USPSC Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) (U2) Field Coordinator

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT

The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) is a diverse, mission-driven team of experts leading the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) operational readiness and excelling in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Together, we create a safe environment where we inspire and enable our staff to achieve their full potential.

The Operational Response and Capacity Building (ORCB) Team, within FARO, houses BHA’s specialized operational response capacity and operational response leadership cadre and enables the Bureau to mobilize a robust operational response to large-scale earthquakes, wildfires, infectious disease outbreaks, and other specific risks as well as technical resources and training outside of response operations. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Unit (U2), within ORCB, enables BHA’s response readiness and coordination with USAR disaster response capabilities through cooperative agreements (CAs) to deploy USAR capabilities in support of a BHA response, as well as the institutional operational relationships with the UN’s USAR capacity and body of knowledge through the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). The U2 is responsible for providing technical advice and expertise to the wider USAR community through a variety of events, including conferences, training exercises, and certification maintenance.

FARO requires a USPSC to serve as a U2 Field Coordinator to support effective coordination of FARO’s USAR efforts with other international responders and participating agencies, provide technical support and program management of the FARO USAR programs, and perform field-level coordination related to deployment of USAR teams. The U2 Field Coordinator will support the U2 Unit Leader, work closely with the other U2 Field Coordinator, and serve as the office’s tertiary point of contact and resource on UNDAC and INSARAG activities.

The U2 Field Coordinator will support the following activities, focused on USAR administration and operations, and USAR coordination mechanisms employed by USAID, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and international regional organizations.

● Support BHA activities, coordination, and responsibilities related to the UNDAC and INSARAG systems, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National USAR System, and their undertakings.

● Provide support and maintain awareness of the roster for U.S. UNDAC team members.

● Provide technical guidance and response system management for activations of U.S. UNDAC team members.

● Provide support to the management of the BHA-funded Americas Support Team staff and equipment cache in support of and coordination with UNDAC deployments in the Americas region.

● Provide support and maintain awareness of the roster of U.S. USAR Coordination members.

● Provide support to the management of the BHA-funded response Base Camp Module and equipment cache in support of and coordination with global response deployments.

● Serve as a liaison between BHA and other U.S. Government (USG) agencies involved with international USAR response for departments and agencies not already served by another BHA division, such as Department of Homeland Security or the FEMA USAR Branch.

● Serve as a liaison between BHA and other UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs agencies involved with international USAR response for departments and agencies not already served by another BHA division.

● Consult with other USG agencies on behalf of BHA to share information on USAR activities and capabilities, and to contribute to the establishment of coordinated agency priorities with respect to overseas disaster response.

● Facilitate USAR-related inter-agency preparedness and mitigation programs.

● Support USAR Program monitoring and evaluation activities.

● Support planning of internal and external training exercises related to USAR tactical field operations.

● Facilitate interoffice actions of USAR-related preparedness issues such as badging, security clearances, and Response Management System selection processes.

● Consistently model 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.

● Demonstrate an understanding of the value of differing perspectives, cultural norms, and gender in the work environment.

● 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 policy that strictly prohibits sexual misconduct, including harassment, exploitation or abuse of any kind among staff or implementing partners, and gender-based discrimination.

● 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 (CPARS/APARS). 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.

● Serve as AOR or Alternate AOR for the USAR CAs.

● May be requested to be on-call/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.

● 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.

● 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.

● The U2 Field Coordinator 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.

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.)

High school diploma and at least eleven (11) years of current experience working in any level of government (ex. Federal, state, city, etc.), an international organization, a non-governmental organization, or a business setting, or combination thereof, five years (5) of which must be in first response or USAR disaster response program management, administration, and operations.

OR

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to first response or USAR (including, but not limited to: public administration, international relations/development, sudden onset disaster humanitarian response) and at least seven (7) years of relevant experience working in any level of government (ex. Federal, state, city, etc.), an international organization, or a non-governmental organization, or a business setting, or a combination thereof, three years (3) of which must be in first response or USAR disaster response program management, administration, and operations.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to a USAR and disaster coordination (including, but not limited to: public administration, international relations/development, sudden onset disaster humanitarian response) and at least five (5) years of relevant experience working in any level of government (ex. Federal, state, city, etc.), an international organization, or a non-governmental organization, or a business setting, or a combination thereof, two years (2) of which must be in first response or USAR disaster response program management, administration, and operations.

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 rating factors are as follows:

MATRIX (30 points) Professional Experience

● Experience in USAR coordination and tactical operations within the international humanitarian context. (5 points)

● Experience with USAR management or administration. (5 points)

● Experience with the UN humanitarian community. (5 points)

● Experience representing organizational equities in national or international forums. (5 points)

● Experience explaining USAR procedures to stakeholders with less technical knowledge. (5 points)

● Experience with program management or design. (5 points)

Interview Performance (50 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (20 points)

Total Possible Points: 100