Foreign Assistance EUM 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: Foreign Assistance EUM Advisor Location: Washington, DC Salary Level: GS-14 - $139,395 - $181,216 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: December 10, 2024 Closing date: December 27, 2024 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-25-010-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, Margaret Renee Gaudreau 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: 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 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. INL's Executive Office (INL/EX) is responsible for the development and execution of the Bureau's budget and for the administration of INL's international counter-narcotics and law enforcement programs (i.e., financial, personnel, administrative, acquisition, information management, and post conflict and emerging program development and program evaluation and oversight). INL's foreign assistance programs overseas are managed by US embassy Foreign Service and personal services contract personnel serving in INL sections who work with their host nation counterparts to develop requirements and oversee project implementation. Much of INL's assistance is in the form of contracts for a wide range of services in support of civilian police, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs as well as for equipment and materiel. At present, the estimated value of active service contracts is approximately $2B. To successfully manage current and future contracts, the Bureau must have staff dedicated to constantly monitoring the inherent financial and contract requirements fueling INL's programs. The Management Assistance and Post Support (MAPS) Division provides INL the means to manage these financial and contract functions by supporting and interfacing with the relevant entities within the Bureau (i.e., regional and functional program offices and other divisions within INL/EX), as well as with embassy staff and appropriate elements within the interagency. The MAPS Division is comprised of professionals with expertise in program management, financial management, and contract management who serve on specific program and project teams. MAPS works closely with regionally focused and functionally focused program officers, as well as interagency and embassy staff all of whom are responsible for developing and implementing INL's foreign assistance programs overseas. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the position of Foreign Assistance End Use Monitoring (EUM) Specialist (FAEUMS). The incumbent serves as a member of a team with responsibility for property, financial, and contract administration of specific region, country, and functional contracts. Each team is responsible for managing the full post-award life cycle of assigned contracts to optimize INL's accountability on these high visibility programs. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based INL/EX/MAPS Supervisory Program Analyst or his/her designee, the Foreign Assistance EUM Advisor (FAEUMA) will perform the following duties: - Advises and works closely with program office staff and overseas INL sections in preparing program objectives as they relate to developing the overall framework for an effective foreign assistance End-Use Monitoring (EUM) program, reviewing and evaluating EUM reports, and collaborating with posts to develop measures to improve data collection and enhance the Bureau's responsiveness to posts requirements. Also develops monitoring mechanisms to provide relevant information for ongoing evaluation of the Bureau's assets that are in excess of $1B. Conducts program analyses of substantial scale and impact regarding highly complex, multi-million-dollar projects that significantly impact international programs. - Supports program managers in complying with management policies and procedures, including those contained in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Federal Acquisition Regulation, and other regulatory sources, with particular reference to property accountability and transfers of weapons and sensitive equipment, including legally defined defense articles. - Provides oversight of contract management and contractor activities between multiple contractors, Department offices and bureaus, INL's program offices and posts, as well as with other government agencies, with respect to accountability for weapons and other sensitive articles for INL programs. - Oversees the coordination, tracking, record-keeping, and reutilization of INL-funded weapons and sensitive property, and advises the Industrial Property Management Specialist on planning, analyzing, compliance determinations, and recommending actions in support of INL for asset accountability and the reutilization of assets, including weapons and sensitive equipment. - Assists senior MAPS Division and other Bureau program stakeholders in coordinating and planning contract management activities such as quality assurance programs for advising and mentoring services, life support, mission support, logistics operations, end use monitoring, security operations, IT/communications support, pre-deployment briefings, training and in-country program management. - Conducts in-depth studies of the technical aspects of project requirements to ensure that they are taken into consideration when making recommendations to senior managers. May also be required to provide technical oversight, coordination, analysis, review, quality assurance and scheduling oversight of foreign assistance projects. - Makes recommendations to senior staff, both in-country and headquarters, on how best to implement changes to improve performance with respect to the Bureau's foreign assistance projects, programs, end use monitoring of INL-funded assets, and property utilization. - Builds strong relationships with all stakeholders to achieve greater visibility on program and project implementation. - Provides guidance to co-workers on management of complex foreign assistance projects. - Works closely with other program and property analysts in the development, maintenance and monitoring of integrated project and property-related management systems. - Reviews, analyzes, and makes substantive recommendations regarding the content and impact of policy documents, contracts, interagency agreements, grants, contractor proposals, project reports, and end use monitoring reports. - Drafts position papers and reports presenting, defending, or justifying the Department's policies relating to the management of INL contracts. Assists with reviewing contract expenditures and reconciles differences between budget and project expenditure reports. Also drafts well-written information and decision memoranda and reports on the Bureau's foreign assistance program, presenting, defending, or justifying management analysis and recommendations. - Leads or participates in working groups, coordinates findings, and makes recommendations to senior level officers on appropriate course to follow. Represents the division or the Bureau at meetings, advising other attendees of the Bureau's position on a wide range of foreign assistance issues. Recommends solutions and briefs senior managers, both within and outside the Bureau on outcome of meetings. - Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives. Evaluates foreign assistance end use monitoring against short and long-range objectives. Effectively manages assigned programs and serves as the initial point of contact for incoming actions from offices both within and outside the Bureau, posts abroad, and other USG agencies, or the private sector on all related issues. - Assists with measuring, assessing, auditing, inspecting, reviewing, and evaluating the effectiveness and control of INL's foreign assistance programs and end use monitoring. Resolves audit or inspection activities for assigned projects. - Analyzes, evaluates, assesses, and compiles reports for INL end use monitoring. Evaluates the effectiveness of INL posts property monitoring procedures. Provides technical assistance to Post EUM points of contact related to the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) and property accountability reports. Maintains annual EUM reports and prepares briefs and recommendations for senior management detailing the results of monitoring trends. - Provides detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis and advises the Industrial Property Management team for property disposition actions. Is knowledgeable on property disposal policies, procedures and practices, and property utilization and donation policies, procedures, and actions. - Performs the duties of contracting officer's representative (COR) or government technical monitor (GTM), as required, in accordance with the Foreign Affairs Handbook, or provides technical guidance and advice sufficient to enable others to effectively perform COR or GTM duties. - When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. - Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. - Performs 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 Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of contract award. 2. If applicable - Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 3. Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR). 4. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is Washington, DC. Occasional short term overseas travel, including travel to austere environments, is anticipated as needed to support construction related programs. TELEWORK This is a hybrid position that allows for a combination of in-office presence and regular telework. The incumbent's actual in-office and telework schedule will be determined by the supervisor and CO and is subject to change based on Bureau or office needs. RELATIONSHIP This position is located in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Executive Office (INL/EX). The incumbent of this position serves as the Foreign Assistance End Use Monitoring Advisor (FAEUMA) in the Management Assistance and Post Support Division (MAPS), and for oversight purposes reports through the supervisory team leader to the Division Chief. The Foreign Assistance EUM Advisor works in close coordination with the various INL Program Offices, the Management Officer in INL sections overseas, and the COR and Contracting Officer for each project, but reports to the INL/EX/MAPS MAV team leader for Technical Support. The Advisor may be delegated authority by a CO to act as interim COR until a full-time COR is delegated, as an Alternate COR (A-COR), or Government Technical Monitor (GTM) for project oversight. The Foreign Assistance End Use Monitoring Advisor works intimately with the Industrial Property Management Specialist and manages the portfolio of a Junior Program Analyst for End Use Monitoring. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the Supervisory Program Analyst 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 Supervisory Program Analyst 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 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 Foreign Assistance End Use Monitoring Advisor 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 in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions. SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The FAEUMA 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, 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. 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 in a related field. 3. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the project management field, including mastery of concepts, principles, laws, and regulations associated with the broad areas of international relations, particularly as it relates to the development and implementation of foreign assistance post conflict and emerging development programs. 4. Demonstrated understanding of contract administration principles, regulations, and procedures, including US Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), DOS Acquisition Regulations, and commercial procurement procedures. 5. Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing a data-base module to analyze data and receive/create reports. 6. Proficient in Microsoft Office, primarily Microsoft Excel experience and expertise is required. 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: Project Management (30 Points) Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multifaceted international projects, e.g. determine needs, define goals, and develop work plans for multi-billion dollar projects, and as part of a professional team, carry out the full range of responsibilities from inception to completion. Demonstrated ability to work with public and private contracting or consulting firms, in analyzing project needs, defining project scope, and in determining schedule and budget required to complete the project. Factor 2: Communication (20 points) Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, as well as the ability to interact with individuals at all levels. Demonstrated ability to speak and write effectively in order to skillfully negotiate with senior government and industry officials and be adept in presenting positions in written form. Ability to clearly communicate mission goals and objectives while working on and bearing responsibility for several simultaneous in-country projects while keeping the overall program and bureau goals in perspective. Ability to operate both independently and as part of a team as an effective team member. Factor 3: Knowledge/Abilities (20 Points) Demonstrated ability to interact with other professionals and support personnel in order to provide guidance and assistance and the ability to make on the spot decisions involving large amounts of money and to make insightful and effective recommendations to senior management on project implementation issues which affect the post-conflict programs. Demonstrated ability to develop the DOS' negotiation stance and to coordinate as necessary, with contracting firms, as well as with DOS and other USG agencies and organizations involved in the project, determining the contracting method most appropriate for the particular project to be completed. Ability to prepare all required documentation to support the Department's position and to analyze all documents related to the contract prior to making final recommendations to senior DOS officials. Ability to operate both independently and as part of a team as an effective team member. 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 - 20 Factor #3 - 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 GS-14 equivalent level ($139,395 - $181,216 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