SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, Budapest
- Notice Date
- 2/9/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Budapest USAID-Regional Services Center, Regional Contracts Office 5270 Budapest Place, Washington, DC, 20521-5270
- ZIP Code
- 20521-5270
- Solicitation Number
- 194-05-009
- Response Due
- 2/25/2005
- Archive Date
- 3/12/2005
- Description
- ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE SPECIALIST REGIONAL CONTRACTING OFFICE REGIONAL SERVICES CENTER FOR EUROPE AND EURASIA SOLICITATION NO: 194-05-009 ISSUANCE DATE: February 9, 2005 CLOSING DATE: February 25, 2005 SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) Acquisition and Assistance Specialist The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or OF-612) from U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Aliens for an Acquisition and Assistance Specialist. Third Country Nationals (TCNs) may apply; however, all other factors being equal, U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens will be given preference in hiring. USAID reserves the right to hire more than one candidate as a result of this solicitation. Submission shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed, via e-mail, fax or hard copy, to: Maureen Shauket and Bruce Gelband USAID/Regional Services Center-Budapest Department of State 5270 Budapest Place Washington, D.C. 20521 TELEPHONE NUMBER: 36-1-475-4986 FAX NUMBER: 36-1-475-4988 E-MAIL ADDRESS: mshauket@usaid.gov and bgelband@usaid.gov, or Budapest_Solicitations@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 e-mail, fax or hard copy, to: Fanny M. Jorge USAID/Regional Services Center-Budapest Department of State 5270 Budapest Place Washington, D.C. 20521 TELEPHONE NUMBER: 36-1-475-4986 FAX NUMBER: 36-1-475-4988 E-MAIL ADDRESS: fjorge@usaid.gov Sincerely, Bruce Gelband Regional Contracting Officer 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 194-05-009 2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 9, 2005 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 4 p.m. Budapest time, February 25, 2005 4. POSITION TITLE: ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE SPECIALIST 5. MARKET VALUE: The classification of this position is GS-13, with salary ranging from $64,478 to $83,819 per annum. Final compensation will be based on the individual's salary, work history, experience, and educational background. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, renewable. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Budapest, Hungary 8. POSITION DESCRIPTION: A. Introduction The USAID Regional Services Center for Europe and Eurasia, located in Budapest Hungary, provides legal, contracting, financial management, and administrative services in countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and also manages seventeen regional activities. The Regional Contracting Office provides acquisition and assistance services for program activities for the USAID programs in Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia & Montenegro, Kosovo, and the regional program activities. The Regional Contracting Office also provides limited support to the Regional Inspector General, the Global Bureau's program in Turkey, and the Bureau for Policy and Program Coordination's overseas offices in Belgium and Switzerland. In addition, the RCO also provides services to support regional activities in seven ?northern tier? EU enlargement countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) where bilateral programs have ended. The Regional Contracting Office is organized into management ?clusters? consisting of a Regional Contracting Officer, an off-shore hire Acquisition and Assistance Specialist and an FSN Contract Specialist. Each cluster is assigned a portfolio of mission backstopping responsibilities. Each cluster manages a wide ranging portfolio of complex programs implemented through that a full range of procurement mechanisms, including cost-reimbursement and fixed priced contracts, multi-million dollar task orders, grants, and cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements. B. Basic Function The incumbent shall serve as an Acquisition and Assistance Specialist responsible for providing the full range of services associated with USAID procurement. Working under the technical and administrative oversight of the Contracting Officer, the incumbent will be expected to work primarily in accomplishing the specific tasks outlined below. However, given the nature of the job, the incumbent will also be expected to respond to any changes in priorities that emerge during the contract period to provide efficient, timely and effective services to the RSC clients. C. Major Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent shall provide personal services as an Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) Specialist, providing a wide range of procurement support services to the client missions of the RSC/RCO. The incumbent will function as a member of an acquisition and assistance team that serves a wide geographic area, with great cultural and linguistic diversity, while performing a very broad range of acquisition and assistance actions. The incumbent will have multiple country assignments and is expected to either possess or acquire the ability to manage the broadest array of acquisition and assistance support assignments, with a minimum of supervision. A comprehensive knowledge of the acquisition and assistance processes is required since little of the work involves repetitive items and work is assigned based on the project support needs of the cluster. The Contractor must provide technical assistance necessary to execute a full range of procurement actions, including but not limited to the following: 1. Cost-reimbursement and fixed price contracts, task orders, delivery orders, GSA schedule awards, purchase orders, grants and cooperative agreements, U.S. Government Interagency Agreements, personal services contracts, and other agreements; 2. Modifications to all of the above; 3. Other miscellaneous administrative requirements associated with acquisition and assistance (A&A) awards; and 4. Provide A&A training to RSC/RCO employees. The A&A specialist 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. A clear understanding of the differences between acquisition and assistance is essential. Both the underlying purposes, as defined in law, and the different relationships, as reflected in the different terms and conditions, must be understood at a level that permits the specialist to effectively and accurately represent U.S. Govt. policy to outside organizations and to a full range of programmatic and administrative officials within USAID, up to the level of Mission Director. The Contractor must perform a full range of pre-award and post-award duties described below with full independence. Actions will be highly complex and represent critical Agency objectives with short lead times. He/she must be available to designated 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. D. Specific Tasks Pre-Award Duties Advise client missions and regional technical personnel concerning the selection of appropriate acquisition and assistance mechanisms to accomplish agency programmatic objectives. Make choice of instrument recommendations to the Contracting Officer. In conjunction with technical personnel, prepare an advance procurement planning document for each proposed action, reflecting the steps required by regulation or policy in the selected mechanism's process, realistic estimates of the time required to accomplish each step, and a commitment to maintain the agreed schedule. Carefully review assigned incoming requisition documents to ensure compliance with all agency and mission requirements and appropriateness for the proposed action. Ensure proper recording of requisitions in agency Management Information Systems. Analyze requests and other documents requesting procurement action and obtaining necessary clarifications from the requesting technical office. Make recommendations for corrections to requesting documents when they are inadequate, inappropriate or significant documentation is missing. Prepare all required pre-solicitation documents and clearances, including determinations and findings, synopses, justifications, IFB's, RFP's, or RFA's. Advise the Contracting officer concerning such matters as the adequacy and choice of evaluation criteria, type of contract, the extent and mechanisms of advertising, the appropriateness of the time permitted for bid or proposal preparation, the need for a pre-solicitation or pre-proposal conference, and any special terms and conditions that may be required, particularly if their use would require a deviation from governing regulations. Control the flow of information to the offering community during the proposal preparation stage, ensuring that all requirements of full and open competition are met and that no prospective offeror benefits from privileged or not generally available information. Represent the Contracting Officer in the evaluation of bids and proposals, ensuring compliance with all published evaluation criteria and factors, as well as U.S. Govt.-wide, USAID, and mission procedures. Obtain pricing assistance as necessary and available and perform such cost evaluations as are necessary, reasonable, and appropriate to the circumstances and document such evaluations in writing. Advise the Contracting Officer concerning the make up of the competitive range in competitively negotiated acquisitions. Represent the Contracting officer in the development of pre-negotiation cost or programmatic objectives, in conjunction with agency technical personnel, auditors, indirect cost rate agreement specialists, and others and in the conduct of negotiations designed to accomplish those objectives. Document the results of the negotiations in writing. Prepare request for confirmation of the results of the negotiation, including requests for proposal revisions, revised financial and program plans for assistance arrangements, and Certificate(s) of Current Cost of Pricing Data. Analyze proposals, including obtaining a pipeline analysis where appropriate. Coordinate and provide expert guidance in the technical and cost evaluations of the results of the requests for confirmation of negotiations. Advise the Contracting Officer concerning the need for further discussions. Document the results of these reviews in writing for the Contracting Officer's use in source selection. Take all reasonable steps necessary to determine the financial responsibility of any party to whom an award is expected to be made. This may include either performing or requesting pre-award financial and program management reviews, as circumstances dictate or permit. Prepare award documents, modifications and administration procurement documents that reflect the results of all discussions, any special needs of the project, and all required terms and conditions and applicable provisions and clauses. The types of awards can range from fixed price purchase orders, to various fixed price definite or indefinite quantity contracts for supplies or services, to many different types of cost reimbursement contracts for supplies or services, to a number of different types of grant agreements with various classes of recipient organizations, to cooperative agreements. Each variation in type of instrument (or recipient organization) carries with it substantial differences in the applicable terms and conditions. Distribute award documents, ensure proper recording of the obligation by the Controller?s office, and provide all required notifications to unsuccessful bidders and offerors. Ensure proper entry into USAID ProDoc system. Award Administration In addition to the execution of contracts and modifications as identified above, the contractor must also research issues contained in, and draft responses to, miscellaneous items of correspondence as assigned. Examples include, but are not limited to: subcontract consent requests, salary approvals, equipment approvals, etc. on a wide variety of contract/assistance awards. Perform procurement administration functions such as providing review, recommendation and drafting of correspondence for Contracting Officer signature on administrative award approvals, and clarifying award terms and provisions to awardees and CTO's as assigned. Monitor performance, as required by the terms and conditions of the award and by agency policy, through report reviews, site visits, correspondence, and other mechanisms. Provide expert contractual guidance to agency technical monitoring personnel to p assist them in the performance of their programmatic duties and the avoidance of legal/contractual impropriety. E. Position Elements Supervision Received: The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist will be technically and administratively supervised by a Regional Contracting Officer and will receive policy guidance and technical instruction from the RCO. Available Guidelines: Reference and guidance materials to be used by the incumbent in performing the duties shall include, but not limited to, the following: Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) USAID Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR) Code of Federal Regulations OMB Circulars A&A Policy Directives (AAPDs)/Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) USAID Automated Directive Systems (ADS) The Contractor is required to remain up-to-date on Agency policies affecting the RSC/RCO procurement management. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent must exercise sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying acquisition and assistance regulations in the course of carrying out the assigned duties. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will not have the authority to sign A&A instruments or other documents that require a warrant, nor the authority to make legal determinations that have the effect of binding the Government. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The Contractor establishes and maintains solid working relationships with all levels of Mission personnel. Supervision Exercised: As delegated by the RCO, the Contractor will provide training and day-to-day guidance to locally employed US PSCs and FSN staff. Interpersonal skills: The incumbent 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. Teamwork within the cluster, and between clusters for the overall success of RSC/RCO operations is essential. Time Required to perform Full Range of duties: None. The incumbent is expected to be an expert in acquisition and assistance. F. Qualifications Education: A bachelor?s degree is required, preferably in accounting, marketing, business or other related field. A graduate degree is preferred. Procurement Management Certification Program (PMCP) certification or its equivalent and a minimum of five years additional acquisition and assistance experience will be considered for applicants who do not meet the educational requirements for this position. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of acquisition and assistance is required. Language Proficiency: Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Knowledge: Contractor must have a thorough knowledge of U.S. Government acquisition and assistance practices and regulations, including the FAR and relevant sections of the Code of Federal Regulations. Skills and Abilities: Ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure and demonstrate flexibility to manage more than one activity at a time in the performance of daily personnel management actions is required. In addition, strong interpersonal skills and communication skills are required to maintain excellent working relationships with all Mission personnel. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cooperating government officials, business and industry officials and mission staff at all levels. 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. Ability to accurately prepare Agency-specific forms, correspondence and documents is critically important. The ability to independently organize, prioritize and follow through on all assignments is required. Ability to analyze budgetary information as it directly relates to contracts is required. Ability to communicate effectively with staff members at all levels and with the general public is required. Ability to prepare specific technical reports and documents related to personnel and training issues in a professional and competent manner requiring little or no editorial changes prior to distribution is required. The Contractor is required to have the technical capabilities to carry out the substantive portions of his/her designated responsibilities in the area of personnel administration, management and staff training. Proficiency in standard operating and application software (Windows, Banyan Vines Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook) is required to independently prepare reports and documentation with no to minimal office administrative support. G. Selection Criteria Education (10 points) Work experience (30 points) Prior relevant overseas work experience (5 points) Computer Skills (5 points) Past Performance (50 points) Interpersonal skills Demonstrated Skills and abilities Knowledge of A&A rules and regulations Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked applicants. H. Administrative Requirements & Logistical Support As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC recruited off-shore is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: Benefits Employee's FICA and Medicare Contribution* Contribution toward Health and 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 (Privately Owned Vehicle *If a US citizen, the Contractor?s salary will be subject to FICA and MEDICARE. F.I.C.A & MEDICARE Allowances (if applicable, as found in the Standardized Travel Regulations) (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) Education Allowance (Section 270) (7) Education Travel (Section 280) (8) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (9) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (10) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) Security & Medical Clearances 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. I. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs : 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. Contractor Physical Examination (DS 1622 or 1843 Form)** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). ** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** NOTE: * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. J. Federal Taxes: USPSC are not exempt from payment of any Federal Income taxes. K. Instructions To Applicants Qualified applicants should submit a Standard Form 171 or 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. 6) Date of availability to begin assignment in Budapest, Hungary. International Mail: Interested candidates should send above to the attention of Maureen A. Shauket, Regional Contracts Officer, RSC, at the following addresses: Bank Center, Granite Tower, 4th floor, Szabadsag ter 7-9, 1944 Budapest, Hungary CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received in the RSC/RCO no later than 4:00 p.m. local time, February 25, 2005. Applications received after this date and time may not be considered. POINT OF CONTACT: Any questions concerning this position vacancy should be directed to: Budapest_Solicitations@usaid.gov or mshauket@usaid.gov and bgelband@usaid.gov.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bank Center, Granite Tower, 4th Floor, Szabadsag ter 7-9, Budapest
- Zip Code: 1944
- Country: Hungary
- Zip Code: 1944
- Record
- SN00748100-W 20050211/050209211515 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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