Senior Law Enforcement and Counternarcotics 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 and Counternarcotics Advisor
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador
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: May 12, 2026
Closing Date: May 27, 2026
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number:  PSC-26-030-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 Western Hemisphere Programs, Central America Regional Security Initiative (INL/WHP/CARSI) team supports foreign assistance programs throughout Central America. The Bureau is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and supervising international narcotics control, law enforcement activities, and international criminal justice issues for the DOS. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract (PSC) is for a Senior Law Enforcement and Counternarcotics Advisor (Senior Advisor) that will support the Government of El Salvador (GOES) on the full range of enforcement issues and program management, as well as evaluate training, mentor the El Salvadoran judicial system, reduce narcotraffickers’ impunity, and strengthen the Salvadoran National Civilian Police. The Senior Advisor will provide technical law enforcement expertise, technical assistance, and training on behalf of INL in support of host-nation efforts to improve operational planning, investigation, apprehension, and criminal prosecutions.

The Senior Advisor will coordinate program development, implementation, and reporting with other Salvadoran entities, INL advisors, and other advisors or contractors working for INL El Salvador and, as appropriate, throughout the region. He or she will support interagency (DEA, FBI, and DHS) coordination between police and prosecutors at the wire intercept center in San Salvador.

This is an advisory position. The Senior Advisor has no law enforcement authority in El Salvador and will not be armed. The Senior Advisor may conduct field observations of the Salvadoran National Police team and the attorney general’s office (AGO) but the Senior Advisor will not directly involve him/herself in police operations and will take all necessary precautions to remain well away from the site of any operation where there is a heightened risk to safety.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the El Salvador-based Program Officer for Counternarcotics and Border Security (Foreign Service Officer), or his/her designee, the Senior Advisor will perform the following duties:

1.    Reviews the organizational and operational capacities of the various elements of the National Civilian Police (PNC), including its working relationships with the Ministry of Public Security and Justice, the Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Armed Forces, and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
2.    In consultation with other INL personnel and interagency partners, develops a plan of assistance that will promote effective policing practices and counternarcotic efforts.
3.    Fosters collaborative partnerships in the community among the PNC, FNES,  Salvadoran Armed Forces, AGO, citizens, and organizations to develop solutions and increase trust with the police and security forces.
4.    Initiates and coordinates national and international interdiction programs to prevent the illicit trafficking of narcotics, synthetic drugs, human smuggling and trafficking, and environmental crime, particularly as they relate to narcotrafficking groups.
5.    Assists the PNC to develop best practices to implement, oversee, and coordinate activities to achieve crime reduction, specifically focused on countering illicit drug trafficking, and impeding FTOs and TCOs from profiting from illicit drug trade.
6.    Assesses the training needs of the PNC and proposes training options for improving the tactics, techniques and procedures of the antinarcotics division (PNC/DAN), and DEA-mentored Specialized Investigative Unit.
7.    Ensures INL projects are executed in accordance with the objectives and terms established in the Letters of Agreement, the program country note, INL strategies, and similar documents; works with INL’s monitoring and evaluations advisor and the program officer to develop and improve monitoring plans of counternarcotics projects.
8.    Provides advice and assistance to prepare documentation used to procure technical services, training, and commodities and monitors procurement actions, including drafting source-origin waivers, bid solicitations, scopes of work, and delivery and acceptance of items procured. This includes equipment, such as hardware and software, needed to facilitate information sharing, such as fingerprint analysis tools and case information tools.
9.    Develops and advises on programming to test precursor chemicals for diversion to fentanyl or other synthetic drugs, including updating regulatory guidelines and improving prosecutions against importers and traffickers.
10.    Provides oversight of other INL counternarcotics foreign assistance projects; Locally Employed Staff (LES), Third Party Contractors (TPC), and PSC personnel as directed by the INL Director and/or Deputy Director.
11.    Provides input to INL for the budget process, including developing operational plans and justifications to spend INCLE funds.  Develops spend plans to project spending of the entire five-year pipeline.
12.    Provides oral briefings and drafts analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for senior-level officials. 
13.    Liaise as necessary with INL Counternarcotics Advisors and Officers in Latin America to disrupt narcotics supply chains from the sources.
14.    When required, performs the role of Duty Officer.
15.    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 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.
3.    Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post.
4.    Completes online EEO and Harassment Training within thirty days of arriving at Post.
5.    Works with the INL Program Office/Post to determine a timeline for completing the INL Staff Orientation and Readiness Training (SOAR).
6.    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 San Salvador, El Salvador. International and local travel may be required. 

RELATIONSHIPS
The Senior Advisor reports directly to the Program Officer for Counternarcotics and Border Security (Foreign Service Officer), at Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador.

The Senior Advisor works closely with the INL/WHP CARSI Team Lead, the Directors and counternarcotics personnel of INL offices and sections throughout Central America, INL field-based personnel, and INL-supported interagency personnel. The Senior Advisor will also have contact with Law Enforcement Officials of partner nations, coordinating agencies (USG or host country) as appropriate, and other INL Contractors.

The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington.  In no instance shall the Program Officer for Counternarcotics and Border Security 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 Program Officer for Counternarcotics and Border Security will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/SAO/IM Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review.

COMPLEXITY
The Senior Advisor must be able to review host country law enforcement needs and capacity to increase the scope of operations and information-sharing; develop and manage relationships with multiple INL personnel, law enforcement units, host government officials, and interested parties in Washington, D.C., ensure sustainability of projects through provision of planning, communication, and operational standards; and have the ability to integrate competing needs of partner nation law enforcement units into a coherent and comprehensive transnational approach.

SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS
The Senior Advisor performs a broad range of coordination tasks related to developing law enforcement capacity in a complex foreign assistance environment in Central America.

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 university in the fields of Criminal Justice, International Relations, or related subject area; or,
a.    A minimum of twenty (20) years of professional law enforcement experience.
3.    A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in the area of law enforcement operations, management, and training, including implementing law enforcement programs in Latin America.
4.    Demonstrated experience managing programs with partner nation policing programs, including police training, developing policing tactics and theories, evidence chain of custody, building problem-solving methodologies, and resource management.
5.    Demonstrated experience managing program resources in an overseas environment, including project analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation.
6.    Previous experience communicating and liaising with governmental, public, and private sector representatives, as well as with local community members and groups.
7.    Demonstrated ability to read and speak Spanish at the professionally proficient level.
8.    Demonstrated experience providing oral briefings and drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for senior-level officials.
9.    Demonstrated experience coordinating and working closely with U.S. interagency partners, international organizations, and host-nation counterparts on security sector programs or other U.S. Government priorities

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      Oversight and Strategic Coordination                      (25 points)
Demonstrated knowledge of and work experience in planning and developing law enforcement and counternarcotics strategies and projects, including internationally, and the ability to coordinate with host government officials, police officials, U.S. interagency partners, international organizations, and the local community.
Factor 2    Development/Implementation                               (20 points) Demonstrated ability to serve as a mentor for operational planning, counter illicit drug trafficking strategy, and building collaborative relationships within the police and between the police and U.S. law enforcement community, U.S. vetted units, launching investigations, and identifying and coordinating training for the police.

Factor 3      Program Management                                           (15 points) 
                    Demonstrated knowledge and work experience with project        
                      management concepts, practices, and principles, including budget  
                     formulation and execution, to manage projects successfully.

Factor 4       Communication and Reporting                            (10 points)
Demonstrated experience providing oral briefings and drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for senior-level officials.

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 – 25
Factor #2 – 20
Factor #3 – 15
Factor #4 – 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 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 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