USPSC - Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst - Washington, D.C. (Tandem) (GS-12/13) (Deadline Extended)

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72D0T120R00038 ISSUANCE DATE: August 20, 2020 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: September 21, 2020, 1:00PM EST (Deadline Extended) SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst - Washington, D.C. (Tandem) under a personal services contract, as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and 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 all overseas field 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: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade levels for which you are applying. The offerors must specify in their offer materials whether they would like to be considered for the GS-12 or GS-13. Offerors who would like to be considered for both the GS-12 and GS-13 positions should submit separate offers specifying which grade level in the submission. Offerors will only be considered for the grade level specified in the submission. The offer will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit separate offers for the GS-12 and the GS-13 positions. 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. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per 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 received that are relevant to each factor. USPSC Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. NOTE ABOUT THE DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an offer. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Your complete resume and the AID309-2 form must be mailed or emailed to: Office of Transition Initiatives 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20045 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: OTI Recruitment Team Telephone Number: +1 (555) 000-0000 E-Mail Address: contact@example.gov Website: www.OTIjobs.net Sincerely, Cristina Sylvia Contracting Officer 72DOT120R00038 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72D0T120R00038 2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 20, 2020 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 21, 2020, 1:00 pm Eastern Time (Deadline Extended) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: OTI Recruitment Team, +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail at contact@example.gov. 5. POSITION TITLE: Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst 6. MARKET VALUE: This position has been designed as a - tandem position that, depending on the qualifications of the candidate, can be filled at either the GS-12 ($86,335 - $112,240 per annum) or GS-13 ($102,663 - $133,465 per annum) equivalent level. Offerors may submit offers for more than one position/grade level, but will need to submit a separate offer for each. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value of the GS-12 or GS-13 level based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries over and above the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. Candidates who live outside the Washington, D.C. area will be considered for employment but no relocation expenses will be reimbursed. Note: Offerors who submit an offer for the GS-13 grade level, but do not meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in this solicitation and as reviewed by the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), will not be considered for the GS-12 position if they have not submitted a separate offer for the GS-12 grade level. Similarly, offerors who apply for only the GS-12 position even though they might meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13 position will not be considered for the higher graded position if they have not submitted a separate offer for the GS-13 grade level. Offerors who are unsure of which grade level they meet the minimum qualifications for should submit a separate offer for each grade. The offer will be considered for the lower grade level if the offeror does not specify the grade level in the submission. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with four one-year option periods. START DATE: Within 45 days of receiving notification that required security clearance have been obtained. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States Citizens 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES POSITION DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) is seeking highly motivated, highly qualified individuals who want the opportunity to help support rapid international transition programs for priority conflict-prone countries. Created in 1994 as a distinct operating unit within USAID, OTI helps local partners advance peace and democracy in politically-transitioning countries. In support of U.S. foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming. Countries experiencing a significant political transition in the midst of a disaster or emerging from civil conflict have unique needs that cannot be fully addressed by traditional disaster relief. Timely and effective assistance to promote and consolidate peaceful, democratic advances can make the difference between a successful or a failed transition. OTI assists in securing peace by aiding indigenous, mostly non-governmental, civil society and media organizations. OTI uses such mechanisms as support for re-integration of ex-combatants into civilian society; development of initiatives to promote national reconciliation; identification of quick-impact community self-help projects to meet urgent economic needs; and aid to independent media outlets and community-based organizations to help promote informed debate and broaden public participation. To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate OTI retains a group of high-level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI work force and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office's programmatic goals and objectives. There are several benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as partial reimbursement for health and life insurance costs, as well as full coverage of workers compensation, among other benefits. For more complete information on USPSC benefits, please see Section VI of this solicitation. For more information about OTI and its country programs please see: http://www.usaid.gov/political-transition-initiatives Introduction The OTI Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst is a member of the Conflict, Prevention, and Stabilization (CPS)/OTI Program Office, reports to the OTI Program Office Team Leader or his/her designee, and is based in Washington, DC. The Program Office, as part of OTI's Program, Learning, and Innovation (PLI) Division, provides the office with strategic guidance on country-level and office-level procurement, policy, budgeting, strategy, and program performance issues, and increases key stakeholder awareness of and support for OTI as a key instrument in carrying out U.S. foreign policy objectives. Key functions of the Program Office are to: manage core procurement mechanisms that support country programs; provide management and oversight for budgeting decisions and allocation of resources; set standards and provide guidance to country programs on strategic planning, decision-making, and implementation; and facilitate the flow of information regarding OTI programs with internal and external audiences. The Program Office is responsible for OTI outreach with counterparts within USAID as well as with other parts of the United States government (USG), Capitol Hill, donors, and other interested partners and stakeholders. The Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst will also provide advice and assistance to program managers, technical and financial specialists, co-workers, and/or others on contract procurement policies, problems, or issues. The incumbent will support OTI country program staff through advice, guidance, and assistance on new and ongoing contractual and financial issues to ensure effective implementation of political transition programming overseas. While based in Washington, this position will focus on supporting OTI field-based program implementation by ensuring that OTI staff, implementing partner staff, and other key players have the procurement-related information and training that they need to start up, manage, and close out field-based activities effectively and efficiently. CORE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The work of the Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst requires teamwork, the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility. As a member of a highly operational office, the incumbent is willing and able to perform a wide range of administrative functions to help ensure programmatic success. The incumbent has a high level of integrity and attention to detail to ensure the use of OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation. The incumbent is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change, and remains professional and respectful of colleagues and authority in a diverse workforce. She or he places a premium on the building of positive relationships with his or her respective team both in the field and in Washington, and with key stakeholders both in and outside of USAID. The incumbent is able to prioritize and complete tasks without follow-up by the supervisor, while also filling in gaps as needed to ensure the responsiveness of the team. The Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst is a strategic thinker, articulates innovative ideas, presents solutions, and is a positive role model for colleagues both in and outside of OTI. Under the direct supervision of the OTI Program Office Team Leader or his/her designee, the Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst will perform the following duties: At the GS-12 Procurement Analyst level: Assist with work related to the review, analysis, and/or interpretation of acquisition and assistance statues, regulations, policies, concepts, guidance, or procedures for use in the solution of procurement or contracting problems or the accomplishment of projects or programs and provide regular reporting on any changes or updates to current acquisition and assistance policies and procedures as they affect OTI field programs; Assist with the development and review of acquisition and assistance documents, including indefinite quantity contracts (IQCs), for all components necessary for solicitations, scopes of work, estimated budgets, draft contracts and agreements, and purchase orders to ensure policies and procedures are being followed; Manage contracts and awards by serving as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Agreement Office Representative (AOR) that supports the activities detailed here and serve on technical evaluation committees; Advise and/or assist with resolving compliance questions in support of OTI country programs by liaising with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) staff and other OTI staff. Provide backstop support and guidance to country program staff for new and ongoing programs through resolution of regular and special procurement needs associated with waiver requests, budget modifications, local procurement issues, design and development of large or complex grants under contract activities or subcontracts to be implemented in the field, and other issues related to program startup, implementation, and closeout; Liaise with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and other stakeholders, including but not limited to mission contracting officers and implementing partner staff with the objective to conceptualize, design, and manage the award process for acquisition and assistance mechanisms. Provide post-award administration support to OTI teams and ensure that current procurement policies, procedures, and regulations are appropriately applied throughout the startup, implementation, and closeout phases of OTI country programs; Assist with training and mentoring on OTI program implementation for OTI staff and implementing partners both in Washington, D.C. and the field. Assist in the development and updating of training materials as required for acquisition and assistance issues; Assist with the analysis of office-level procurement systems and internal systems to provide advice and guidance and determine overall needs and priorities related to acquisition and assistance issues; Provide support to OTI country program teams as an auxiliary team member in the field and in Washington, DC; Perform services under this scope of work at physical locations other than Washington, D.C. OTI headquarters, including within other USAID offices, bureaus or other USG agencies not to exceed six months; and Serve as a liaison with other CPS offices, other USAID entities as well as State Department on program and policy direction. At the GS-13 Senior Procurement Analyst level: Review, analyze, and/or interpret acquisition and assistance statues, regulations, policies, concepts, guidance, or procedures for use in the solution of procurement or contracting problems or the accomplishment of projects or programs and provide regular reporting on any changes or updates to current acquisition and assistance policies and procedures as they affect OTI field programs; Develop and review acquisition and assistance documents, including indefinite quantity contracts (IQCs), for all components necessary for solicitations, scopes of work, estimated budgets, draft contracts and agreements, and purchase orders to ensure policies and procedures are being followed; Manage contracts and awards by serving as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Agreement Office Representative (AOR) that supports the activities detailed here and serve on technical evaluation committees; Advise and/or assist with resolving compliance questions in support of OTI country programs by liaising with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) staff and other OTI staff. Provide backstop support and guidance to country program staff for new and ongoing programs through resolution of regular and special procurement needs associated with waiver requests, budget modifications, local procurement issues, design and development of large or complex grants under contract activities or subcontracts to be implemented in the field, and other issues related to program startup, implementation, and closeout; Liaise with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and other stakeholders, including but not limited to mission contracting officers and implementing partner staff with the objective to conceptualize, design, and manage the award process for acquisition and assistance mechanisms. Provide post-award administration support to OTI teams and ensure that current procurement policies, procedures, and regulations are appropriately applied throughout the startup, implementation, and closeout phases of OTI country programs; Provide training and mentoring on OTI program implementation for OTI staff and implementing partners both in Washington, D.C. and the field. Assist in the development and updating of training materials as required for acquisition and assistance issues; Analyze office-level procurement systems and internal systems to provide advice and guidance and determine overall needs and priorities related to acquisition and assistance issues; Provide support to OTI country program teams as an auxiliary team member in the field and in Washington, DC; Perform services under this scope of work at physical locations other than Washington, D.C. OTI headquarters, including within other USAID offices, bureaus or other USG agencies not to exceed six months; and Serve as a liaison with other CPS offices, other USAID entities as well as State Department on program and policy direction. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Procurement/Senior Procurement Analyst will report to the Program Office Team Leader or his/her designee, as a member of the OTI Program, Learning and Innovation (PLI) Division. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The supervisor will set overall objectives and resources available, and work with the employee to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The employee will be responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. Keeping the supervisor informed of progress, the employee may determine the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The supervisor will review completed work from an overall standpoint of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. If traveling overseas, the employee may be subject to some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). 13. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily performed in an office setting. If the employee travels overseas, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. See detailed instructions for demonstrating Education/Experience under - Submitting an Offer) At a minimum, the Offeror must have: At the GS-12 Procurement Analyst level: A Master's degree with three (3) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor's degree with five (5) years of work experience; AND Three (3) years of experience designing procurements or managing contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements related to international programming or community development work; Three (3) months of overseas experience working in a developing country and/or a country undergoing political transition or complex political crisis.. At the GS-13 Senior Procurement Analyst level: A Master's degree with five (5) years of work experience; OR A Bachelor's degree with seven (7) years of work experience; AND Four (4) years of experience designing procurements or managing contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements related to international programming or community development work; Three (3) months of overseas experience working in a developing country and/or a country undergoing political transition or complex political crisis. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position. The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. SELECTION FACTORS: (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.) Offeror is a U.S. Citizen; Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements; Supplemental document specifically addressing how the candidate meets each of the Evaluation Factors submitted; Ability to obtain a SECRET level security clearance (NOTE: Dual citizens may be asked to renounce second-country citizenship); Satisfactory verification of academic credentials. A USAID Secret level security clearance required prior to issuance of the contract for this position. NOTE: If a full security investigation package is not submitted by the selected within 30 days after it is requested, the offer may be rescinded. If a security clearance is not able to be obtained within four months after the selected submits the initial security clearance documentation, the offer may be rescinded. NOTE: The selected must obtain Department of State medical clearance within four months after offer acceptance. If medical clearance is not obtained within this period, the offer may be rescinded. Evaluation Factors: (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least.) 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 Demonstrated experience designing procurements, managing procurement processes, or the post-award management of contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements for international development programs. Factor #2 Demonstrated experience analyzing and interpreting program data, conducting complex analyses, and identifying and addressing procurement or post-award management issues or problems. Factor #3 Demonstrated experience with federal acquisition and assistance policies, practices and procedures, including contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements relating to the implementation of international development programs. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors 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. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Selection and/or 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 - 25 Factor #3 - 20 Total Possible - 70 Points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified offerors may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. OTI will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, offers (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the offerors writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an offeror has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive offerors OTI reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. OTI reserves the right to contact previous employers to verify employment history. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Offers must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I, item 4. Qualified offerors are required to submit: Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include: (a) Paid and 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 all overseas field 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. Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level for which you are applying. If you do not specify which grade levels, your offer will be considered at the lower grade level. 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. Supplemental document specifically addressing: Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. Responses must be limited to 500 words per 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 received that are relevant to each factor. Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete and sign the form. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position offers must prominently reference the solicitation number in the offer submission. Offeror resources are available at www.otijobs.net/#!guidance-for-applying/c1ggu. DOCUMENT SUBMITTALS Via mail: Office of Transition Initiatives, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20045 Via email: contact@example.gov Please note in your document submittal where you heard about this position. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer. NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT All individuals contracted as USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a DUNS Number and be registered in the SAM database. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number for USPSC's with a place of performance outside the United States. The selected offeror will be provided with guidance regarding this registration. For general information about DUNS Numbers and SAM, please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management. https:/acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html or www.sam.gov. ALL QUALIFIED OFFERORS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms. Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306). Medical History and Examination Form (DS-6561). Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). Finger Print Card (FD-258). VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: 1. BENEFITS: Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES: Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101 (a) Post Differential Chapter 500 and Tables in Chapter 900. (b) Living Quarters Allowance Section 130. (c) Temporary Lodgi...