Regional Maritime Law Enforcement 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: Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Advisor Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Salary Level: FS-02 - $101,395 - $148,902 (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: June 12, 2025 Closing date: June 26, 2025 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-25-022-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: Janette Dull, U.S. Department of State, INL/EX/GAPP, DullJR@state.gov Sincerely, Margaret Renee Gaudreau 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/Janette Dull E-mail: DullJR@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Janette Dull E-mail: DullJR@state.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 Arms Control and International Security (T) 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. INL's Office of Europe and Asia (EA) develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues in both regions. Within INL/EA, the East Asia and Pacific team includes bilateral and regional program officers who administer and manage U.S. government assistance to their recipient countries to develop their criminal justice sector, reform their security sector, and disrupt transnational organized crime. Additionally, the South East Asia regional maritime programs officer in INL/EA manages and administers maritime law enforcement capacity building for program activities that involve participation from multiple partners, to include the South-East Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI), which facilitates cooperation and interoperability among partner countries civilian maritime law enforcement entities to enhance regional responses to criminal activities and threats. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the position of Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Advisor (RMLEA) at Embassy Kuala Lumpur. The RMLEA will provide specialized maritime expertise to develop INL's maritime law enforcement programs in the region and oversee program management aspects of the bilateral Malaysia maritime and regional maritime program (to include funding, training, equipment accountability, and implementer performance). The RMLEA also will provide internal controls and accountability for the delivery of equipment, technical assistance, training, and other assistance to partners. The RMLEA must be able to work rapidly and able to respond promptly to multiple and evolving priorities. The position requires an understanding of maritime law enforcement and experience to enable the incumbent to identify and define assistance requirements, coordinate delivery timelines to support and reinforce other maritime law enforcement assistance projects, and provide oversight of their implementation as well as monitoring, assessment and evaluation to ensure program effectiveness. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Kuala Lumpur-based Political Officer or his/her designee, the Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Manages the INL regional maritime program and assists with the Malaysia maritime law enforcement program. These include a range of projects implemented through interagency agreements, contracts, international organizations, and other mechanisms. The incumbent will be responsible to provide input to the program officer and post, manage these programs, and provide oversight of activity implementation. 2. Recommends projects and activities to the INL/EA program office to enhance maritime law enforcement programs in Malaysia and the Southeast Asia region. These recommendations may involve multiple national organizations, agencies, and authorities as well as personnel working in the areas of law enforcement, prosecutions, transnational organized crime, rule of law, counternarcotics, maritime environment and resource protections, port and border security, and illicit movement of people and goods, and others as appropriate. 3. Generates and submits regional activity project and activity proposals to the INL/EA program office for decision. Reviews resource proposals generated by maritime advisors, security cooperation officers, and others in the region. Evaluates proposal elements for possible adaption into regional efforts. 4. Liaise with maritime law enforcement officials in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian partner countries, to include partner country Coast Guard or equivalent Commanders and their staffs, foreign diplomatic and justice officials up to the level of Ambassador, and uniformed and civilian U.S. interlocutors. Interactions will include but not limited to formal and informal meetings; formal presentations, briefings, information sharing, and representational events at gatherings. 5. Attends country team working groups focused on maritime security, defense, and law enforcement cooperation. 6. Administers a multimillion-dollar annual budget. Manages, tracks, and accounts for INL funding across multiple fiscal years, ensuring funding is obligated in accordance with policies. Monitors the expenditure of funds provided to implementers to ensure effective financial controls, appropriateness of use for the purpose, and timely de-obligation and documentation of returning funds. Prepares project documentation and procurement requirements for maritime law enforcement assistance projects and activities. Prepares regular reporting, including monthly status reports, to INL/EA. 7. Provides guidance and instruction to civilian and military personnel at other U.S. embassies and implementing partners on funding processes and reporting. 8. Assists in the preparation of required reporting such as the annual budget request for International Narcotics, Crime and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds and the Mission Resource Request. Supports INL annual reporting requirements (e.g., the End-Use Monitoring Report, etc.). Prepares and submits regular reports, including monthly status reports and an annual end-of-year report, to INL/EA. Prepares and releases monthly front channel cable as well as spot reports in consultation with the political section. 9. Provides analysis to the INL program office and guidance to implementing organizations, partners, or personnel at other posts in project budget preparation, and program planning. Ensures effective coordination of INL maritime assistance to the government of Malaysia. Prepares program documentation and procurement requirements for regional maritime projects and activities. 10. Performs duties as a Grants Officer Representative (GOR) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR) as assigned by the INL Grants Officer/Contracting Officer. 11. Periodically observes activities as scheduled by the program office to validate that training and conduct meets the training objectives and that all parties are interacting meaningfully and professionally, and to ensure that appropriate financial cost controls are being applied. Prepares and provides assessment report to INL/EA within thirty days of the close of the event. 12. Establishes and maintains appropriate internal management control systems. Ensures that INL programs are not subject to waste, fraud, or mismanagement. Manages and monitors the use of all U.S.-provided commodities intended for justice sector purposes. Performs supervisory functions for local-hire Program Coordination staff, to include performance reporting, and possible third-party contract training advisors as needed. 13. As directed by INL/EA, observe, participate in, or advise U.S. delegates to multinational fora or planning activities. Maintains professional and social relationships with partner nation government maritime and enforcement sector officials, ensuring cooperative working relationships. Provide a written report to INL/EA within 14 days of the conclusion of the event. 14. Analyzes and reports on maritime law enforcement sector developments in Malaysia, ensuring that the USG is fully informed on the capabilities, capacity, performance, and opportunities regarding all elements of the country's maritime law enforcement sector. 15. Prepares cables, background information papers, information memos, and other correspondence related to maritime law enforcement matters in Malaysia or within the regional maritime purview of the position. Briefs visitors to post orally and in writing about INL-funded maritime law enforcement programs in Malaysia. Prepares documents for presentation to visitors or other maritime law enforcement stakeholders in the region. Develops appropriate itineraries and accommodates official travelers, as necessary. 16. Conducts field surveys, evaluations, and special studies, as directed and approved by INL/EA. 17. Maintains security awareness and properly handles classified and controlled items and information. 18. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. 19. Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Obtains required Federal Acquisition Certification Program for Contracting Officer Representatives (FAC-COR) Certification within 180 days of arriving at Post. This position requires FAC-COR Level 2. The Department's Procurement Information Bulletin 2012-15 provides the required training and experience requirements to obtain the FAC-COR Certification. The PSC must have all the requisite experience for obtaining a FAC-COR Level 2 in accordance with PIB 2012-15 prior to coming on board but will be granted 180 days to take the Department of State specific online or in-person training to receive a DOS FAC-COR Level 2 Certificate. 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. The PSC must have the ability to obtain required certification from the Office of Procurement Executive Federal Assistance Division as a Grants Officer Representatives (GOR) within 180 days of notification of this requirement. Training requirements are as specified in Chapter 2 Section P of the Federal Assistance Directive, October 2017, and include 40 hours of courses which may be taken online or in residence. 5. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur. The position will be required to travel to locations within and external to Malaysia to coordinate and observe activities. International travel will be coordinated through the PSC's supervisor and approved by INL/EA. RELATIONSHIPS The RMLEA will report to the Political Officer at the Embassy of the United States in Kuala Lumpur, or their designee, and liaise and coordinate with maritime advisors in region as well as with INL/EA program officer in Washington, DC. The RMLEA will provide general administrative and guidance concerning overall program priorities and objectives, and work with INL/EA to develop, plan, and execute complementary and mutually supportive assistance program activities and related issues. The RMLEA will liaise with other agencies for effective coordination and execution of activities and assist similarly with host government contacts. The RMLEA will monitor INL maritime programs in Malaysia and more broadly in the maritime domain in the region, analyzing their effectiveness and suggesting improvements to the INL/EA program office. The RMLEA will present potential new approaches to INL/EA through routine assessment reports and as part of the annual resourcing request for consideration and potential INL/EA approval. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the Political Officer 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 Political Officer 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. COR AUTHORITIES AND LIMITATIONS After obtaining the required FAC-COR Certification, the Contracting Officer will designate in writing, the position of COR, to take certain actions under the contract(s) requiring oversight. The designation memorandum will specify the scope and limitations of the authority to be delegated. The COR is delegated the authority to act for the Contracting Officer in matters concerning technical clarification, inspection and, after concurrence by the Contracting Officer, acceptance of Contractor performance under the contract, including preparation of receiving reports, and the authorization of progress payments when appropriate. The COR will coordinate all work with the Contractor and review Contractor's performance at significant stages of its development. The COR will be responsible for: - Developing a strong working relationship with the Contracting Officer - Promptly notifying the Contracting Officer in writing of any noncompliance or deviation in performance or failure to make progress - Maintaining constant cognizance with respect to technical compliance with contract terms on part of the Contractor - Knowing and understanding the terms and provisions of the contract - Knowing the scope and limitations of the COR position's authority - Using good judgment, skill and reasonable care in the exercise of the COR position's authority - Protecting privileged and sensitive procurement information - If appropriate, periodically visiting the Contractor's workplace - Serving as the property administrator for the contract(s) assigned - Establishing and maintaining adequate COR files - Preparing performance assessments for input into the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) In no instance, however, shall the COR be authorized to alter or modify the specifications or the contract terms and the conditions or waive the government's requirement, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. Such changes must be authorized, in writing, to the Contracting Officer. GOR AUTHORITIES AND LIMITATIONS After obtaining the required GOR Certification, the Grants Officer will designate in writing the position of GOR to take certain actions under the grant(s) requiring oversight. The designation memorandum will specify the scope and limitations of the authority to be delegated normally: - Coordinate and consult with the recipient on all programmatic and/or technical matters in the administration of the assistance award. - In coordination with the GO, analyze and assess the organizational, programmatic, and country-specific risks through completion of a risk assessment form as well as a monitoring plan to mitigate any identified risks. - Monitor and assess project performance to ensure compliance with the assistance award terms and conditions. Promptly notify the GO in writing of any noncompliance, deviation in performance, or failure to make progress. - Assist the award recipient in identifying and resolving problems. - Receive and review required recipient reports (progress, financial, or other), and ensure they are timely and complete. - Review any third-party evaluations of the assistance award, as well as any financial audits. - Provide the GO with a written assessment of the overall program performance based on the review of Program Progress and Financial Status Reports within 30 days of receipt of the reports. - Assist the GO in determining whether a payment request should be approved. - With prior notification to the GO, conduct site visits to the recipient's place(s) of performance, to assess progress and problems, as appropriate. - Ensure that the GO is provided with findings promptly after a site visit. Findings should be provided in a trip report prepared in accordance with your office's internal procedures. Such reports might include, as appropriate: (a) Actual performance versus scheduled performance; (b) Action needed, if any, to restore assistance award schedule/timeline of activities; (c) Costs incurred versus projected costs. - When applicable, assist the GO in executing the Government Furnished Material (GFM) provisions of the assistance award. This might include preparing an itemized list of GFM showing serial numbers, if any, and approximate value of each item. - Assist the GO in award closeout, including the review of recipient's final progress and financial reports, publications, and any other required documentation. - Complete a final written assessment of the program and the recipient's performance for inclusion in the official award file. Notify the GO in writing if performance was unsatisfactory. The GOR does not have the authority to modify or alter the assistance award or any of its terms and conditions; waive the Government's rights with regard to the recipient's compliance with stated assistance program or financial requirements or with assistance award terms or conditions; or approve any actions which would result in increased cost of performance. All such actions must be made in writing by the GO in coordination with appropriate program officials. DELIVERABLES/REPORTS Deliverables are required under this PSC and shall include monthly status reports, an annual report, and project proposals, post event reports, assessments, and special reports as required. The PSC shall develop, maintain and produce a comprehensive schedule of maritime law enforcement related training, exercises, meetings, and seminars in the region. Provide the schedule in the INL/EA specified format to the distribution list specified by INL/EA not later than the 10th of every month. Thirty days before the conclusion of this project, the RMLEA shall submit a "Completion of assignment report," which shall be a compressive review of the projects in which the contractor was involved. Each report shall include a critique of and recommendations for improvement to the various projects reported upon. The Personal Service Contractor shall submit the report as required to the following officers: 1. Political Officer, Embassy Kuala Lumpur and; 2. INL/Program Officer Per FAR Part 4, the above referenced documents shall be incorporated and copies stored in the PSC's hard file under Section V.; Tab E - Receiving Reports. For any contracts where the PSC is the COR, the Contractor shall prepare and submit a monthly evaluation of contractor performance as well as two copies of each technical report required by the schedule of this contract (e.g., progress reports, final reports, etc.), to the PSC as the INL representative on site, and to the Program Officer, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Department of State Washington, DC. The title page of all reports forwarded pursuant to this paragraph shall include a descriptive title, the author's name(s), contract number, project number, and title, contractor's name, name of the State Department project office, and the publication or issuance date of the report. When preparing reports, the Contractor shall refrain from using elaborate artwork, multicolor printing, and expensive paper/binding, unless it is specifically authorized in the Contract Schedule. Wherever possible, pages should be printed on both sides using single spaced type. COMPLEXITY This position involves planning, organizing and completing complex financial and organizational analyses, and making recommendations that may result in policy changes. This position requires the ability to establish assessment criteria and apply them to program activities, formulate and coordinate projects with creativity and tact, and support the efforts of others. The position is expected to work across complex organizational relationships and to separate issues into their components, determine the nature and magnitude of the issue, and recommend possible ways to translate the need into program actions. This position requires the ability to work in areas which may involve significant uncertainty in interpretation and evaluation of existing processes, and in a maritime law enforcement environment that is continually changing due to political dynamics, changes in illegal group techniques and tactics, introduction of different technologies, or other unknown or unanticipated changes. The interrelated nature of maritime law enforcement requires this position to work well with law enforcement practitioners from U.S. law enforcement and justice sectors as well as their equivalents in partner nations. These will be broadly defined by the INL program office and the supervisor along with related deadlines and projects, but this position is expected to manage their time effectively to plan, oversee and carry out the identified projects, studies, and programs. SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS This position performs broad and extensive assignments related to administration and financial management elements for a complex multinational maritime law enforcement program involving partner nation maritime law enforcement agencies throughout the region. The position provides expertise on maritime enforcement operations to U.S. and partner nation officials. 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 AND a minimum of seven (7) related experience coordinating and working with the Department of State, Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, or international community in the field of maritime law enforcement or prosecutions, maritime security, maritime environmental resource protection enforcement or public administration. 3. A minimum of three (3) years of experience developing project or activity proposals, preparing cost estimates, or management of budget and financial elements of bilateral or multilateral security assistance programs. 4. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in planning, scheduling, implementing and post-event reporting and analysis of activities or events to include assessment, monitoring and evaluation functions. 5. A minimum of (12) months of experience performing acquisition-related activities using U.S. contracting procedures and procurement mechanisms, such as performing market research, writing specifications, Statements of Work or Statements of Objectives, developing quality assurance surveillance plans, assisting the Contracting Officer (CO), COR or GTM as a technical monitor or participating as a subject matter expert on a technical evaluation team. 6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with host-nation counterparts, departments, and ministries to further program objectives. 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 Experience (35 Points) Demonstrated experience in program management, to include preparing and reviewing program resource proposals, validating requirements, budgets, schedules, and financial management and reporting, experience in U.S. government procurement processes and mechanisms such as development of procurement packages and purchase requests. Factor 2: Program Coordination Experience (20 points) Demonstrated work experience coordinating multi-nation security assistance programs involving security forces, law enforcement and/or legal functions associated with operational activities to include experience working with U.S. and foreign officials on multinational maritime security issues. Four or more years of experience working with U.S. embassies. Factor 3: Evaluation, Assessment, and Communication Experience (15 points) Demonstrated experience in assessment of program...