US Agency for International Development
SOLICITATION NUMBER:
720BHA23R00011
ISSUANCE DATE: January 17, 2023
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 31, 2023, 12:00 P.M. 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 persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. USAID will evaluate all offerors based on stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the 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. Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.
Sincerely,
Christie Savage
Contracting Officer
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 720BHA23R00011
2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 17, 2023
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: This solicitation is open and continuous until October 31, 2023. The following are the closing dates for each review period:
March 3, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
July 3 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
October 31, 2023, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered for positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be canceled at the Contracting Officer’s discretion.
4. POINT OF CONTACT: FARO Recruitment Team, [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: Support Relief Group (SRG) Senior Assessment and Analytics (A&A) Advisor
6. MARKET VALUE: $99,908 – $129,878 equivalent to GS-14 grade level Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. If the position is for a Washington based PSC, offerors who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment, but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Worldwide Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.- based positions. There may be an initial training program in Washington, D.C. for three months, which will include formal classroom training and on-the-job training; and may include security training. After completion of initial training, the Support Relief Group (SRG) Senior Assessment and Analytics (A&A) Advisor will be assigned to the place of performance.
8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as part of the SRG. BHA intends to contract for these services for a maximum of 250 days per calendar year. Activation days vary but will not exceed 250 days during each contract year. The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by BHA and the contractor. Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, BHA will contact the contractor and provide the following information:
1. Date contractor is needed to report to BHA or assignment in the field
2. Duration of Assignment
3. Place of Performance
The contractor will notify BHA within 24 hours of availability. At the time the contractor accepts the assignment, he/she is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment. While the contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 250 days). The contractor shall notify BHA at the time of commitment if their existing schedule would preclude an extension. Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify the contractor from the assignment but will simply assist BHA in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if the contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, the contractor will be required to give BHA 10 days’ notice for release from the assignment.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT The Support Relief Group (SRG) is a program developed by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) to satisfy its growing need for surge capacity. In response to numerous disasters worldwide, it became clear that BHA could not find, in a timely manner, adequate staff to cover all positions in the field and in Washington, and to backfill for permanent staff deploying to the field. The SRG program brings on board select candidates who could work on a part-time intermittent basis, for no more than 250 days per calendar year, and who can be deployed within hours to facilitate BHA’s response to disasters, or to backfill staff in Washington and other locations. SRG positions are contracted for five years. The activation of the SRG Senior Assessment and Analytics (A&A) Advisor will be coordinated with BHA’s Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ). The SRG A&A Advisor provides integral support to the Disaster Data Assessments and Information Management (DDAIM) Team in TPQ. DDAIM assists with information and data related to early warning, early response, and risk analysis, supporting BHA with contextual analytics, assessment, technology, and information management for improved humanitarian coordination and informed, evidence based, decision making. Working across response, early recovery, and risk reduction portfolios, the DDAIM Team supports digital transformation efforts within BHA and within the broader humanitarian architecture. Their technical leadership and guidance supports BHA’s combined efforts to deliver targeted, timely, and appropriate humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected populations. The DDAIM Team works towards this goal by providing stakeholders with situational awareness visualizations, response decision support, and data-related capacity building for disaster-affected contexts. Engaging with the broader humanitarian community, the DDAIM Team supports programs and policies that strengthen the humanitarian data ecosystem for disaster response, improve coordination, and deliver useful real-time data and analysis to responses worldwide.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED
BHA requires the services of a SRG Senior A&A Advisor in order to meet its objectives to improve the quality of humanitarian response strategies through the use of accurate assessment, data, and analytics in its responses to humanitarian crises worldwide. BHA seeks an experienced professional who is motivated to help BHA significantly change and improve the way in which it uses assessment, data, and analytics in its responses. The SRG Senior A&A Advisor must have a vision for assessment, data, and analytics in the humanitarian field and must be driven to try to achieve organization-wide improvements through consistent guidance, capacity building, and direct response support. The DDAIM Team seeks a highly qualified professional with significant experience implementing humanitarian, transition, or development programs. The ideal candidate will be a highly effective team member; technically highly qualified; motivated, organized, and diplomatic; and able to manage stress well.
The SRG A&A Advisor will:
Coordination & Strategy Development
● Work closely with the DDAIM Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, coordinate assigned strategic processes to allow the DDAIM Team and BHA to continue to integrate data and evidence into decision making, adopt modern digital practices, and support the digital transformation of the humanitarian community.
● Facilitate DDAIM’s support to BHA’s work on a digital action plan.
● Lead research and policy and strategy work on assigned subject areas.
● Draft work plans and oversee their implementation.
● Lead DDAIM engagement with assigned partners.
● Provide technical oversight of staff deliverables for assigned areas of responsibility.
● Coordinate closely with the other sectors within TPQ to contribute to the work of the Office. Expert Technical Guidance and Assistance
● Support the strategic introduction of assessment, data, and analytics into BHA’s response systems, policies, practices, and culture.
● Serve as an expert source of information on and technical guidance related to assessment, data, and analytics for BHA.
● Work with regional teams to develop and implement appropriate and comprehensive assessment, data, and analytics strategies, tailored to their regional context and assessment and data needs.
● Provide technical feedback to BHA partners on the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of the assessment, data, and analytics aspects of their programs.
● Provide assessment, data, and analytics technical guidance for country portfolios, regional portfolios, global initiatives, or for specific awards.
● Advise regional teams and BHA partners on appropriate strategies and activities to ensure assessment, data, and analytics principles and best practices are mainstreamed in emergency response, early recovery, and disaster risk reduction programming.
● Review and encourage inclusion of assessment, data, and analytics best practices in response strategies, project designs, and implementation plans, and other BHA documents.
● Provide technical feedback on assessment, data, and analytics aspects of grant proposals submitted to BHA.
● Travel to the field, sometimes at short notice and for extended periods of time, to advise regional teams on assessment, data, and analytics issues. Policy & Capacity Building
● Working with the Team Leader, contribute to the design of BHA assessments and data policy and guidance.
● Working closely with the Team Leader, oversee the introduction and implementation of BHA assessment and data policy to all teams within BHA.
● Lead the creation of templates, guides, job aides, and check lists to assist BHA staff and partners in adopting a new way of working with assessments and data.
● Track the implementation of the new policy and guidance to ensure that BHA has integrated it into the way in which the Bureau responds to disasters overseas.
● Increase the capacity of BHA staff to understand assessment, data, and analytics principles and best practices through leading the development and implementing of a BHA assessment, data, and analytics training.
● Deliver portions of the assessment and analytics training.
● Contribute to the periodic revision of the training curriculum. Award Management
● For assigned portfolios and in collaboration with program colleagues, manage all aspects of award management throughout the award cycle.
● Participate in budgeting and planning processes for TPQ actions.
General
● May be requested to be on-call or serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
● May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.
● As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.
● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e., work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System. They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.
● Actively participate in diversity and harassment training opportunities, brown bag sessions or focus group discussions, and workforce diversity initiatives/activities focused on helping to improve the organizational culture.
● Demonstrate consistent accountability for adherence to and knowledge of laws, executive orders, and USAID’s policies which prohibit Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-EEO infringements as well as the Agency’s zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, including harassment, exploitation, and abuse of any kind. Understand reporting criteria and report up in a timely manner.
● Ensure that conduct is not inappropriate or offensive to others by responsibly and intentionally creating a culture of civility and respect whereby both managers and employees are expected to behave professionally at all times.
● Hold self and others accountable for adhering to a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any form, bullying or any other prohibited behaviors and report objectionable conduct.
● Assists staff in understanding the value of differing perspectives, cultural norms, and gender in the work environment.
● The SRG A&A Advisor does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Office of Field and Response Operations/Response Resources Division Director or their designee. When activated, the SRG A&A Advisor will be a part of TPQ’s DDAIM Team, receiving day to day guidance and onsite management from the DDAIM Team Leader. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The USPSC independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects, studies, or other work. Results are considered authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 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.)
Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of nine (9) years of experience of work with a humanitarian, development, or transition focus. Of which experience must also meet the following requirements:
● Applicants must have at least one (1) year of professional field experience outside the United States on humanitarian or development, or transition programs.
● Applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience designing, or managing, or advising, or evaluating a humanitarian program.
● Applicants must have at least two (2) years of experience directly related to assessment, or analytics, or data.
OR
Master’s degree plus a minimum of seven (7) years of experience of work with a humanitarian, or development, or transition focus. Of which experience must also meet the following requirements:
● Applicants must have at least one (1) year of professional field experience outside the United States on humanitarian, or development, or transition programs.
● Applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience designing, or managing, or advising, or evaluating a humanitarian program.
● Applicants must have at least two (2) years of experience directly related to assessment, or analytics, or data. III.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
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. The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed. S
ELECTION 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 Section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
● USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract ● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM
The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses. Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process.
The rating factors are as follows:
Matrix (30 points total)
Professional Experience (11 points)
● Experience providing technical expertise on issues related to humanitarian needs assessment or data and analytics or technology to stakeholders. (4 points)
● Experience designing or implementing either of the following: data or information management solutions. (3 points)
● Experience designing and implementing humanitarian needs assessments. (4 points) Skills and Abilities (9 points)
● Experience designing and delivering training related to humanitarian needs assessments or data and analytics for a workplace audience. (3 points)
● Experience using a client focused service delivery model to deliver value to an organization. (3 points)
● Experience facilitating discussions with multiple stakeholders. (3 points) Representational/Leading Teams Experience (10 points)
● Experience leading teams or coordinating the work of others. (4 points)
● Experience coordinating work across stakeholders with diverse nationalities or cultural backgrounds. (3 points)
● Interpersonal and representational skills suited for engagement with senior stakeholders such as senior U.S. Government stakeholders. (3 points)
Interview Performance (40 points)
Timed Writing Test (20 points)
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)
Total Possible Points: 100
BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who 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. 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. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. 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. The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection.
Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during the future phase of the selection process.
IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER 1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.
3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
4. 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 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) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification. (d) U.S. Citizenship (e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).
Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.
5. Ensure Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors – Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated. * USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements. *See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.
6. NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.
7. NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained; the offer may be rescinded.
8. 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.
How to apply
Via Email: [email protected]