Senior Rule of Law & Anticorruption 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 Rule of Law & Anticorruption Advisor Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Salary Level: FS-02 - $99,700 - $146,413 (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: 8/09/2024 Closing date: 09/06/2024 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-24-059-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: Cecille D. Washington U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP WashingtonCD@state.gov Sincerely, Margaret R. 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/Cecille Washington E-mail: WashingtonCD@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Cecille Washington E-mail: WashingtonCD@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 Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) 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 (INL/EA) develops and manages law enforcement, justice sector, narcotics control, and corrections programs, and contributes to policy formation on civilian security issues for countries in Europe and Asia. INL/EA is responsible for coordinating policy and programs with other U.S. government departments and agencies involved in anticrime and narcotics control activities, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The principal goal of the INL Justice sector and Anticorruption Program in Kyrgyzstan is to assist the host country in developing an effective and transparent criminal justice sector that respects human rights and actively fights corruption. This involves providing assistance to bring the judicial sector and the Kyrgyz government's anti-corruption efforts to international standards, combat organized transnational crime, and strengthen the rule of law. Successful programming requires coordination and collaboration with the Kyrgyz government, other donors, implementing partners, and U.S. government agencies. INL Bishkek reports to the Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) and the Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission and liaises with the Political-Economic Section. INL/EA provides program guidance in accordance with U.S. Central Asia and broader foreign policy objectives, INL's Functional Bureau Strategy, and the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan's (The Embassy's) Integrated Country Strategy. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the position of Senior Rule of Law and Anticorruption Advisor. The Advisor shall: (1) assist the Government of Kyrgyzstan to establish and increase the efficiency of new anti-corruption institutions charged with investigative corruption and bringing corrupt actors to justice, including Kyrgyzstan's nascent Anti-Corruption Committee; (2) Mentor the Anti-Corruption Committee and other relevant criminal justice agencies on the development of policy and procedures, staffing standards, organizational reform, dispute resolution skills, and other management issues; and (3) advise the Kyrgyz government in developing, implementing, and promoting systemic, organizational, legal, and regulatory reform in the law enforcement and criminal justice sectors. The Advisor will also manage the day-to-day INL section while reporting to the Deputy Chief of Mission. He/she will be expected to communicate to the Embassy's Front Office, the INL bureau, and other Department of State bureaus, as well as U.S. agencies and counterparts in the U.S. Embassy. The Advisor will need to have a firm grasp of Department of State written reporting, protocols for interacting and communicating with others in the mission and host government, and strong management and writing skills. The Advisor will also work closely and develop meaningful relationships with counterparts at the Kyrgyzstan Prosecutor General's Office, Financial Police, the Financial Investigation Unit, Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and other relevant criminal justice institutions. The Advisor will serve as an in-country criminal justice assistance consultant and senior training coordinator and will lead the development and implementation of INL justice sector programs. The Advisor will provide substantive guidance and technical advice on INL projects including training development, equipment assessments and procurement, and implementation of required training by appropriate subject-matter experts and practitioners. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Embassy Bishkek Deputy Chief of Mission or his/her designee, the Rule of Law and Anticorruption Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Reviews the host country's anti-corruption and rule of law needs; manage, prioritize, and evaluate USG-sponsored rule of law and anticorruption projects under the guidance and direction of the Political Section and INL/EA in Washington; and informs all stakeholders of the details of such implementation, including progress and problem areas. 2. Provides strategic planning and development in all phases of the rule of law and anti-corruption programming. This includes project execution from the study and assessment period to development through acquisition and implementation; planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, and coordinating among vendors, contractors, and Kyrgyz government officials; and conflict resolution. 3. Provides mentoring, training, and other technical assistance to relevant criminal justice institutions on a range of issues, but focusing primarily on government corruption, and identify outside experts, when appropriate, to serve as trainers. 4. Coordinates, plans, and executes study tours and trainings for investigators and other justice sector actors involved in rule of law and anti-corruption in Kyrgyzstan. Ensures adequate follow up with study groups and training (train-the-trainer, alumni conferences). 5. Works with international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other organizations to implement rule of law and anti-corruption programming. 6. Communicates and coordinates with the Political-Economic Section, U.S. agencies, other donors, and implementers to avoid waste and duplication of effort. 7. Establishes and maintains relationships with the relevant criminal justice institutions to ensure system-wide integration and functionality. 8. Drafts and reviews technical and programmatic documents, including funding and information memoranda and letters, project work plans, budgets, and reports, talking points, briefing materials, official informal entries, and official U.S. Embassy reporting. 9. Advises and assists, when necessary, in preparing documentation for procurement of systems and equipment, including drafting of electronic Purchase Request (PRs), statements of work (SOWs), requests for source-origin waivers, sole-source justifications, and delivery and acceptance of systems, supplies, and equipment procured. 10. Drafts and provides advice and assistance in the preparation of required reports, including to the U.S. Congress, INL, Department of State Principals, other U.S. federal agencies, and the Embassy. 11. Attends and reports on general anti-corruption, rule of law and related law enforcement meetings, national and international conferences and seminars, and meetings with Kyrgyz government officials. 12. Provides advice and assistance for end-use monitoring of U.S. government-supplied commodities and draft annual end-use monitoring reports. 13. Briefs Department of State, Congressional, Embassy staff, and other visiting officials on INL rule of law and anti-corruption programming. 14. Serves as a Grants Officer's Representative (GOR). 15. Travels as needed and when authorized throughout Kyrgyzstan to assess and monitor past, ongoing, and proposed justice sector and anti-corruption projects, sometimes over unpaved roads in remote locations. 16. Manages the INL section on a day-to-day basis, including managing up to three Locally Employed Staff, and liaise with the Political-Economic Section's Rule of Law Officer. 17. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. 18. Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 2. Completes the Grants Officer Representative (GOR) distance-learning (DL) courses (PY220, PY222, and PY224) through FSI within the first 120 days of assignment. Maintains the GOR certification throughout the duration of the contract 3. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six months of arriving at Post. 4. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 5. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance is U.S. Embassy Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Local travel in other locations around Kyrgyzstan, with visits to Kyrgyzstan government facilities for training and operations activities is required. Some international travel and to the United States may be required. RELATIONSHIPS The Advisor will report to the Embassy Bishkek Deputy Chief of Mission. The Advisor will initiate rule of law and anti-corruption projects and execute approved programs under general supervision. The Deputy Chief of Mission will review the timeliness and effectiveness of the Advisor's work. All program and project direction will be developed in collaboration with INL/EA and the Deputy Chief of Mission, and any changes in implementing approaches must be vetted through INL/EA and the Embassy. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the INL Director, (or his/her designee), 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 Deputy Chief of Mission 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. COMPLEXITY The Advisor must be able to assess host country rule of law, anti-corruption and law enforcement gaps in order to develop and manage rule of law, anti-corruption, and law enforcement programs in coordination with host-country officials. The Advisor will draw upon their wealth of knowledge and expertise to propose, design, and implement these programs. The Advisor will have to integrate the various needs and requirements of INL, the Embassy, and the Kyrgyz government into coherent, sustainable programs. SCOPE & 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 in Kyrgyzstan, 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 Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance. (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2. Graduate degree from an accredited institution (preferably in the areas of law, international development, international affairs, political science, public administration, or a related field) or Bachelor's degree (preferably in the areas of law, international development, international affairs, political science, public administration, or a related field) AND six (6) years equivalent in on-the-job experience. 3. Previous experience in either the rule of law or anti-corruption fields, either in government or implementing rule of law and anti-corruption programming with an established organization. 4. Professional work experience in the countries of the former Soviet Union, South Asia or Central Asia implementing anti-corruption and rule of law projects. 5. A minimum of five (5) years demonstrated experience in criminal justice or anti-corruption. 6. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in management, organizational development, planning and strategic development (including evaluation of effectiveness and assessment of impact), project management, and training. 7. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with local government officials and with U.S. government agencies. 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: Rule of Law & Anticorruption Programming Experience (30 points) Demonstrated experience and expertise in rule of law, anti-corruption and/or related fields. Demonstrated experience in rule of law, anti-corruption and/or related mentoring and training programs. Individual should demonstrate ability to understand and convey complex criminal justice sector and/or training issues. These issues include, but are not limited to rule of law operations, financial crimes, public corruption, including high-level public corruption, asset recovery, procurement of commodities and equipment, training development and implementation, and logistics support. Demonstrated ability to follow guidance and instructions on rule of law program implementation; analyze and determine true requirements; and propose feasible solutions for problems in program implementation. Juris Doctor education degree is preferred. Factor 2: Liaison and Communication (15 points) Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with host nation officials, U.S. government agencies, international organizations, implementing partners, and NGO's. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to work with senior level host nation government employees. Factor 3: International Experience (15 points) Demonstrated experience of working/operating in foreign environments, particularly in countries with security issues, in Central Asia, South Asia, and/or the countries of the former Soviet Union; to include ability to live, work, and travel in difficult conditions with limited support, manage projects and programs in a complex and fluid environment, and show solid judgment in challenging security situations. Experience should include evidence of responsibility for liaising with and maintaining positive working relationships with foreign government officials. Factor 4: Program Management and Administration (10 points) Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of monitoring and evaluation techniques, especially in international programs involving multiple agencies that include foreign government entities. Experience in program management should include budget development, the procurement of goods and services, familiarity with procurement guidelines, and program planning, execution, and monitoring and evaluation. 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 - 15 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-01 equivalent level ($123,041 -$159,950 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