Inactive

FFIC SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066320R00015 ISSUANCE DATE: 08/10/2020 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 09/09/2020 SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor - Supervisory Private Sector Development A... FFIC SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066320R00015 ISSUANCE DATE: 08/10/2020 CLOSING DATE/TIME: 09/09/2020 SUBJECT: Solicitation for a U.S. Personal Service Contractor - Supervisory Private Sector Development Advisor. 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. 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 offers. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the Attached 1. Sincerely, Annmarie McGillicuddy Supervisory Executive Officer ATTACHMENT 1 72066320R00015 GENERAL INFORMATION SOLICITATION NO.: 72066320R00015 ISSUANCE DATE: 08/10/2020 CLOSING DATE / TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 09/09/2020 (5:00pm Ethiopia’s local time.) POINT OF CONTACT: Annmarie McGillicuddy, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, email at addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov. POSITION TITLE: Supervisory Private Sector Development Advisor MARKET VALUE: $78,681 to $102,288 equivalents to GS-13. The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate’s salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: For one year, with the option to renew for an additional one year (base period plus option years). Estimated to start on 09/12/2020. The base period will be 11/12/2020 – 11/12/2021estimated to start on 11/12/2020, with one year option to renew. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise (an) additional option period(s) for three years for the date(s) estimated as follows: Base Period: 11/12/2020 – 11/11/2021 Option Years 11/12/2021 – 11/11/2022 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with possible travel throughout Ethiopia, the rest of Africa, and to the United States. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens, and Resident Aliens. For USPSC: Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (“green card holder”). U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING. Be able to obtain facility access authorization. Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance. Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested. Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access initially, with the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded. STATEMENT OF DUTIES General Statement of Purpose of the Contract: With an active portfolio of over $700 million per year, USAID/Ethiopia manages one of the most complex and politically sensitive development programs in the world. U.S. foreign policy in Ethiopia advocates for a strong bilateral partnership that helps strengthen the Government of Ethiopia’s (GOE) security and stability, grow its economy, build democratic institutions, and invest in its own path to self-reliance. USAID/Ethiopia seeks to partner with, and leverage, the resources of the private sector to develop market-based approaches to the most pressing development challenges. Ethiopia, a country with one of the fastest growing economies over the past decade, is undergoing dramatic political and economic reform. There are clear signs of greater interest in private sector participation in the Ethiopian economy, including the rapid expansion of the industrial parks, several improvements to the business enabling environment, and plans to privatize many state-owned enterprises. USAID/Ethiopia’s current strategy calls for attracting significant private sector capital and management expertise. The Supervisory Private Sector Development Advisor (PSD Advisor) will support USAID/Ethiopia in working with private sector actors across all economic sectors at a scale to sustain development progress. This includes working directly with private enterprises and through ongoing mechanisms and new designs and instruments. The PSD Advisor will support the Economic Growth and Transformation (EG&T) Office and will work directly under the supervision of the Deputy Office Chief or his/her designee. EG&T’s portfolio includes many core economic programs, and also provides support services to all other offices as relevant in terms of private sector engagement (PSE). EG&T is composed of a team of 21, consisting of 6 U.S. Direct Hires (USDH), 3 U.S. Personal Service Contractors (USPSCs), and 11 Foreign Service National (FSN) staff. Statement of Duties to be Performed: Strategic Management and Coordination (40%). Serve as the mission’s PSE point of contact and participate actively in USAID’s community-of-practice on PSE. Maintain familiarity with policy imperatives, reforms, and examples of PSE implementation throughout the Agency. Maintain and regularly update USAID/Ethiopia’s action plan to roll out and implement the Agency PSE Policy. Coordinate and provide training on PSE for Mission staff from both technical and support offices. Activity Management and Employee Supervision (30%). Manage one or more private sector-oriented implementing mechanisms in EG&T. Provide support for management and reporting on the mission’s Development Objectives and Projects as they pertain to private sector development. Participate in the Embassy’s Economic Working Group and Prosper Africa Deal Team. Supervise one or more local-hire FSNs and/or PSCs. Private Capital Mobilization, Alliance Building, and Relationship Management (30%). In close coordination with relevant technical teams, develop and manage relationships with Ethiopian and American businesses, investors, and other private sector stakeholders. Work directly with USG-affiliated organizations and initiatives promoting PSE in Ethiopia, such as the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Prosper Africa secretariat, and USAID’s PSE Hub. Develop relationships with private businesses, corporations, foundations, NGOs, and other non-traditional development organizations through formal and informal outreach, personal contacts, and networking. Serve as conduit for information requests and expressions of interest of potential alliance partners that initiate contact with USAID/Ethiopia. USAID Consultation or orientation (if applicable): None anticipated. Supervisory Relationship: The PSD Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the EG&T Deputy Office Chief (or his/her designee) who will prepare his/her performance evaluation report. In collaboration with the incumbent, the immediate supervisor will: 1) establish annual work objectives and performance measures; 2) review work outputs and accomplishments to ensure compliance with Agency policies, and implementation of best practices; 3) provide regular feedback to incumbent throughout the Performance Evaluation Period; 4) prepare the annual Evaluation Report as/when required; and 5) the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence and should be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal guidance and little or no follow-up. Supervisory Controls: While the PSD Advisor may supervise USPSCs and non-U.S. citizen employees, s/he may not supervise U.S. citizen direct-hire (USDH) employees of USAID as part of their regular duties and responsibilities. S/he may supervise USDH employees on a limited basis, not to exceed 60 days in any 180 day period, to cover a temporary USDH absence. The PSD Advisor may participate in personnel selection matters but may not be delegated authority to make a final decision on USDH personnel selections. The PSD Advisor may be designated a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Assistance Officer’s Representative (AOR) if he/she has completed required agency training and has been designated in writing. The PSD Advisor may represent the Agency and communicate planning and implementation decisions. Communications that reflect a final policy decision of the Agency must be cleared by a USDH employee. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. Note: No- in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained, unless you are required to have more information about this solicitation. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION Applications will be initially screened by the Human Resources Office to determine whether they have met the minimum qualifications listed below. A list of qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further consideration and screening. Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher with study in, or pertinent to, the specialized field of, but not limited to, international relations, economics, business management, trade, or agro-business/economics. Work Experience: Seven (7) years of experience in international development, private sector development, and capital mobilization, with increasingly responsible project design and management experience. 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. The TEC may conduct interviews with all offerors in the competitive range and provide the final rating and ranking of the offerors based on the interview. The CO will also consider findings from the reference checks as part of the responsibility determination. Education (15 points): Bachelor’s degree or higher with study in, or pertinent to, the specialized field of, but not limited to, international relations, economics, business management, trade, or agro-business/economics. Although other degrees will be considered, a postgraduate degree in finance, economics, business, development, or international affairs is preferred. Additional evaluation points will be given to offerors who exceed the minimum requirement, up to the maximum 15 points. Work Experience (35 points): The incumbent is required to have a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in international development, private sector development, and finance/capital mobilization, with increasingly responsible project design and management experience. Prior experience in building joint public-private sector programming from either the public or private sector is required. A thorough understanding of major problems frequently faced in emerging and frontier markets is preferred. A sound, experience-based understanding of political, economic, and development realities of Ethiopia would be a distinct advantage. The ideal candidate would have experience in marketing and brokering business transactions with business leaders, international NGOs, high-wealth individuals, and senior foreign government officials. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (50 points): The Mission is seeking a self-starter who can manage USAID’s private sector development flagship activity, supervise a team of technical experts, proactively advance USAID’s engagement with the private sector, and interact well within the Embassy country team. A demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision or guidance is required. Strong mentoring and supervisory skills are also required. Strong interpersonal skills are required to establish and maintain strong contacts with private sector stakeholders and government representatives. Lastly, the incumbent must have demonstrated effective project and activity management skills, ideally within the setting of a donor or development agency. Demonstrated skills on project cycle management tools are a distinct advantage. The ideal candidate would have an excellent written and oral English skills. SUBMITTING AN OFFER For your application to be considered, the following documents must be submitted: 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 to the Point of Contact in Section I. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. Letter of Application and current resume. Application must be submitted ONLY via addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov with the subject line indicating 72066320R00015, Supervisory Private Sector Development Advisor. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each page. Please submit the application only once; and Late and incomplete applications may not be considered; the application must be submitted before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Time). LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms) Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions for National Security (SF-86),or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) Fingerprint Card (FD-258) BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave ALLOWANCES (if applicable): Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) Temporary Quarter Subsistence Allowance (Section 120) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Cost-of-Living Allowance (Chapter 210) Post Allowance (Section 220) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Education Allowance (Section 270) Education Travel (Section 280) Post Differential (Chapter 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and Danger Pay Allowance (Section 650) TAXES USPSCs are required to pay federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare, and applicable state income taxes. 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. Contract Cover Page form AID309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. LINE ITEMS ITEM NO (A) SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY (C) UNIT (D) UNIT PRICE (E) AMOUNT (F) 0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert from Phoenix/GLAAS] 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ 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. 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 5CFR2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations. END OF SOLICITATION EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.