Counternarcotics Technical 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 Technical Advisor
Location: Washington, DC
Salary Level:  GS-14 - $143,913 - $187,093
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: January 16, 2026
Closing date: January 30, 2026
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number:  PSC-26-004-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/SAO/IM, 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/Dominique Chittum
E-mail: ChittumDA@state.gov

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/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.  

The Office of Results and Criminal Deterrence, Technical Advisory Division (RCD/TAD) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) at the U.S. Department of State.  The Bureau is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination, and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice issues for the Department of State.  RCD/TAD provides policy guidance and assists INL program offices in addressing the full range of criminal justice issues, including conducting assessments and evaluations, as they relate to criminal justice development programs globally.

Criminal deterrence is critical to assisting countries fighting destabilizing crime and promoting good governance.  INL currently manages criminal deterrence policy and programs in numerous countries, employing hundreds of people in the field to implement these programs.  Such programs may include deployment of American experts in the fields of policing, counternarcotics, and criminal justice, bilateral programs to train, advise, and assist institutions, deployment of technical subject matter experts, and provision of equipment.  RCD/TAD participates in interagency efforts to improve the quality of U.S. and international responses in seminars and workshops, lessons-learned reviews, strategic planning activities, interagency exercises, and contingency planning for possible future operations.

The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to perform duties of a Counternarcotics Technical Advisor (“Advisor”).  The Advisor will serve as a technical and policy advisor on a full range of issues related to counternarcotics and supply reduction activities.  S/he will serve as a resource for INL program managers by providing expert guidance in how to develop, design, assess, and monitor counternarcotics programs that are consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals and directives.  The Advisor will assist program offices and the INL/RCD Division of Design and Learning (DDL) on counternarcotics program design.  The Advisor will provide counternarcotics-related technical expertise within INL, and support embassies in efforts to build the capacity of partner nations. The advisor will also support the State and Local Partner (SLP) program through engagement and study visits.   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of a Washington-based INL RCD/TAD Law Enforcement Team Leader or his/her designee, the Advisor will perform the following duties:

•    Serve as an advisory resource for INL program managers in Washington and in the field, on specific aspects of counternarcotics programs designed to identify, detect, deter, and disrupt production and trafficking of plant-based and synthetically derived illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.  
•    Provide assistance to bilateral, regional, and centrally-managed counternarcotics programs and budgets for activities directed at supporting the development, delivery, assessment, management, and evaluation of foreign assistance related to illicit drug supply reduction to further United States foreign policy interests and alignment with international drug control conventions.  
•    Inform and shape INL bureau counternarcotics policies and programs based on current and emerging drug threats and challenges.   
•    Provide support for developing policies, including drafting documents, and conducting analyses, feasibility studies, and strategy options.  Assist the program offices and RCD/DDL with designing CN programs based on proven models of engagement.
•    Prepare background and briefing materials, speeches and talking points for a range of Department of State staff including but not limited to the RCD Office Director, INL Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretaries.
•    Travel as necessary, and in coordination with other INL offices, to provide consultancy expertise with embassies.  Additionally, participate in expert working group meetings and conferences as appropriate. 
•    Coordinate with Training and Program Design offices to incorporate relevant subject matter in INL training materials and program management tools.
•    Participate as a subject matter expert in technical review panels.  
•    Engage and provide direct support to the State and Local Partner (SLP) program. 
•    When required, perform the role of Duty Officer.
•    Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work.
•    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. 

TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
1.    Completes the mandatory High Threat Security Overseas Seminar within 30 days of start of contract.
2.    If needed, completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course and/or the Grants Officer Representative DL course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 30 days of supervisor’s request.  
3.    Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR).

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
The place of performance for this position is Washington, DC. Some travel is expected. 

RELATIONSHIP
The Counternarcotics Technical Advisor (“Advisor”) will report to the Law Enforcement Team Leader in RCD/TAD. The advisor will be required to participate in weekly INL staff meetings. 

The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington.  In no instance shall the Law Enforcement Team Leader 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 Law Enforcement Team Leader 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.  Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is 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.  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 performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of law enforcement and counternarcotics programs, 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 QUALIFICATIONS
1.    1.    U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Top Secret level security clearance.
2.    A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution; AND 
a.    A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience as a sworn civilian law enforcement officer in a law enforcement organization of at least twenty-five (25) personnel and having attained the rank of Lieutenant, equivalent, or higher; OR 
b.    A Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in a criminal justice related field and a minimum of 10 (ten) years of experience as a sworn civilian law enforcement officer in a law enforcement organization of at least twenty-five (25) personnel and having attained the rank of Lieutenant, equivalent, or higher.  
3.    A minimum of two (2) years of experience at the rank of a deputy director or higher (or the FS-02/GS-14 equivalent) with work in a U.S. foreign assistance role, conducting policy analysis or program management based in a foreign country that involved counternarcotics activities. 
4.    A minimum of five (5) years of experience related to drug supply reduction measures, including counternarcotics operations, investigations, and interdiction of illicit substances.
5.    Demonstrated experience in conducting policy and program development and analysis in the field of drug control, and writing reports, policy/position papers, information/action memos, guides, and briefs related to drug control.
6.    Demonstrated experience reporting results data for activities in the field of drug control.   
7.    Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent activities of varying complexity including changing priorities and short turn-around times.

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:    Knowledge/Abilities                        (30 Points)
Demonstrated knowledge and experience developing programs and policies related to counternarcotics policies and activities, and experience conducting counternarcotics operations with foreign partners.  Experience providing subject matter expertise to U.S. government entities on a range of topics related to counternarcotics and precursor chemical control, including in an interagency, bilateral, and/or multilateral environment. 

Factor 2:    Liaison and Coordination                     (30 points)
Demonstrated experience coordinating and liaising with members of relevant U.S. government agencies, subject matter experts, domestic and international law enforcement agencies, and the international community for the purpose of providing support, developing, gathering and disseminating information and developing policies and programs. Successful track record of working in a team environment.  

Factor 3:    Communication and Best Practices                (10 points) 
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner, and to interact effectively with others at all levels, in order to prepare, analyze, explain and defend policy and guidance on complex issues.  Demonstrated experience briefing high level U.S. government 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 – 30 
Factor #3 – 10 
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-14 equivalent level ($143,913 - $187,093 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