Inactive

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 Offi... 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: Senior Justice Advisor Location: Chisinau, Moldova Salary Level: FS-01 - $123,041 - $159,950 (GS-15 Equivalent) 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: March 21, 2024 Closing date: April 16, 2024 Closing Time: 3:00 p.m. EST Solicitation Number: PSC-24-032-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 receive 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: Cecille D. Washington U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP WashingtonCD@state.gov Sincerely, Katelynn E. Barham 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. Equal employment opportunity policy - The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Cecille D. Washington E-mail: WashingtonCD@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Cecille D. Washington E-mail: WashingtonCD@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): The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) within the Department of State (DOS). INL’s mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. INL’s Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues in both regions. The principal goal of the INL program in Moldova is to assist the host country in meeting European and international criminal justice standards in preparation for eventual integration into the EU. This involves providing assistance to modernize and increase capacity of Moldovan law enforcement and criminal justice institutions, fight corruption, combat organized transnational crime, and advance the rule of law. Successful delivery of assistance to Moldova requires coordination and collaboration among other donors and development partners in the law enforcement and criminal justice sectors. The purpose of this personal service contract is to fill the position of a Senior Justice Advisor to U.S. Embassy Chisinau who will fulfill the central role in developing INL programs to support Moldova's judicial reforms and other rule-of-law initiatives to include anti-corruption that will help further Moldova's progress toward European integration. Areas of focus will include justice sector development, mentoring and training of legal practitioners, strengthening management in criminal justice institutions, legal education promotion, gender justice initiatives, implementation of anti-corruption initiatives, combating major crimes, and countering aggressive malign Russian influence. The advisor will be expected to formulate innovative, targeted, and sustainable approaches for building the rule of law in Moldova. INL seeks applicants with the requisite professional experience, technical expertise, and a strong management background. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Chisinau-based INL Director or his/her designee, the Senior Justice Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Develops and maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the Moldovan legal system, with a particular focus on the criminal justice sector and anticorruption institutions. 2. Reviews host country criminal justice sector needs with the goal to develop programming that addresses key deficiencies in the sector, including gaps in current legislation and international best practices, capacity issues, issues with corruption and malign influence, and areas where we can strengthen interoperability between the Moldovan and U.S. justice sector. 3. Conducts oversight, monitoring, coordination, and assessment of INL criminal justice sector programs to ensure deliverables and foreign assistance priorities set by the Embassy are being fulfilled as directed by the INL Director. 4. Coordinates all training and procurement activities associated with the INL Senior Justice Advisor program. Implements the rule of law program through training, advising, and mentoring. Serves as a trainer and advisor for INL-funded and other programs as appropriate. Provides mentoring and technical assistance to prosecutors, government officials, and other judicial actors/entities on a range of issues, including managing activities and assisting with the identification of outside experts, when appropriate, to serve as trainers and advisors. 5. Provides strategic planning and development in all phases of the criminal justice sector program, including project design and execution; acquisition and implementation; planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, and coordinating among vendors, contractors, and Moldovan government officials; and conflict resolution. 6. Establishes and maintains relationships with Moldovan justice sector and other government officials, including prosecutors, investigators, judges, defense attorneys, civil society, parliamentarians, and other rule of law actors. Ensures adequate follow up with study groups and training (train-the-trainer, alumni conferences). 7. Assists Moldova in attaining EU accession goals by meeting EU benchmarks related to judicial reform. 8. Provides policy analysis and program guidance to INL, Embassy Chisinau, and other U.S. government entities on effective mechanisms for, progress in, and impediments to, achieving reform objectives in Moldova. 9. Coordinates with the INL Director, ensures that the program and administrative budgets are monitored routinely and that the projects fall within program guidelines notified to Congress and OMB. 10. Develops and maintains relationships with other donors, members of the international community, non-governmental organizations, and Moldovan justice sector officials to ensure justice sector programs are complementary and not duplicative. 11. As directed by the INL Director, liaises with U.S government agency representatives involved in criminal justice reform, including but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 12. Provides mentoring on key justice concepts to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the justice system, including prosecutor-led investigations, plea-bargaining, and expanded use of special investigative techniques. 13. Advises the INL Director and INL/EA on legislative developments impacting the criminal justice sector. Assesses the impact of political developments on U.S. policy objectives and make recommendations to the INL Director. Develops legal memoranda and technical support on legal issues that may arise in connection with policy or program issues. 14. Drafts and provides advice and assistance in the preparation of required reports, including to the U.S. Congress, INL, and other U.S. federal agencies. 15. Participates in visits by senior officials and serve as an escort or control officer. Arrange itineraries and logistical support for official visitors. 16. Briefs DOS, Congressional, Embassy staff, and other visiting officials on INL’s role and the status of U.S.-Moldovan law enforcement projects and related initiatives. 17. Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative and/or a Grant’s Officer’s Representative on behalf of the section as necessary, to ensure that contracts, grants, and international agreements are executed appropriately. 18. Serves as the acting section chief, on occasion, in the absence of the INL Director. While performing in this capacity, the Advisor will seek approval from INL/EA for any decisions which may not be performed independently by the PSC, including discretionary exercise of government authority and final approval on policy formulation, program planning, representation, control of money, property, or other valuable resources. 19. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. 20. Performs 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 all required courses to become a Grants Officer Representative (GOR) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 3. 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. 4. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 5. Obtains/maintains Basic Federal Acquisitions Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC P/PM) provided by a combination of INL in-house, distance learning and outside contractor coursework within six (6) months. 6. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance is the US Embassy Chisinau, Moldova. Frequent travel to local locations will be required. Occasional travel to other countries in the region, or travel to training sites outside Chisinau, and travel to the U.S. may also be required. RELATIONSHIPS The Senior Justice Advisor will report to the U.S. Embassy-Chisinau INL Director. The Senior Justice Advisor also works closely with the INL/EA program officer responsible for developing and implementing foreign assistance programs in Moldova. The advisor also works closely with senior law enforcement advisor, and one justice sector locally engaged staff. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the INL Director or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing. The INL Director 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 The Advisor must be able to assess host country criminal justice reform needs and anti-corruption programs and policies and develop and manage organized crime and corruption projects in coordination with host-country officials. The Advisor must also ensure sustainability of projects through provision of appropriate training and maintenance. The Advisor must have the ability to integrate competing needs of U.S. criminal justice, development, and security agencies, and host government entities involved in the criminal justice sector. The work involves planning, organizing, and managing day-to-day administration and oversight of a large number of organizational initiatives and training details. The ability to effectively manage large quantities of ever evolving data is essential. GUIDELINES The Advisor will be guided by the INL Program and Policy Guide. Supplementary guidance will be provided by the Foreign Affairs Manuals for Financial Management (4 FAM), General Services (6 FAM) and Logistics Management (14 FAM) and associated Foreign Affairs Handbooks (FAH). SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, corrections, rule of law, gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, and counternarcotics programs in Moldova, 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 to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2. Juris Doctor degree from an accredited institution. 3. Demonstrated five (5) years of rule of law development experience, including in the area of corruption and justice sector reform, and three (3) years of professional experience as a U.S. prosecutor, lawyer, defense attorney, or judge. 4. Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in investigating criminal and/or corruption cases with experience as a prosecutor, attorney, defense attorney, or judge. 5. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing rule of law or criminal justice sector reform projects, including analyzing and determining comprehensive program requirements, effectively monitoring and evaluating projects, and proposing feasible solutions for problems in implementation of projects. 6. Demonstrated experience in administration and management of international criminal justice sector or anti-corruption projects in foreign countries. 7. A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and leadership experience abroad (not living in the United States), with at least two (2) years in post-Soviet countries. 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 Knowledge and Experience (30 points) Demonstrated knowledge of all phases of U.S. criminal justice operations, particularly related to corruption cases and/or financial crimes, based on professional experience. Demonstrated direct experience prosecuting, adjudicating, or defending cases of corruption and/or organized crime; money laundering and/or other financial crimes; narcotics trafficking; and/or cyber enabled crimes. Demonstrated experience in training and/or case-based mentoring related to corruption, financial crimes, organized crime, money laundering, narcotics trafficking, and/or cyber-enabled crimes. Demonstrated experience managing rule of law foreign assistance programming, particularly as relates to criminal justice and anticorruption reform. Expertise should include an ability to work effectively with foreign government counterparts to further program goals and objectives and a demonstrated familiarity with international organizations involved in justice program components in missions around the world. Factor 2 Leadership and Management (20 points) Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner and bear responsibility for several simultaneous projects while keeping the overall program goals in perspective. Demonstrated experience managing staff from diverse backgrounds (preferably international); making decisions about resource allocations; and familiarity with project design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Demonstrated experience working or coordinating with other relevant U.S. agencies (e.g., INL, Department of Justice, and USAID) and/or international donors (OSCE, European Commission, etc.). Demonstrated ability to provide expert justice subject matter, legal, and policy recommendations to senior level policy makers. Factor 3 Communication and Interpersonal Skills (20 points) Demonstrated the ability to communicate complex issues in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing, and provide a proven record of working in a team environment, with a diverse group of stakeholders. Applicant identifies a challenge that they overcame through communication and interpersonal skills. 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. Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 – 30 Factor #2 – 20 Factor #3 – 20 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-01 equivalent level ($123,041 and $159,950 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