Counternarcotics Program Coordinator

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 Program Coordinator
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Salary Level:  FS-02 - $102,409 - $150,391 (Equivalent GS-14)
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: February 20, 2026
Closing date: March 6, 2026
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number:  PSC-26-009-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: 

U.S. Department of State, ATT: INL/SAO/IM PSC Team, Dominique Chittum ChittumDA@state.gov 

Sincerely,

Jamillah Timmons
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/SAO/IM PSC Team, Dominique Chittum
E-mail: ChittumDA@state.gov 

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/SAO/IM PSC Team, Dominique Chittum
E-mail: ChittumDA@state.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 Arms Control and International Security (T) 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.  
 
Under the International Narcotics Control (INC) Program, the Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), has bilateral law enforcement-related projects with the Government of Mexico (GOM). These projects are administered by the INL office of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.  
 
INL administers bilateral projects in Mexico with funding appropriated by Congress under the Merida Initiative and subsequent INL funding for Mexico.  This Counternarcotics (CN) Program Coordinator Personal Services Contract (PSC) will assist in determining and validating requirements based on U.S. and host country strategy and priorities, implementing, managing, and monitoring progress of specified projects to include: law enforcement and criminal justice sector professionalization, projects related to criminal investigations, building strong institutions, strengthening investigative capacity, and other related justice and security issues. 
 
This position serves as the in-country program coordinator for INL counternarcotics programs in Mexico, reporting to the INL Director and supervised by a Foreign Service Officer (FSO). The coordinator works with INL personnel and third-party contractors to provide program implementation, direction, and execution oversight in support of Government of Mexico (GOM) entities.
 
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 
Under the direct supervision of the Mexico City-based INL Counternarcotics (CN) Program Officer or his/her designee, the Counternarcotics Program Coordinator will perform the following duties: 
 
1.    Provide management and coordination of programs that enhance the capabilities of GOM agencies to curtail the manufacturing, transportation and trafficking of illegal drugs (with a focus on synthetic drugs including fentanyl), arms, and transnational organized crime (TCO) activities through building the capacity of GOM security and justice sector personnel. 
2.    Provides work guidance to the INL Drug Supply Reduction (DSR) team comprised of one Locally Employed Staff (LES) and one Third Party Contractor (TPC). 
3.    Refine existing or develop new counternarcotics and drug interdiction capabilities that align with INL strategies and priorities; manage assigned INL programs and projects; and provide advice, training, technical assistance, and equipment to Mexican government entities at the federal and state levels that are involved in such projects. 
4.    Develop close working relationships with appropriate GOM officials, including the Office of the Attorney General (FGR) and its state equivalents, the National Guard (NG), the Tax Administration Service (SAT), the federal Secretariat of Public Security (SSPC) and its state equivalents, and the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE), among others.  
5.    Provide counternarcotics support to officials of the Secretariat of National Defense (Defensa) and the Secretariat of the Navy (Marina). Provide advice, technical assistance, and equipment related to improving institutional capacity to designated Mexican states.  
6.    Develop train-and-equip strategies, key activities and projects for INL Mexico’s CN programs under the supervision of INL Foreign Service Officer(s) and in coordination with the GOM and other INL program management staff.
7.    Implement and oversee all phases of approved projects by managing multi-million-dollar, multiyear budgets and a staff of five to ten Mexican and U.S. administrative and technical personnel. Manage the full project cycle from assessment and requirements development through acquisition, procurement, implementation, and monitoring. Coordinate among vendors, contractors, and Government of Mexico officials. Resolve conflicts, manage personnel performance, and ensure projects are measurable, sustainable, and compliant with U.S. government legal and policy requirements. Coordinate with representatives of U.S. law enforcement agencies at the U.S. Embassy that are involved in investigations and prosecutions of TCO-related crimes. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its component agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal’s Service (USMS), and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP).   
8.    Provide advice, assistance, technical review, and recommendations at the operational level for Mexican agencies and international organizations for counternarcotics, aviation, law enforcement, and criminal justice sector professionalization projects. Applies counternarcotics expertise, particularly in fentanyl investigations, aviation, maritime, and K-9 operations, to advise Mexican officials and collaborate with international organizations and U.S. officials.
9.    With assistance from staff, prepare documentation for counternarcotics systems and equipment procurements, , including drafting purchase requests, bid solicitations, statements of work (SOW), requests for source origin waivers, sole-source justifications, and delivery and acceptance of procured systems and equipment.  
10.    Serve as either a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or a Government Technical Monitor (GTM) for assigned projects under the direction of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).   
11.    If applicable, serve as Grants Officer’s Representative (GOR), drafts grant solicitations in coordination with and for approval by the Grants Officer in INL.  Assist grantees in completing documentation requirements, monitoring grantee performance, and closing out grants as appropriate. 
12.    Draft reports and advise on report preparation for the U.S. Congress, the Department of State and its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and other U.S. federal agencies. 
13.    Develop and host justice and security-related meetings, national and international conferences and seminars, and meetings with GOM officials, to advance U.S. foreign policy goals related to counternarcotics and counter-TCOs efforts.  
14.    Provide advice and assistance in end-use monitoring (EUM) of USG-supplied commodities and services, preparing input for the annual EUM report to INL and Congress. 
15.    Provide advice and assistance on INL input to the Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) and other annual reports. Brief Department of State, U.S. Congress, and other visiting officials and Embassy staff, as directed, on the role of INL and the status of U.S.-Mexico counternarcotics and aviation professionalization projects and related security and law enforcement initiatives. 
16.    When required, perform the role of Duty Officer. 
17.    Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. 

TRAINING & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES  
1.    Completes the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) and when applicable, the Grants Officers Representative (GOR) courses through the National Foreign Affairs Training Center  (NFATC)  distance learning courses within 120 days of arrival at Post.
2.    Must successfully complete required training prior to award of any grant.   
3.    Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the National Foreign Affairs Training Center  (NFATC) 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.    Complete PS872 Microsoft SharePoint for Site Users within the first three (3) months of arriving at Post.
6.    Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR).
7.    Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. 

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 
The place of performance for this position is the U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico. Travel up to 25 percent of the time to Regional Security Office (RSO)-authorized locations in Mexico, the United States, and occasionally the region.  
 
RELATIONSHIP 
The Counternarcotics Program Coordinator will serve under the day-to-day direction of the Counternarcotics (CN) Program Officer, a Foreign Service Officer. All employees under Chief of Mission (COM) authority assigned Law Enforcement and Rule of Law (LE/ROL) duties work with INL leadership to ensure oversight and non-duplicative efforts in the Mission. 

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/SAO/IM Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review.
 
COMPLEXITY 
This position involves planning, organizing and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity given the constantly changing U.S. and Mexican political landscape related to counternarcotics in Mexico.  Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL’s CN programs are involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken. Decisions involve several undefined areas and issues and require extensive probing and analysis to determine the scope of the problem. The PSC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions. 
 
SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS 
The PSC is an expert in the field of counternarcotics, has demonstrated experience in the use of ISR resources for counternarcotics missions both at a local and federal level. The PSC should be experienced in resolving disputes that arise when leading experts disagree.  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, counternarcotics, ISR, maritime and K-9 programs in Mexico, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. 
 
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 REQUIREMENTS 
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.    Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a senior investigator or prosecutor with a U.S. federal or state law enforcement, justice or regulatory agency; or,
a.    A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience as a senior investigator or prosecutor with a U.S. federal or state law enforcement, justice or regulatory agency. 
3.    A minimum of five (5) years of experience working with Latin American law enforcement, military, intelligence or regulatory counterparts actively participating in counter narcotics operations or investigations (primary focus on synthetic drugs), including utilization of aviation, maritime and K-9 assets to interdict contraband and support investigations against criminal organizations.  
4.    A minimum of two (2) years of project management experience, to include developing multi-project strategies, project objectives, budget forecasting and execution, project implementation, as well as measuring and reporting for impact. 
5.    Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and leading teams.  
6.    Demonstrated ability to read and speak Spanish at the professionally proficient level. 

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:     Strategic Planning and Implementation                        (15 Points)      
Demonstrated ability to strategically plan and execute complex criminal justice projects through their entire life cycle, from analysis and planning through implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and close out.
Factor 2:    Supervision in an Embassy                                          (20 Points)  
Demonstrated ability to supervise and build strong teams at a U.S. Embassy in the fields of counternarcotics/counter-TCO operations or investigations, ISR, capacity building, or information analysis operations, or justice/security sector professionalization projects. Prior program management experience in Mexico strongly preferred.   
Factor 3:     Diplomacy and Leadership                                              (15 Points)  
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with U.S. interagency partners and Latin American law enforcement representatives at the local, state, and federal levels to build unity of effort through clear and effective communication.

Factor 4:     Subject Matter Expertise                                                  (20 Points) 
Demonstrated subject matter expertise in counternarcotics, aerial ISR technology and tactics, interdiction, judicially dismantling drug trafficking organizations, and conducting operations with host nation law enforcement in Mexico against illicit drug production and trafficking.

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 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 – 15 
Factor #2 – 20 
Factor #3 – 15 
Factor #4 – 20  
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 ($102,409 - $150,391 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