Senior 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: Senior Law Enforcement Advisor  
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Salary Level: FS-02 - $102,409-$150,391 (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: October 5, 2026
Closing Date: October 20, 2026
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number:  PSC-27-001-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, INLPSCTeam@state.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: INLPSCTeam@state.gov 

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/SAO/IM PSC Team
E-mail: INLPSCTeam@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 Africa and the Middle East Programs (INL/AME) develops and manages criminal justice sector reform programs and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues in both regions.  INL works to improve the effectiveness, responsiveness, and accountability of criminal justice sector institutions (police, justice sector actors, and corrections).  These efforts are designed to improve stability to advance US commercial diplomacy, counter-Narcotics, and counter Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in close partnership and cooperation with host government and the private sector to improve the efficiency of US civilian security assistance. 

In Nigeria, INL supports the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other law enforcement institutions in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting crime — including transnational organized crime, particularly in northeast Nigeria, where instability persists due to ISIS-West Africa and Boko Haram. INL coordinates with interagency partners at Post on cases with a U.S. law enforcement nexus.

The purpose of this Personal Services Contract (PSC) is to fill the Senior Law Enforcement Advisor (SLEA) position. The SLEA, based in Abuja with regular in-country travel, will liaise, mentor, and train Nigerian law enforcement agencies to advance INL and Mission objectives — improving delegation of authority, training delivery, case management, communications, accountability, and standard operating procedures within Nigeria's criminal justice sector.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Nigeria-based INL Director and INL Deputy Director, or their designee, the SLEA will perform the following duties:

1.    Aids in overseeing, coordinating, and providing guidance in the implementation of multiple law enforcement training and development projects for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and other law enforcement entities.  
2.    Assists in providing technical advice, training, mentoring, and support to NPF and other law enforcement partners.
3.    Assesses the quality of curricula and instruction at designated academies and advises on the development and implementation of improved training, professional instructor development, training materials while also advising Nigerian law enforcement agencies on related and coordinated training requirements to ensure the program's success.
4.    Encourages expansion of law enforcement best practices and policy.
5.    Assists in the identification and development of appropriate projects within a comprehensive and integrated program to help the Government of Nigeria (GON) reduce violence and criminality with the objective of institutionalizing such projects and ensuring sustainability within the NPF and other law enforcement entities.  
6.    Provides subject matter expertise in the implementation of the police reform process within the different departments of the NPF. 
7.    Ensures that work performed will be accomplished within the appropriate constitutional and legal framework.
8.    Provides guidance to create, implement, and integrate a policing quality management and accountability system for the NPF.
9.    Supports INL Nigeria in the development and maintenance of partnerships within the Government of Nigeria and Nigeria’s law enforcement communities for the purpose of establishing a quality management culture for all civilian law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
10.    Integrates and works in harmony with other USG-funded and international donor-funded advisors who are currently assisting the NPF.
11.    Acts as the in-house Embassy expert on all law enforcement developments in Nigeria, staying current on police developments in Nigeria and proactively seeking answers to questions posed by the INL Director, INL Deputy Director, Embassy Front Office, INL/AME Program Office, and Congressional staffers.  
12.    Provides strategic direction to the INL law enforcement projects within the INL Nigeria Program and proactively assists the INL team to develop new programming to utilize INL law enforcement funds.
13.    Provides the INL Director, INL Deputy Director, and INL/AME Program Officer the following deliverables: an annual advisor workplan, monthly status reports, special reports when required, an end-of-year report on the progress in fulfilling the Advisor’s annual workplan, which shall include a comprehensive review of the projects in which the contractor was involved that including a critique of and recommendations for the various projects. The completion of assignment reports are due no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration of this contract.  
14.    Develops strong contacts within the NPF, NSCDC, Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and other law enforcement agencies to understand GON plans, missions, and objectives for promoting civilian security and rule of law.  
15.    Proactively proposes, designs, and suggest changes for law enforcement projects in Nigeria that are sustainable and positioned to demonstrate to clear impact.
16.    Actively engages other international donors to deconflict INL programs and ensure INL programs fill gaps, complement existing efforts, and are well-coordinated with key stakeholders.
17.    Develops contacts with thought leaders and civil society leaders to maintain a balanced perspective on developments within the Nigerian law enforcement community.
18.    Submits purchase order requests as/when needed and tracks procurements of INL donations to all civilian law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, ensuring proper End-Use-Monitoring and transfer of property.
19.    Provides after-action reports and cables, as appropriate.
20.    Establishes and maintains appropriate internal management control systems.    Ensures that INL projects are not subject to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement. Helps manage and monitor the use of all U.S.-provided commodities.
21.    Provides analysis and guidance in project budget preparation as well as program planning.
22.    Conducts or commissions field surveys, evaluations, and special studies, as directed.
23.    Maintains security awareness and properly handles classified items and information.
24.    In coordination with INL Director and INL Deputy Director, supervises and oversees 1-3 Locally Employed Staff (LES) assigned to the law enforcement portfolio — assigning tasks, setting priorities, and ensuring timely work completion.
25.    When required, performs the role of Duty Officer.
26.    Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work.

TRAINING & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
1.    Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) within (120) days of arriving at Post. 
2.    Completes the Government Technical Monitor (PA 398) distance-learning (DL) course within (120) days of arriving at Post.  
3.    Completes the Grants Officer’s Representative (PY220, PY222, PY224) distance-learning (DL) course within (120) days of assignment.  
4.    Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post.
5.    Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment at Post.
6.    Completes the Cybersecurity Awareness (PS800) and other courses required by Embassy Abuja or INL/AME.  
7.    Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR).
8.    Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
The place of performance for this position is of the U.S. Embassy Abuja. The SLEA will travel regularly within Nigeria and may occasionally travel to other countries for program development, monitoring, and oversight.

RELATIONSHIPS
The SLEA will report directly to the INL Director and the INL Deputy Director at the U.S. Embassy Abuja. The SLEA will work closely with and receive guidance from the INL/AME Nigeria Program Officer in Washington, DC.  

The SLEA will provide services to the senior leadership of the NPF and other law enforcement entities and in that capacity be prepared to coordinate and provide training and assistance to NPF and law enforcement entity staff as requested and as consistent with approved goals. The SLEA will report the progress of project goals to the INL Director and INL/AME Program Officer in Washington, D.C.  

The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington.  In no instance shall the INL Director 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 INL Director, or in his/her absence, the INL Deputy Director, will provide yearly performance reviews to the Contracting Officer 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, and the INL Nigeria program has high visibility and engages in issues of some political sensitivity.  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, and rule of law in Nigeria, 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 a 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.  
3.    A minimum of ten (10) years of U.S. law enforcement experience with demonstrated experience in law enforcement planning, policy development, and democratic policing principles. Skilled in mentoring, advising, and delivering law enforcement training.  
4.    A minimum of seven (7) years of experience of progressive responsibility in law enforcement management and supervision to include leading, advising, guiding, regulating performance and policies, project management, and articulating messages and decisions.  
5.    A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience in program design, program management, and coordination on international development programs relating to governance or criminal justice issues.  
6.    A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).   
7.    Demonstrated experience in drafting complex, analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for senior-level officials.  
8.    Demonstrated experience working in a fluid environment and under challenging circumstances.  
9.    Demonstrated experience training law enforcement personnel.  
10.    Demonstrated experience to managing projects in hardship postings like Mission Nigeria.

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    International Experience                     (20 Points)
Demonstrated law enforcement experience and working with diverse, multicultural groups in foreign, post-conflict environments, including the ability to live, work, and travel in difficult conditions with limited support, managing programs in a complex and fluid environment, and exercising good judgment in challenging security situations. Experience managing U.S. government assistance programs and working with U.S. Embassy organizations on complex, interrelated activities is preferred, as is familiarity with the programs, organization, and operations of other USG elements involved in law enforcement programs. Experience in Africa generally, and West Africa in particular, is also preferred.

Factor 2    Law Enforcement Experience                 (25 Points)
Demonstrated experience in law enforcement management, training, and policy development, including monitoring, mentoring, and advising on democratic policing principles and practices. Proven ability to assess law enforcement capabilities, provide technical and programmatic guidance, and implement recommendations to achieve project objectives.

Factor 3    Communication                             (10 Points)
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and in writing.  Demonstrated independent experience in preparing and writing reports, audits, memoranda, etc. in a subject area related to the duties of the position.   

Factor 4    Interpersonal Relations                     (15 Points)
Demonstrated interpersonal skills interacting with law enforcement at all command levels in a capacity which includes leading, advising, guiding, regulating performance and policies, and articulating messages and decisions.  
        
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 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 – 20 
Factor #2 – 25
Factor #3 – 10
Factor #4 – 15
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/FS-02 equivalent level ($102,409 - $150,391 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