INL 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: INL Coordinator Location: Belmopan, Belize Salary Level: FS-02 - $88,619 - $130,140 (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: October 7, 2020 Closing Date: October 19, 2020 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-21-001-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 received 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: Victoria V. Stewart U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP contact@example.gov Sincerely, Amy M. Kara 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. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Victoria V. Stewart E-mail: contact@example.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Victoria V. Stewart 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 the interests of the American people, their safety, and economic prosperity by leading America's foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. INL's Office of Western Hemisphere Programs (INL/WHP) develops narcotics control, citizen security, anti-transnational organized crime (TCO), and justice sector reform policy initiatives for partner nations in the Western Hemisphere. INL/WHP provides overall program and policy direction for INL narcotics, border security, justice sector, and citizen security assistance programs at overseas posts, develops and revises associated strategies, and coordinates program development with other U.S. agencies. The INL Section at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize is responsible for law enforcement and criminal justice reform foreign assistance activities intended to improve border security, increase effective interdiction of illicit trafficking, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The INL Coordinator is responsible for the day?to?day management of the INL-Belize office, is INL's primary contact with the host government law enforcement, border security, and justice sector officials, assesses and responds to opportunities to improve institutional capacity with the development of training and professionalization programs, and provides advice and guidance to Embassy leadership. The Coordinator oversees the INL foreign assistance programs, budgets, and personnel in Belmopan. He or she also oversees projects that combine U.S. interagency and subject matter experts with trainers from the region to improve and standardize police professionalization, improve border security, advance the counternarcotics and anti-transnational organized crime capability of the Government of Belize, improve the efficacy of the Belizean criminal justice system, and support regional information sharing and interoperability. The primary purpose of this Personal Services Contract (PSC) is to serve as the INL Coordinator to the INL Section in Belmopan, Belize. The position is responsible for program management services to include design, development, planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring and evaluation of the INL Section's counternarcotics, anti-transnational organized crime, citizen security, and justice sector projects with a combined budget of approximately $1.5 million annually. In this capacity, the Coordinator provides guidance and recommendations on wide?ranging policy and technical law enforcement matters relative to United States foreign assistance through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Belmopan-based POL/ECON/INL Section Chief or his/her designee, the INL Coordinator will perform the following duties: Manage 1. Manage the operations of an 11-person team of Locally Employed Staff (LES) and Third Party Contractors. 2. Prioritize strategic, programming, and daily work activities. 3. Ensure that all programming, and associated spending, is carried out in accordance with U.S. Embassy and Department of State goals, objectives, and regulations; and is done in coordination with INL/WHP. 4. Ensure all programming contains clearly defined goals, benchmarks, roles and responsibilities, spending plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans in accordance with U.S. Embassy and Department of State goals, objectives, and regulations. 5. Conducts periodic reviews to determine if programs are meeting those clearly defined goals and benchmarks. 6. Exercise oversight of the annual program (approximately $1.5 million) and administrative funds (approximately $1.2 million) INL-Belize budget. 7. Ensure all INL-Belize staff, including advisors and other contractors, are well-versed in U.S. Embassy and Department of State goals, objectives, and regulations and that staff is designing and vetting programming in line with stated goals and objectives. Advise 8. Advise Embassy and INL/WHP Leadership on the best strategy to develop institutions that address strategic objectives in Belize and the region, and contribute to a more just society, including the police, the judiciary, and civil society. 9. Coordinate with U.S. interagency and Belizean officials and draw on subject matter expertise to make determinations about strategy and programming. 10. Participate in the Embassy Law Enforcement Working Group and Country Team. Report, advise, and coordinate with both bodies on INL strategy and programming, programming options, and other areas where INL can assist in achieving Department of State and Post strategic goals. Assess 11. Participate in the continual analysis and evaluation of law enforcement and justice sector institutions in Belize. Identify opportunities for effective criminal justice sector programs in Belize, including law enforcement support, prosecutorial reform, anti-transnational organized crime, rule of law, counternarcotics, and other security issues as appropriate. The Coordinator will draw on subject matter expertise in program management involving U.S. government assistance. The incumbent will also be responsible for overall management of these programs. 12. Assess systematic deficiencies in Belizean institutional capacity in security and justice sector services. Advise on and provide oversight of INL-Belize and implementing partner efforts to introduce reforms and training programs to strengthen capacity. 13. Oversee the evaluation of interdiction programs, and narco- and human-trafficking trends to ensure INL-supported programs are responding effectively to evolving threats and are meeting targets towards project goals. 14. Oversee the evaluation of border security and interdiction programs to determine if programs or procedures utilize INL Section funding effectively and are meeting targets towards project goals. 15. Assess impact of INL projects and progress against strategic goals. 16. Oversee field surveys, evaluations, and special studies, as directed. Maintain Political Liaison 17. Serve as a primary interlocutor between the U.S. Embassy and high-level Government of Belize criminal justice, border security, and law enforcement officials on U.S. law enforcement and justice sector assistance. 18. Generate support for and active advancement of U.S. policy objectives with key host government officials. Coordinate with U.S. interagency representatives at Embassy Belmopan and/or in the region, as needed, to ensure a coherent approach to law enforcement and justice sector assistance. 19. Maintain close and effective communication and coordination with INL Directors in Central America, and INL/WHP, to keep all stakeholders apprised of reform efforts in Belize that may be applicable or beneficial to INL programming and planning in Central America. Program Planning, Development, and Execution 20. Lead the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of programs in Belize in accordance with U.S. Embassy and Department of State goals and objectives, and in coordination with INL/WHP. Provide overall management and oversight of program implementation, while monitoring and reporting significant developments. Evaluate and report program results. As necessary, direct mid-course adjustments and close out programs when complete. 21. Serve as the Contracting Officer's Representative and/or Grants Officer Representative for INL-Belize projects as needed. Program, Contracting, and Budget Planning 22. Provide strategic planning and process development on all phases of project execution from development through implementation, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, and coordination. 23. Ensure all INL-Belize programs follow standardized processes internally and conform to the laws of the Government of Belize. 24. Liaise actively with INL/WHP to ensure regular coordination of objectives, key issues, obstacles, and successes. 25. In coordination with INL/WHP, develop budget plans for INL-Belize and regional CARSI programs to ensure projects are in accordance with policies and objectives of U.S. goals and objectives. 26. Provide analysis and guidance in project budget preparation, and program planning. 27. Coordinate with host government officials on projects that support United States and partner-nation counter organized crime and institution building objectives. Integration of Complimentary Programs 28. Work with U.S., Belizean, other donor, and regional institutions and agencies to ensure the full integration of training and development efforts to create new internal control systems, civil society outreach, demand reduction, rule of law, and culture of lawfulness. End Use Monitoring 29. Ensure U.S. Government-provided commodities and equipment are utilized effectively. Oversee implementation of continuous oversight and end use monitoring of all programming to ensure no fraud, waste, or mismanagement occurs in the program. Working and Supervisory Responsibilities 30. Manage contracts and other procurement mechanisms, grants, and agreements with multilateral organizations put in place to achieve program objectives. 31. Supervise U.S. contractors funded under the program, Locally Employed Staff, Third Party Contractors (TPCs), Eligible Family Members (EFMs), and other personal services contractors, as assigned. 32. Establish and maintain appropriate internal management control systems. Ensures that INL programs are not subject to waste, fraud, or mismanagement. 33. When required, perform the role of Duty Officer 34. Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. Briefings and Reporting 35. Prepare, coordinate, and ensure the timely issuance of both one-time and periodic reports on all INL-Belize programs to include the impact of programs on illicit trafficking, including narcotics, institutional strengthening, and public support for security services. Prepare periodic State Department cables, status reports, budget reports, and program reviews. Track progress of programming, including training, in achieving larger CARSI Initiative goals. 36. Prepare reports for and briefings to Embassy Belmopan Front Office and INL/WHP on program and management updates on at least a weekly basis in coordination with and through the Pol/Econ/INL Chief. 37. Arrange and/or provide escort and develop appropriate itineraries for official travelers. 38. Brief Department of State, Congressional, Staff Delegations, Host Country officials, and other selected international dignitaries on the U.S. and partner government illicit trafficking control, police reform, and criminal justice programs as they pertain to INL-Belize programs. Security of Training Teams and Personnel 39. Advise the Political, Economic, and INL (POL/ECON/INL) Section Chief and the Regional Security Officer (RSO) on matters related to personnel and physical security at all training locations and personnel operating in support of INL-Belize. 40. Maintain security awareness and properly handles classified and controlled items and information. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Complete the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 90 days of arriving at Post. Certification must continue throughout life of contract. 2. Complete the required Grants Officer Representative distance learning (DL) courses through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and obtains GOR certification within 90 days of arriving at Post. Certification must continue throughout life of contract. 3. Complete the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the 90 days of arriving at Post. 4. Complete the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 5. Complete INL 101 Training within first year at Post. 6. Complete online EEO and Harassment Training within 30 days of arriving at Post. 7. Complete all other required courses, including Cyber-Security Awareness, Records Management, and Ethics. 8. Consultations with the INL/WHP Program Officer in Washington, D.C. may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize. The incumbent is required to travel throughout Belize, Central America, and the United States as mandated by the needs of the program and/or at the direction of the POL/ECON/INL Section Chief or their designee. RELATIONSHIP The Coordinator will receive general guidance from and report directly to the POL/ECON/INL Section Chief. The Coordinator is expected to work closely with the U.S. Embassy senior management, INL/WHP, and other U.S. Government agency senior managers. The Coordinator is expected to work with Embassy Belmopan Country Team and the INL/WHP Program Officer in Washington, D.C., in the development, management, and improvement of INL programs throughout Belize. As a recognized authority in financial and organizational management of INL programs, the Coordinator will receive guidance on administrative and policy direction concerning overall program priorities and objectives in support of the overall Embassy Belmopan and INL strategy. Specific assignments originate frequently from liaison activities and the Coordinator negotiates the draft scope and project objectives independently with little direction from the supervisor. The Coordinator may deal with principal and senior management representatives from private sector firms with existing or pending contractual relationships with the DOS, as well as Congressional staffs. The Coordinator shall maintain contact with senior Government of Belize officials, including within the police and justice sectors. COMPLEXITY This position involves strategic vision, management skills, planning, organizing, and completing financial and organizational analysis. 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, determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken, and in actual implementation. The Coordinator 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 AND EFFECTIVENESS The Coordinator performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative and financial programs spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, counternarcotics, and illicit trafficking programs in Belize, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. PHYSICAL DEMANDS In Belize, the work requires frequent travel to remote areas, often times accessible only by unpaved roads. Extended onsite visits to project sites will occasionally be required, necessitating the ability to walk medium to longer distances (hundreds of yards or more) on generally irregular dirt or stone surfaces, in both hilly and flat terrain, and in jungle and mountainous areas. Those who use wheelchairs, have respiratory difficulties, or require assistance walking will find this difficult. Additionally, those undergoing medical treatment or taking certain medicines that limit their physical or mental abilities may find it difficult to adhere to the limitations recommended by their physician(s). GUIDELINES Guidelines consist of U.S. Government and Department of State Acquisition Regulations, and accepted legal principles and theories. In addition, the Coordinator must be able to determine application of basic administrative policy statements concerning the issue or problem being studied, and may include reference to pertinent legislative history, related court decisions, state and local laws, or policy initiatives of agency management. The Coordinator must also consider and adhere to various other existing federal regulations, and the interaction between DOS policies, legislation, the Foreign Assistance Act, and other authorization and appropriations in the INL account, applicable National Security and Presidential Decision Directives, OMB Circulars, and DOS financial operating procedures and policies. The Coordinator is recognized as a substantive authority on overall management and/or interpretation of guidance on program and project planning and evaluation in a specialized area. 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 and medical clearances. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to TS level may be required). 2. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience. 3. A minimum six (6) years of experience related to project management in international development and/or international affairs, of which three (3) of those years were in a supervisory capacity. 4. A minimum two (2) years of experience abroad managing bilateral or multilateral criminal justice and security assistance programs in the developing world. 5. Demonstrated experience in planning, strategizing, implementing, and reporting on foreign assistance programs and projects. 6. Demonstrated experience monitoring and evaluating programs for efficacy and strategic impact. 7. Demonstrated experience writing training plans, statements of works, standard operating procedures, and detailed instructions. 8. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with U.S. Government regulations, standards of conduct, and ethics. EVALUATION CRITERIA (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Program Management (20 Points) Demonstrated knowledge of foreign assistance program management concepts, practices, and principles including the ability to prioritize requests, develop, and track program plans and implementation timelines, and analyze results to effectively manage programs for maximum impact in support of U.S. government objectives. Demonstrated ability to provide subject matter expertise (SME) in designing, implementing, and monitoring justice and security assistance programs as the principal manager and advisor. Prior INL and/or U.S. government law enforcement/counter-trafficking/border security/justice reform coordination experience, preferably in the Central American or Caribbean context. Factor 2: Coordination and Collaboration (20 points) Demonstrated relevant experience planning and developing security and/or justice sector projects; demonstrated ability to coordinate with host-country civilian and government officials, and international donor community; demonstrated ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural and overseas environment; and experience deploying techniques for improved law enforcement and prosecutorial institutions. Demonstrated ability to advise program officers and U.S. government Embassy officials on project implementation and provide guidance on policy decisions related to project goals. Preferred experience and ability in managing police or justice assistance programs to enhance the rule of law. Preferred experience working/coordinating with the U.S. interagency and Embassy officials. Factor 3: Supervisory and Leadership (30 points) Demonstrated successful supervisory and leadership experience in a multi?cultural environment, including mentoring and counseling program managers and advisors. Preferred experience managing implementers (grantees or contractors) and locally employed staff. Demonstrated ability to provide sound and timely decisions regarding policies and procedures. Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse team successfully and interact effectively with a wide range of U.S. and foreign national personnel at all levels of an organization and within a foreign government. Proven record managing and providing and providing oversight, including reporting and monitoring, of complex capacity-building/foreign assistance programs in an overseas environment. Demonstrated ability to prepare written and oral reports/briefings to a wide range of audiences. 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 - 20 Factor #2 - 20 Factor #3 - 30 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 FS02 equivalent level ($88,619 to $130,140 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