USPSC Natural Resources Management Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA23R00026

ISSUANCE DATE: May 8, 2023

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: June 16, 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,

Ousay Wahaj

Supervisory Contracting Officer

Office of Acquisition & Assistance

M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC

ATTACHMENT 1

1. GENERAL INFORMATION
2. 1. **SOLICITATIONNO.:**720BHA23R00026
   2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 8, 2023
3. 1. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 16, 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.

1. 1. POINT OF CONTACT: TPQ Recruitment Team, [email protected]
2. 1. POSITION TITLE: Natural Resources Management Advisor (Multiple Positions)
3. 1. MARKET VALUE: $84,546 – $109,908 equivalent to GS-13 (includes Locality Pay)

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.

The initial grade level of this position will be the equivalent of a GS-13 with the opportunity for advancement to the GS-14 equivalent after at least two years at the GS-13 level, if the individual receives a recommendation from the supervisor for advancement along with an Exceeds Fully Successful performance evaluation. Advancement to the GS-14 level is not guaranteed.

Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.

1. 1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Remote

Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-based positions.

This position has been designated as suitable for remote work. The contractor will be authorized to perform the services under this contract from an alternative worksite. For PSCs authorized to remote work, the alternative worksite determines the locality pay for compensation purposes.

1. 1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years, tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing
2. 1. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only
3. 1. 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.

1. 1. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The Natural Resources Management (NRM) Advisors will support USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance’s (BHA) efforts to ensure the protection, conservation, and restoration of natural resources in humanitarian and resilience-building activities. This includes guiding NRM activities within the Office of Technical and Program Quality (TPQ) and providing technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and United States Government (USG) colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to NRM.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

GS-13 Equivalent level:

• • • Support NRM activities within TPQ and provide technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and USG colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to NRM for both emergency, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience activities. – Exercises independent judgment in areas such as program/project management and influences program policy by reason of recognized expertise in the particular field of development assistance, although not a policy-maker. Work requires the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. – Contribute to oral and written communications for USAID and BHA policy discussions and program development. – Review emergency applications for adherence to the BHA Emergency Application Guidelines and provide feedback to applicants and BHA colleagues. – Review award reports and related documents and provide feedback to implementers as well as other BHA staff. – With diverse teams, engage in the design of new activities and review of applications, particularly for Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) activities. – Participate in workshops, activity refinement, and evaluations; and review annual reporting documents, providing feedback to applicants in addition to other BHA staff, all which may require travel to the field. – Maintain up-to-date, expert-level knowledge of the organizations engaged in NRM activities. – Remain informed about literature and ongoing research activities with particular emphasis on issues related to BHA activities and Agency priorities, such as those outlined in the Environmental and Natural Resources Management (ENRM) Framework.
• • • Support bureau colleagues on NRM issues and opportunities related to gender, age, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized populations in activities as well as policies and strategies. – Support the development and delivery of NRM materials such as trainings or case studies as requested or identified. – Coordinate with BHA and USAID colleagues on NRM-related climate discussions and deliverables.

GS-14 Equivalent level:

At this grade level, (or if the PSC is promoted during contract performance), the position title will perform the following in addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined above at a GS-13 level:

• • • Guide NRM activities within TPQ and provide technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and USG colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related to NRM for emergencies, early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience activities. – Draft and deliver oral and written contributions to USAID and BHA policy discussions and program development. – Address NRM issues and opportunities related to gender, age, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized populations in activities as well as policies and strategies. – Develop and deliver NRM materials such as trainings or case studies as requested or identified. – Lead coordination with BHA and USAID colleagues on NRM-related climate discussions and deliverables.

At all Levels:

• • • Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind. – Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, division, office, and Bureau objectives. – Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to Bureau and TPQ programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas. – Attend and actively participate in personal-development activities, such as

anti-harassment and diversity training opportunities, brown bag sessions, working groups, and/or focus group discussions.

• • • Sign up for and serve 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.
• • • 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 statement of duties 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 ContractPerformance Assessment Review System (CPARS). 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. – The NRM 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 Infrastructure, Natural, and Water Resources Management Team Lead or their designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

At the GS-13 level:

Supervisor sets overall objectives and resources available; the USPSC consults with the supervisor to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The USPSC is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments. The USPSC is responsible for planning approaches or methodology to be used in carrying out assignments.

At the GS-14 level:

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.

1. 1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

1. 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.)

GS-13 Equivalent level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field such as: biology, ecology, forestry, aquatic sciences, environmental studies, or a related field to NRM), plus seven

(7) years of experience working in humanitarian response, early recovery, risk reduction, or resilience, two (2) years of which were obtained overseas. A minimum of three (3) years of the aforementioned seven (7) years experience must be related to NRM, of which three (3) months must be in an international context, supporting an international environment either from the United States or during field work.

OR

Master’s degree or higher with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field such as; biology, ecology, forestry, aquatic sciences, environmental studies, or a related field to NRM), plus five (5) years of experience working in humanitarian response, early recovery, risk reduction, or resilience, two (2) years of which were obtained overseas. A minimum of three (3) years of the aforementioned five (5) years of experience must be related to NRM, of which three (3) months must be in an international context.

GS-14 Equivalent level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field such as; biology, ecology, forestry, aquatic sciences, environmental studies, or a related field to NRM), plus nine

(9) years of experience working in humanitarian response, early recovery, risk reduction, or resilience, two (2) years of which were obtained overseas. A minimum of four (4) years of experience must be related to NRM, of which three (3) months must be in an international context.

OR

Master’s degree or higher with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field such as; biology, ecology, forestry, aquatic sciences, environmental studies, or a related field to NRM), plus seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian response, early recovery, risk reduction, or resilience, two (2) years of which were obtained overseas. A minimum of four (4) years of experience must be related to NRM, of which three (3) months must be in an international context.

1. 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.

SELECTION FACTORS

(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

• Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
• Complete resume submitted. See 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 (40 points)

GS-13 level

Professional Experience (15 points)

• • • Supported technical experts in at least one of the following: humanitarian response, or early recovery, or risk reduction, or resilience programming (6 points) – Participated in program design or evaluation processes in at least one of the following: humanitarian response, or early recovery, or risk reduction, or resilience programming. (4 points) – Contributed to and reviewed program reports for donors (which can include other donor governments or multilateral institutions or private foundations) in at least one of the following: humanitarian response, or early recovery, or risk reduction, or resilience programming. (3 points) – Contributed to policy or strategy development in at least one of the following: humanitarian response, or early recovery, or risk reduction or resilience programming. (2 points)

Technical Expertise (15 points)

• • • Natural resource management knowledge and experience in at least one of the following: land restoration (including, but not limited to reforestation, pasture restoration, farmer managed natural regeneration, prescribed fire or fuels management, agroforestry, soil and water conservation) or biodiversity or aquatic conservation (which can include marine or freshwater, protection or management of fishing areas, Ramsar sites, shoreline protection) or watershed management or nature-based solutions (NbS), or natural resource-related conflict mitigation or resolution. (10 points) – Experience of NRM-related issues and opportunities related to at least two or more of the following: gender or age or Indigenous Peoples or persons with disabilities. (3 points) – Knowledge of NRM-related issues and opportunities related to at least two or more of the following: gender or age or Indigenous Peoples or persons with disabilities. (2 points)

Communication and Interpersonal Skills (10 points)

• • • Experience coordinating within a team and with people from one or more of the following: other technical areas or agencies or organizations. (5 points) – Contributed to written publications (grey literature, journals, policy documents, guidance, case studies). (3 points) – Supported the development of training or presentations. (1 point) – Supported the delivery of training or presentations. (1 point)

Interview Performance (40 points)

Timed Writing Test (10 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.

How to apply

1. SUBMITTING AN OFFER
2. 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:
3. 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.
4. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
5. 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.
6. U.S. Citizenship
7. 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.