SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720FDA20B00017

ISSUANCE DATE: January 17, 2020

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: January 20, 2021, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

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) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as an Award Process and Management Specialist under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the 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:

1. 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. 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) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (beta.SAM.gov, OFDA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS

AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

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 award. 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.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b&

sysparm_search=kb0013183

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. Your complete resume must be emailed to:

OFDA Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: recruiter@ofda.gov

Website: www.OFDAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely,

Renee Newton

Contracting Officer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At the GS-11 equivalent:

Acquisition & Assistance Policy and Guidance:

• Maintain familiarity and working knowledge of Federal and USAID award making and management regulations and policies including but not limited to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars, the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Agency for International Development Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR), USAID Automated Directive Series (ADS).
• Monitor, track, and communicate USG and agency policy trends and changes.
• Support Senior Award Process and Management Advisor in the research of current acquisition and assistance statutes, regulations, policies, or procedures.
• Provide research and information to the Senior Award Process and Management Advisor and AARM leadership for consideration in the development, improvement, and strengthening of internal office award making and management policies, procedures, and systems.

Portfolio Management:

• Track the receipt and response to OFDA staff and partner inquiries on program topics, issues, and questions relating to acquisition and assistance policies and procedures.
• As requested and under the Senior Award Process and Management Advisor’s guidance, draft recommended responses to OFDA staff and partner inquiries.
• Support the training of OFDA and partner staff in Washington, D.C. and the field on acquisition and assistance topics including assisting in the development, updating, and presentation of training materials related to award making and management.
• Provide copy editing support to Senior Award Process and Management Advisor during the drafting, revising, and updating of written technical guidance on award making and management policies and procedures including but not limited to: memos, waivers and templates, OFDA Guidelines for Proposals, Guidance Flashes, and the Program Toolkit.

Agency and USG Liaison and Representation:

• Support Senior Award Process and Management Advisor and/or AARM senior leadership on queries and data calls related to acquisition and assistance policy and guidance from humanitarian community partners, the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), USAID’s Officer of the General Counsel (GC), Congress or senior USAID staff to ensure a timely and appropriate response.
• Support outreach efforts such as brown bags and meetings to facilitate information flow on OFDA’s acquisition and assistance business processes.
• Draft for Senior Award Process and Management Advisor and/or AARM senior leadership review written and oral responses to requests for information on OFDA’s activities including briefing papers, memorandum talking points, formal presentations, and informal briefings.
• Represent and participate in intra-office, bureau, and partner-wide meetings as requested.

General Duties:

• Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.
• Attend regular AARM team meetings and program team meetings.
• Sign-up for and serve as needed, on Washington-based RMTs, which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
• Serve as the OFDA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months.
• As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
• As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the office not to exceed six months. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.

At the GS-12 *equivalent:***

The USPSC will perform these duties and responsibilities with limited guidance from and limited supervision of the AARM Team Lead or his/her designee for the assigned area of responsibility.

Additionally, working under the guidance of the Senior Award Process and Management Advisor, he/she will take on an increased level of responsibility for management and coordination of award making and management activities and planning in his/her area of responsibility. He/she will also take on increased level of responsibility for contributing to policy and regulations interpretations and recommendations as well as representing the office and its interests to other parties. At this grade level, he/she will:

Acquisition & Assistance Policy and Guidance:

• Develop a strong understanding of federal and USAID award making and management regulations and policies including but not limited to the CFR, OMB Circulars, the FAR, AIDAR, ADS.
• Serve as a resource for OFDA staff and partners on standard OFDA acquisition and assistance procedures and policies.
• Research, review, and provide interpretations on standard, current acquisition and assistance statues, regulations, policies, or procedures.
• Provide recommendations to the Senior Award Process and Management Advisor and AARM leadership for consideration in the development, improvement, and strengthening of internal office award making and management policies, procedures, and systems.

Portfolio Management:

• Respond to OFDA staff and partner inquiries on common program topics, issues, and questions relating to acquisition and assistance policies and procedures.
• Train OFDA and partner staff in Washington, D.C. and the field on standard acquisition and assistance topics including assisting in the development, updating, and presentation of training materials related to award making and management.
• Collaborate with other OFDA teams and staff to analyze and provide guidance and recommendations on standard award making and management topics.
• Draft, revise, update, and maintain written technical guidance on standard award making and management policies and procedures including but not limited to: memos, waivers and templates, *OFDA Guidelines for Propo*sals, Guidance Flashes, and the Program Toolkit.

Agency and USG Liaison and Representation:

• Interface with Senior Award Process and Management Advisor and/or AARM senior leadership oversight, respond on queries and data calls related to acquisition and assistance policy and guidance from humanitarian community partners, OAA, GC, Congress or senior USAID staff to ensure a timely and appropriate response.
• Draft for Senior Award Process and Management Advisor and/or AARM senior leadership review written and oral responses to requests for information on OFDA’s activities including briefing papers, memorandum talking points, formal presentations, and informal briefings.
• Represent and participate in interagency, intra-agency, and/or partner-wide meetings as requested.

General Duties:

• Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.
• Attend regular AARM team meetings and program team meetings.
• Sign-up for and serve as needed, on Washington-based RMTs, which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
• Serve as the OFDA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months.
• As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
• As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the office not to exceed six months. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.**

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 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.)

For the GS-11 equivalent level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, project management, acquisition, assistance, and management), plus three (3) years of progressively responsible experience managing USG awards including grants and/or contracts, which must include at least two (2) years of working in international development, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, project management, acquisition, assistance, and management) plus two (2) years of progressively responsible experience managing USG awards including grants and/or contracts, which must include at least one (1) year of working in international development, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid.

For the GS-12 equivalent level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, project management, acquisition, assistance, and management) plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing USG grants and/or contracts, which must include at least two (2) years of working in international development, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, international relations, business, project management, acquisition, assistance, and management) plus four (4) years of progressively responsible experience managing USG grants and/or contracts, which must include at least one (1) year of working in international development, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid.

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.

· USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

· Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

· Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance.

· Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

· Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. OFDA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.