach to data that is often vague,
unsubstantiated, or contradicts existing knowledge. The USUN SATL will receive general guidance
from BHA leadership and other parts of the USG but will be expected to execute independent judgment
and analysis.

Contacts will be with the DOS and USAID employees at all levels, both in New York and Washington,
D.C., as well as personnel at U.S. posts worldwide, senior analysts and officials in UN and other
agencies, congressional staff, experts, and representatives of NGOs. The role requires significant
interaction with foreign delegates, demanding strong diplomatic and communication skills to
accurately represent U.S. positions in a complex multilateral setting. Contacts occur in a wide
variety of planned and unplanned, formal and informal settings, including open meetings,
conferences, and negotiating sessions, where the USUN SATL may be called upon to explain and defend
U.S. positions. Although guidance on the U.S. position on specific issues will be provided, the
USUN SATL may be called upon to handle unexpected inquiries. The USUN SATL post is organizationally located within BHA’s Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communications (G3PC) and with the USUN ECOSOC Section, while physically located at the USUN offices in New York City.

The USUN SATL’s duties and responsibilities will include the following:

● Lead the USUN humanitarian team within ECOSOC, providing strategic direction and workload
prioritization based on input from the interagency.
● Overall management responsibility of the humanitarian team, including oversight of work plans,
individual learning plans and performance evaluations.
● Serve as the authoritative USUN New York source of all humanitarian policy information for the
Permanent Representative, other USUN Ambassadors and USUN staff; serve as the lead humanitarian
point of contact for USUN New York.
● Serve as the lead senior-level member of the USUN team and advise senior-level officials such as
the U.S. Permanent Representative and the Representative and Deputy Representative to ECOSOC on the
initiation, formulation and impact of policy positions and developments.
● Coordinate with the DOS and USAID to obtain detailed guidance on USG positions pertaining to UN
resolutions.
● Anticipate the needs of the Ambassador regarding varied developments in the areas of
humanitarian affairs and lead the preparation for analyses, briefings, documents and meetings.
● Prepare the Ambassador to speak on critical humanitarian subjects before the Security Council,
UNGA, ECOSOC, and in other UN bodies.
● Lead the humanitarian team’s analysis and critique of UN proposals for the Ambassador and DOS
and, as necessary, draft or negotiate alternative proposals.
● Provide leadership for the identification, research, analysis and development of recommendations
on all issues and matters relating to humanitarian affairs and anticipate the need for such policy
analysis.
● Develop strategic recommendations for U.S. action and positions, including specific proposals to
the U.S. Representative for appropriate U.S. positions in the UN. Recommendations may be
developed in response to continuously changing humanitarian situations and the incumbent will
be responsible for maintaining an up to date understanding of changes that could affect
recommendations
● Lead USUN and DOS Officers in the development of appropriate guidance and voting instructions
and prepare high-level policy speeches, briefing/background papers and statements/talking points on
humanitarian issues.
● Represent the U.S. in meetings of the UNGA, ECOSOC and other UN bodies as directed; actively
lobby members of other UN delegations and closely liaise with the UN Secretariat to develop
consensus for U.S. positions; and negotiate resolutions, statements and agreements on relevant
issues and matters under the guidance of the DOS’ Bureau for International Organizations.
● Negotiate humanitarian resolutions with other member states in the United Nations, who may have
diverse viewpoints, goals or objectives, on behalf of the USG. Develop a common understanding among the various parties and create a satisfactory solution that addresses the various objectives and concerns.
● Attend various high-level UN, USUN, UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA)
Donor Support Group, Humanitarian Liaison Working Group and other high-level meetings and provide
authoritative information and views to formulate policies and coordinate strategies on policy
issues.
● Report on views and decisions taken by USUN on matters relating to humanitarian affairs.
● Initiate and maintain and lead on strong working relationships with high-level officials at
other diplomatic missions in order to promote consensus for voting, report on positions of other
delegations, negotiate positions and coordinate activities.
● Answer relevant congressional and public inquiries and speak to various visiting groups through
the USUN’s public affairs program and in consultation with USAID.
● Lead back-up representation for development and post-conflict issues, including transition from
relief to development
● Justify, defend and negotiate significant or controversial USAID/BHA policy positions to the
international community, provide skilled guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiating
strategies, and, in consultation with USAID/Washington, conduct negotiations with the donor
community and make recommendations to the appropriate officials at USAID and convey demarche
messages as needed.
● Serve as a senior-level USAID representative at key donor forums in New York, including but not
limited to, the OCHA Donor Support Group, Humanitarian Liaison Working Group, and country-specific
working groups.
● Provide authoritative guidance to other USG agencies on areas of concern.
● Sign up for and serve 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 may vary.
● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis for approximately one week every
six months.
● May 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. May serve on temporary detail within the
office to meet operational needs during staff shortages. 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.
● 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 (CPARS/APARS). 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.
● Create, contribute to, and maintain a collaborative and effective team environment while setting
the tone and example for open communication and regular coordination; a work environment conducive
to mutual respect; clear expectations for performance; and clear delegations of roles,
responsibilities, and authority.
● Mentor team members to build technical and other professional skills which meet the professional
goals of staff and the needs of BHA.
● Create a culture of civility and respect whereby both managers and employees are expected to
behave professionally and cultivate a harassment free work environment at all times.
● Work with division and G3PC leadership to identify and address structural barriers to diversity,
equity, inclusion, and accessibility in and across teams and divisions in the G3PC Office.
Practice equitable supervision, task/project assignment, and leadership growth potential to all
staff.
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work
environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors and harassment
of any kind.
● 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.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the BHA/G3PC Deputy Office Director or their
designee. This position is considered an interagency position with day-to-day guidance coming from
the Representative to ECOSOC or the Deputy Representative to ECOSOC as appropriate. The SATL at
USUN New York will also receive general policy guidance from the U.S. Permanent Representative to
the UN, the U.S. Representative to ECOSOC, the DOS in Washington, and USAID.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
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.)

High School Diploma. Must have nine (9) years of experience working on international emergency
response, humanitarian assistance or on humanitarian policy issues. Experience working for the U.S.
Government or with an international organization required.

OR

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field or in any
discipline, and at least seven (7) years of relevant experience working on international emergency
response, humanitarian assistance and/or on humanitarian policy issues. Experience working for the
U.S. Government or with an international organization required.

OR

Master's degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field or in any
discipline, and at least five (5) years of relevant experience working on international emergency
response, humanitarian assistance and/or on humanitarian policy issues. Experience working for the
U.S. Government or with an international organization required.

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.
● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM
The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified
offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined
below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The
evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses.
Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling
errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process. The rating factors
are as follows:

Professional Experience (30 points):

● Experience with direct donor-based:
o USG international humanitarian agencies (3 points)
o Other international disaster response organizations (3 points)

● Experience managing humanitarian interventions in an international disaster context across the
entire disaster management cycle to include:
o Emergency response (2 points)
o Early recovery (2 points)
o Disaster risk reduction (2 points)

● Experience managing humanitarian policy interventions including:
o Coordination efforts (1 point)
o Strategy development (1 point)
o Analysis of humanitarian policy response efforts (1 point)
o Resource prioritization (1 point)
o Program development (1 point)
o Program management (1 point)

o Specific experience working on or negotiating humanitarian resolutions (4 points)

● Experience in:
o Representing a country or organization in public settings (2 points)
o Briefing senior officials or government officials (2 points)
o Making decisions or recommendations on policy or programming issues (2 points)
o Working with counterparts at other international organizations. (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. 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.