Inactive

USAID MISSION/IRAQ SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026724R00001 ISSUANCE DATE: January 12, 2024 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 10, 2024, 5:00pm EST SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and ... USAID MISSION/IRAQ SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026724R00001 ISSUANCE DATE: January 12, 2024 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 10, 2024, 5:00pm EST SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent U.S. residents USPSC) Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, 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 the 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, Diego Marquez Contracting Officer ATTACHMENT 1 GENERAL INFORMATION SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72026724R00001 ISSUANCE DATE: January 12, 2024 CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 10, 2024, 5:00pm EST POINT OF CONTACT: Mustafa Al-Saffar; Dalya Al-Dulaimi e-mail at iraqrecruitment@usaid.gov POSITION TITLE: Supervisory Executive Specialist MARKET VALUE: USD 104,604 – USD 135,987 equivalent to GS-14, Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. 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. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Baghdad, Iraq with possible travel to Erbil. USPSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within the country of performance, in accordance with Mission Policy. Telework or remote work from outside the country of performance may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be one year estimated to start on May 1, 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for four years for the dates(s) estimated as follows: Base Period: 2024 – 2025 Option Period 1: 2025 – 2026 Option Period 2: 2026 – 2027 Option Period 3: 2027 – 2028 Option Period 4: 2028 – 2029 *Dates for each option will depend on home leave days authorized between options. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent U.S. residents). Hiring Preference: In order of preference, U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) offers will be evaluated first. Only when it is determined that there are no qualified U.S. Nationals (U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents) will the offers from Third Country Nationals be considered. Reference 309.3.1.10 and 309.3.1.4. 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret clearance in case of US Citizens and Moderate Risk Public Trust in the case of US Residents. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES 1 - Human Resources (HR) Responsibilities: The Supervisory Executive Specialist plans and manages personnel management programs for USDH, USPSC, and FSN employees; and advises on human resources development, employee relations, and employee benefits. Also, participates with the US Embassy and other US agencies in joint personnel operations discussions. S/he is specifically responsible for management of the Mission employment program for USDH, USPSC, and CCNPSCs, both long-and short-term, local-hire and off-shore and both OE-funded and project-funded, in a manner that will include knowledge transfer to the local FSN staff. The Supervisory Executive Specialist responsible for ensuring that NSDD-38 approvals are in place for all USDH and USPSC positions. The incumbent is responsible for managing the recruitment process for new and newly vacated positions, working with HCTM on cables, DIP titles, and other required HCTM approvals. This includes obtaining needed Mission and USAID/Washington clearances, verifying positions to be recruited, obtaining Scopes of Work and/or Position Descriptions and other required documents to initiate the employment process, and drafting solicitations and position announcements. The incumbent is also responsible for space planning for Mission staffing and any new positions. The Supervisory Executive Specialist, with the assistance of subordinate HR staff, fully participates in and coordinates the selection process, and oversees the interviewing, testing, and selection of applicants. S/he conducts negotiations and prepares or oversees the preparation of contracts and contract modifications for USPSC and CCNPSC employees, as required, and provides oversight to assure required clearances, contracts, contract modifications, and personnel actions, including promotions, reassignments, and terminations, are in place. S/he provides career development and performance counseling services for Mission FSN employees. Manages the Mission FSN performance management, employee evaluation program and provides logistical support for the USDH performance evaluation program. S/he coordinates the completion and approval of the Mission-wide annual training plan with Mission Management, ensuring that all employees have equitable access to and consideration for training opportunities in accordance with the applicable Mission Order. S/he also analyzes the training plan and makes recommendations for courses. As the Awards Program Coordinator, works closely with the Supervisory EXO to administer and monitor USAID/Iraq’s Awards Program including honor awards, cash awards, on-the-spot awards, meritorious step increases, certificates of appreciation and length of service certificates administered under the Mission Awards as well as Agency Awards systems. The Supervisory Executive Specialist relied upon to interpret human resources and personal services contracting regulations, and to assure employees are informed of all matters affecting employment and employee placement, PSC contracting, performance evaluation, leave and retirement policies, health benefits, and insurance allowances. The incumbent oversees the preparation of various Mission and USAID HR reports and oversees preparation of correspondence, memoranda, and reports concerning recruitment, selection, and contracting. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing Mission Orders and Notices and ensuring that they are updated as needed. 2 - Training Responsibilities: The Supervisory Executive Specialist is responsible for knowledge transfer to other staff in all assigned EXO/HR functions. In addition to the general Supervisory Executive Specialist responsibilities outlined above, s/he participates in planning, directing, and administering management programs within the Mission. The work is accomplished by developing, interpreting, and assuring the implementation of administrative policies, regulations, and procedures in assigned areas of the Executive Office, and assuring compliance with Government of Iraq statutory and/or regulatory requirements affecting management services to the Mission and the USG and its employees. In the absence of the Supervisory Executive Officer, the Supervisory Executive Specialist shall perform all duties of that position except those which require a direct hire signature or warrant, as authorized by the Deputy Mission Director. 3 - Travel Responsibilities: The Supervisory Executive Specialist is responsible for overseeing the travel management functions for USAID/Iraq in coordination with the Financial Management Office. S/he oversees the travel of all Mission employees, especially the coordination of arrivals and departures of off-shore Mission staff, assures proper check-in and check-out processing and clearances, travel to/from post, and the provision of housing accommodations for USAID/Iraq personnel assigned to post, and for TDYers. S/he needs to be thoroughly familiar with US Government regulations on travel and transportation. S/he develops processes and procedures to deal with Mission travel needs in the most effective and efficient way. Interprets Federal Travel Regulations, Mission travel policies and other travel regulations; makes sure employees are well informed on all matters related to the post-funded travel; provides guidance to the traveler and mission management on travel rules and regulations. 4 - Exercise of Judgement: The incumbent shall demonstrate a professional level of judgment and initiative in order to respond to intra-office, interoffice, inter-agency and inter-governmental activities. Sound judgment is required to deal effectively with stakeholders. Judgment to anticipate and identify office needs related to administrative and HR support is important. The incumbent also is required to use sound judgment, discretion and patience in dealing with all Mission officials. 5 - Authority to Make Commitment: The incumbent has specific authority delegated by the supervisor largely based on the personal skills and knowledge the incumbent brings to the job. The incumbent has no personal authority to make financial commitments on behalf of the US Government. The supervisor typically clears all major written communications to parties outside the Mission. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is generally sedentary and poses few physical demands. During site visits and while living on the Baghdad Embassy Compound, there will be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, wearing personal protection equipment, etc. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION In order to be considered for the position, the offeror must meet the minimum qualifications. Offers will be pre-screened and only those that meet the minimum qualifications will be considered. These are the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for the position: Education (10 points): A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, public administration, organizational development or related subject is required. Prior work experience (40 points): The incumbent is expected to have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources/Administrative Management out of which at least 6-8 years should have been in a senior position in Human Resources Management. S/he is expected to have at least 3-5 years of overseas experience with a U.S. Government agency working in countries in conflict or post-conflict situations at a supervisory level wherein establishing human resources systems and training and mentoring of a locally employed staff have been significant duties and responsibilities or at least seven years of human resources management as a team leader or Supervisor is required. At least three years of travel management experience in a governmental and cross-cultural setting is required. Knowledge (20 points): Developed knowledge of Human Resources practices (recruitment, compensation, performance, etc.) is required. General knowledge of position classification concepts, principles and practices is required. A good understanding of US Government regulations applicable to Human Resource Management, travel and general services is required. Knowledge of HR practices related to determining workload projections and current and future competency gaps to align human capital with organizational goals. Also, knowledge of business and human resources practices (with focus on achieving results in an overseas and post-conflict environment) based upon experiences is desirable. Developed knowledge of USG, international, and host-governmental laws and regulations, documentation, and reporting requirements sufficient to make decisions or recommendations significantly impacting on important aspects of conducting US Government activities and programs in Iraq. A thorough Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of applications, OPS, Employee Information Management System, MCLASS and other HR systems is required. Abilities and Skills (20 points): The candidate must possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Evidence of effective team leadership skills through supervision responsibilities or informal mentoring is required. The candidate must have excellent management, interpersonal, and team building skills. Must have ability to make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals. The nature of the position requires the incumbent to work extensively with sensitive personal information (Personally Identifiable Information or PII) which must be treated with discretion, maintaining confidentiality. Proactive and positive customer service skills are essential. Attention to detail and a strong focus and commitment to “customer service” are essential and required attributes of this position. Must have the ability to train and mentor junior staff. Language Proficiency (10 points): Fluent English (Level IV) reading, speaking and writing ability is 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. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far USAID Policy specifies that U.S. citizens or resident aliens (USNs) are required. Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who clearly meet the minimum/required education, experience, and language requirements may be further evaluated and ranked based on the below evaluation and selection factors and through review of the offeror’s submitted written application materials (see section IV below). Those highest-ranked offerors will be considered within the competitive range, and may be further evaluated through language, technical tests and interviews to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offeror. Reference checks will be conducted with the highest-ranked offeror at the conclusion of evaluations and as part of the responsibility determination process. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations will be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offeror who has successfully passed the responsibility determination process. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: Education (10 points) Experience (40 points) Knowledge (20 points) Skills and Abilities (20 points) Language Proficiency (10 points) Total points = 100 IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Eligible offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted via email to iraqrecruitment@usaid.gov. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all submitted documents and the subject line of the application email. In addition to the offer form AID 309-2, offerors must submit the following: -Three professional references (including names, telephone numbers and email addresses), which could be the offeror’s current and/or former supervisors who are able to comment on the offeror’s suitability for employment. -A brief written appendix of no more than one letter-size page to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training have prepared the offeror to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described in the solicitation. Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - The Offeror will be required to show proof that the Offeror 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. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSC HIRES Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Applicant about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Applicant instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. 1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86), or 3. Questionnaire for non-Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-85), 4. Fingerprint Card (FD-258) 5. OF-306 VI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Personal Service Contracting (PSC) employee is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: (a) Employer's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) (a) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (b) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (c) Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650) (d) Sunday Differential VII. TAXES USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources: USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf. FAR 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR- 22-01c) Definition. As used in this clause - United States or its outlying areas means— The fifty States; The District of Columbia; The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands; The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll. (b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985). (c) Personal Services Contracts with individuals. As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees. (End of clause) Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”). In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/. 3. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described in the attached solicitation. 4. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs 5. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations 6. PSC Ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work- usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman USAID/IRAQ is an equal opportunity employer committed to a staff composition that reflects the social and ethnic diversity of Iraqi society. Applicants from disadvantaged and under-represented ethnic groups, women, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.