Counternarcotics Advisor

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: Counternarcotics Advisor Location: Islamabad, Pakistan Salary Level: FS-02 - $99,700 - $146,413 (GS-14 Equivalent) 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: 5/14/2024 Closing date: 5/21/2024 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-24-047-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: Cecille D. Washington U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP contact@example.gov Sincerely, Katelynn Barham 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. Equal employment opportunity policy - The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Cecille Washington E-mail: contact@example.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Cecille Washington 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 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): The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) within the Department of State (DOS). INL's mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. The INL Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) is responsible for broad law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics policies and program management in accordance with U.S. foreign policy objectives throughout Europe and Asia. INL/EA develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues in both regions. INL/EA and INL personnel in-country administer U.S. government assistance to the counternarcotics agencies operating within the Government of Pakistan. The goal of this programming is to support Pakistani institutions targeting drug trafficking, illegal poppy cultivation, and drug demand reduction efforts. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the position of Counternarcotics Advisor (CNA) in the INL section at U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan (INL/P). The CNA will serve as an in-country advisor responsible for implementing INL/P's counternarcotics assistance efforts. The CNA will work within U.S. Embassy Islamabad under the direct supervision of the Counternarcotics (CN) Program Officer or his/her designee. S/he will provide subject matter expertise to INL and U.S. Embassy Islamabad on counternarcotics law enforcement matters, coordinating efforts as they relate to mission objectives, USG roles and responsibilities, developing Pakistani law enforcement capacities and institutions, USG CN assistance, and training plans. The CNA will assist in the implementation of INL's CN Program, mentor Pakistani law enforcement officials as required, carry out security and logistical planning, oversee procurements and delivery of commodities, and maintain relationships and coordinate with relevant Pakistani officials. This includes, but is not limited to, coordination with Pakistani narcotics authorities, management of training courses, overseeing curriculum development, monitoring of training center and police station construction, logistical and security planning, vendor/contractor coordination, and commodity provision to host nation law enforcement entities. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the INL CN Program Officer or his/her designee, the CNA will perform the following duties: Program Management and Implementation - Manages and implements CN projects under the guidance and direction of the CN Program Officer and keeps the Program Officer informed of the details of project implementation, progress, challenges, and recommended solutions. - Meets regularly with implementing partners and leverages those relationships to advance U.S. programmatic and policy goals. Addresses performance issues with implementing partners as needed. - May serve as the contracting/grants/agreement officer's representative (COR/GOR/AOR), alternate, or activity manager for activities under the assigned portfolio. Duties include conducting site visits to monitor activities; holding regular meetings; corresponding with partners and program stakeholders; and tracking partner performance against activity objectives and results. - Performs monitoring & evaluation (M&E) activities, to include: site visits, data collection, analysis, and other relevant tasks to assess the effectiveness of CN assistance efforts. Performs these M&E activities both independently and in collaboration with INL/P's M&E staff. Briefs INL, Department, and interagency officials on assessment outcomes and, on the basis of those assessments, proposes future activities and/or remedial actions. - Ensures programming complies with USG requirements and legal restrictions, including Leahy vetting, and is coordinated with related USG CN, police, criminal justice, rule of law, and corrections programs. - In the absence of the INL Officer, the CNA may be assigned an acting role. During such periods, the CNA will be responsible for coordinating and directing the work of the INL/P Counter Narcotics section staff, managing the ongoing work of the team towards its objectives, and reporting directly to the INL/P Deputy Director and Director. The incumbent will prepare for and attend internal meetings and work closely and collaboratively with the rest of INL/P. The CNA will seek approval from the INL/P Deputy Director or Director for any decisions which may not be performed independently by the PSC, including discretionary exercise of government authority and final approval on policy formulation, program planning, representation, control of money, property, or other valuable resources. - Assists with providing office coverage in the absence of key INL/P section staff due to annual leave, training, rest and recuperation travel, or home leave. - May provide direct supervision of Locally Employed Staff (LE) staff assigned to the INL Section, not to include supervision of direct hire employees. The CNA may coordinate standards and evaluate work performance, develop training, and provide guidance and counseling to resolve grievances of INL/Islamabad LE staff. The CNA is expected to address performance issues with subordinates as needed. Strategic Planning and Advice - Serves as a subject matter expert within the INL Section and advisor on CN issues. - Assists in the development of detailed implementation plans and timelines for CN assistance programs, from initial assessments and program design through acquisition and implementation, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, and coordination among vendors, contractors, and Pakistani Government officials. - Contributes to INL/P multi-year planning and program management, including by providing input to country program frameworks, program concept notes, operational plans, performance plan and reporting, and the integrated country strategy. - Provides program guidance/reporting upon request on law enforcement aspects of current program efforts as well as those in planning or evaluation stages, including mission objectives, budgeting, development of Pakistani CN capacities and institutions, practical measures to improve U.S. and international capacities to provide CN assistance, and training plans. Coordination - Coordinates law enforcement efforts with members of the Country Team as directed by the CN Program Officer, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice/International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, Department of Justice/Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training, Office of the Defense Representative to Pakistan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Diplomatic Security /Antiterrorism Assistance Program, Department of Homeland Security, as well as with international donors. In particular, the CNA is expected to coordinate and work closely with Embassy Islamabad's DEA office. - Represents INL at mid-level meetings, briefings, seminars, and exercises with USG, Host Nation, and international representatives to develop plans/programs for implementation of CN assistance and improve INL capacities to respond quickly and effectively when new mission initiatives emerge. - Serves as a designated interlocutor with federal and provincial GOP officials and CN law enforcement leadership when appropriate. - Participates in INL-Pakistan office meetings. - When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. - Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 2. Completes all required courses to become a Grants Officer Representative (GOR) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 3. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post. 4. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 5. If applicable - Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is US Embassy Islamabad. Frequent local travel to Karachi and other areas of Pakistan as needed per current INL programming and occasional travel overseas may be required. RELATIONSHIPS The CNA reports to and receives broad policy guidance and general direction from the CN Program Officer. The Advisor is responsible for planning and implementing many aspects of organizational and project and logistical operations. The CNA coordinates and communicates with INL/P and the INL/EA Pakistan Team. The CNA's actions, decisions, and recommendations are reviewed on the basis of results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations. The CNA must depend in part on his/her own professional judgment to further the mission of INL. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the CN Program Officer or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing. The CN Program Officer will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent's official yearly review. COMPLEXITY Assists in the development of detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the program, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Coordinating plans with various other groups including international donors, the U.S. Embassy, and the Government of Pakistan can be complicated. Projects require dynamic leadership, expertise and complex innovation, strict adherence to high level policy without lower-level interpretive assistance, and the ability to single-handedly or in concert with a variety of other stakeholders resolve critical problems and achieve difficult goals that may impact other programs. They are broad in scope and complicated by many complex features, technical, administrative, or political in nature. SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Pakistan, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2. Associate's degree from an accredited institution AND ten (10) years related experience in the field of counternarcotics/law enforcement; or, a high school degree with fifteen (15) years of related experience in the field of counternarcotics/law enforcement. 3. Demonstrated five (5) years of experience managing bilateral or multilateral criminal justice and security assistance programs. 4. Demonstrated experience in international law enforcement missions, preferably in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iraq. 5. Demonstrated experience developing and managing law enforcement and/or counternarcotics programs, including program assessment, monitoring and evaluation. 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 Program Management (40 points) Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and overseeing U.S. assistance programs abroad, including training, equipment, and/or infrastructure support, and contributing to multi-year strategic planning for U.S. foreign assistance; demonstrated experience monitoring and evaluating ongoing and/or historical programs; demonstrated experience forecasting budgets and utilizing budgetary constraints to make informed decisions. Factor 2 Counternarcotics/Law Enforcement Cooperation (15 points) Demonstrated experience developing close working relationships with host-government officials on counternarcotics/law enforcement matters; demonstrated ability to provide expert CN advisement and policy guidance to host country officials on law enforcement operations. Factor 3 Professional Expertise (15 points) Demonstrated ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies (including members of an Embassy Country Team), host country representatives, and the international community in developing and coordinating assistance programs, as well as experience representing a USG agency in these forums. 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 - 40 Factor #2 - 15 Factor #3 - 15 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 FS-02 equivalent level ($99,700 - $146,413 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