Inactive

Announcement Number: 95332422Q0077 Amendment 0002 Title: DCO HCD Health Director Full-time PSC Position Information: Full-time Personal Services Contractor (PSC) One (1) one-year (2,087 hours per year... Announcement Number: 95332422Q0077 Amendment 0002 Title: DCO HCD Health Director Full-time PSC Position Information: Full-time Personal Services Contractor (PSC) One (1) one-year (2,087 hours per year), renewable for up to 4 years at the sole discretion of the Government. Pay Band: 3A $128,400 - $192,700 ($61.52 - $92.33 per hour) https://www.mcc.gov/careers/pay-bands The PSC may receive a pay supplement of 15% of the employee’s direct labor cost in lieu of fringe benefits. Closing Date for Questions: 2:00pm Eastern Time (ET), 12 July 2022 (Tuesday) Questions must be submitted via email to Oliver Queen, queeno@mcc.gov or Carlos Torres-Roman torresromanci@mcc.gov. Submission Deadline: 5:00pm Eastern Time (ET), 19 July 2022 (Tuesday) Submissions must be submitted via email to Oliver Queen, Jr., queeno@mcc.gov or Carlos Torres-Roman torresromanci@mcc.gov. Position Security Level: Non?Sensitive/Low Risk (T?1) Who May Be Considered: U.S. citizens Place of Performance: Principal place of performance in Washington, DC, USA and/or PSC's home of record. Type of Contract: Time-and-material (T&M) with One (1) One-Year Base Period and Four (4) One-Year Option Periods. Multiple awards may result from this solicitation. Introduction and Background MCC’s mission is to reduce poverty through economic growth. Our model is defined by core principles, of selectivity, country ownership, transparency, and a focus on results. MCC’s values define how we behave on a daily basis, both as individuals and as an institution, in pursuit of our mission. Our values identify who we are and what is important to us. They guide how we make decisions, set priorities, address challenges, manage tradeoffs, recruit and develop staff, and work together with our country partners and stakeholders. Our Values are CLEAR: Embrace Collaboration, Always Learn, Practice Excellence, Be Accountable and Respect individuals and ideas. Scope of Position This position is (for Health, Nutrition and Health System Strengthening) is part of the Human and Community Development Unit (HCD), Sector Operations Division, within the Department of Compact Operations (DCO). DCO is responsible for developing and implementing MCC’s compact programs. The department ensures that MCC compacts are designed and implemented in compliance with agency standards for procurement, financial management, environmental and social performance, and gender integration. Within DCO, the Sector Operations Division is responsible for the development and oversight of MCC’s agriculture, land, and human and community development investments, procurement and fiscal accountability oversight of compact programs, gender integration, and contracts support to the Department of Compact Operations. This position is not authorized to supervise any Federal employees. Personal Services Contract MCC is authorized to enter into a contract with an individual as a Personal Services Contractor (PSC) under the authority of Section 614(a) (8) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003. A personal services contract is different from non-personal services Government contract, which establishes an independent contract relationship. Under a non-personal services contract, the contractor or employees of the contractor are subject to the technical direction but not the supervision of the MCC. As defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.104, a personal services contract is characterized by the employer-employee relationship it creates between the Government and the contractor personnel. Thus, the PSC is subject to the relatively continuous technical direction, supervision, and control of the MCC. PSCs may be assigned inherently governmental duties (see FAR 7.502). By law and by the contract’s terms, the PSC is subject to most of the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the direct hire employee such as MCC regulations, conflict of interest, under some circumstances MCC authorized employment security clearances and financial disclosure. However, under the MCC personal services contract authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The following elements apply to this contract: (1) Performance in Washington, D.C., US, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required for outreach purposes), and/or at the PSC’s home of record. (2) Principal tools and equipment furnished by the Government. (3) Services are applied directly to the integral effort of agencies or an organizational subpart in furtherance of assigned function or mission. (4) Comparable services, meeting comparable needs, are performed in the same or similar agencies using civil service personnel. (5) The need for the type of service provided can reasonably be expected to last beyond 1 year. (6) The inherent nature of the service, or the manner in which it is provided, reasonably requires directly or indirectly, Government direction or supervision of contractor employees in order to— (i) Adequately protect the Government’s interest; (ii) Retain control of the function involved; or (iii) Retain full personal responsibility for the function supported in a duly authorized Federal officer or employee. Key Requirements Awardee must satisfy the following key requirements: U.S. citizenship. Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. Performance in Washington, DC USA, MCC eligible countries, other US and foreign cities (as required for outreach purposes), and/or at the PSC’s home of record. Domestic and international travel may be required. Statement of Employment & Financial Interest (e.g., Office of Government Ethics “OGE Form-450” or similar statement) may be required. Active System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) registration (this is a free, Government website) and be listed as sole-proprietor. Designated and/or random drug testing may be required. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is precluded from permitting Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) from permanently working overseas without Chief of Mission Authority or an approved Domestic Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) Agreement. Duties Major Duties and Responsibilities As part of the Human and Community Development Unit (HCD), the Health PSC (for Health, Nutrition and Health System Strengthening) works with the HCD team, MCC country teams and selected country counterparts to provide technical assistance for the assessment, design and implementation of health, nutrition, or HSS interventions for current and newly selected countries in the MCC portfolio where health and health related constraints are identified as a constraints to economic growth or a contributing/associated factor. The Health Director will also engage in overall support to the HCD Practice Group for the purposes of designing and managing state-of-the-art health interventions. This position as will serve as HNH technical lead responsible, in coordination with HCD and MCC staff and consultants, for promoting shared ownership and consensus around health, nutrition, and health system strengthening (HNH) project design and implementation. Within these duties, responsibilities may include the following: Support Compact/Threshold development in assigned countries, including Lesotho, Mozambique, Timor Leste, and other countries In concert with MCC’s Country Team and the host government, critically evaluate the health and nutrition aspects of the identified constraint to economic growth, also considering how weak health systems may contribute. Assess how social, cultural, economic, poverty and gender issues impact health practices, behaviors,systems. Assess administrative/management systems, political economy of the health system, public financial management and inter-ministerial coordination. Assess the donor/implementer landscape to determine what aspects of the root cause of the identified constraint are not being addressed. Interact with potential project participants to understand the health, nutrition and/or health system strengthening issues from their perspectives. Work collaboratively with MCC, host country team members and consultants to elaborate root-cause understanding and recommend evidenced-based interventions to resolve identified problems. 2. Together with the Country Team and host government, develop actionable HNH intervention (projects, sub-projects, and/or activities) proposals for eventual MCC funding. Specifically, identify and develop interventions that address the identified binding constraint to economic growth. Critically evaluate the relationships between program logics and project concepts and proposals. 3. Support Compact/Threshold implementation in assigned countries, including Kosovo, Lesotho, Mozambique, and other countries. Coordinate with MCC staff and consultants related to the HNH interventions to promote shared ownership and consensus project management. Manage the MCC HNH work plan and coordinate with country counterpart work plans. 4. As HNH technical lead, monitor the implementation, oversight, and support of HNH interventions by host countries and work with designated MCC country counterparts and MCC staff to improve and facilitate implementation of related activities. Specifically, provide assistance to country counterparts as they manage procurements and other implementation tasks related to specific program activities including: managing preparation and clearance of official documents; reviewing procurement- and/or partnership-related documents such as statements of work; reviewing performance relative to budget and progress benchmarks; and proposing remedial interventions to address implementation challenges; and reviewing and participating in evaluations as needed. 5. Provide eligible counties with advice and assistance, as appropriate, to address HNH program issues and to improve the chances for success of ongoing and planned projects and operations. Such success may be defined as meeting disbursement and commitment targets, as meeting certain output indicators or in achieving impact objectives. 6. When working with other, more junior, HCD staff - provide guidance and direction to on technical program and administrative issues, and provide substantive input of individual staff performance during the annual performance evaluation process. Address employee training and developmental needs to enhance the performance. Serve as an HNH technical resource and advisor to Country Teams comprised of staff from other MCC disciplines 7. Serve as a key member of the MCC HCD team to support the economic and institutional value of MCC of HNH investments. Engage and contribute technical expertise to briefers, presentations, white papers, handbooks, etc. --- as requested by the HCD Practice Group. 8. Represent MCC in USG interagency or civil society forums or working groups focused on HNH issues and facilitate dialogue between MCC leadership and such groups. 9. Advocate for and prepare proposals for increased MCC investment in HNH internally (within MCC) and externally (within the USG, host country governments and with civil society) when investments in HNH are critical for economic growth. 10. Perform other related duties as assigned. Travel The incumbent will be required to undertake 4-8 international trips annually. Supervisory Controls The incumbent reports to the Practice Lead/Senior Director, HCD, and/or higher-level staff who set the overall objectives of the work as well as the available resources. The employee, in consultation with the supervisor(s), develops specific objectives and priorities. The employee independently plans and carries out the work, selecting the approaches and techniques to be used, and informs the supervisor of progress and significant problems. Work is evaluated on the degree to which program and regulatory requirements are met. Guidelines Guidelines consist of broad administrative and program policy statements, basic legislation, related court decisions, or local laws that require extensive interpretation. The employee uses judgment and discretion in determining intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy and regulatory guidance for use by others within or outside the employing organization. Complexity Work consists of a variety of duties to plan and direct work efforts to address program issues where existing policies and precedents do not exist. The incumbent determines what needs to be done by conducting extensive research and analysis to assess the nature and scope of problems/issues and to develop comprehensive solutions. Assignments are complicated by the need to deal with subjective concepts and findings and conclusions are highly subjective and not readily susceptible to verification through replication of study methods or reevaluation of results. Options, recommendations, and conclusions take into account and give appropriate weight to uncertainties about the data and other variables which affect long-range program performance Scope and Effect The purpose of the work is to analyze and evaluate substantive MCC mission-oriented programs. The employee develops program plans, goals, objectives, and milestones to evaluate the effectiveness of HCD projects and activities. The employee uses direct and constructive management practices to address and resolve challenges, problems, or issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal MCC program goals and objectives. As required, the employee develops regulations or guidelines for the conduct of program operations, or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments (e.g., reports contain findings and recommendations of major significance to MCC top management). Personal Contacts/Purpose of Contacts Personal contacts are with individuals outside the agency and may include consultants, contractors, or business representatives in a moderately unstructured setting. Contacts also include employees at all levels of MCC (US and in-country). The purpose of contacts is to influence managers or other officials to accept and implement findings and recommendations on organizational improvement or program effectiveness issues. The employee may encounter resistance due to such issues as organizational conflict, competing objectives, or resource problems. Physical Demands The work requires extensive travel. Each mission may require periods of up to 4 weeks away from home. Work Environment Work may be performed remotely and at a location other than MCC headquarters in Washington, DC, with frequent official travel to MCC partner countries, with occasional field visits to non-urban, potentially hardship locations. Incumbent must be adept at utilizing distance technologies, including internet, CISCO VOIP, and international telephone technologies to ensure efficient delivery of workplace products Position Security Level Non-Sensitive/Low Risk (T-1) The PSC start date is contingent upon a successful background investigation conducted by the MCC Security Office (MCC Domestic & International Security (DIS)). Qualifications Offerors must meet all the Required Qualifications described below by the closing date of this announcement. Desired Qualifications are not required but preferred and will only be considered once all Required Qualifications are met. Offerors must demonstrate that they possess the following: Required Qualifications: 7.a.1. Postgraduate degree in public health, nutrition, medicine, health administration, public policy with a focus on health systems, or closely related fields 7.a.2. Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience researching, designing and/or implementing health, nutrition, and/or HSS projects or programs 7.a.3. Minimum of seven years of project/program design or implementation experience working in health-related international development focused on lower income to lower-middle income countries (CVs or cover letters should make clear that projects or programs designed or implemented were successful in reaching targeted outcomes or results and that applicants have both design and implementation experience) 7.a.4. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies used to measure and analyze results from health, nutrition and/or HSS interventions 7.a.5. Demonstrated ability to provide seasoned guidance on health, nutrition and/or HSS issues, undertaking technical analyses of these topics, identifying available data and advising on how to strengthen data availability, use, and technical capacity 7.a.6. Demonstrated ability to integrate the results of technical analysis of health, nutrition or HSS issues into project designs 7.a.7. Demonstrated ability to assess, document and consolidate lessons and articulate them into briefs, case studies, presentations and other knowledge projects 7.a.8. Demonstrated experience designing and providing effective oversight of health, nutrition and/or HSS project or project or program budgets (CVs or cover letters should make clear the amount of project/program budgets in USD) 7.a.9. Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a multi-cultural team environment, as well as ability to take on leadership roles within a technical area or team. This includes demonstrated experience working closely and collaboratively with senior managerial and technical host-country counterparts, donors, government decision makers at central and decentralized levels, potential project participants and other stakeholders in a developing country 7.a.10. Strong written and verbal communication skills and must be fluent in English (Level 4) and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely in both speech and writing: Excellent writing skills must include ability to produce and edit documents in a timely manner Excellent verbal communication skills must include the ability to facilitate meetings and make logical and persuasive oral presentations to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context 7.a.11. Demonstrated ability to define scopes of work and manage priorities to deliver per agreed upon deadlines 7.a.12. Demonstrated project management skills including scheduling, risk management, problem solving, planning and communicating 7.a.13. Proficient computer skills, including ability to produce concise, clear reports utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications Desired Qualifications: 7.b.1. Preference for coursework and/or experience researching and/or evaluating the economic benefits of health, nutrition, and/or HSS projects or programs 7.b.2. Preference for experience with contract management including drafting scopes of work, participating on technical evaluation panels, issuing technical directives, reviewing deliverables and writing performance evaluations 7.b.3. Preference for experience designing, implementing and/or evaluating activities that used results-based financing to achieve objectives 7.b.4. Preference for second language skills, especially French Note: All experience must be well-documented on the resume and within the Submission. All aspects of the Submission must specifically show how the Offeror meets the qualifications required. Credit may be given for appropriate unpaid and/or parttime work. To receive credit, Submissions should clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours worked per week. Required Documentation Interested Offerors must submit following required documents: 1) A completed and signed Bio-Data Form (Section J List of Documents, Exhibits, and other Attachments of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation) with proposed salary (Subsection 12(c) below)—see Submission Instructions to PSCs Candidates (Offerors) regarding permissible signature types; 2) A curriculum vitae or resume (limit ten (10) pages); 3) A written narrative clearly describing relevant experience and knowledge of each of the qualifications listed in Section 7. Qualifications (limit five (5) pages); and 4) At least three (3) and no more than five (5) professional references with current contact information. Interested Offerors may submit the following desired, but not required, documents: 1) A cover letter, not to exceed one (1) page, to highlight your interest and suitability for this position. The cover letter is not considered as a part of the required written narrative (Subsection 8(3) above); and 2) A copy of Academic Transcript(s). Transcript(s) may be requested by MCC before award to validate the offeror's education history (limit twenty (20) pages). Compensation PSCs for the services of individual experts or consultants are limited by the Classification Act. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established requirements which apply in acquiring the personal services of experts or consultants in this manner (e.g., benefits, taxes, conflicts of interest). Overtime is not authorized on this contract. However, credit hours and compensatory time off for travel may be authorized for a full-time PSC. The pay range for this position is 3A $128,400 - $192,700 ($61.52 - $92.33 per hour) https://www.mcc.gov/careers/pay-bands), inclusive of locality pay. Final compensation will be negotiated within this pay range based upon the successful offeror's work experience. A salary above this pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. MCC issues W-2s to the PSCs and makes the employer contribution to FICA and Medicare for the PSCs. MCC also withholds FICA, Medicare, federal tax and state tax on behalf of the PSCs. The PSCs are not eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Benefits Under the MCC personal services contracting authority, PSCs are not employees for purposes of laws administered by OPM, such as Federal Retirement Benefits and health and life insurance. As such, PSCs are not eligible for participation in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Moreover, PSCs are not eligible to receive Federal Health and Life Insurance or participate in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan. Notwithstanding the above, and if agreed upon by the Government and the PSCs before the award of a contract, PSCs may receive a pay supplement of 15% of the employee's direct labor cost in lieu of fringe benefits. NOTE: An intermittent PSC is not eligible for sick leave, annual leave, payment for holidays and other days closed, parking/transit subsidy, credit hours, or compensatory time off for travel. Travel Rules The PSC is subject to the Federal Travel Regulations and MCC travel policies and procedures to the same extent as MCC direct-hire employees. Submission Instructions to PSC Candidates (Offerors) In accordance with FAR 52.214-34 and 52.214-35, all submissions are to be in the English language and US Dollars. Submissions in other languages or monetary denominations will not be considered. Offerors must address each qualification listed under Section 7. Qualifications and demonstrate how s/he meets each qualification. Unless stated otherwise, all required qualification elements will be weighted equally. Qualified individuals must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submission, either in "Active" or "Submitted" status. The approval of your record in SAM may take weeks and the Government cannot award a contract without an "Active" SAM registration. Offerors without a SAM registration (neither "Active" nor "Submitted") at the close of the RFQ submission deadline may be rejected. MCC will extract pertinent representations and certifications from the offeror's SAM account. Submissions shall be formatted to fit on 8 ½ x 11" paper. Suggested margins are 1" all around and the font should be Calibri or Times New Roman, no larger than 12-point. Hourly rates shall not be mentioned anywhere in your submission other than on the Bio-Data Form (Section J List of Documents, Exhibits, and other Attachments of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation). It is the responsibility of the offeror to ensure that all pages are properly formatted to fit and that all information properly fits within the margins of each page. Qualified individuals must submit a completed and formally signed Bio-Data Form (Section J List of Documents, Exhibits, and other Attachments of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation). Typed signatures are not acceptable. Either physically sign or save the Bio-Data Form as a PDF and electronically sign it. Please ensure that you provide a current, valid e-mail address and telephone number for notification purposes. The Bio-Data Form must be fully completed including a proposed hourly rate and signature. A Bio-Data Form without a proposed hourly rate and signature may result in the offeror being rejected for award. Qualified individuals must submit a curriculum vitae or a resume, which clearly demonstrates their education, experience, knowledge, and skills and abilities as they relate to the qualification elements. Resume must indicate: the earliest possible start date for the offeror; as well as formal title, and duration (start date / end date) for each listed position. Resume is limited to ten (10) pages and must not contain a photo or any salary information. Note that any salary negotiations will be based on the offeror's education, skills, and years of relevant experience. Describe your experience and knowledge in regard to the qualification requirements in no more than five (5) pages. Clearly demonstrate how your prior experience is relevant to the duties of this position as listed under Section 5. Duties and the qualifications listed under Section 7. Qualifications. The responses should describe specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor. Cite specific examples where appropriate. Qualified individuals must submit at least three (3) but no more than five (5) professional references, who are not relatives or family members. Submitted references must include current information, as follows: 1) Name of reference 2) Offeror's relationship to reference 3) Title of reference at current job 4) Reference current telephone number (work or personal) 5) Reference e-mail address (work) At least one (1) reference should be from direct supervisors (current or prior) who can provide information regarding the applicant's knowledge and experience in the relevant field. Preferably, the references should be from within the last five (5) years of the applicant's professional employment history. To be considered for award, submissions must be signed and received prior to the closing date and time specified above. Only physical signatures or electronic signature are permitted; typed signatures are not acceptable, e.g. "/s" or "[typed name of the Offeror].” To ensure consideration of submissions for the intended position, please reference the position title and announcement number on the subject line of your submission email and on supporting documentation and any cover letter. Response Deadline Electronic submission is required. Mailed copies of any submission will not be accepted. Electronic packages shall be submitted by e-mail to Oliver Queen, queeno@mcc.gov, before the deadline stated on the first page of Section C Description/Specifications/Work Statement of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Submission shall reference the position title and the announcement number on the subject line of the e-mail. MCC does not accept responsibility for delays in transmission or receipt of any submission. Offerors are responsible for submitting their package to reach the designated Government office by the closing date and time specified on the first page of Section C Description/Specifications/Work Statement of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Submissions received after the closing date and time will not be considered, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was indeed received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in this announcement. Receipt of submissions in response to this announcement does not constitute an award commitment. The U.S. Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in the preparation of a submission. Any submission is at the sole risk and expense of the Offeror. Question Deadline Any questions regarding this announcement must be submitted in writing via email to Oliver Queen, queeno@mcc.gov before the question deadline stipulated on the first page of Section C Description/Specifications/Work Statement of this Combined Synopsis Solicitation. Selection Process In order to be considered for award, an offeror must at a minimum meet the Required Qualifications listed above in Section 7. Qualifications. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the offeror's qualifications. In addition to the materials listed above, offerors are encouraged to write a cover letter, not to exceed one (1) page, to highlight their suitability for this position. The cover letter is not required and is not accepted as the required written narrative. All Submissions will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted, the offeror's evidence of the above qualification requirements, performance in a possible discussion/interview if conducted, and information provided by references if contacted. Please note that for evaluation purposes, MCC will take into consideration your proposed labor rate and the pay supplement in lieu of fringe benefits. All submissions will receive one of three scores for each of the required and desired qualifications: Does Not Meet, Meets, or Exceeds. MCC reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most qualified offerors and/or conduct a reference check on those individuals. Offerors are strongly encouraged to thoroughly and clearly document the duties, responsibilities and accomplishments that are directly relevant to this requirement in order to verify specialized experience. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The U.S. Government and MCC are not obligated to make any award or pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a quote in response to this announcement. The contract award is contingent on availability of funds. MCC reserves the right to not award any contract as a result of this announcement. Contract Award This contract shall be awarded directly by MCC to an individual, not to a firm. At the Government's discretion, e.g. unable to identify a best-value offeror or secure funding, this solicitation may be canceled without an award. The Government may consider opening a new solicitation for this position. Contract and Period of Performance The successful Offeror(s), who is/are found to be the best value to the Government, may be offered a time-and-materials (T&M), personal services type contract for a one (1) one-year base period plus four (4) one-year option periods. The base period of performance shall be for one (1) year. All option periods are exercised at the sole discretion of MCC based upon performance, agency requirements, and availability of funding. The contract will be for an Intermittent PSC position with 10,435 maximum total hours over the total duration of the contract. [End of Section C. Description/Specifications/Work Statement]