Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF DECEMBER 15, 2004 FBO #1115
MODIFICATION

R -- US/PSC Vacancy for Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist and Contracting Officer (subject to warrant approval) for USAID/South Africa

Notice Date

12/13/2004
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, South Africa USAID-Pretoria, Dept of State, Washington, DC, 20521-6120
 

ZIP Code

20521-6120
 

Solicitation Number

674-04-011
 

Response Due

1/14/2005
 

Archive Date

1/29/2005
 

Point of Contact

Lynne Coetsee, Acquisition Specialist, Phone (27-12) 452-2159, Fax (27-12)452-2339,
 

E-Mail Address

lcoetsee@usaid.gov
 

Description

SOLICITATION NO.: 674-04-011 ISSUANCE DATE: December 13, 2004 CLOSING DATE: January 14, 2005 Gentlemen/Ladies: Subject: Solicitation for US Personal Services Contract (US/PSC) vacancy for Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist and Contracting Officer (subject to warrant approval) for USAID/South Africa. The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) from persons interested in providing the Personal Services Contract (PSC) services described below. Submissions may be directed to Ms Lynne Coetsee who may be reached at Fax No. 27-12-452 2399, or via E-mail address: lcoetsee@usaid.gov or mail to USAID/South Africa, P.O. Box 43, Groenkloof 0027, Pretoria, South Africa. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Late applications shall not be accepted. This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of USAID. The U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award or to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of an application in response to this solicitation. USAID reserves the right to award all or none of the contracts contemplated herein, subject to availability of funds. Sincerely, Brent Schaeffer Contracting Officer US PSC Vacancy for Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist/Contracting Officer for USAID/South Africa 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 674-04-011 2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 13, 2004 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS at USAID/South Africa, January 14, 2005 at 17h00 p.m. local time 4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist/Contracting Officer 5. MARKET VALUE: The classification of this position is GS-14, with salary ranging from $74,335.00 to $96,637.00 per annum. Final compensation will be based on the individual’s salary, work history, experience, and educational background. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Starting on or about March 1, 2005 for an initial period of two years, with possibility of extension. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pretoria, South Africa 8. SUPERVISOR: Director, Office of Acquisition and Assistance, USAID/South Africa 9. JOB DESCRIPTION: GEOGRAPHICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC CONTEXT USAID/South Africa is one of the largest missions in sub-Saharan Africa. Its 120 employees, organized into seven strategic objective teams and four support offices, manage a $600 million-plus portfolio of programs in democracy and governance, economic growth and employment, education and training, health, housing and urban environment, and a regional HIV/AIDS program. South Africa, which plays a key political and economic role in Africa, is considered to be critical to U.S. foreign policy interests on the continent and attracts numerous VIP visits. USAID programs are therefore subject to intense scrutiny by various elements of the U.S. government, by South African government ministries, and by diverse civil society constituencies. Collocated with USAID/South Africa are the 15 employees of the Regional Inspector General Office/Pretoria and the Southern Africa Regional branches of the Offices of Foreign Disaster Assistance and Food for Peace. BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION The Contractor assists the Director of the USAID/South Africa Mission’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) in all matters dealing with the achievement of Mission objectives through the acquisition of services and commodities and the provision of assistance, primarily for activities funded under PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief). PEPFAR funding in FY 2005 is expected to reach nearly $100 million for South Africa alone. For all PEPFAR-related activities, the incumbent takes the lead in directing the development, implementation, and close-out phases of USAID-financed contracts, grants and cooperative agreements, and in supporting, specifically, the bilateral and regional health strategic objective teams with developing/revising strategies, concept papers, and results packages. The Contractor serves as a critical core member of the team and provides technical expertise for procurement and related aspects of the administration of multi-year, multi-million-dollar contracts and assistance instruments in accordance with relevant FAR, AIDAR, AAPD, ADS or Mission Order requirements. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Negotiates and executes all contracts, grant and cooperative agreement actions falling within his or her warrant authority and makes the related findings and determinations within the limitations of the authority delegated. • Consults as needed with the Legal Advisor on the interpretation of all provisions of contracts, grants or cooperative agreements and for the resolutions of questions or issues that may arise. • Participates as a team member early in the Mission programming process to: a) provide advice on available procurement options and their appropriateness for the program strategies or designs under consideration; b) lay out the planning and implementation implications of contemplated procurements; and c) identify other program areas where early involvement by the Office of Acquisition Assistance can result in streamlined implementation or more effective results. • Clears procurement plans and such implementation documents as Program Assistance Approval Documents, MAARDS and other project/activity identification documents. • Ensures that a procurement planning system is in place and provides specific guidance to Project Officers, Cognizant Technical Officers and Activity Managers on considerations that should precede the development of procurement plans. • Ensures that the Mission procurement planning system provides for consultations with the responsible Contracting Officer in the development of plan scheduling, content, and conformity with acquisition and assistance regulations, and for the clearance of the responsible Contracting Officer prior to final approval of the plan. • Provides advice on and periodically reviews for compliance and adequacy those actions falling within the warranted authorities of the Executive Officer or Mission Director, as needed or requested. • When required and as appropriate, negotiates, prepares, clears or executes acquisition or assistance instruments for which ad hoc delegations of authority are requested. • Provides technical oversight to Mission procurement and non-procurement personnel to ensure that their involvement in the acquisition and assistance processes conforms to established procedures and regulations and that adequate administrative controls are in place. • Prior to the Mission Director’s certification of the acceptability of a Host Country Contracting Agency’s procurement system, participates in an assessment of the Host Country Contracting Agency’s procurement system or reviews such an assessment and offers recommendations. • Provides formal USAID approval of Host Country Contracting steps in the procurement process, where authority is vested in the Contracting Officer through a redelegation of authority by the Mission Director. These include approval of certain pre-award, award and post-award steps in the procurement process. • Recommends or conducts appropriate training for Mission staff (both Direct Hire and other) engaged in the procurement process in the strategic objective teams, Executive Office and Office of Acquisition and Assistance. • Serves as supervisor of the OAA staff in the absence of the OAA Director. POSITION ELEMENTS Supervision Received: The Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will receive policy guidance and technical oversight from the Director, Office of Acquisition & Assistance. Available Guidelines: Reference and guidance materials to be used by the Contractor in performing the duties shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) (US)AID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR) Code of Federal Regulations OMB Circulars A&A Policy Directives (AAPDs)/Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) The Contractor is required to remain up-to-date on Agency policies affecting the Mission procurement management. Exercise of Judgment: The Contractor must exercise sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying acquisition and assistance regulations in the course of carrying out the assigned duties. The contractor must be able to discuss and assess the situation with a degree of expertise sufficient to provide the basis for well-founded recommendations to the Contracting Officer. Both the underlying purposes, as defined in regulations, and the different relationships, as reflected in the different terms and conditions, must be understood at a level that permits the Contractor to effectively and accurately represent U.S. Government policy to outside organizations and to a full range of programmatic and administrative officials within USAID/South Africa and the U.S. Embassy community. Actions will be highly complex and represent critical Agency objectives with short lead times. He/she must be available to designate clients for consultation on all aspects of procurement from the procurement planning stage to the administration stage. This individual must also provide expert advice on program objectives, budgetary issues, and procurement policy. Contractual decisions and recommendations will be considered authoritative for all actions within his/her designated portfolio and authority. He/she must be a recognized technical expert able to independently interact with high management entities to obtain advance approvals for critical actions. This requires extensive knowledge of USAID and Federal Acquisition Regulations, USAID assistance regulations, OMB circulars, assistance cost principles, the USAID Automated Directive System and USAID A&A Policy Directives and Contract Information Bulletins. Authority to Make Commitments: When granted warrant authority by the USAID/Washington Office of Acquisition and Assistance, the Contractor will have the authority to sign A&A instruments or other documents within his/her warrant level. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Contractor establishes and maintains solid working relationships with all levels of Mission personnel at USAID/South Africa. The Contractor will have frequent high-level working contacts with U.S. Embassy officers, host government officials, PVOs, NGOs, and private sector entities to fulfill the major duties and responsibilities of this contract. Often these contacts will be of a sensitive nature, and discretion is required. Supervision Exercised: The Contractor will serve as de facto Deputy Director of the USAID/South Africa Office of Acquisition and Assistance and in will provide supervision to the all OAA personnel (four A&A specialists and two A&A assistants) in the absence of the OAA Director. Interpersonal skills: The Contractor must exercise discretion and tact in a variety of stressful situations and when dealing with personnel to resolve challenges that arise during the course of the work, for which there often is not a clear solution. Time Required to perform Full Range of Duties: None. The Contractor is expected to be an expert in acquisition and assistance. Period of Performance: The personal service contract will be for two years. Extensions will be contingent on the need for continued services, satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Reports and Procurement Plans: Upon request from the Director, OAA, but at least every week, the Contractor will submit a weekly status report. The contractor will maintain the Mission Procurement Plan for the current fiscal year. QUALIFICATIONS/SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants are encouraged to provide a cover letter addressing how they meet the requirements of each of the criteria below. Applicants should provide this information in the same sequence as indicated below. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: Education and Training (15 points): A bachelor’s degree in public law, accounting, business administration or at least 5 years directly related field experience is required. Additional years of progressively responsible duties in the procurement field may be substituted for a BA. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed USAID training (or demonstrated equivalent professional experience) requirements. Preference will also be given foor applicants who are eligible to receive USAID warrant to obligate funds for the US government. Prior Relevant and Overseas Work Experience (30 pts): At least twelve years’ continuous, progressively more responsible experience in acquisition (contracts, purchase orders), U.S. Government Agreements (PASAs and RSSAs), host country contracting, and assistance (grants and cooperative agreements) is required. Such experience must include the full range of responsibilities: execution, administration, termination, cost and prices analysis, procurement planning, and analysis and evaluation of proposals. At least three years of the required experience must have been working on acquisition and assistance actions overseas involving international organizations. Preference will be given to those applicants with actual experience as a U.S. Government Contracting Officer and for those who have demonstrated experience applying performance-based principles to acquisition and assistance. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (45 pts): Certification or substantial completion of the requirements for certification of the USAID Procurement Management Certification Program (PMCP) or its equivalent is required. (Certification requires successful completion of eight specified courses in procurement plus the achievement of certain competencies through a combination of training and experience.) Knowledge of U.S. Government acquisition and assistance regulations, policies and practices, including the FAR, AIDAR, relevant sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and ADS is required. Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills are required. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cooperating government officials, business and industry officials and mission staff at all levels is required. The ability to exercise tact and diplomacy and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality and high ethical standards relating to all areas of acquisition and assistance matters are required. The ability to independently organize, prioritize and follow through on all assignments is required. Language (5 pts): Fluency in English with strong writing skills is required. Computer Skills (5 pts): Proficiency in standard operating and application software (Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook) is required. TOTAL POINTS: 100 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS Employer's FICA and Medicare Contribution* Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Salary increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Shipment and storage of household effects Shipment of POV (Private Own Vehicle) Access to Embassy medical facilities, and pouch mail service * Note: If a US citizen, the Contractor’s salary will be subject to employee’s FICA and Medicare contribution. ALLOWANCES [if applicable, as found in the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilian Foreign Areas) Sections cited below] (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (6) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (7) Educational Travel (Section 280) (8) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (10) Danger Pay (Section 650) (11) Consumables Allowance SECURITY AND MEDICAL CLEARANCE The Contractor will be required to obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to service overseas. Also, a temporary security clearance must be initiated prior to travel to post of duty. Until a final adjudication of a secret clearance is received, the contractor shall: • have no access to classified or administratively controlled materials, • travel to post by himself/herself only, and • be authorized no entitlements other than those normally authorized for short-term (less than a year) employees at post. If the contractor fails to receive a secret clearance, the contract will be immediately terminated. FEDERAL TAXES USPSCs are not exempt from payment of any Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR USPSCs 1. Application for Federal Employment (SF-171) or Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) 2. Contractor Physical Examination (DS-1843 and DS-1622) ** 3. Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) **, or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) ** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258) (available from the requirement office) ** Note: ** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. Forms 1 through 4 can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS: Qualified applicants are requested to submit an Application for Federal Employment (SF-171) or Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) and a Resume containing the following information: 1) Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, day and evening phone numbers, social security number, country of citizenship, highest federal civilian grade held (also give job series and dates held); 2) Education: high school, name, city and state, date of diploma or GED; colleges and universities, name, city and state, majors, type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours); 3) Work Experience: provide the following information for your paid and non paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions); job title (include series and grade if federal job), duties, and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, salary. Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor; 4) Other Qualifications: Other pertinent information related to the qualifications required for the position, as noted above including job-related training courses (title & year), job-related skills; for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, job-related certificates and licenses (current only), job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership, activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested). 5) Applicants are required to provide three references with complete contact information including email address and telephone numbers. Interested candidates should send above via the internet, facsimile or international mail, to the attention of Ms. Lynne Coetsee at the addresses indicated below. To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter. Mail: Ms. Lynne Coetsee USAID South Africa 100 Totius Street P.O. Box 43 Groenkloof, 0027 Pretoria, South Africa Facsimile: 27 12 452 2399 E-mail: lcoetsee@usaid.gov NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO WWW.FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (13-DEC-2004); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
 

Web Link

Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/AID/OM/SOU/674-04-011/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: USAID/South Africa 100 Totius Street P.O. Box 43 Groenkloof X5 Pretoria

Zip Code: 0027

Country: South Africa
 

Record

SN00720760-F 20041215/041213212053 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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