Police Aviation (ARAVI) Standardization & Operations Advisor

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) You have received this "Personal Services Contractor (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Position Title: Police Aviation (ARAVI) Standardization & Operations Advisor Location: Bogota, Colombia Salary Level: FS-02 - $91,475 - $134,334 (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 20, 2022 Closing date: November 10, 2022 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-23-003-INL Job description: See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a. Paid a non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for any overseas experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. c. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. e. U.S. Citizenship Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 3. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor. 4. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: Dominique Chittum U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP contact@example.gov Sincerely, Katelynn Barham 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/Dominique Chittum E-mail: contact@example.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: contact@example.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President's principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State's mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) within the Department of State (DOS). INL's mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. The U.S. Department of State's (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has program authority derived from the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961, as amended. Under the FAA, INL is responsible for providing assistance to host governments to develop and implement effective counter narcotics, anticrime, and border control programs. The INL section at U.S. Embassy Bogot, established in 1985, is among the largest and most complex INL offices in the world. INL Bogota is charged with developing strategies and programs to achieve international narcotics control, law enforcement, and justice foreign policy objectives. This position supports the U.S. Embassy/International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section (INL) in Bogota, Colombia with the actual workplace located at the Colombian National Police Base (CNP) in Guaymaral in northern Bogota. The goals of INL Bogota include the curtailment of the supply of illegal drugs from Colombia through counter-narcotics and law enforcement operations. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract (PSC) position is to provide a Police Aviation (ARAVI) Standardization & Operations Advisor for the INL Bogota Aviation Program (INL/ARAVI). The incumbent serves as in-country aviation standardization pilot and operations advisor to assist the Senior Aviation Advisor and the INL/ARAVI Program Manager by providing aviation standardization and operations oversight for rotary and fixed wing aircraft, including flight planning, aircraft configuration/standardization, aircrew training program, aviation operations coordination with Colombian authorities, and standardization for program implementation, direction and execution oversight. The incumbent advises/oversees and assists in the development, coordination, and implementation of all aspects of ARAVI Aircrew Training Program and aviation operations in support of counter-narcotics operations. The Aviation Standardization and Operations Advisor reviews, develops, implements and/or contributes to a wide variety of plans, policies, and procedures for supporting INL assets. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Bogota-based INL Senior Aviation Advisor or his/her designee, the Police Aviation (ARAVI) Standardization & Operations Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Develops, coordinates, organizes, and oversees a comprehensive flight standardization program based on Aircrew Training Manuals, standardized aviation operations directives, and standardized guidance for aviation training. 2. Implements, verifies, and supervises a standardized Aviation Safety Plan based on the ARAVI and INL Air Wing Safety directives, to include standardized accident/incident procedures. 3. Reviews and recommends necessary changes to formal courses of instruction, training aids, training programs, training standards, training directives, operations directives, and related material to support the Aviation Standardization Program. Recommends additional training programs as required. 4. Oversees development of Aircrew Training Manuals (ATMs), Minimum Equipment Lists (MEL's), and aerial mission standards and ensures standards are known and met by all aircrew members. 5. Collects, reviews, and disseminates operational data on aviation tactics, techniques, and procedures to support the counter-narcotics missions, including but not limited to eradication, interdiction, mobilities, forward area aerial re-supply, replenishment, force sustainment, firefighting, and host nation aviation training. 6. Maintains constant liaison between the CNP and the U.S. Department of State, INL, Department of Defense and other U.S. and host nation government agencies to maintain information flow between agencies and avoid duplication of effort. 7. Provides analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of ARAVI's aviation program to improve aviation operations and flight safety in support of counter-narcotics missions. 8. Establishes and monitors implementation of an active no-notice pilot evaluation program to ensure pilot proficiency in all required tasks. 9. Develops and implements a flying hour management program to insure the most effective use of aviation assets and monitor use of USG-supported aviation assets. 10. Performs flight duties as a Standardization Pilot in the UH-60 Blackhawk. 11. Monitors short- to long-range training plans to ensure all requirements are met. 12. Identifies best training sources to meet CNP requirements. Maintains contact with U.S. military and civilian training providers. 13. Oversees performance for all 4-6 INL/ARAVI contract instructor/standardization pilots. Advises CNP standardization pilots in command, maintenance test pilots, maintenance evaluators, and instructor pilots. 14. Prepares performance reports for the Senior Aviation Advisor and INL/ARAVI Program Manager and advises them on all aspects of the aircraft standardization and operations program. 15. Performs duties as Contracting Officer's Representative/Government Technical Monitor as assigned, and assists in key equipment acquisitions, training contracts, construction projects. 16. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. 17. Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 2. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post. 3. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 4. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. 5. Completes PT176- Equal Employment Opportunity and Harassment Overview distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post. 6. Completes INL-relevant courses within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post: - PP420 INL Program and Project Management I - PP421 INL Financial Management - PP422 INL Contract Administration, Procurement Policies and Procedures - PP223 Managing Foreign Assistance Awards Overseas - PA222 Monitoring Grants and Cooperative Agreements - PP425 Foreign Assistance Performance Monitoring and Evaluation - PA392 ILMS Overseas Ariba Procurement PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is the US Embassy Bogota, Colombia. Regular travel to rural areas, small towns, and occasionally to large cities throughout Colombia is a requirement of this position. Many of these areas in Colombia are conflict zones where insurgent groups are based, criminal organizations operate, and crime is generally high. In addition, many of these areas in Colombia are tropical, with high temperatures, high humidity, tropical insects and diseases, and minimal infrastructure. RELATIONSHIPS The ARAVI Aviation Standardization and Operations Advisor will serve as a principal advisor to ARAVI Program Manager and report directly to the ARAVI Senior Aviation Advisor for all matters related to Standardization and Operations. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the ARAVI Senior Aviation Advisor or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing. The ARAVI Senior Aviation Advisor will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent's official yearly review. COMPLEXITY Assignments include analysis of all facets of aviation standardization and operations of a fleet of fixed and rotary wing aircraft which function within an integrated program of diverse counter-narcotics missions. These missions include interdiction, eradication, aerial imaging general aviation support, aerial re-supply and replenishment, and host nation aviation training. The Advisor must apply specialized and professional knowledge to oversee aircrew standardization and analyze aircraft operations. The Advisor oversees standardization and operations plans/policies/procedures for the INL/ARAVI program and provides guidance to host-nation counterparts on standardization and operations issues. The Advisor coordinates frequently with other INL/ARAVI advisors, the INL/ARAVI aviation services contractor, and the CNP, and consults with the INL/ARAVI Program Manager and Senior Aviation Advisor regarding ongoing projects. Assignments include development, analysis, and oversight of a comprehensive flight standardization program based on Aircrew Training Manuals, standardized aviation operations directives, and standardized guidance for aviation training. aviation maintenance, quality control, and logistics management and involve a fleet of fixed and rotary wing tactical and transport aircraft that function within an integrated program of diverse counter-narcotics missions. The Advisor performs continuous analysis of interrelated issues of effectiveness and efficiency affecting ARAVI Standardization and Operations that will improve aircraft safety and availability for aviation operations in support of counter-narcotics missions. SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Colombia, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited U.S. institution; or, a. Associates degree with a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a helicopter standardization pilot in a large military or civilian aviation organization. 3. Must possess an FAA helicopter commercial/instrument pilot rating or military equivalent. 4. A minimum of 4,000 hours of helicopter flight time, with 2,000 required in the UH-60. 5. A minimum of four (4) years as a UH-60 Standardization Pilot at the battalion level or higher or the civilian equivalent. 6. Demonstrated experience managing a flight standardization program as the Senior Instructor Pilot. 7. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of aviation aircrew training and standardization programs to include operating directives training and standardization publications, aircrew training manuals, and related documents. 8. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of operational and tactical employment of rotary wing aircraft in counter-narcotics operations including capabilities, limitations, and techniques of employment of program aircraft (UH-1 and UH-60). 9. Demonstrated ability in instructional techniques and ability to deliver training in ground and flight courses. 10. Demonstrated ability to evaluate aeronautical knowledge and skill via oral/written/hands on controls performance evaluations/examinations. 11. Demonstrated broad knowledge of and experience as a staff officer in a medium to large aviation organization, related to the formulation of plans and policies, and procedures pertaining to aircraft operations and standardization programs. 12. Demonstrated ability to read and speak Spanish at the professionally proficient level. 13. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Work Experience (25 points) Demonstrated experience and knowledge in developing, coordinating, organizing, and implementing comprehensive aircrew training programs. Offeror's demonstrated experience in performing oversight and evaluation of instructor and standardization aircrew members. Factor 2: Technical Qualifications (25 points) Demonstrated aeronautical qualifications and flight experience, as well as the ability to provide tactical employment advice and instruction to helicopter pilots. Factor 3: Planning, Analysis, and Coordination (20 points) Demonstrated ability to plan and analyze operational data on aviation tactics, techniques, and procedures to support the counter-narcotics missions. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of tactical employment of rotary wing aircraft in counter-narcotics operations. 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 - 25 Factor #2 - 25 Factor #3 - 20 Total Possible - 70 Points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Past performance evaluation of applicant's ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) This position has been designated at the FS-02 equivalent level ($91,475 - $134,334 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