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SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T121R00001 ISSUANCE DATE: October 13, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 28, 2020, 1:00 PM EST SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Dear Prospec... SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T121R00001 ISSUANCE DATE: October 13, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 28, 2020, 1:00 PM EST 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 U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor – Worldwide (Tandem, Multiple Positions) (Intermittent) under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all overseas field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. (c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). (d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. (e) U.S. Citizenship. Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Offerors must specify in their offer materials whether they would like to be considered for the GS-13 or GS-14. Offerors who would like to be considered for both the GS-13 and GS-14 positions should submit separate offers specifying which grade level in the submission. Offerors will only be considered for the grade level specified in the submission. The offer will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offers for the GS-13 and the GS-14 positions. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. USPSC Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Your complete resume and the AID309-2 form must be mailed or emailed to: Office of Transition Initiatives 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: OTIjobs@usaid.gov Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers. 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. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: OTI Recruitment Team Telephone Number: (202) 836-7487 E-Mail Address: OTIjobs@usaid.gov Website: www.OTIjobs.net Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer 72C0T121R00001 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72C0T121R00001 2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 13, 2020 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 28, 2020, 1:00 pm Eastern Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team, (202)836-7487, e-mail at OTIjobs@usaid.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: Transition Advisor or Senior Transition Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a “tandem” position that, depending on the qualifications of the offeror, can be filled at either the GS-13 ($78,681 - 102,288 per annum) or GS-14 ($92,977 - 120,868 per annum) equivalent level, non-locality pay. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Final compensation will be negotiated within the GS-13 or GS-14 equivalent level based upon the selected offeror’s salary history, qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, and educational background as reported on the AID 302-3. For selected offerors whose salary has been established on a Federal pay scale (i.e. General Schedule) or its equivalent, the base salary (not including locality pay) of their grade/step will be the basis of the salary negotiation. The final salary will be negotiated at a step on the General Schedule (Base) Salary Table articulated as an annual rate amount; however, as an intermittent position, the PSC hired under this contract will provide a maximum of 250 workdays of services on an annual basis (see Section I, item 6, Period of Performance). The selected offeror will be eligible for applicable allowances as described in Section VI on the same basis as U.S. government employees while on temporary duty in foreign areas. As this is a Worldwide, non-locality position, incumbents who do not live in the DC metropolitan area will be provided with travel and/or per diem if they are required to work in Washington, DC. The title of the position at the GS-13 level will be “Transition Advisor.” The title of the position at the GS-14 level will be “Senior Transition Advisor.” Note: Offerors must specify in their offer materials whether they would like to be considered for the GS-13, GS-14, or both. Offerors will only be considered for the grade level specified in the submission. The offer will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offers for the GS-13 and the GS-14 positions. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with four one-year option periods. START DATE: Within 45 days of receiving notification that required security clearance has been obtained. The Personal Services Contractor hired under this contract will provide up to a maximum of 250 workdays of services on an annual basis. The specific projects, as well as dates, number of days and locations to be worked, will be determined by mutual agreement between the contractor and his/her OTI supervisor according to the programmatic needs of OTI. There is no obligation by OTI to provide assignments for a minimum number of days, and the contractor is free to provide “blackout” dates during which he or she will not be available to accept assignments. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: SECRET 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals who want the opportunity to help support rapid international transition programs for priority conflict-prone countries. Created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID, OTI helps local partners advance peace and democracy in politically-transitioning countries. In support of U.S. foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming. Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition. OTI assists in securing peace by aiding indigenous, mostly non-governmental, civil society and media organizations. OTI uses such mechanisms as support for re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation. To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate OTI retains a group of high level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI work force and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office’s programmatic goals and objectives. Some of these USPSCs serve on intermittent contracts and are referred to in OTI as “bullpenners,” providing support in a surge capacity. Those serving in the bullpen must be prepared to work both in Washington and the field, often with little time for preparations. There are several benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as partial reimbursement for health and life insurance costs, as well as full coverage of workers’ compensation, among other benefits. For more complete information on USPSC benefits, please see Section VI of this solicitation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/political-transition-initiatives Introduction The OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor position utilizes the oversight and management experience and skills gained from working with political transition programs and operations in the field, to advise on programmatic and operational processes in support of transition programming overseas. This position also supports assessments, new country start-ups, program implementation, program performance management processes, and training and mentoring for field-based and Washington staff. The employee may also be involved in strategic design of various OTI country programs and the development of management products and processes that respond to Office priorities. The incumbent is considered an expert in the field of political transitions, and has the demonstrated experience and skills to effectively support these programs both in the field and in Washington. The OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor position allows OTI to take advantage of the accumulated field experience of incumbents and apply it across the Office. Having access to individuals with hands-on experience in transition programming enhances our ability to deepen understanding, identify opportunities and constraints, and be more prepared to execute programming when necessary. The Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor position provides OTI with a pool of technical experts who are capable of flexing across teams, in the field and in Washington, to advise on programmatic and operational processes based on their deep familiarity of transition programming. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The OTI Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor – Worldwide position utilizes the experiences and skills gained from providing oversight and management of political transition programs and operations in the field to advise on programmatic and operational processes in support of transition programming overseas. It also supports assessments, new country start-ups, program implementation, program performance management processes, and training and mentoring for Washington and field-based staff. The Personal Services Contractor (PSC) employee may also be involved in the strategic design of various OTI country programs or the development of management products and processes that respond to Office priorities. The incumbent is considered an expert in the field of political transitions, and has the demonstrated experience and skills to effectively support these programs. The work of the Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly operational office, the incumbent is willing and able to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The incumbent is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change, and remains professional and respectful of colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. She or he places a premium on the building of positive relationships with her or his respective team both in Washington and in the field, and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The incumbent is a team player, able to prioritize and follow up on their own actions without prompting, while also assisting a busy supervisor to track and respond to incoming requests and routine tasks, filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The incumbent is highly responsible, service-oriented, organized, pays close attention to detail, and is able to receive and respond to constructive criticism in a professional manner. The Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor is a strategic thinker, articulates innovative ideas, presents solutions, and is a positive role model for colleagues both in and outside of OTI. Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based Chief, Field Programs Division (FPD) or the Chief, Program Learning and Innovation Division (PLI), or the Chief, Operations and Management Division (OMD), or his/her designee, the Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor will perform the following duties: At the GS-13 Transition Advisor level: Provide technical support to OTI programs and teams. Examples of tasks may include: provision of ad hoc support to new OTI country program start-ups; participation in the conceptualization and design of program strategies and objectives in close coordination with staff from OTI, USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and/or the implementing partner based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy; support for the design and execution of programs that follow OTI’s quick impact programming model; Provide assistance with ongoing evaluations of OTI programs or activities in the field; review program budgets; assist in selection of program implementers such as grantees, contractors, and personal services contract employees; support monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, and improved business practices; analyze and report on current political developments and security concerns; assistance with closeout activities; and provision of on-call technical assistance; Fill critical needs for program advisement, management and implementation as well as staffing gaps in the field and, at times, in Washington, DC; Represent and articulate OTI’s mission, global programs, and business model to those within and outside USAID; Serve as a liaison with other CPS offices, other USAID Bureaus/Independent Offices (B/IOs), and other U.S. government agencies on program and policy direction; Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for staff supervised; assign work, explain how duties are to be performed to meet expectations and communicate how the successful performance of those duties will be measured; and Evaluate staff performance; recognize good performance; communicate where performance needs to be improved; resolve complaints; and approve leave requests and timesheets as well as training, travel and program and operations requests. At the GS-14 Senior Transition Advisor level: Provide technical support to OTI programs and teams. Examples of tasks may include: act as OTI’s in-country Start-Up Manager for limited periods of time for new OTI country program start-ups; conduct assessments for possible new country programs; conceptualize and design program strategies and objectives in close coordination with staff from OTI, USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and/or the implementing partner based on political analysis and U.S. Government policy; support for the design and execution of programs that follow OTI’s quick impact programming model; Provide assistance with ongoing evaluations of OTI programs or activities in the field; manage program budgets; supervise the implementation of OTI-financed activities, including overseeing and/or managing the selection of program implementers such as grantees, contractors, and personal services contract employees; assist in selection of program implementers such as grantees, contractors, and personal services contract employees; support monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, and improved business practices; analyze and report on current political developments and security concerns; execute closeout activities; and provision of on-call technical assistance; Fill critical needs for program advisement, management and implementation as well as staffing gaps in the field and, at times, in Washington, DC; Represent and articulate OTI’s mission, global programs, and business model to those within and outside USAID; Liaise with other CPS offices, other USAID Bureaus/Independent Offices (B/IOs), and other U.S. government agencies on program and policy direction; Supervise staff as delegated by the supervisor (e.g. Country Representatives, Deputy Country Representatives, etc.). Evaluate staff performance; recognize good performance; communicate where performance needs to be improved; resolve complaints; and approve leave requests and timesheets as well as training, travel and program and operations requests; and Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for staff supervised; assign work, explain how duties are to be performed to meet expectations and communicate how the successful performance of those duties will be measured. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Transition Advisor/Senior Transition Advisor will be supervised by the FPD Chief, the PLI Chief, or the OMD Chief, or his/her designee. She or he will also work under the general guidance and direction of the OTI Country Representative in the field. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-13 level, the supervisor will set overall objectives and resources available, and work with the employee to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The employee will be responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. Keeping the supervisor informed of progress, the employee may determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The supervisor will review completed work from an overall standpoint of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements. At the GS-14 level, the supervisor will provide administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The employee will independently plan, design and carry out programs, projects, studies or other work assignments. The employee’s work will be considered technically authoritative and normally accepted without significant change, and will be reviewed in terms of fulfillment of program objectives, influence on the overall program, or contribution to the advancement of the objective. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While in Washington, the work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. While traveling overseas, 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). 13. WORK ENVIRONMENT: While in Washington, the work is generally performed in an office environment. While traveling overseas, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 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. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under “Submitting an Offer”) At the GS-13 Transition Advisor level: A Master’s degree with five (5) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor’s degree with seven (7) years of work experience; AND Five (5) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government foreign affairs agency, domestic or international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities; AND Two (2) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country. AND One (1) year of supervisory experience. At the GS-14 Senior Transition Advisor level: A Master’s degree with seven (7) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor’s degree with nine (9) years of work experience; AND Seven (7) years of project management experience with a U.S. Government foreign affairs agency, domestic or international assistance organization, or non-governmental organization, in community development, economic development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities; AND Four (4) years of overseas field experience working in a developing country; AND Three (3) years of supervisory experience. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS (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. 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. 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 cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements; Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance (NOTE: Dual citizens may be asked to renounce second-country citizenship); Satisfactory verification of academic credentials. A USAID Secret level security clearance is required prior to issuance of the contract for this position. NOTE: If a full security investigation package is not submitted by the selected within 30 days after it is requested, the offer may be rescinded. If a security clearance is not able to be obtained within four months after the selected submits the initial security clearance documentation, the offer may be rescinded. OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to the technical evaluation criteria. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. Note: Supplemental documentation with written responses is not required and will not be reviewed for this solicitation. Note: 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. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System evaluation factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The evaluation factors are as follows: Industry Experience (20 Points): Demonstrated experience managing people, programs and resources in complex political transition and post-conflict environments. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing small-grant political transition activities in complex political transition and post-conflict environments. Demonstrated experience working productively across programs, teams, or divisions to provide comprehensive cross-functional support to political transition activities in complex political transition and post-conflict environments. Program Operations and Management (25 Points): Demonstrated experience conceptualizing and designing country program strategies and objectives. Demonstrated experience monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on local political developments. Demonstrated experience monitoring and evaluating programs or activities. Demonstrated experience training and mentoring staff on program strategy and implementation. Representation (20 Points): Demonstrated experience interacting with and representing an organization to U.S. Government agencies, other donors, and international organizations.. Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with local counterparts including beneficiaries. Foreign Language Experience (5 Points): Demonstrated experience operating in a professional environment using French, Spanish or Arabic. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly 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. In the event that a offeror has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive offerors, OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. The Offeror Rating System is as follows: Evaluation Factors – 70 Points Interview Performance – 30 Points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified offerors may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. OTI will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, offers (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the offerors writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an offeror has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive offerors OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. OTI reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 4. Qualified offerors are required to submit: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all overseas field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. (c) Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). (d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. (e) U.S. Citizenship. Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. If you do not specify which grade level(s), your offer will be considered at the lower grade level. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. NOTE: The Offeror Rating System Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. 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. 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. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position offers must prominently reference the solicitation number in the offer submission. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS Via mail: Office of Transition Initiatives, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20045 Via email: OTIjobs@usaid.gov Please note in your document submittal where you heard about this position. 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. NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT All individuals contracted as USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a DUNS Number and be registered in the SAM database. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number for USPSC’s with a place of performance outside the United States. The selected offeror will be provided with guidance regarding this registration. For general information about DUNS Numbers and SAM, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management. https:/acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov. ALL QUALIFIED OFFERORS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the Contracting Officer (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. Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306). Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). Finger Print Card (FD-258). VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as app...