Inactive

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T121R00014 ISSUANCE DATE: January 28, 2021 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 12, 2021, 1:00 PM Eastern Time SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) De... SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72C0T121R00014 ISSUANCE DATE: January 28, 2021 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 12, 2021, 1:00 PM 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 U.S. citizens to provide personal services as an Operations Assistant/Specialist – Washington, D.C. (Ladder, Multiple Positions) 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. 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. 2. USPSC Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. Due to COVID-19 and limited access to equipment, we are currently accepting electronic and typed signatures on the AID 309-2 form. NOTE ABOUT THE DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration. 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 ATTACHMENT 1 72C0T121R00014 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72C0T121R00014 2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 28, 2021 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 12, 2021 1:00 pm Eastern Time 4. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team, (202) 836-7487, e-mail at OTIjobs@usaid.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: Operations Assistant/Specialist 6. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designated as a “ladder” position. The highest level of this position is a GS-10 ($66,216 - $86,085 per annum); however, USAID intends to fill this position at the entry GS-7 ($49,157 - $63,906 per annum) equivalent level, DC-locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed. The title of the position at the GS-7 and GS-9 levels will be “Operations Assistant.” The title of the position at the GS-10 level will be “Operations Specialist.” Following at least one year at the GS-7 grade, the offeror may have the opportunity for advancement to the GS-9 equivalent grade. Following one year at the GS-9 grade, the offeror may have the opportunity for advancement to the GS-10 equivalent grade. In order to be advanced to the higher grade, the incumbent must meet the minimum qualifications of the higher grade and receive performance rating of “excellent” in their most recent annual performance evaluation. The evaluation must include a statement by the supervisor that the incumbent is performing “excellent” at the current grade and is considered ready to perform at the higher grade-level. Neither advancement nor extension of the contract is guaranteed. 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. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. 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. 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: https://www.usaid.gov/stabilization-and-transitions Introduction The Operations Assistant/Specialist will be based in Washington, DC and will provide a range of administrative services in support of OTI program-funded staff in Washington and the field. The Operations Assistant/Specialist will start work within one of OTI’s three divisions: Field Programs Division, Program Learning and Innovation Division, or Operations and Management Division. The Operations Assistant/ Specialist’s supervisor will be determined upon hiring. Given the contingent, operational, and flexible nature of OTI’s political transition work overseas, the Operations Assistant/ Specialist may be required to relocate from one OTI division or team to another, depending on the operational and programmatic needs of the office. The Operations Assistant/ Specialist position requires individuals who are team players, highly organized, motivated, problem-solvers, and enjoy administrative work and understand how this work directly impacts the mission of the office. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The work of the Operations Assistant/Specialist 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 has a high level of integrity and attention to detail to ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. 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. He or she places a premium on the building of positive relationships with his or her respective team both in the field and in Washington, D.C., and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The incumbent is able to prioritize and complete tasks without follow-up by the supervisor, while also filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The Operations Assistant/Specialist 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 OTI Team Leader or his/her designee, the Operations Assistant/ Specialist will perform the following duties: At the GS-7 “Operations Assistant” Level: Provide knowledge management support including but not limited to tracking documents, lessons learned, and best practices across OTI programs and/or operations. Assist the teams in the creation and/or maintenance of information products in support of political transition programs; Provide general administrative support including but not limited to scheduling and facilitating meetings, drafting meeting minutes, drafting and tracking memos, ensuring that action items are followed up, filing, correspondence control; Coordinate personnel support and action requests for program-funded staff including but not limited to travel assistance, training logistics, and payroll support; Draft and track personnel memos, maintain personnel files, and manage the staff hiring tracker in addition to the temporary duty (TDY) scheduler; Assist in responding to requests for information on OTI programs from other teams, divisions, and/or USAID regional offices; Support program budgets and assist with financial planning, management and reconciliation; Prepare Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) request package for the management and administration of procurement in support of OTI country program activities; Coordinate closely with OTI’s three divisions – Operations and Management Division (OMD), Field Programs Division (FPD), and Program Learning and Innovation (PLI) Division by way of attending meetings, and providing reports to the supervisor, as well as ensuring that the supervisor’s agenda is shared with other divisions and teams; After an initial learning period, to be determined by the supervisor demonstrate an acquired knowledge of agency and offices policies, procedures and guidelines related to field programs and operational support; Backstop other Operations Assistants across teams; and, Serve on short-term assignments with other USAID offices or bureaus in direct support of OTI programs for a period not to exceed three months. At the GS-9 “Operations Assistant” Level: Provide knowledge management support including but not limited to tracking documents, lessons learned, and best practices across OTI programs and/or operations as required. Assist the teams in the creation and/or maintenance of information products in support of political transition programs; Provide general administrative support including but not limited to scheduling and facilitating meetings, drafting meeting minutes, drafting and tracking memos, ensuring that action items are followed up, filing and correspondence control; Assist in the development of effective tracking systems for personnel action requests for program-funded staff, including travel assistance, training logistics, and payroll support; Draft and track personnel memos, maintain personnel files, and manage the staff hiring tracker in addition to the temporary duty (TDY) scheduler; Respond to requests for information on OTI programs from other teams, divisions, and/or USAID regional offices, within established office guidelines; Participate in assessments of new country programs, and the implementation of country program operations including management, logistical, budget, administrative and contractual support; Prepare Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) request package for the management and administration of procurement in support of OTI country program activities; Coordinate closely with OTI’s three divisions – Operations and Management Division (OMD), Field Programs Division (FPD), and Program Learning and Innovation (PLI) Division by way of attending meetings and providing reports to the supervisor, as well as ensuring that the supervisor’s agenda is shared with other divisions and teams; Evaluate established program operational support processes, and make recommendations to improve effectiveness within office; Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for new staff; Backstop other Operations Assistants across teams; and, Serve on short-term assignments with other USAID offices or bureaus in direct support of OTI programs for a period not to exceed three months. At the GS-10 “Operations Specialist” Level: Provide knowledge management support including but not limited to tracking documents, lessons learned, and best practices across OTI programs and/or operations as required. Assist the teams in the creation and/or maintenance of information products in support of political transition programs; Provide general administrative support including but not limited to facilitating meetings, drafting meeting minutes, drafting and tracking memos, ensuring that action items are followed up, filing, and correspondence control; Assist in the development of effective tracking systems for personnel action requests for program-funded staff, including travel assistance, training logistics, and payroll support; Draft and track personnel memos, maintain personnel files, and manage the staff hiring tracker in addition to the temporary duty (TDY) scheduler; Participate in the selection of program implementers including grantees, contractors, and personal services contractors. Serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or COR Backstop for acquisition and assistance actions; Respond to requests for information on OTI programs from other teams, divisions, and/or USAID regional offices, within established office guidelines; Participate in assessments of new country programs, and the implementation of country program operations including management, logistical, budget, administrative and contractual support; Prepare Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) requests and support documentation for the management and administration of procurement in support of OTI country program activities; Coordinate closely with OTI’s three divisions – Operations and Management Division (OMD), Field Programs Division (FPD), and Program Learning and Innovation (PLI) Division by way of attending meetings and providing reports to the supervisor, as well as ensuring that the supervisor’s agenda is shared with other divisions and teams; Evaluate established program operational support processes, and make adjustments to improve effectiveness within office and agency policies and guidelines, and supervisor instruction; Provide orientation, training, and mentoring for new staff; Backstop other Operations Assistants across teams; and, Serve on short-term assignments with other USAID offices or bureaus in direct support of OTI programs for a period not to exceed three months. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Operations Assistant/Specialist will be supervised by the assigned Team Leader or his/her designee of the Operations and Management Division (OMD). SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: At the GS-7 level, the supervisor will assign priorities, deadlines, and work to be accomplished. The incumbent is expected to use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently, while referring deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to the supervisor. At the GS-9 level, the supervisor will create assignments by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and will work with the incumbent on situations that do not have clear precedents. The incumbent is expected to plan and carry out successive steps, and handle problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training or accepted practices. The supervisor will evaluate work for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy requirements. At the GS-10 level, the supervisor will set overall objectives and resources available, and work with the incumbent to develop deadlines, methodology, and work to be accomplished. The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out assignments and consulting with the supervisor on policy interpretations. The supervisor will evaluate work for technical soundness and effectiveness in meeting work objectives. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. If traveling overseas, the incumbent may be subject to 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: Work is performed in an office setting. If the incumbent travels overseas, the work may involve additional 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 a minimum, the offeror must have: At the GS-7 level: (1) A Bachelor’s Degree with one (1) year of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; OR An Associate’s Degree with two (2) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; OR A High School Diploma with three (3) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; AND (2) Demonstrated experience proofreading, drafting and managing correspondence. At the GS-9 level: (1) A Bachelor’s Degree with two (2) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including at least one (1) year of experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; OR An Associate’s Degree with three (3) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including one (1) year of experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; OR A High School Diploma with four (4) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including one (1) year of experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; AND (2) Demonstrated experience proofreading, drafting and managing correspondence. At the GS-10 level: (1) A Bachelor’s Degree with three (3) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including two (2) years of experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; OR An Associate’s Degree with four (4) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including two (2) years of experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; OR A High School Diploma with five (5) years of work experience performing a range of administrative or program support duties similar to those outlined in the scope of work, including two (2) years of experience with one or more of the following: program budgeting, program design, program reporting, or program operations support; AND (2) Demonstrated experience proofreading, drafting and managing correspondence. 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: Administrative (25 Points) Demonstrated experience providing general administrative support such as scheduling and facilitating meetings, filing, and other administrative services. Demonstrated experience preparing and composing various types of correspondence, such as drafting and tracking memos, and drafting meeting minutes. Organization (25 Points) Demonstrated experience balancing a wide variety of tasks and working independently under pressure, with extremely short deadlines. Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining effective relationships with a variety of groups and individuals, across organizational structures. Office Support (20 Points) Demonstrated experience with financial management, including payroll support. Demonstrated experience providing travel support, event planning, and general forms processing. 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. 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. 2. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. Due to COVID-19 and limited access to equipment, we are currently accepting electronic and typed signatures on the AID 309-2 form. 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, Unique Entity Identifier and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204_7 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 Employme...