Program Modernization Advisor (PMA) (Multiple Positions)

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: Program Modernization Advisor (PMA) (Multiple Positions)
Location: Washington, DC
Salary Level:  GS-14 - $143,913-$187,093 
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: November 2, 2026
Closing Date: November 17, 2026
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number:  PSC-27-007-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: 

U.S. Department of State, ATT: INL/SAO/IM PSC Team, contact@example.gov 

Sincerely,

Jamillah Timmons
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.
Equal employment opportunity policy - The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of:
INL/SAO/IM PSC Team
E-mail: contact@example.gov 

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/SAO/IM PSC Team
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 Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): 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.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Arms Control and International Security (T) within the Department of State (DOS). INL’s mission is to keep Americans safe by countering crime and illegal drugs, abroad by prioritizing delivering tangible benefits to the American people through security assistance, criminal deterrence tools, and diplomatic engagement to address threats at their source. 

INL directly supports Administration priorities to expand security partnerships and counter transnational threats by degrading transnational criminal organizations and narco-terrorists; reinforces the Administration's focus on stopping significant transnational threats by disrupting drugs and crime harming U.S. communities; and advances U.S. foreign policy in a competitive global environment, where adversaries seek to undermine U.S. interests, by expanding U.S. advantage and access in strategically vital regions. INL's mission is supported by policies, programs, and activities in Washington, DC, and over 90 nations with security assistance programs.

INL’s Office of Results and Criminal Deterrence (INL/RCD) advances INL’s mission through criminal deterrence tools, monitoring and evaluation, and technical assistance to maximize the effectiveness of the bureau’s efforts to counter threats and strengthen criminal justice institutions in 90+ countries around the world. RCD’s technical advisory assistance includes developing tools, resources, and standardized approaches; evidence-based criteria; and identifying best practices across law enforcement, counternarcotics, and criminal justice issues.  INL/RCD also assists INL programs and creates efficiencies by identifying, networking, and leveraging expertise from across the bureau and RCD’s broader network. INL/RCD develops and maintains strategic partnerships with international and U.S. municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies and institutions to bring up-to-date and relevant expertise to bear on INL programs. 

The Program Integration and Coordination (PIC) team coordinates within the RCD office and advises across bureau to streamline and improve INL’s foreign assistance program development and implementation through strategic analysis, program reviews, program management tool and resource development, and strategic program design.  The team may provide short-term surge support as needed for top priority issues throughout the bureau.  The PIC team has robust experience managing foreign assistance and development programming, and the majority have direct experience working in INL.  They may support RCD subject matter experts on assessment visits, as well as provide general program management advisory services, ad-hoc mentoring, and formal internal training as requested by INL’s Office of Security Assistance and Operations.  RCD/PIC also serves as a key central node/entry point for general inquiries within the bureau about INL practices.

The purpose of this Personal Services Contract (PSC) is to fill the new position of Program Modernization Advisor (PMA) to support and assist RCD and other INL offices to analyze program needs, define and document the program’s strategy, and develop project level implementing mechanisms, including the work scope, schedule, site-specific considerations, work requirements, milestones, and activities.  This includes contract and grant development, implementation, and oversight needs of INL programs and assistance throughout the acquisition process.  This position may also conduct program reviews of ongoing operations at INL sections abroad, and provide policy analysis, management expertise, and mentoring to INL offices in Washington and overseas.  The PMA’s actions, decisions and recommendations are reviewed based on demonstrated professional judgment, results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Washington- based INL/RCD/PIC Team Lead or his/her designee, the PMA will perform the following duties: 

1.    Serve as a subject matter expert on program management, foreign assistance planning/formulation, and strategic analysis within INL and advise the Post/Bureau on design and implementation of INL program and projects.  
2.    Provide program management advice to inform the design and implementation of INL programs related to degrading TCOs, disrupting drugs and crime, and criminal justice reform, based on strategic threat analysis and criminal justice and foreign assistance best practices.  
3.    Serve as a subject matter expert on INL strategy and programs across various regions, as required.
4.    Design and develop country programs, security assistance projects and activities, including internal planning documents, reviewing external information, and components of implementing mechanism packages for INL approval.  
5.    Using INL Program Design standards, develop and/or analyze statements of work, program plans and objectives, performance measures, change maps, training curricula, policy guidance, and other materials as needed in support of the full spectrum of the criminal justice system.  Assist with oversight of program implementers. Identify areas of success and challenges, and make adjustments as needed.
6.    Work with project stakeholders to analyze program needs, define, and document the program’s work scope, schedule, site-specific considerations, work requirements, milestones, and activities.
7.    Provide expert assistance and guidance to program officers/managers and INL Directors from inception to completion of the implementing mechanism (contract, grant, IO-LOA, IAA) to develop clear, accurate, current, detailed contractual requirements, provide COR/GOR/AOR advisory support for field-based oversight of implementing mechanisms, develop tools to streamline processes and guidance, and provide program managers with oversight best practices.
8.    Represent INL/RCD interests and priorities when coordinating projects among multiple federal agencies and organizations internal and external to DOS.  Facilitate the regular flow of information among stakeholders, such as by organizing, hosting, and documenting project meetings.
9.    Develop relationships within the interagency, within the Department, and INL sections to provide support on managing implementer performance at the corporate INL level through recurring check-in meetings.
10.    As required, serve as AOR or COR on INL/RCD implementing mechanisms.  Evaluate implementer performance and deviations from the agreement requirements through surveillance techniques, including direct observation at the contractor’s work site.  Review and document performance in relation to original contract award amount and completion time, ensuring appropriate approvals.  Monitor, prepare progress reports, and update plans and schedules.  
11.    Review, monitor, and report on the status of multiple agreements to ensure the results achieve the Bureau’s strategic goals.  Establish and maintain appropriate internal management control systems including monitoring and oversight to prevent fraud, waste, and/or mismanagement.
12.    Advise INL program managers on identifying solutions or corrective actions to resolve any problems that interfere with contract progress and with the completion of the contracted project.  In those cases where problems cannot be resolved within the COR/AOR/GOR’s realm of authority, make recommendations to INL management, INL directors in the field, and the Contracting/Grant/Agreement Officer on appropriate corrective action, and assist in implementing these actions upon approval.  
13.    Provide expertise in the development of statements of work for INL sections overseas, including developing standardized criteria to help improve candidate recruitment.  Identify and meet with leading experts throughout the interagency, academia, and elsewhere to develop recruitment criteria that will help ensure INL overseas staff is able to adapt to changing programming priorities.  
14.    Temporarily deploy to INL sections globally to provide training, support INL sections, cover critical management gaps, and ensure appropriate oversight of contracts/awards.    
15.    Assist INL posts and offices in developing and instituting mechanisms and provide training to ensure other INL CORs/GORs/AORs and program managers are accountable for responsible oversight. 
16.    When required, perform the role of Duty Officer.
17.    Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. 
18.    Perform services that fall within the general scope of work and overall INL mission at physical locations other than Washington INL headquarters, including within other INL offices, bureaus, or other USG agencies for a period not to exceed six (6) months.  

TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
1.    Completes all online training mandated by the Department of State (e.g., CT401 (Counter Threat Awareness Training), ethics) within 120 days of contract start date.  
2.    If required by supervisor, completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650). 
3.    If required to serve as AOR or COR on an INL/RCD implementing mechanism, complete the training to obtain the relevant certification (COR or GOR).
4.    Additional training may be required prior to any temporary detail to a U.S. embassy or INL domestic office, to be discussed and approved in coordination with CO and supervisor.
5.    Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR).
6.    Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
The place of performance for this position is Washington, DC. Frequent travel overseas, including to locations where difficult and at times hazardous conditions exist is required. Travel should be expected for at least one week per month on average.

RELATIONSHIPS
The PMA will report to the INL/RCD/PIC Team Lead.    

The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington.  In no instance shall the PIC Team Lead 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 PIC Team Lead will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/SAO/IM Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review.

TELEWORK 
This position allows for situational telework.  Telework is authorized by the supervisor and CO and is subject to change based on Bureau or office needs.

COMPLEXITY
This position involves managing and providing technical program management and oversight expertise for various criminal justice sector reform programs/projects, simultaneously.  The ability to perform complex analysis, meet short deadlines and to multi-task successfully is essential.

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, and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken.  The PSC 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 discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions.

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 l, counternarcotics programs, 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 institution and a minimum of eight (8) years of professional work experience, of which seven (7) years should be directly related to performing functions in program management and/or contractor/grantee oversight for federal foreign assistance programs. 
3.    A minimum of one (01) year of previous AOR experience as defined below:
•    Activities experience -- Performing agreement-related activities, such as developing the agreement package, writing specifications and assisting the Agreements Officer (AO); or
•    Appointed experience -- Performing as an AOR appointed in writing by an Agreements Officer.
4.    Demonstrated experience in program, contract, and procurement management, including the drafting, reviewing, and modification of program documents, Statements of Work, agreement/contract modifications, verifying expenditures and exercising agreement/contract options for federal foreign assistance programs. 
5.    Demonstrated training or experience in foreign assistance administration principles, policies, regulations, and procedures.
6.    Demonstrated knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
7.    Demonstrated experience briefing and engaging with senior government and industry officials.
8.    Demonstrated experience with monitoring and evaluation principles and assessing progress towards objectives.  
9.    Demonstrated experience with and advising others on applying policy and strategy to foreign assistance program planning processes.  

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:    Program Management and Modernization    (30 points)
Demonstrated knowledge of federal procurement (contracts, grants, interagency agreements) and experience with foreign assistance programs, including budgeting, program design, and performance monitoring—preferably with INL. Demonstrated experience as an Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) overseeing agreement compliance. Familiarity with State Department operations, the Foreign Affairs Manual, Federal Travel Regulations, and INL program standards is strongly preferred. 

FACTOR 2:    Communication and Interpersonal Skills        (15 points)
Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate with individuals and institutions outside the chain of command, including senior U.S. government and foreign officials. Proven ability to communicate effectively with U.S. embassy counterparts and adapt quickly to new cultural environments. Excellent oral and written English communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, to include customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

FACTOR 3:    Advisory Services                        (25 points)
Demonstrated experience developing—or advising on—program strategies that align U.S. national security priorities with program design best practices, and coordinating across U.S. government agencies, implementers, and foreign government entities toward common goals. Experience advising on the full program life cycle, including monitoring and evaluation, budgeting, logistics, end-use monitoring, risk mitigation, event planning and execution, accountability, and vendor/contractor coordination. Experience analyzing and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, tools, conclusions, or approaches to problems, considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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 – 30 
Factor #2 – 15 
Factor #3 – 25 
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 GS-14 equivalent level ($143,913 - $187,093 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