Justification other than full and open competition for a short term (less than six months) USPSC Economic Growth Office Director

Background Starting in September 2015, Bangladesh has experienced a campaign of violent attacks carried out by groups affiliated with or inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS). These incidents have been directed at a wide range of targets, including foreigners, Bangladesh government, military and police officials, religious minority communities and secular activists. In total, ISIS has publicly claimed credit for over 25 attacks, while AQIS has claimed over 10. Several lethal attacks on police officers in 2015 have also been claimed by ISIS militants. In September 2015, an Italian aid worker was shot and killed while jogging in the diplomatic quarter. Last year, an AQIS-affiliated group brutally murdered a USAID Foreign Service National (FSN) employee, Xulhaz Mannan. Mr. Mannan was targeted for being a well-known activist supporting human rights for Bangladesh's LGBT community. In July 2016, militants took hostages at a bakery/caf frequented by the international community. The militants killed 20 hostages, including 18 foreigners and 2 Bangladeshis. Accordingly, the U.S. Embassy has adopted a security posture for all Chief of Mission (COM) personnel that includes strict movement restrictions. U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) and other ex-pat COM personnel may only travel freely within a two mile square sub-area of the diplomatic enclave, within enclosed personal vehicles between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm. Movement on foot, by bicycle or any other uncovered vehicle is expressly prohibited. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy is an unaccompanied post and family members that do not have jobs within the U.S. Embassy or affiliated institutions, such as the American Independent School Dhaka and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) are not authorized to live in Bangladesh. In light of these events, and given that Bangladesh has been historically difficult to staff even in the best of times, recruiting to fill Foreign Service Officer (FSO) positions has become more challenging. To attract FSO's the Mission made the decision to change from a four year tour post to a two year tour post. However, in 2016 and 2017, almost half of the vacant FSO positions were unfilled. For the past year, the Office Director position for the Office of Economic Growth (EG) has remained vacant and the two Deputy Office Directors rotated as Acting Officer Director. Both Deputy Directors in EG completed their tours in Bangladesh in the summer of 2017. The EG Office Director position was not filled by the Special Bidding Opportunity that took place in May of this year. As both EG Deputy Directors having departed post, EG has a vacuum in leadership. One Deputy Director arrived in July and the second Deputy Director will arrive in September. However, both are new to Bangladesh and must focus on the responsibilities of leading their individual teams within EG (Feed the Future and Global Climate Change). Post is hopeful that a FSO will bid on the position of EG Office Director, either during priority bidding in August or in the major listing in October. In March of this year Post requested an exemption to the hiring freeze from M Bureau to solicit and hire a U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) for the position of EG Office Director. M Bureau approved the requested exemption to solicit and hire a USPSC for the position of EG Office Director. Accordingly, Post has solicited for a long term U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC). However, hiring a long-term PSC or waiting for a FSO to bid on the position will take some time and the Office of Economic Growth needs interim leadership. In order to fill the Mission's immediate staffing needs, the Mission will hire a short-term PSC of not more than six months for the EG Office Director position for immediate placement, followed by a long-term using the same authorization, ensuring that there is no overlap with the two positions. A PSC short-term veteran FSO, thoroughly familiar with managing a large office, is needed to lead EG until an incoming Office Director is hired through a long term PSC contract, or a FSO bids on the Office Director position. Justification Given the current conditions, with informal market research, a limited competition was conducted to find an experienced EG Office Director. Five retired, former Foreign Service Officers were contacted in an attempt to find a short-term Office Director to fill the current gap. The five candidates were required to submit an application package including a cover letter, a completed and signed Optional Application for Federal Employment Form (Form AID-302-3), and a current resume/curriculum vitae. Of the five former FSOs contacted, two did not respond and three expressed interest and availability. The documents submitted by each candidate were reviewed along with candidate availability. Subsequently, the three candidates were evaluated and ranked based on experience, skills and abilities, knowledge, education and language. One candidate lacked the required experience for the position. The second candidate did have the required experience; however, his most recent experience was not directly related to the position. Additionally, the second candidate had limited recent experience in the Asia region. The third candidate has multiple years of experience in the Asia region, including recent experience in Bangladesh. Additionally, the third candidate's cover letter clearly detailed his work experience relative to the position, including experience supervising staff, and extensive knowledge of the economic growth sector. After reviewing the candidates, Mr. Handler was selected. Following a reference check of Mr. Handler, the Mission determined that given his qualifications, he would be the ideal individual to fill the short-term void. The expectation is that Mr. Handler will assume this role for not longer than six months, until an offshore PSC is hired, or a FSO bids on the position. AUTHORITY: AIDAR 706.302-70 gives the Contracting Officer authority to use other than full and open competition for awards involving a personal services contractor serving abroad.