R -- Solicitation for Services, for US Personal Services Contractor (USPSC), for Democracy and Governance Field Advisor (GS 13 Equivalent) for US Agency for International Development, M/DCHA/DG

SOLICITATION #M-OAA-DCHA-DOFDA-05-1540ISSUANCE DATE: June 15, 2005 CLOSING DATE: July 14, 2005, 5:00 pm, local time SUBJECT: SOLICITATION FOR SERVICES, FOR US PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (USPSC), FOR A DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE FIELD ADVISOR (GS 13 EQUIVALENT) FOR USAID OFFICE OF DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE, BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE Dear Sir or Madam: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612, plus technical narrative) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the Minimum Requirements listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on an evaluation per the Evaluation Factors for Award. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief narrative on each of the Scored Evaluation Factors, as an appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612. This narrative should explain how prior experience and/or education and training address these factors. The Standard Forms SF-171 or OF-612, can be located at: www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms Applicants are responsible for submitting their application, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the closing/due date and time specified in the solicitation, preferably by email to: kstein@usaid.gov. (Hardcopy by mail or hand-carried by courier will be accepted by the closing/due date and time. Otherwise, an application received after the closing date and time will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. Any questions as well as submission of hardcopies of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Kenneth E. Stein, Contracting Officer U.S. Agency for International Development M/OAA/DCHA/DOFDA, RM 7.09-134, RRB 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20523-7900 Telephone: 202-712-5047 e-mail: kstein@usaid.gov Applications that are submitted by courier service or hand carried, must be accepted at the 14th Street entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building. The courier must inform the guard there is a package for Mr. Kenneth E. Stein at phone number 202-712-5047. The guard will contact Mr. Stein to advise there is a package for pick-up at the 14th Street entrance. Packages should not be dropped off at the desk. Mr. Stein or his USAID Office of Acquisitions and Assistance designee must accept the application from the courier. You are directed to Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15.208 - Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals for further information. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all application materials and enclosures. Once received by USAID, submittals cannot be returned. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter, as well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation. List of REQUIRED Forms for PSC Application: 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. (U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 are available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov or at Federal Offices). Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612 prior to any contractual award. Applicants are encouraged to write a narrative appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612 addressing each of the Scored Evaluation Factors listed below. Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. A prerequisite for employment is a completed background investigation that reflects one's qualification for a Secret security clearance. A temporary clearance must be obtained through USAID, prior to award. If the temporary clearance cannot be obtained within a two (2) week period, USAID reserves the right to deny the applicant's proposal from further consideration. A medical clearance may be required post-award; USAID retains the right to terminate for default without severance pay or further compensation, the USPSC, in the event the clearance cannot be obtained. 2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). Acquisition and Assistance policy directives (AAPD) and Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) pertaining to PSCs contain information on USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts, and may be found at the following web site: http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc At the discretion of the Government, the highest ranking applicant(s) may be selected for an interview, have reference checks, and/or be asked to supplemental information, but these are not always necessary. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Subject to the availability of funds. Sincerely, Kenneth E. Stein Contracting Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: M-OAA-DCHA-DOFDA-05-1540 ISSUANCE DATE: June 15, 2005 DUE DATE/CLOSING DATE/TIME: July 14, 2005, 5:00 pm (16:00 Local time, Washington, D.C.) POSITION TITLE: Democracy and Governance Field Advisor for USAID Democracy and Governance Office MARKET VALUE: $74,782 - $97,213 per 2005 Federal cost of living adjustment PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) Year base period, with up to three (3) additional Option Years (maximum of five years) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens Only I. STATEMENT OF WORK INTRODUCTION The Office of Democracy and Governance (DCHA/DG) is one of the larger offices of the Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Bureau (DCHA/DG). DCHA/DG has a staff of 73 including direct hires and others. It is the successor office of the Center for Democracy and Governance that was created in 1994 to provide technical support and guidance to USAID, especially to field missions. DCHA/DG also has an important directive, as did the old Center, to train and strengthen the Agency's cadre of democracy officers. The Office is also charged with managing three congressionally mandated funds grouped together under the rubric of Special Programs to Address the Needs of Survivors (SPANS). The DG Office consists of: Rule of Law, Elections and Political Processes; Civil Society; and Governance- a Strategies Division; a Program and Information Team, and a SPANS team. The Strategies Division coordinates the DG Office's backstopping of field missions and regional bureaus, and works with these operating units to improve the quality of their democratic governance activities. The Program Division also reviews democracy and governance programs to learn from past experiences with a view to improving the Agency's know-how in program design and implementation. The Program and Information Team supports the office's program function; that is, it manages the office's budgeting and procurement processes, reporting, and collects certain statistic information about Agency democracy and governance programs. The subject position will likely start within, but not necessarily be limited to, a new crisis stabilization unit; responsibilities will b geographically - world-wide, varied and dynamic, to reflect changing circumstances facing USAID, he DG office, as well as any changing composition of the team. As a technical office in a pillar bureau, DCHA/DG has also been given the task of being prepared to respond quickly to the failure of governance in weak states such as the collapse of the state in Afghanistan and Iraq. In such situations, technical assistance by DCHA/DG for the timely and punctuated interventions is critical. By definition a failed state is one without governance. For this reason the DG Office, plans to hire one U.S. citizen personal services contractor (USPSC) to be available to deploy to provide fast and flexible assistance targeted at the restoration or establishment of democratic governance. The deployment will be to the affected country and can last from several weeks to as long as one year. When not deployed the PSC's will be integrated into the regular DCHA/DG staff and will work under the direction of the division or team leader to which they are assigned by the DG Office Director. For more information about DCHA/DG and its activities, please see: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/democracy_and_governance. POSITION OVERVIEW The worldwide nature of DG's program requires a DG Field Advisor who can provide immediate consultation on DG projects. The proper execution of DG programs demands that an individual with managerial and operational skills is available for short-term critical work in Washington and the field, determined on a case by case basis, to perform specific operational and advisory functions. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This is a position requiring excellent management skills, a high degree of communications skills and negotiation ability to serve as a liaison between the Office of Democracy and Governance DCHA, USAID Washington, and the USAID Mission, Representative or the US Ambassador (in the absence of a USAID Mission). The incumbent will be sent, on an as needed basis, to a wide range of DG project sites and proposed new country program sites. In some geographic locations this individual will be called upon to work with officials from other international organizations, bilateral donors, and non-governmental organizations. The DG Field Advisor will report to the Deputy Director/Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) or his/her designee. In the capacity of DG Field Advisor the incumbent will be responsible for the following types of activities abroad where DG country programs are in place: assessing the needs of the DG program, evaluating the work of the grantee, and ensuring the various USG interests are coordinated and policy implemented. The Field Advisor will consult with the Deputy Director/CTO, or designee, on a regular basis to develop a clear and coherent basis from which to implement programmatic changes and needs. Assisting in Washington and/or the field with new country program start-ups, providing operational support in periods of need, review and evaluation of ongoing projects, and country-program closeouts will be of particular importance in the work of the Field Advisor. The Field Advisor will, as necessary: * Conduct, with in-country representatives, visits to field sites in areas where DG has projects * Fill critical staffing needs in Washington including the provision of support to new country start-ups and on-call technical assistance * Assess the status of micro-projects and report on all coordination activities and command structures, including the effectiveness of each site's operations * Review and monitor the plans and activities of any DG grantee and ensure coordination of grantee programs with USAID mission and other international organizations * Execute other closeout activities related to DG programs and provide technical assistance to ongoing evaluations of DG programs in the field. In new country programs, the DG Field Advisor will as necessary: * Participate in assessing the feasibility of the country as a potential candidate for an DG program * Participate in conceptualizing and designing the country program, with project managers of DG and its grantees * Serve as a liaison with other DCHA offices, other USAID divisions and the State Department to ensure program and policy direction * Within the guidelines provided by the relevant DG/Washington Team Leader, negotiate program and project agreements with governmental and non-governmental counterparts * Develop relationships with NGOs, international donors, USG agencies and others interested in the DG country program; * Assess project sites and participate in selecting contractors and grantees to work under DG's country program; * In close collaboration with the relevant DG/Washington Team Leader, assist the development of DG strategies and policies for the country * Monitor and evaluate the country program, individual projects, and contractor and grantee performance * Perform other duties as assigned WORK ENVIRONMENT Because of the need for quick response and creativity in complex situations, the Field Advisor is expected to operate with autonomy, responsibility and authority. The sensitive nature of the work demands that the incumbent be an individual with good skills of social interaction and a skilled interpreter of politically charged situations. Since work may require continued changes in program direction, implementation and coordination, the individual will be someone who is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change. II. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWAED Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of the Evaluation Factors. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the OF-612 or SF-171 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses each of the B. Scored Evaluation Factors, below. A. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS * A minimum of six (6) years of professional experience and project management in support of USG foreign affairs agencies or international affairs organizations * A degree in the fields of international development, social sciences or equivalent. * U.S. citizenship * A USAID security clearance at the Secret level, and building pass are required. A temporary clearance must be obtained through USAID, prior to award. If the temporary clearance cannot be obtained within a two (2) week period, USAID reserves the right to deny the applicant's proposal from further consideration. Thereafter, the US PSC contractor may be allowed to commence work prior to the completion of the subsequent Security clearance process. However, upon the date the Advisor is determined to be unable to obtain the required Security clearance, this Contract will be immediately terminated for default, with no severance pay or any other reimbursement allowed. * A medical clearance may be required post-award. Inability to obtain the medical clearance may require the termination for default of the contract without any severance pay or further compensation. B. SCORED EVALUATION FACTORS The applicant should provide a narrative that addresses each of the following: 1. Experience working and communicating with US foreign policy agencies, American embassies, or related NGOs, overseas to achieve critical, high profile objectives - 30 Points 2. Experience operating independently in complex political or emergency situations in pre/post-conflict countries or countries undergoing political transitions - 25 Points 3. Experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Democracy and Governance, relief and/or development activities, including small grant activities - 20 Points 4. Writing and interpersonal communication experience and skills, demonstrating an ability to communicate and represent DG values and ethos to key partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries both within and without the USG, and in multi-disciplinary teams from all walks of life and varying geographic and political environments - 15 Points 5. Reading, writing and speaking fluency in a foreign language, with preference given to French and/or Spanish - 10 Points C. SUPPLEMENTAL REVIEWS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Interviews, reference contacts, writing samples and/or other supplemental information may be required at the discretion of the Government. III. MARKET VALUE/CONTRACOR'S COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT The position is the equivalent of a GS-13. If the selected candidate resides in locality pay area of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the salary range is $74,782 to $97,213. The actual salary of the successful candidate will be negotiated within the daily pay range depending on qualifications, salary and work history, experience and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: A. Benefits: (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave (only earned for actual work days) B. Allowances (If Applicable): (1) Post Differential (Chapter 500*) and (2) Danger Pay (Section 650*) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. IV. DURATION OF CONTRACT. The duration of this contract will be for 24 months, with up to three (3), twelve (12) month Option Years.