R -- U.S. Personnel Service Contractor (PSC) for Food For Peace Information Officer (GS-11 equivalent) in the FFP Office, Policy/Technical Division

SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OAA/DCHA/ AFP-05-533ISSUANCE DATE: January 26, 2005 CLOSING DATE: February 16, 2005; 11:00 A.M. EST SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personnel Service Contractor (PSC) for Food For Peace Information Officer (GS-11 equivalent) in the Food For Peace Office, Policy/Technical Division in Washington, D.C. Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) of qualified individuals from U.S. Citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contractor (PSC) services for one Information Officer position (GS 11 equivalent), Office of Food For Peace - as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Resumes may be attached to the SF-171 or OF-612. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position. Application forms, U.S. Government Standard Form (SF) 171 or Optional Form (OP) 612, can be located at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html The U.S. mail system is not as reliable as other methods of submitting applications, such as courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax or by e-mail. Applicants are responsible for submitting the SF 171 or OF 612, so as to reach the government office designated in the solicitation by the closing date and time specified in the solicitation, regardless of the method of submission. An application received after the closing date and time will be considered late, 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 proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Anne Sattgast, Contract Specialist U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition & Assistance, M/OAA/DCHA/AFP RRB, Room 7.09-145 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20523 Telephone: 202-712-0338 Fax: 202-216-3396 e-mail: asattgast@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. Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their applications. Sincerely, Kimberly J. Ball Contracting Officer Attachment 1 ATTACHMENT: Solicitation for PSC - Food for Peace Information Officer, Policy/Technical Division, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), Office of Food For Peace (FFP) 1. SOLICITATION NO.: M/OAA/DCHA/ AFP-05-533 2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 26, 2005 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: February 16, 2005; 11:00 A.M. EST 4. POSITION TITLE: Office of Food for Peace, Information Officer 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-11 ($52,468 - $68,209). Final compensation will be based upon the candidate's past salary, work history and educational background. Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Eleven Months. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. with possible travel. 8. STATEMENT OF WORK Background: This position is located in the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, Office of Food for Peace (DCHA/FFP), Policy and Technical Division (PTD). The Office of Food for Peace reports directly to the DCHA Assistant Administrator and provides program oversight for U.S. Department of Agriculture P.L. 480 Title II funds administered by USAID. DCHA/FFP manages over $1.2 billion in annual food aid and employs a combined direct-hire and non-direct hire staff of over 60 in Washington D.C. and overseas offices. The PTD is tasked with addressing seven broad policy and programmatic areas: (1) Definition of the Title II food security agenda reflecting legislative parameters and Administration policy; (2) Initiating and maintaining a policy dialogue with external partners and stakeholders including other U.S. Government (USG) agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and other donors; (3) Developing guidance for new or existing strategic programmatic approaches; (4) Directing DCHA/FFP strategic planning and performance reporting; (5) Ensuring the technical quality of activities in the Office priority sectors; (6) Ensuring the timely dissemination of early warning information and its translation into appropriate response; and (7) Updating Title II regulations and ensuring consistency with other Agency regulations and guidelines. The incumbent of this position serves as a Food for Peace Information Officer. The incumbent will be responsible, through the Team Leader, for designing and facilitating a public outreach and communications strategy for DCHA/FFP. In close collaboration with USAID's Public Affairs Office (PAO) in Washington, s/he will produce and disseminate public information about DCHA/FFP activities for both host country and American consumption to educate and promote a better understanding of DCHA/FFP programs. This will require that s/he maintain regular contact with and collaborate with DCHA/FFP headquarter and field staff and DCHA/FFP partners to remain apprised of DCHA/FFP activities and projects. 9. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Information Officer will collaborate and cooperate closely with DCHA/FFP and PAO staff in Washington to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of DCHA/FFP activities and projects. S/he will develop and implement a public relations, communication and outreach strategy that promotes a better understanding of and support for DCHA/FFP programs to external audiences and to ensure a targeted, coherent, and consistent message. S/he will monitor public and international donor opinion concerning DCHA/FFP programs for the purpose of gauging the effect of the information dissemination strategy and provide feedback to inform ongoing activities and future programming. S/he will establish and maintain contacts with representatives of FFP partners and other USG agencies to collect information for weekly and/or bi-weekly reports. As directed by the Team Leader, the Information Officer will work closely with the PAO to respond to inquiries from the general public and the media on DCHA/FFP programs, practices, and any other general information requests. The Information Officer will prepare and update a standard information package on DCHA/FFP programs, for briefings and for distribution to the public and the media. These materials may include program briefing papers, project status reports, maps, photos, and general information. The Information Officer will perform other duties as assigned or required. 10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. 11. SECURITY CLEARANCE This position requires the ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance. Person must be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. 12. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is primarily performed in an office setting although some field travel will be required. Two two-week trips are estimated for travel. 13. POINT OF CONTACT: See Cover Letter. Selective Factors In order to effectively carry out the responsibilities of this position, the following knowledge and skills, listed in relative order of importance, are required: 1. Proven experience in crafting and disseminating information messages in various media formats (e.g. press releases, web-site, etc.) targeting a variety of audiences. 2. Demonstrated professional knowledge and experience to develop, articulate and coordinate an office or organizational public relations, communications and outreach strategy. 3. Good written/oral communication skills and interpersonal skills within a multi-cultural work environment. 4. Knowledge of word processing and familiarity with data bases, electronic mail and web site development 5. Bachelor's degree, preferably in the field of public relations or a related area. =================================================================== BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits (Under Automated Directives System (ADS), "www.usaid.gov/policy/ads") A. Benefits (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Annual Increase (5) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (6) Annual & Sick Leave B. Allowances (if Applicable). * (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (6) Education Allowance (Section 270) (7) Education Travel (Section 280) (8) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and (10) Danger Pay (Section 650) NOTE: None of the above allowances are applicable to this solicitation with the exception of (10) which is ONLY applicable for TDY performance. * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). APPLYING A. Qualified Individuals should note that: 1. Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter or they will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless the Contracting Officer determines that the documents were mishandled by the receiving agency. The closing time for receipt of applications is 11:00 A.M. on the date specified in the covering letter. You are directed to Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15.208 - Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals for further information. 2. 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. B. List of REQUIRED Forms for PSCs (1) Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (2) Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). (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). 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. Forms outlined above can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs CIBs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. To determine which CIBs apply to this contract, please refer to http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/psccibs.html End of Announcement