SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- US/TCN PSC Intermittent Geographic Information Systems Technology Advisor
- Notice Date
- 10/10/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Tirana USAID-Albania, 9510 Tiran Place, Washington, DC, 20521-9510
- ZIP Code
- 20521-9510
- Solicitation Number
- 182-04-001
- Response Due
- 10/31/2003
- Archive Date
- 11/15/2003
- Point of Contact
- Posner Ann, Executive Officer, Phone 355 4 266 395, Fax 355 4 266 394,
- E-Mail Address
-
aposner@usaid.gov
- Description
- SOLICITATION NUMBER: 182-04-001 ISSUANCE DATE: October 10, 2004 CLOSING DATE: October 31, 2004 SUBJECT: Solicitation for US/TCN PSC Intermittent Geographic Information Systems Technology Advisor ISSUED BY: Executive Officer, USAID/Albania Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Optional Form 612) from qualified individuals interested in providing personal services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to, Ann Posner, USAID/Albania who may be contacted as follows: Telephone: + 355 4 266 395/96/97/98/99 ext. 1031; Fax: + 355 4 266 394; E-mail: aposner@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures, which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted via internet as email attachments (preferred) or by a courier as follows: BY e-mail TO: Ann Posner, Executive Officer, USAID/Albania at aposner@usaid.gov BY DHL or FEDEX, consign documents to: Attention: Ann Posner, Executive Officer USAID/Albania Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers Tirana, Albania PO Box 2400/1 Telephone: 355 4 266 395/96/97/98/99 ext. 1031 Sincerely, Ann Posner Contracting Officer 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 182-04-001 2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 10, 2003 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: October 31, 17:00, CET (Tirana) Time, 2003 4. POSITION TITLE: Geographic Information Systems Technology Advisor, USAID/Albania 5. MARKET VALUE: $61,251 - $79,629 per annum (GS-13 equivalent). 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years intermittently 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Tirana, Albania 8. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The incumbent will report to the Supervisory Program Officer or his designee. S/he will be expected to function with a high degree of autonomy within general USAID policies and management guidelines. 9. POSITION DESCRIPTION: A. Background: USAID manages development and transition programs in Albania, financed through Support for Eastern European Democracies (SEED) funds. Total SEED assistance for Albania is about $28 million annually, of which USAID/Albania manages roughly $21.5 million. In addition to the Director, the Mission is staffed with three Direct Hires (USDHs), six US Personal Service Contractors (USPSCs), and 16 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). The Mission?s Strategic Plan is organized around a Results Framework containing five strategic objectives (SOs), which link with E&E Bureau goals for: strengthened democracy (SO 2.1); civil society and rule of law (SO 2.2); economic restructuring (SO 1.3); health sector reform (SO 4.1); and, special initiatives (SO 4.2). USAID/Albania seeks to strengthen its capacity for strategic planning, program coordination, and monitoring and evaluation in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the expected results. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has been recognized as an appropriate tool for such purposes. In December 2002, a USAID-funded national conference on ?Applications of GIS in Albania? was met with much enthusiasm. The Mission, therefore, has been taking steps to establish GIS capability in the Program Office, in order to support each SO. In August 2003, USAID/Albania selected a full-time FSN GIS Specialist. B. Basic Function of the Position: The intermittent Geographic Information Systems Technology Advisor (GIS Advisor) will serve as a mentor to the incumbent FSN GIS Specialist. The intermittent GIS Advisor will provide technical guidance and mentoring support in developing the FSN GIS Specialist?s work plan; assist SO Teams to identify ways to incorporate GIS into the design, implementation, monitoring, and program coordination of SO Team portfolios; and, assist, as appropriate, in USAID/Albania?s website design. The intermittent GIS Advisor will perform the work during a succession of six TDYs, over the course of two years. The first TDY will be for approximately three weeks, and will be used to develop a full-year work plan for the newly hired FSN GIS Specialist. Two subsequent TDYs will be for approximately two weeks each to follow-up, assist, and advise the FSN GIS Specialist and SO teams. Three similar TDYs are planned for the second year of the contract. As required, the intermittent GIS Advisor will serve as an active or virtual member of SO Teams in the utilization of GIS technology that includes Mission staff, grantees, contractors, host-government officials, and other partners, to ensure maximum program impact with available resources. C. Major Duties and Responsibilities: The intermittent GIS Advisor will serve as an expert advisor and technical authority on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Specifically, the intermittent GIS Advisor will oversee the FSN GIS Specialist?s assessment of the hardware and software needs of the Mission for the establishment of a functioning Geographic Information System on the World Wide Web, and participate in the development of a list of procurement needs. This may include: development of technical specifications, budget, and possible procurement sources to assist the Information Technology staff in procuring GIS-specific hardware and software; installing and configuring hardware and software; creating meta-data reference information for all incoming GIS data; creating a reliable backup schedule; and, coordinating with IT staff for safe storage of backup media. The intermittent GIS Advisor will assist the FSN GIS Specialist in developing a work plan. Initial efforts may include providing technical expertise in assisting the FSN GIS Specialist to meet the immediate needs of SO teams, in designing maps for information purposes. The Program Office and SO teams could use these maps during presentations to indicate and evaluate USAID activity locations, and to communicate and share information with USAID/Washington. Another initial project may include implementing GIS technologies to create a detailed road network map, with distance indication to better plan in-country trips. The intermittent GIS Advisor will oversee training of Mission staff, partners, and GoA counterparts in the use of GIS for project planning purposes, and for monitoring policies, strategies, and programs. The intermittent GIS Advisor will identify useful indicators for visualization by GIS, in cooperation with SO teams, partners, and M&E Specialists. Advice will be provided to Mission SO Teams on new developments in GIS technologies, and on any new approaches to problems of development assistance in Albania. The GIS Advisor will provide technical liaison with other USG Agencies, other donor organizations, multilateral banks, PVOs/NGOs, and other organizations to coordinate their efforts with specific USAID SO programs, activity portfolios, and approaches in Albania. The intermittent GIS Advisor will work with the FSN GIS Specialist to coordinate the development and maintenance of a logically accessible electronic image library of all created maps, photos, and data; ensure that the FSN GIS Specialist can elaborate and explain the data format requirements and data exchange protocols of the GIS-lab to GIS users; and, assist the FSN GIS Specialist in creating web page templates and style sheets to facilitate multiple web page development for the Program Office and SO Teams. Performs other duties as assigned or required. D. Desired Qualifications: In order to perform the duties described above, the Intermittent GIS Advisor should have the following qualifications: 1. Education: A Bachelor degree is required and a master?s degree is preferred, in a relevant technical field such as geography, computer science, engineering, and information management. 2. Work Experience: (a) At least five years of GIS development work for USAID with demonstrated experience in developing specific projects, training, managing activities and inputs for Annual Reports, and establishing GIS is required. At least five years experience in the use of MapInfo and/or ArcGIS software, MS Access database software and image manipulation software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop/Image Ready). The incumbent must be willing to stay ahead of the curve on the latest developments in GIS and web development. (b) Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures, SO activity and portfolio management, results frameworks, and performance measurement is required. (c) A demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility and experience in the design, management, and implementation of GIS activities in SO activity portfolios is highly desirable. Completed GIS projects in areas of Mission interest: public health, democracy, education, agriculture, credit, and small/medium enterprise is a plus. 3. Interpersonal/Communication Skills: (1) Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts. (2) Superior written and oral communication skills. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and oral interpretation is required. E. Selection Criteria: 1. Education 15 points - A Bachelor degree is required and a master?s degree is preferred, in a relevant technical field such as geography, computer science, engineering, information management. This degree should be from a recognized university. 2.. Experience 50 points - At least five years of GIS development work for USAID with demonstrated experience in developing specific projects, training, managing activities and inputs for Annual Reports, and establishing GIS is required. - At least five years experience in the use of MapInfo and/or ArcGIS software, MS Access database software and image manipulation software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop/Image Ready). - Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures, SO activity and portfolio management, results frameworks, and performance measurement is required. 3. Other Experience 25 points - A demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility and experience in the design, management, and implementation of GIS activities in SO activity portfolios is highly desirable. - Familiarity with website design. The incumbent must be willing to stay ahead of the curve on the latest developments in GIS and web development. - Completed projects in areas of Mission interest: public health, democracy, education, agriculture, credit, and small/medium enterprise is a plus. 4. Interpersonal/Communication skills 10 points - Excellent written and oral communication skills. - Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork, and organizational skills. - Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring employees in a cross-cultural context. TOTAL POINTS: 100 points E. Other Requirements: The candidate selected must be able to obtain a USAID security certification and a medical clearance to work in Albania. Minimum Level 5 (fluent) English Language ability (written and spoken) is desired. Must be willing to travel throughout Albania F. Work Environment and other position information:. The work will be performed in Tirana, Albania. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or during program/project and field visits in Albania. Current post differential for Tirana, Albania is 25%. FICA and Federal Income tax will be withheld by USAID. US Federal Income Taxes: PSC are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. G. Period of Service: Depending upon availability of funds, the contractor shall serve intermittently between December, 2004 and December 2006. Dates will be determined in consultation with the selected candidate. 10. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Application for Federal Employment OF-612 including experience, salary history and references no later than COB (17:00 CET- Tirana time) October 28, 2003. The form is available at the USAID website, http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or Internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices. Applications and recent supervisor reference and three (3) personal references may be submitted by e-mail, fax, DHL or FedEx air courier by the closing date, above, to: Ann Posner Executive Officer USAID/Albania Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers Tirana, Albania Tel: +355 4 266 395/96/97/98/99 Email: aposner@usaid.gov Email or faxed documentation is preferred as mail delivery may be untimely. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 11. BENEFITS Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Eligibility for 401(k) 12. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable). Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120). (B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130). (C) Post Allowance (Section 220). (D) Post Differential (Chapter 500). (E) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600), and 13. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs For initial consideration: Optional Form 612. Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the candidate has been selected: 1. Contractor Physical Examination (DS1843 or AID Form 1420-62). 2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). 4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) Available from law enforcement offices in the US or in USAID/Washington. 14. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) or ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs CIBs/AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to determine which CIBS/AAPDs apply to this contract. AAPD 03-07 Instructions to Contracting/Agreement Officers on their Role in the Debt Collection Process AAPD 03-05 Revised Requirements for Posting of Federal Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Opportunities CIB 01-13 Posting USAID Solicitations and other Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) documents on the Business & Procurement Internet Site 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process - Personal Services Contracts ("PSC") with U.S. Citizens 01-09 Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens for Support of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Initiatives 01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) 00-08S Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens 00-05 Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs 00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 99-15 Changes to AIDAR Concerning Resident Hires and Deviations 99-7 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services 98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waiver List 98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs 98-12 Advertisement of and Requirements for Evaluating Applications for PSCs 98-11 Determining a Market Value for PSCs 98-3 Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under Professional Services Contracts 97-17 PSCs with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Aliens Recruited from the U.S. 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less 97-3 New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract 96-19 U. S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) - Leave 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs) 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contractor (PSC)
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID Albania, 9510 Tirana Place, Washington DC
- Zip Code: 20521-9510
- Country: Albania
- Zip Code: 20521-9510
- Record
- SN00450963-W 20031012/031010213019 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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