Laboratory Services Advisor to serve in Port au Prince, Haiti

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 2010-N-11861 and this is a request for proposal. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-37. The position solicited is a Laboratory Services Advisor to serve in Port au Prince, Haiti under a Personal Services Contract (PSC). The Personal Services Contract is an employment contract between CDC and an individual. The PSC creates an employer-employee relationship that allows CDC to exercise supervision and control over the contractor performing the roles and responsibilities outlined in the contract. The PSC mechanism does not allow for hiring host country nationals or permanent legal residents of the host country, as these individuals must be hired thru the U.S. Embassy. Area of Consideration United States citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and third country nationals are eligible for this position. Citizens and permanent residents of Haiti are not eligible under this solicitation. 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 of 60 months. The solicitation, conditional offer, and clearance process takes about 4 months and the estimated start date is or on or about April 18, 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 up to 75% of premium cost is reimbursable) and life insurance (this is optional - up to 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) which does not allow domestic PSCs. d. Post Cost of Living Allowance, Post Differential, Post Living Quarters Allowance, 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: This position is located in CDC/NCHHSTP/GAP with a duty station in Port au Prince, HAITI. Incumbent independently provides support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) implemented by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Global AIDS Program (GAP) in Haiti. Incumbent serves as the primary technical expert and point-of-contact for all USG activities under PEPFAR intended to improve the capacity for training and education, information systems, standards and quality assurance, and strengthening the infrastructure for HIV-related laboratory testing services, blood safety, and infant diagnosis in Haiti. Incumbent provides guidance on scientific, policy and practices associated with HIV laboratory testing, blood safety, and infant diagnosis in Haiti. This effort is designed to help CDC Haiti implement and expand critical program activities related to the rapid development and implementation of PEPFAR activities in Haiti. This includes the development, modification, and/or adaptation of appropriate technical strategies and tailored approaches for improving laboratory, blood safety, and infant diagnosis infrastructure activities. Incumbent makes recommendations to the USG and MOH/National Lab counterparts on approaches to enhancing and improving technical services and activities in Haiti. Incumbent has responsibility for organizing strategic planning exercises, coordinating the development and implementation of laboratory, blood safety, and infant diagnosis infrastructure activities and processes, and ensuring that the USG strategy for these service delivery components is in line with national policies. Incumbent will work to achieve consensus among stakeholders on plans, approaches, and respective roles for the USG, MOH/National Lab, and all other collaborating partners. Incumbent plays a major role in updating laboratory and blood safety guidelines, training materials, and in organizing the training of laboratory personnel and health care providers to improve the quality of HIV-related laboratory services. Incumbent works to ensure appropriate supervision and quality assurance measures at the MOH/National laboratory and other MOH associated laboratories in Haiti. Incumbent plays an essential role in developing the Country Operational Plans (COP), annual work plans, and regular progress reports for CDC GAP, OGAC, and other collaborating partners. Major Duties of the Position: Technical Leadership, Communication, and Advocacy: 40% As a focus country under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), incumbent performs these functions with an annual PEPFAR Haiti budget for laboratory, blood safety, and infant diagnosis support in the area of $10 million annually. The budgetary level for the laboratory component of the Haiti Country Operational Plan is expected to remain relatively constant over the next 5 years. Serves as a senior member of the CDC GAP management team and has primary responsibility for overseeing the development and evaluation of all PEPFAR supported laboratory program activities and objectives in Haiti. Serves as the primary technical expert and point of contact for all HIV/AIDS laboratory enhancement activities supported by the Haiti USG team (includes USAID, the USG treatment and laboratory work groups, Emergency Plan funded implementing partners, SCMS, APHL, ASM, and the MOH/National Lab). Provides technical guidance, assistance and support to the Haiti MOH/National Lab for the planning, coordination and implementation of HIV/AIDS laboratory, blood safety, and infant diagnosis enhancement activities. Maintains liaison with the host government, and with international and non-governmental organizations to assure cooperation and coordination of HIV laboratory services and activities, with minimal overlap and unnecessary duplication. Provides assistance in developing training programs for MOH National Laboratory personnel, recommends training, and assists in identifying and arranging CDC GAP or other training activities for MOH/National Lab and other implementing partners' laboratory support personnel in Haiti. Advises the CDC Country Director, and ensures that priorities, goals and objectives are established and followed, are consistent with the mission, policies, and standards of CDC and the Haitian government. Assists in ensuring that appropriate quality assurance standards for blood safety, infant diagnosis and laboratory support for counseling and testing programs and other essential HIV services are developed and implemented at the national and zonal reference laboratories. Reviews HIV/AIDS blood safety, infant diagnosis, laboratory quality assurance, and lab record keeping procedures and testing algorithms for conformance to recommended USG and host country standards. Analyzes HIV/AIDS laboratory services procedures to assess needed enhancements, internal and external quality assurance procedures, and testing algorithms at national and zonal reference laboratories. Communicates with MOH/National Lab and other PEPFAR-funded collaborating lab partners to assure cooperation in attaining program objectives and standards. Coordinates Emergency Plan-related laboratory support partner meetings. Conveys, translates and links CDC-Haiti and PEPFAR requirements to implementing partners. Responds to questions and advises implementing partners and technical staff on CDC-Haiti and OGAC guidelines and requirements. Maintains liaison with host government, international and non-governmental organizations to assure cooperation and coordination of laboratory services activities with minimal overlap and unnecessary duplication. Coordinates actions of extramural PEPFAR partners (for those with Laboratory components) and Atlanta program offices to best meet host country needs and priorities. Project Review and Analysis: 30% Incumbent collaborates with multi-cultural teams, partner agencies, and at meetings of technical strategy and policy groups, where he/she provides technical assistance and advice on laboratory, blood safety, and infant diagnosis activities based on the latest relevant epidemiologic and scientific knowledge, translated into program guidelines and practices for Haiti. Serves as a project officer for specific laboratory cooperative agreements, and reviews, analyzes and evaluates all related project proposals, grant applications, and programmatic funding requests for conformance with PEPFAR program guidelines, grant regulations, budget ceilings, and other OGAC/CDC related policies. Meets with implementing partners, evaluates performance, discuses program modification, and the re-programming of funds due to non-expenditure or changing needs. Makes award and funding recommendations to the CDC GAP Country Director. Reviews the objectives of budget proposals to determine if they are appropriate and realistic. Reviews related award requests (project documents) received from implementing partners for conformance to programmatic approvals and technical recommendations by CDC (GAP and PGO), and assures the accuracy of obligations. Periodically reviews project(s) activities implemented under cooperative agreements with MOH/National Lab and other collaborating partners' staff to resolve any discrepancies in accomplishing award actions or adjustments, in line with laboratory program policies. Participates on an interagency task force team to review and assess all planned strategies by the MOH/National Lab and various collaborating partners in order to strengthen and improve laboratory services. Incumbent plays a critical role in the Country Operational Planning budget process (e.g., evaluating partner performance to determine budget needs and funding priorities to support technical areas). Reviews current guidelines and makes recommendations on how to strengthen existing laboratory programs. Develops and implements an operational research agenda that is consistent with the activities and budget outlined in the Country Operational Plan (COP). Advises the CDC Country Director on other tasks related to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities in support of HIV/AIDS laboratory, blood safety, and infant diagnosis services in Haiti. Monitoring and Evaluation: 30% Participates in analysis of data and oversees the preparation of technical HIV/AIDS laboratory reports for the Emergency Plan annual reports and the development of the Country Operational Plan (COP). Responds to issues related to laboratory support within the U.S. mission and with implementing partners. Liaises closely with all CDC-Haiti supported laboratory related activities to provide analyses and reports as required, including presentations at national, regional, and international meetings and conferences. Monitors and evaluates HIV/AIDS laboratory strengthening activities supported by the USG through PEPFAR in Haiti, and recommends improvements. Coordinates activities with other branches in CDC GAP to address laboratory program goals and objectives, and to support related epidemiological studies. Negotiates with host government and other implementing partners to support multi-agency projects, and develops and monitors interagency agreements to conduct various laboratory projects as required. Manages the collaborative program design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of PEPFAR supported laboratory activities throughout Haiti. Communicates with MOH/National Lab and collaborating partners to assure cooperation in attaining program objectives. Coordinates all Emergency Plan laboratory-related partners meetings. Conveys, translates and links CDC-Haiti and PEFAR laboratory-associated requirements to implementing partners. Responds to questions and advises CDC implementing partners and technical staff on CDC and OGAC guidelines and requirements. Develops and implements the processes and procedures to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of laboratory-related program activities. Provides oversight for all PEPFAR-supported laboratory program management and monitoring activities. Participates in strategic planning including the development of short- and long-term objectives for CDC-Haiti-supported laboratory-related activities. Plans for laboratory technical assistance visits from CDC-Atlanta and other implementing support partners. Develops and maintains open communication with CDC-Atlanta, MOH/National Lab, Embassy Port au Prince, RPSO, USAID, DOD, and other collaborating partners to assure overall coordination of CDC-Haiti supported laboratory activities. Leverages and integrates the strengths and resources of other donors, including other PEPFAR agency partners, into planning. Ensures that all PEPFAR-supported laboratories are managed according to established CDC policies and principles, as well as to sound scientific and fiscal management practices, including appropriate bio-safety and quality control (QC) standards. Independently plans, summarizes, and writes up the findings of laboratory assessments and operational research studies (sometimes as co-author), to be used for reports of record, proposals, publications, and for presentations at national and international meetings on HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Attends seminars and symposia related to laboratory support services and provides expert advice to CDC Haiti and Haitian national advisory bodies. 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 esw2@cdc.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-11861 Haiti 2920 Brandywine Road Atlanta, GA 30341-5539 Facsimile copies will not be accepted. 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 copy of Passport Page, 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: Thorough knowledge of modern laboratory functions related to HIV/AIDS, blood safety and infant diagnosis activities. Must be current with the broad and rapidly evolving fields of knowledge on HIV laboratory techniques through reviews of technical, scientific, and medical peer-reviewed literature as well as information, journals and websites produced by respected scientific organizations. Knowledge of laboratory methods related to communicable diseases is required. Must be familiar with the concepts, strategies, principles, policies, and practices of HIV/AIDS prevention programs in general. Must be familiar with the overall goals and objectives of the CDC, the Global AIDS Program, and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). b) Education: Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Biomedical Research, Laboratory Science, or Biology is required. c) Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the overall management of at least one of the following areas: medical microbiology (e.g., knowledge of methods for the isolation and identification of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) or clinical laboratory science (i.e., knowledge of laboratory methods in hematology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, urinalysis, etc.) is required. At least three years of the following experience: modern management and leadership practices; quality assurance practices; statistics; laboratory health and safety practices; and, development of research protocols is required. At least one year of professional experience in laboratory, blood safety, or other public health program management. d) Language skills: Level IV English fluency (written and spoken) is required. Level IV French fluency (written and spoken) is required. f) Skills: must be proficient in the Microsoft Office suite of programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). 2. Desired Qualifications: a) Knowledge of the Organization: Knowledge of CDC and USG operations and regulations is desired. Knowledge of the laboratory systems, policies, and procedures used in Haiti is desirable. Familiarity with international and Haitian national institutions and the health system, civil society, and academia insofar as their activities and attitudes may impact on HIV/AIDS laboratory, blood safety and infant diagnosis activities is desired. b) Language skills: Level II (limited knowledge) or better Haitian Creole comprehension and speaking is desired. 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 in...