Inactive

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) Please respond to Rv1 of the soliciatation You have received this "Personal Services Contractor” (PSC) soli... U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) Please respond to Rv1 of the soliciatation You have received this "Personal Services Contractor” (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Position Title: Regional Training Center Law Enforcement Training Advisor Location: Accra, Ghana Salary Level: FS-02 - $88,619- $130,140 (Equivalent GS-14) Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. Issuance Date: 09/14/2020 Closing date: 09/28/2020 Closing Time: 3:00 p.m. EST Solicitation Number: PSC-20-059-INL Job description: See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a. Paid a 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 any overseas 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: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 3. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each Factor. 4. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: Victoria Stewart U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP StewartVV@state.gov Sincerely, Anthony Pierce Contracting Officer U.S. Department of State SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011) This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, “Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors,” or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. HOW TO APPLY Offerors proposal shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed): 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Resume 3. Evaluation Factor Responses 4. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. 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. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed. *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN’S PREFERENCE Veteran’s preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Victoria Stewart E-mail: StewartVV@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Victoria Stewart E-mail: StewartVV@state.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of state is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Office of Anti-Crime Programs (INL/C)Knowledge Management (KM), Division of Continuing Education and Training (CET), ILEA Team is responsible for the coordination of all International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) training and technical assistance activities, which are largely conducted by USG law enforcement agencies. The INL/KM Team chairs the ILEA interagency Steering Group, serves as a resource on training matters to the Department, various interagency working groups, and a Policy Board consisting of senior representatives from the Department of State, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of The Treasury. The ILEA program manages six regional or global training facilities around the world, with an annual budget of over $27 million. The purpose of the personal services contract is to fill the position of INL/KM’s Regional Training Center Law Enforcement Training Advisor (LETA) at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana. The LETA will provide U.S. Embassy Accra’s political section with specialized law enforcement training expertise for all aspects of INL’s Regional Training Center program at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana. The LETA will manage the day-to-day oversight, coordination, and liaison of the INL Regional Training Center (which is currently implemented by a third-party contractor), including providing internal controls and accountability for the delivery of equipment, technical assistance, training, and other assistance through the RTC. The LETA will also assist and advise in the implementation of the counternarcotics, rule of law, and law enforcement portfolios in Ghana. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of INL/KM’s Team Lead in close coordination with the Political Chief at U.S. Embassy Accra, the LETA will perform the following duties: 1. Serve as and the primary liaison for INL RTC-related law enforcement and criminal justice sector training matters at Embassy Accra. Coordinate and communicate INL policy and programmatic efforts related to the Regional Training Center (RTC) with other U.S. agencies, the Government of Ghana (GoG), other international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and program beneficiaries. Articulate and promote U.S., Mission and INL policies and goals. 2. Provide recommendations for effective RTC law enforcement and criminal justice sector training program, including areas such as transnational organized crime, counternarcotics, rule of law, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and countering the financing of terrorism, as appropriate. The LETA will draw on subject matter expertise in criminal justice sector reform and program management involving U.S. government assistance in developing countries. The incumbent will be responsible for the management and oversight of these programs, in coordination with INL/KM’s RTC program officer and Team Lead in Washington. 3. Advise RTC staff and INL/KM on the performance of USG interagency instructors and implementing partners operating in conjunction with INL assets and resources. Evaluate progress towards results and recommend program improvements. Ensure that implementation plans reflect specific project objectives, methods of implementation, activity milestones, measures of effectiveness, and budgetary requirements. 4. Maintain necessary professional relationships with implementers, host government agencies, international organizations and commissions, civil society actors, and other important partners in the fight against transnational crime and drug trafficking. Act as liaison and subject matter expert between these entities and other components of the U.S. Mission, and/or INL. Provide programmatic guidance and analysis of developments in the Ghanaian and the regions criminal justice sector and narcotics control to the Mission, INL, and Washington, as requested and as appropriate 5. Liaise with and assist implementers, as well as potential implementers, to develop results-oriented training proposals to advance INL RTC programmatic goals while ensuring that any commitments of USG funds are made in keeping with Federal law and State Department policy. 6. Draft letters, cables, and other reports on INL activities under general guidance of the Political Section Chief. Assist in the preparation of such reporting as the annual budget request for International Narcotics, Crime and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds, the Mission Resource Requests, and the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) parts I and II. Prepare program documentation for RTC-related assistance projects. Help prepare and ensure quality of regular reporting, and create monthly status reports for INL/KM. 7. Provide briefings, support program evaluations, and support high-level visits to INL RTC Ghana. This may include briefing Department, Congressional, and other international dignitaries orally and in writing on the INL RTC program. Assist INL/KM with preparation and/or clearance of documents for presentation to the U.S. Congress, or audit entities. Develop appropriate itineraries and reserve accommodations for official travelers, as necessary. 8. Serve as an ILEA executive officer, which includes the Directors and/or Deputies from each of the academies, to works closely with INL/KM’s ILEA Team Lead in facilitating implementation of the program through strategy and policy engagements and/or meetings. 9. In coordination with INL and the Regional Security Office (RSO), maintain the RTC’s security requirements and preparedness, including maintain security awareness and properly handle classified and controlled items and information, to include the RTC’s OpenNet terminal. 10. When required, perform the role of Duty Officer. 11. Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 2. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post. 3. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (OT650) prior to deployment to Post. 4. If applicable - Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS U.S. Embassy Accra. Occassional travel to Washington DC and other ILEA host andor participating countries may be required. RELATIONSHIPS The LETA will receive general guidance and report directly to the Political Section Chief (POL Chief), and will send reports simultaneously to the POL Chief and INL/KM’s RTC program officer(s) in Washington, DC. The LETA will also liaise with actors in the region working to combat transnational crime and drug trafficking. These actors include U.S. government officials, host government contacts, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and/or international organizations or commissions. Specific activities will frequently originate from these liaison activities. The LETA will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review. COMPLEXITY This position involves planning, organizing and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity. Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken. The PSC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions. SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs for the Regional Training Center in Accra, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security and Medical clearances. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to TS level may be required). 2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution. 3. A minimum of five (5) years progressive employment experience in law enforcement, criminal justice sector training, rule of law capacity building, or direct experience in INL-managed programs.a minimum of ten (10) years related experience in law enforcement or the criminal justice sector. 4. Demonstrated experience developing and managing training programs, including, monitoring and evaluation; 5. Demonstrated experience planning, strategizing, implementing and reporting on training programs; 6. Demonstrated experience drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level officials; and 7. Demonstrated experience coordinating and working closely with the U.S. interagency and/or international community on training programs. 8. Demonstrated experience working with host-nation counterparts, departments, and ministries to further program objectives. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Work Experience (30 Points) Demonstrated work experience in managing complex projects which include determining and validating requirements, implementing progress on projects, as well as reporting on anti-money laundering issues. Factor 2: Program Experience (10 points) Demonstrated experience in preparing budgets, advance acquisition plans (AAP), statements of work (SOW), procurement orders, purchase requests, sole-source justification waiver requests. Factor 3: Management & Communication Experience (30 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and advise program officials. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 – 30 Factor #2 – 10 Factor #3 – 30 Total Possible – 70 Points Interview Performance – 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Past performance evaluation of applicant’s ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) This position has been designated at the FS-02 equivalent level ($88,619 and $130,140 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries, including any recruitment supplemental pay that exceeds the listed pay range, will not be entertained or negotiated. For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE • Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution • Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance • Pay Comparability Adjustment • Annual Increase • Eligibility for Worker's Compensation • Annual, Sick and Home Leave • 401K Plan • MEDVAC (provided by DOS Med) ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE • Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post • Housing Allowance • Post Allowance • Supplemental Post Allowance • Maintenance Allowance (SMA) • Education Allowance • Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary) • Post Hardship Differential • Danger Pay • Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables