Senior Forensics 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: Senior Forensics Advisor Location: Washington, DC Salary Level: $117,191 - $152,352 (GS-14 Equivalent) 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: 08/02/2019 Closing date: 09/13/2019 Closing Time: 3:00 p.m. (EST) Solicitation Number: PSC-19-0749-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. Supplemental document specifically addressing: f. Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. 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. 3. 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: Deborah Strom U.S. Department of State INL/RM/GAPP StromDG@state.gov Sincerely, Anthony Pierce 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): 4. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 5. Resume and Evaluation Factor Responses 6. 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/Deborah Strom E-mail: StromDG@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Deborah Strom E-mail: StromDG@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 inititiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. Criminal justice assistance is a core component of rule of law development, which is critical to helping countries fight destabilizing crime/corruption and promoting good governance. As many countries continue to move to evidence based prosecutions, the development of reliable forensics capabilities is critical to the success of that effort. Currently, INL manages criminal justice policy and programs in numerous countries, employing thousands of people in the field to implement these programs. INL programmatic activities include: deployment of American experts in the fields of policing, corrections, and justice in multilateral police assistance missions; implementing bilateral programs to train and build capacity of criminal justice institutions; deploying mentors or other technical advisors to work directly with host nation counterparts; providing infrastructure and equipment; and working with implementing partners, including grantees, private sector firms, U.S. state and local criminal justice agency partners, and U.S. governmental entities to implement key programs. The Senior Forensics Advisor (SFA) will serve as a subject matter expert on the full range of forensic science issues as they relate to INL criminal justice development and reform programs in the Western Hemisphere, while advising on programs in other regions as time permits. The SFA will provide technical forensics expertise within INL, at Embassies, and interagency settings for activities directed at improving the international capacity in forensics through the provision of law enforcement development assistance. The SFA also will play a role in contingency planning, program development and as a resource for INL program managers by providing expert guidance and technical support, as needed. The SFA will, as applicable, advise and assists posts on pursuing programming related to ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation in core forensic disciplines and for forensic science testing laboratories. Finally, the SFA will assist with outreach and partnership opportunities with law enforcement and forensic science agencies and individuals on behalf of INL and their programs. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based INL/KM Team Lead or his/her designee, the Senior Forensics Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Assist INL in developing forensics components of criminal justice and law enforcement programs, which are coordinated with all aspects of the criminal justice system, and are implemented with a wide array of INL program implementers. 2. Provide policy analysis, program guidance, and technical advice on forensic components of criminal justice development programs to INL program staff, the INL Front Office, and other DOS offices upon request. 3. Participate in senior level meetings, seminars, and exercises to provide expert level forensics input to help INL maintain and develop continuously the ability to respond to emerging issues. 4. Participate in or lead overseas assessments of forensics capabilities of indigenous criminal justice systems, as well as assess the impact of planned or current programmatic activities. 5. Draft memos and reports to provide expert analysis and recommendations regarding forensics programs and assessments for INL. 6. Propose programmatic options to develop host nation forensics capabilities consistent with U.S. goals and objectives, as well as suggest remedial actions for existing programs. This will include advising and assisting posts in pursuing programming related to ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation in core forensic disciplines and for forensic science testing laboratories. 7. Develop metrics to aid in the evaluation of new and ongoing forensic development programs. 8. Prepare background materials to draft speeches, briefings, and testimony by the Assistant Secretary and the Deputy Assistant Secretaries to articulate INL engagement on international forensics issues. 9. Maintain knowledge of contemporary, professional forensic sciences operational and management principles, techniques, and issues, which are appropriate for international application. 10. Conceptualize and participate in outreach activities with domestic and international forensics and academic communities to increase awareness of INL programs and policies to solicit greater cooperation and participation. 11. Develop and maintain personal contacts with INL program managers (both domestic and overseas), foreign government officials, and U.S. state/local forensics partners to strengthen INL program implementation. 12. Develop a working knowledge of the organizational structure and functions of the INL Bureau and its component offices, as well as the organizational structure of the U.S. Department of State. 13. Act as a grants or contracting officer's representative on forensics related programs. 14. Assist with drafting and reviewing scopes of work, participate in technical review panels, and engage in other activities that support the implementation of forensic programming for INL. TRAINING & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of contract award. 2. Completes the Grants Officer Representative courses (PY220, PY222, & PY224) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of contract award. 3. Completes the Federal Assistance Management (PY260) course through the Foreign Service Institute. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance is Washington, DC. Occasional domestic and possibly frequent international travel is required. International travel will be funded outside this contract and by the requesting office/Post. RELATIONSHIPS The SFA will report to the Police Team Leader (PTL) and the INL/KM Director/Deputy Director through the PTL. The SFA will be required to participate in weekly INL/KM staff meetings. Situational telework is allowed in accordance with INL/KM policies and as authorized by the PTL. The Team Lead will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/KM Office Director in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent's official yearly review. COMPLEXITY This position involves planning, organizing and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity. 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 in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions. SCOPE AND 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, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. Citizen, able to obtain/maintain a DOS Secret security clearance. 2. A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution with major course work in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, applied science, chemical engineering, physical or natural science, forensic science or a closely related field. 3. Demonstrated six (6) years' experience conducting case work with various forensic disciplines (e.g., DNA, crime scene analysis, trace evidence, etc.), which has included a minimum of three years as a qualified forensic examiner at an accredited federal, state, or municipal forensic laboratory. 4. Demonstrated knowledge of the methods by which the USG typically participates in international forensics reform and development operations. 5. Demonstrated ability to interact with high-level officials (governmental and non-governmental) on behalf of the USG. 6. Demonstrated experience with developing technical forensics capabilities, including in areas such as forensic quality assurance and accreditation programs. 7. Demonstrated ability to provide effective oral and written briefings. 8. Experience working with law enforcement and/or legislative representatives. 9. Superior written and verbal English language proficiency. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 1. A minimum of one (1) year experience working in international forensics development. 2. Demonstrated experience working with INL or other relevant USG agencies (e.g. USAID,Department of Justice, and Department of Defense). 3. Demonstrated knowledge of DOS and INL capabilities and core competencies, as well as those of the principal forensics agencies at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels. 4. Demonstrated experience working with U.S. embassies overseas. 5. A Master's Degree or higher from an accredited institution with major course work in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, applied science, chemical engineering, physical or natural science, forensic science or a closely related field. 6. Spanish language proficiency. Evaluation Criteria (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 Knowledge of technical forensics disciplines and capabilities, including in areas such as forensic laboratory quality assurance and accreditation programs, DNA, crime scene analysis, and trace evidence. Demonstrated ability to analyze forensics programs, institutions, or organizational capabilities and make recommendations for improvements. Knowledge of international forensics development, including current USG assistance programs that foster forensics reform and capacity building; processes for assessing foreign governments' forensics capabilities; and means for developing policy and programmatic technical guidance to enhance programs. (30 points) Factor 2 Ability to liaise and conduct outreach within the Department of State, as well as with partner USG agencies, international organizations, US state and local law enforcement and forensic science partners, and INL overseas program officers. (30 points) Factor 3 Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and advise program officials. (10 points) 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 - 30 Factor #3 - 10 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 a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) 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