Global Fund Coordinator to serve in Mozambique

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation: proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Award is subject to the availability of funds. The solicitation number is 2009-N-11534and this is a request for proposal. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-36. The position solicited is a Global Fund Coordinator in Mozambique. Area of Consideration Only United States citizens, who are not permanent residents of Mozambique, are eligible for this position. Security Clearance: OPM National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Period of Performance The period of performance shall consist of one base period plus option periods for a total not-to-exceed 60 months. The solicitation, conditional offer, and clearance process takes about 4 to 6 months and the estimated start date is or on or about March 16, 2010. The actual period of performance will be identified at time of contract award, after the clearance process has concluded. The Effective Date will be coordinated in advance with the Contract Awardee and the funding program office before the contract is signed. Compensation and Reimbursement a. The Contractor shall be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis for the period of performance. Reimbursement shall be based on a 40-hour work week to include leave and holidays. The salary range is $69,950 to $111,467 per year, dependent upon individual salary history, work experience, and education background. b. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining health insurance for the country of service (this is mandatory and upto 75% of premium cost is reimbursable) and life insurance (this is optional - upto 1/3 of the premium cost is reimbursable) . Non-U.S. citizens must obtain Medical Evacuation Insurance which is 100% reimbursable. c. The contract shall be a Personal Services Contract (PSC) under the authority of 42 USC 242l(b)(8). d. Post Cost of Living Allowance, Post Differential, and Danger Pay rates, if any, as provided for in this contract may fluctuate. By signing a contract, the Personal Service Contractor agrees to be compensated based upon the then-current rates of these overseas allowances and differential for all U.S. Government civilian employees assigned to your location of assignment, as approved by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Allowances. These overseas allowances and differential may increase, decrease, or even be eliminated altogether during the life of the contract. Description/Work Statement Purpose: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund) is a part of the U.S. Government's long-term strategy to provide financing to enable developing countries to respond to the challenges of these three diseases. The United States Government (USG), as a founding member of the Global Fund and its first and largest donor, continues to play a leadership role in ensuring the success of this important international effort. Since 2004, there is increasing availability of funds through both Global Fund and bilateral mechanisms for comprehensive preventive, diagnostic, and curative services from USG in the three disease areas, as well as in systems strengthening (e.g., human resources) which are both key areas of support for the Global Fund and USG. As of May 2009, the Global Fund has approved nearly $220 million in the three disease areas and disbursed $135 million in Mozambique; Mozambique is currently applying for additional funding in future rounds. In the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Program alone, USG has contributed more than $750 million dollars since 2004 and is expected to provide more than $1 billion in funding in the next five years. This dramatic increase in funding has required a concomitant need for the coordination of funding between these two principal funding streams. The USG interagency team in Mozambique recognizes the importance of strong coordination between Global Fund and USG bilateral resources to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness of programs and activities. To achieve this goal, USG Mozambique requires a Global Fund Coordinator with dynamic coordination and strong leadership skills. Working in close coordination with the PEPFAR Coordination Office and staff from other health programs, the Global Fund Coordinator develops and strengthens coordination and communication mechanisms between Global Fund activities and other USG efforts in Mozambique to ensure maximal effectiveness of all USG health programs. One of the many ways in which USG supports Global Fund grants is through technical assistance both through broad bilateral efforts as well as central mechanisms to strengthen grant management. Recently, the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) has initiated a program that would place a Global Fund "Coordinator" in selected U.S. missions, with the objective of facilitating the coordination and synergies of Global Fund grants with U.S. Government HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, as well as supporting and strengthening the implementation of Global Fund grants at the country level. The Global Fund Coordinator, hereafter referred to as "incumbent", would assume responsibility for coordinating critical communications between and participation among various USG departments and agencies (USAID, CDC, State, DOD, etc.) in supporting various efforts related to the Global Fund portfolio in Mozambique. As this position would need to liaise closely with USG technical staff working on program implementation in support of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria, this proposed position would function as part of an interagency USG team and be physically located at CDC (which is co-located in the same building as USAID). Because this position involves cross-cutting activities in multiple programs and encompasses multiple agencies and departments, the incumbent would report to Senior USG leadership in health programming. With USG now having a decision making seat on the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), the coordination mechanism for the Global Fund activities in country, incumbent will report to the USG CCM representative (currently CDC Country Director, with USAID Health Team Lead as back-up). CDC, as the employing agency, will manage administrative requirements (personnel files, formal evaluation procedures, payroll, security clearance, etc.). General Principles o Incumbent is the primary point of contact within the USG team to facilitate and communicate issues related the coordination between Global Fund and the USG in terms of planning and implementation of activities in the funded areas. o Incumbent is expected to serve as the principal Coordinator on behalf of USG to the various principal recipients of Global Fund funding, including various relevant Ministries (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Social Action), the National AIDS Council, and Civil Society. o This position will need to liaise closely with USG technical staff working across agencies on program implementation in support of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; therefore, this proposed position would function as part of an interagency USG team. o The USG Mozambique team has an internal Global Fund Task Force of interested and relevant technical staff members to improve internal communication and coordination on issues related to Global Fund grants. The Coordinator will assume responsibility for coordinating and running these routine meetings as well as setting up the agenda, preparing relevant documents and hand-outs for meetings, and producing and disseminating minutes of meetings. The Coordinator will be accountable to ensure this group meets regularly and work towards achieving overall objectives. o With USG now having a decision making seat on the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) the incumbent will report to the USG CCM representative (currently CDC Director, with USAID Health and HIV/AIDS Team Lead as back-up). Should the USG CCM representative change to no longer be the CDC Director, incumbent will continue to report to the USG CCM representative but receive formal supervision from the CDC Director. o The Ambassador/Chief of Mission heads the in-country foreign assistance program and is the final decision maker under PEPFAR Guidance for all program plans and activities submitted to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. S/he sets the overall policy context within which the representative to the CCM supervises the incumbent. o Incumbent is a facilitator, a communicator, and at times, a negotiator. Incumbent is, in general, not a technical director, although incumbent on occasion will be expected to participate in and/or communicate technical issues of relevance to the USG and the Global Fund. o Incumbent is responsible for preparing documents and communication related to Global Fund performance and/or USG-Global Fund coordination to internal and external audiences in a timely fashion. Internal audiences shall be limited to USG participants, including USG agencies represented in Mozambique, in particular staff working in the PEPFAR Program, the President's Malaria Initiative, USAID-funded TB Country Assistance Program (TB-CAP), and other HIV- and health-related programs supported by the US Government. External audiences shall include host country government partners and stakeholders, non-governmental implementing partners, multilateral partners and, less frequently, the host country's media and general public. o Principal Duties: o Coordinator with USG point persons (1) in-country including the HIV, TB and malaria focal points; (2) with U.S. Government point persons at headquarters, including the USG Global Fund Focal Point; and (3) the Global Fund Portfolio Manager and other donors and stakeholders. 25% o Coordination of USG support for proposal development. 15% o Support the senior USG officer representing the USG on the CCM. 10% o Collaborate with civil society representatives to build civil society capacity to access increased Global Fund resources. 10% o Coordinate training of USG staff regarding Global Fund processes and policies, and communicate Global Fund policy changes to USG staff as appropriate. 10% o Coordinate USG support for technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Council, and other principal recipients for improved management and monitoring of Global Fund programs. 10% o Identify technical assistance needed to reduce bottlenecks and improve Global Fund performance. 10% Participate in site visits and grant monitoring activities to strengthen implementation, ensure accurate reporting, and identify technical assistance needs. 10% Selection Factors: The applicant that represents the best value to the Government will be considered for award. To determine best value, the following factors will be considered: 1. The extent an applicant meets the minimum and desired qualifications based on information obtained through the application package and interviews, if conducted. Note that interviews may or may not be conducted; therefore, the application package should clearly identify how well the applicant meets the minimum and desired qualifications of this position. Interviews, if conducted, may be either in-person or via telephone. 2. Information collected from reference checks. References will only be verified for those applicants determined to have a reasonable chance of being selected for award. 3. Results of a cost assessment. The cost assessment will determine the total cost (salary plus benefits and allowances) of the applicant for the complete term of the contract (base period plus any option years). Basis for Award In determining best value, paramount consideration shall be given to technical merit (applicant qualifications and reference checks) rather than to cost. In cases where applicants are determined to be essentially equal, then cost may become the determining factor. Submission of Application: All applications must be legible and submitted in the English language - email is preferred. A complete application package may be emailed to the attention of Sam Jamison at contact@example.gov. The solicitation number must be included on all documents submitted with the application package, as well as any other correspondence regarding this solicitation. If mailed, a complete application package must be received at the following location no later than the closing date and time above: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Procurement and Grants Office Mailstop K75, Branch 7 Attn: Sam Jamison, Contract Specialist Solicitation 2009-N-11534 Moz 2920 Brandywine Road Atlanta, GA 30341-5539 Facsimile copies will not be accepted. For information purposes, please advise as to where you first learned about this contract position. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted. Refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.208 regarding submission of late proposals: (http://www.acqnet.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2015_2.html#wp1125227). A. A complete application shall consist of: 1) a completed Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) or resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information required in a OF 612. Form OF 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, can be located at: http://www.opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp]. 2) References (see below). 3) Salary documentation current (or highest recent) (see below). 4) You must complete and return: a) Benefit Eligibility For PSC Candidate and b) International Tax Certification, and c) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications [NOTE: Most applicants will need to complete (d), (h), and (l) 3, 4, and 5]. B. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Applicant's resume must provide the extent of their qualifications: 1) Minimum/Essential Qualifications: a) Knowledge: Senior-level experience managing HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, or other health or other development programs is required. Knowledge of public health and development programs in resource-constrained environments is required. General familiarity with health issues in sub-Saharan Africa is required. b) Education: Masters or higher level degree in a relevant professional discipline such as Public Policy, Public Health, Administration or related field required (e.g., international health, social work, medicine, nursing or midwifery, international relations, public administration/policy or management with a concentration of public health or international health; or selected social/behavioral science). c) Experience: At least 3 years working in public health with focused experience in health services or health systems programs with knowledge of prevention, care and treatment services (especially in HIV/AIDS, TB, and/or malaria). At least one year or more of senior experience managing health or other development programs, preferably in a developing country context. d) Language skills Level IV English written and spoken required. Note: Ability to learn Portuguese language skills in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing, if not already possessed, is required. e) Skills: Advance competency in desktop office software especially Microsoft Excel or comparable spreadsheet programs is required. 2. Desired Qualifications: a) Knowledge: Understanding financial and program management principles and techniques as they relate to the planning of public health programs and objectives as well as ability to establish and maintain financial monitoring system is strongly preferred. b) Experience: Senior-level experience managing HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, or other health or other development programs would preferably have occurred in a developing country context. Field experience in working with Global Fund programs a strong advantage. Field experience working with relevant programs in Africa a strong advantage. b) Language skills: Level III or higher Portuguese language skill is highly desirable. C. References: Each applicant shall submit three Professional references other than family members. Two references shall be from a current and previous supervisor. The following information is required: Name, Address, Telephone Number, Title, and Email Address. D. Current (or Highest Recent) Salary Documentation: Each applicant shall submit supporting documentation that reflects their current or highest recent salary. Examples of such supporting documentation are the most recent earning statement, an official letter from current employer signed by the applicant's current supervisor or Human Resources Representative, or the applicant's most recent U.S. Federal tax return (if applicable). Each applicant shall also include a letter indicating the minimum salary in U.S. dollars the applicant would accept for the position. E. Benefit Eligibility for PSC Candidate: Name:________________________________________ REQUIREMENT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION: A. City and State (or Country, if not in U.S.), Where Currently Domiciled. B. 1. Country in Which You are Permanently Resident. B. 2. Do You Currently Pay Income Taxes to That Country? B.3. Do You Currently Pay Social Security Contributions to That Country? C. In What Country Were You Born? D. 1. If Already Present in Country of contract performance, Reason for Current Presence There. D. 2 Also If Already Present in Country of contract performance, How Long Have You Continuously Resided There, Excluding Short Periods of Absence for Vacation, Conferences/Symposia, etc. N/A/ or reason for current presence in country, e.g., brought there by previous employer [provide name of employer, your status and job title, and whether housing and repatriation was included in employment package]; dependent of someone brought there by employer [provide name of employer and whether housing and repatriation is included in employment package], etc. E. Attach Copy of Current Visa for Country of contract performance, If Any. F. 1 Do You or Any Immediate Relative (Spouse, Parent, Child, Sibling) Permanently Reside in the Country of contract performance? F.2 Do You or Any Immediate Relative Own Any Property and/or Any Business in the Country of contract performance? If so, please describe. G. Home City and State (or City and Country, if not in U.S.). Home or place of original recruitment. Used as basis for Relief Travel and Repatriation destination. H. Please List All Countries in Which You Presently Hold Citizenship or Nationality and Attach Copy of Complete Front Page of Most Recent Passport(s). I. Family Members Accompanying You to Location of Contract Performance: Spouse: Children Under Age 18 at Time of Arrival - How Many?: Please list name and date of birth of each J. Annual Education Travel for Children Up to Age 23 at Time of Your Arrival at Location of Contract Performance Who Are Attending a Recognized Post-Secondary Educational Institution on a Full-Time Basis NOTE: Children are eligible until the end of the school year in which they turn age 23. Children Before 23rd Birthday at Time of Arrival Attending a Recognized Post-Secondary Educational Institution on a Full-Time Basis - How Many?: Please list name and date of birth and city and state (or country, if not in U.S.) of location of educational institution for each: F. ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-3 International Tax Certification A. ( )Have never worked or resided in host country/country of position applying for. (If you check A, skip to C(1) and (2)). B(1) ( )Have - ( )Have Not: filed all required federal, state and local income tax returns in host country/country of position applying for, or have obtained a valid extension or exemption for such filings. B(2) ( )Have - ( )Have not: paid income taxes when due in host country/country of position applying for. C(1) ( )Have - ( )Have Not: filed all required federal, state and local income tax returns in country of citizenship or residency (home country) or have obtained a valid extension or exemption for such filings. C(2) ( )Have - ( )Have not: paid income taxes when due in home country Printed Name: ___________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: ______________________ The Contracting Officer may request documentary evidence of tax compliance in situations where he/she has reason to believe that a Certification may be inaccurate or invalid. The specific documentation requested could vary depending upon country of assignment but examples could include a copy of the tax forms filed, a letter of tax exemption, a tax certification memorandum, etc. Noncompliance with tax law in the country of assignment could result in termination of the contract in accordance with FAR Clause 52.249-12 Termination (Personal Services). This certification will be required on an annual basis prior to the exercise of each contract option period. (End of Certification Page) G. FAR 52.212-3 Applicant Name: _______________________________________ [NOTE: Most applicants will need to complete (d) Representations required to implement provisions of Executive Order 11246, (h) Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Executive Order 12689), and (l) Taxpayer Identification Number 3, 4, and 5]. FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Aug 2009) An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (m) of this provision. (a) Definitions. As used in this provision- "Emerging small business" means a small business concern whose size is no greater than 50 percent of the numerical size standard for the NAICS code designated. "Forced or indentured child labor" means all work or service- (1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or (2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties. "Inverted domestic corporation" means a foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), i.e., a corporation that used to be incorporated in the United States, or used to be a partnership in the United States, but now is incorporated in a foreign country, or is a subsidiary whose parent corporation is incorporated in a foreign country, that meets the criteria specified in 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c). "Manufactured end product" means any end product in Federal Supply Classes (FSC) 1000-9999, except- (1) FSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials; (2) Federal Supply Group (FSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies; (3) FSG 88, Live Animals; (4) FSG 89, Food and Related Consumables; (5) FSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials; (6) FSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible; (7) FSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products; (8) FSC 9610, Ores; (9) FSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and (10) FSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials. "Place of manufacture" means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture. "Restricted business operations" means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate- (1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan; (2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization; (3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan; (4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization; (5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or (6) Have been voluntarily suspended "Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern"- (1) Means a small business concern- (i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and (ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran. (2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16). "Small business concern" means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR Part 121 and size standards in this solicitation. "Veteran-owned small business concern" means a small business concern- (1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and (2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans. "Women-owned business concern" means a concern which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its stock is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women. "Women-owned small business concern" means a small business concern- (1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and (1) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women. (b) (1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications posted on the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website. (2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the ORCA website at http://orca.bpn.gov. After reviewing the ORCA database information, the offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs ______________. [Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (n) of this provision that the offeror has completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer. Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted on ORCA.] (c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas. Check all that apply. (1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that it o is, o is not a small business concern. (2) Veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it o is, o is not a veteran-owned small business concern. (3) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it o is, o is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. (4) Small disadvantaged business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, for general statistical purposes, that it o is, o is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002. (5) Women-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it o is, o is not a women-owned small business concern. Note: Complete paragraphs (c)(6) and (c)(7) only if this solicitation is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. (6) Women-owned business concern (other than small business concern). [Complete only if the offeror is a women-owned business concern and did not represent itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it o is a women-owned business concern. (7) Tie bid priority for labor surplus area concerns. If this is an invitation for bid, small business offerors may identify the labor surplus areas in which costs to be incurred on account of manufacturing or production (by offeror or first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price:____________________________________ (8) Small Business Size for the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program and for the Targeted Industry Categories under the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program. [Complete only if the offeror has represented itself to be a small business concern under the size standards for this solicitation.] (i) [Complete only for solicitations indicated in an addendum as being set-aside for emerging small businesses in one of the designated industry groups (DIGs).] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it o is, o is not an emerging small business. (ii) [Complete only for solicitations indicated in an addendum as being for one of the targeted industry categories (TICs) or designated industry groups (DIGs).] Offeror represents as follows: (A) Offeror's number of employees for the past 12 months (check the Employees column if size standard stated in the solicitation is expressed in terms of number of employees); or (B) Offeror's average annual gross revenue for the last 3 fiscal years (check the Average Annual Gross Number of Revenues column if size st...