USPSC Support Relief Group (SRG) Agriculture Sector Advisors

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA22R00045

ISSUANCE DATE: July 12, 2022

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: April 3, 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) Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as Support Relief Group (SRG) Agriculture Sector Advisors under the United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. 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. 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.

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

NOTE REGARDING ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS

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.

NOTE REGARDING UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) NUMBER AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the UEI number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b& sysparm_search=kb0013183

Instructions to obtain a UEI can be found via the SAM.gov link.

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers.

Your complete resume must be emailed to:

FARO Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Website: www.BHAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the FARO Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely,

Digitally signed by SONJA PATRICE

STROUD (affiliate) Date: 2022.06.21

17:23:07 -04’00’

Sonja Stroud-Gooden Contracting Officer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities will be based on the technical expertise of the advisor, and will be assigned according to knowledge and proficiency within the subsectors supported by the BHA/TPQ Agriculture team. These may include: the analysis of potential agricultural sector vulnerabilities and risks; activities to increase sustainable agricultural capacities at the community level; pest management; support for livestock and animal health activities; and the provision of veterinary pharmaceuticals. SRG Agriculture Sector Advisors will also be expected to provide expert advice on disaster response, risk reduction, and resilience strategies for selected agriculture sector specialties including, but not limited to, crops, horticulture, pests and pest management, livestock, aquaculture/fisheries, and animal health activities worldwide.

The SRG Agriculture Sector Advisor’s responsibilities will include the following, assigned as appropriate based on his/her/their area of technical expertise and on the priorities and needs of the Agriculture Team as determined by the Agriculture Team Lead:

• Conduct sector-specific assessments and make expert technical recommendations for appropriate activities, both for the initial disaster response phase and for longer-term disaster risk reduction or rebuilding of livelihoods. Assessments may be conducted at the regional, sub-regional, or national level, and may be related to disaster response or to comprehensive strategy development.
• Apply assessment information to programming decisions based on a thorough understanding of best practices in either the livestock and animal health subsector (particularly those outlined in the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards) and/or of the seed security framework, seed system security assessments and how both the framework and assessment information inform emergency programming in this sector.
• At the field level, provide assessments of the agricultural situation as it relates to food security and livelihoods. Assess crop, seed, pests, livestock and animal health, and relevant agricultural infrastructure needs and the parameters of the problem and make expert recommendations to regional teams and Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) on how to best respond to those needs programmatically.
• Actively represent USAID/BHA in emergency discussions and activities pertaining to crop agriculture, pests, food security, and livestock and animal health.
• Serve as a USG emergency agriculture and food security sector resource person. Display expert technical and organizational leadership in sectoral activity commensurate with the role as a primary resource person for emergency agriculture, food security, and livestock activities.
• Guide BHA rationale and thinking on agriculture, food security, livestock and animal health activities, and formulate sector strategies and recommendations, both for response and disaster risk reduction, and provide expert technical support for BHA field offices, other offices within USAID, and to BHA’s Agriculture Team.
• Coordinate agriculture sector response and recovery activities across a wide range of actors, including United Nations (UN), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other governments, to ensure consistency of programming.
• Facilitate and coordinate actual USG emergency response activities within the agriculture sector with the USAID Mission, other donor agencies, and the U.S. Embassy.
• Provide coordination and managerial oversight of BHA-funded agricultural activities to ensure the proper use of BHA program funds.
• Provide technical review of submitted proposals and/or concept notes to ensure that proposed activities and programs align with best practice in the agriculture sector. Apply new developments in the sector to BHA programming.
• Provide expert technical support in developing disaster risk reduction programs that mitigate the effects of disasters on populations and communities. Identify disaster mitigation measures that could be linked to disaster response activities. Review disaster risk reduction principles and make expert recommendations on course(s) of action.
• Take responsibility for leading teams or for guiding and coordinating the work of other technical staff in the agriculture and food security sector.
• Sign up for and serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary
• 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 statement of duties provided.
• May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
• Consistently models behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining 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.
• 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 the 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.

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 nine (9) years of experience working with the USG, an IO, or an INGO, and at least five (5) years experience in the agriculture sector including agriculture, agro-ecology, agronomy, animal sciences, horticulture, fisheries/aquaculture, irrigation, livestock, pest management, plant pathology, veterinary, smallholder farming.

OR

Master’s degree plus seven (7) years of experience working with the USG, an IO, or an INGO, and at least five (5) years experience in the agriculture sector including agriculture, agro-ecology, agronomy, animal sciences, horticulture, fisheries/aquaculture, irrigation, livestock, pest management, plant pathology, veterinary, smallholder farming.

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 cover page 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 will not be accepted.
• Ability 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).

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 package.

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 future phase of the selection process.