Attorney Advisor for Visa Restriction Cases

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) You have received this "Personal Services Contractor (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Position Title: Attorney Advisor for Visa Restriction Cases Location: Washington, DC Salary Level: GS-15 - $142,701 - $170,800 Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. Issuance Date: March 9, 2021 Closing date: April 6, 2021 - deadline extended Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-21-038-INL Job description: See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a. Paid a 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 any overseas 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. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. e. U.S. Citizenship Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 3. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor. 4. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: Dominique Chittum U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP contact@example.gov Sincerely, Amy Kara Contracting Officer U.S. Department of State SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011) This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, - Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors, or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. HOW TO APPLY Offerors proposal shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed): 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Resume 3. Evaluation Factor Responses 4. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed. *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: contact@example.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: contact@example.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State's mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight drugs, crime and terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. INL's Office of Global Policy and Programs (GPP) serves as the focal point for counterdrug and anti-crime policy and programs, while also serving as the Bureau's institutional link with multilateral entities and overseeing a wide-array of anti-crime sanctions and deterrence tools. To this end, INL/GPP is responsible for overseeing implementation of two anticorruption visa authorities, namely Presidential Proclamation 7750 and Section 7031(c) of the annual appropriations bill. INL/GPP works in tandem with the Office of the Legal Adviser (L) and its Office of Law Enforcement and Intelligence (L/LEI), which is responsible for conducting and coordinating the legal review of proposed anticorruption visa restriction cases within L. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to serve as INL's Attorney Advisor for Visa Restriction Cases. The incumbent would serve as the first line of legal review for anticorruption visa restriction cases, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 7750 and Section 7031(c) of the annual appropriations bill, as well as related work associated with these authorities. The incumbent would also coordinate the legal review of these packages with other components within L, including L senior leadership, and work with INL/GPP to incorporate the L guidance into the visa restriction cases. To the extent time permits, the incumbent would also assist other attorneys in L/LEI with legal work in support of INL's mission. The Attorney Advisor would be under the day-to-day management of L/LEI with INL/GPP supervising and an INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer overseeing the contract. The position requires the incumbent to be an attorney with expertise in the area of international law, including international criminal law, criminal justice, law enforcement, anti-corruption, and/or sanctions. This experience is necessary to enable the incumbent to determine swiftly the legal implications of the proposed visa restrictions and assist in the development of evidentiary packages to substantiate the proposed actions. The incumbent must also possess expertise in legal analysis, research and writing, and demonstrated ability to work in a multiple agency environment where the work product is subject to multiple echelons of coordination and approval. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of L/LEI Assistant Legal Advisor or his/her designee, the Attorney Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Uses his/her legal expertise to conduct a thorough and timely legal review of proposed anticorruption visa restriction cases. 2. Coordinates with relevant stakeholders within L to obtain additional review of the proposed anticorruption visa restriction cases by other components within L, including by the L Front Office. 3. Works collaboratively with INL/GPP to assist in the development of evidentiary material that takes into consideration the legal analysis provided by the Attorney Adviser and other components within L. 4. As time permits, and subject to the concurrence of the Assistant Legal Adviser or his or her designee, provides legal support to INL on other issues that may arise. 5. Develops and maintains professional relationships with relevant stakeholders within L, INL and other offices within the Department of State to adequately coordinate legal analysis of visa restriction cases, related sanctions programs, and other INL-related tasks, as needed. 6. Communicates with, receives guidance from, and provides updates to L/LEI, INL/GPP management and INL senior leadership, as needed, to ensure work is conducted in line with Department policy priorities and established procedures. 7. Maintain security awareness and properly handle classified and controlled items and information. 8. Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. 9. Perform services that fall within the general scope of work and overall INL mission at physical locations other than Washington INL headquarters, including within other INL offices, bureaus or other USG agencies for a period not to exceed six (6) months. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Washington, D.C. There are no travel requirements. RELATIONSHIPS The incumbent will be under the day-to-day management of L/LEI Assistant Legal Adviser. INL/GPP Division Director or designee will supervise the incumbent, and an INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer will oversee the contract. The INL/GPP Division Director will provide yearly performance reviews to the Contracting Officer in INL/EX/GAPP to contribute to the incumbent's official yearly review. COMPLEXITY This position involves legal analysis of complexity, due to the high visibility and political sensitivity related to those visa restriction cases that are made public and the need for the development of evidentiary material. As such, the Contract Attorney is expected to address difficult scenarios by determining the nature and magnitude of the issues presented and determining and helping to implement actions to advance U.S. diplomatic and policy goals. SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS The Attorney Advisor will perform broad and extensive assignments related to complex legal issues, namely conducting a thorough and timely legal review of proposed anticorruption visa restriction cases and providing other kinds of legal support to INL, subject to the concurrence of the Assistant Legal Advisor or his or her designee. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Top Secret level security clearance. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable). 2. Law degree from an accredited U.S. institution AND a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in a relevant field, such as international law, including international criminal law, criminal justice, law enforcement, sanctions, or anti-corruption-related legal work; 3. Demonstrated experience conducting legal research and analysis; and 4. Demonstrated experience drafting analytical material from a variety of sources for review and/or signature by senior-level officials. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Work Experience (30 Points) Demonstrated knowledge and work experience in the area of international law, international criminal law, criminal justice, law enforcement, anticorruption and/or sanctions, including work in conjunction with U.S. officials. Factor 2: Leadership/Interpersonal (10 points) Demonstrated ability to effectively liaise within a major government agency, such as the Department of State; work independently with general guidance; and work as a member of a small, highly specialized team in a bureaucracy or complex office environment within a large organization. Factor 3: Management & Communication Experience (30 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and advise INL officials. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 - 30 Factor #2 - 10 Factor #3 - 30 Total Possible - 70 Points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Past performance evaluation of applicant's ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) This position has been designated at the GS-15 equivalent level ($142,701 - $170,800 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries, including any recruitment supplemental pay that exceeds the listed pay range, will not be entertained or negotiated. For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE - Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution - Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance - Pay Comparability Adjustment - Annual Increase - Eligibility for Worker's Compensation - Annual, Sick and Home Leave - 401K Plan - MEDVAC (provided by DOS Med) ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE - Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post - Housing Allowance - Post Allowance - Supplemental Post Allowance - Maintenance Allowance (SMA) - Education Allowance - Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary) - Post Hardship Differential - Danger Pay - Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables