SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Services,Senior Rule of Law Advisor for Europe and Eurasia Region in Support of the USAID DCHA/DG/ROL, Rule of Law Division
- Notice Date
- 2/18/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Washington D.C., USAID/Washington, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 7.10-006, Washington, DC, 20523
- ZIP Code
- 20523
- Solicitation Number
- M-OAA-DCHA-DOFDA-05-716
- Response Due
- 3/14/2005
- Archive Date
- 6/30/2005
- Description
- Solicitation #M/OAA/DCHA/DOFDA-05-716 ISSUANCE DATE: February 18, 2005 CLOSING DATE: March 14, 2005 4:00 pm, local time Dear Sir or Madam: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Services, for Senior Rule of Law Advisor for Europe and Eurasia Region, in Support of the USAID Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance; Democracy and Governance, Rule of Law Division (DCHA/DG/ROL) The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612, plus technical narrative) from qualified U.S. citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. In order to be considered for the position a candidate must meet the Minimum Requirements listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on an evaluation per the Evaluation Factors for Award. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief narrative provided as an appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612, to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address these factors. Applications must not exceed eight (8) pages inclusive of appendices and attachments. In the event an application is submitted in excess of the page limitation, USAID reserves the right to exclude any pages after the first eight, or to exclude the entire application from consideration. The Standard Forms SF-171 or OS 612, can be located at: www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms Applicants are responsible for submitting their application, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the closing/due date and time specified in the solicitation, preferably by email to: kstein@usaid.gov. While hardcopy will be accepted by the closing/due date and time, facsimile (FAX) copies will not be accepted. Otherwise, an application received after the closing date and time will not be considered eligible for evaluation or award, unless there is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received by the Government installation prior to the time and date specified in the solicitation. Any questions as well as submission of hardcopies of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Kenneth E. Stein, Contracting Officer U.S. Agency for International Development M/OAA/DCHA/DOFDA, RM 7.09-134, RRB 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20523-7900 Telephone: 202-712-5047 Fax: 202-216-3396 e-mail: kstein@usaid.gov Applications that are submitted by courier service or hand carried, must be accepted at the 14th Street entrance of the Ronald Reagan Building. The courier must inform the guard there is a package for Mr. Kenneth E. Stein at phone number 202-712-5047. The guard will contact Mr. Stein to advise there is a package for pick-up at the 14th Street entrance. Packages cannot be dropped off at the desk. Mr. Stein or his USAID Office of Acquisitions and Assistance designee must accept the application from the courier. You are directed to Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15.208 ?Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals? for further information. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all application materials and enclosures. Once received by USAID, submittals cannot be returned. 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 well as using the address/delivery point specified in this solicitation. List of REQUIRED Forms for PSC Application 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. (U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 are available at the USAID web site, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov or at Federal Offices). Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to the SF-171 or OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or education and training address the Evaluative Factors listed below. Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. A prerequisite for employment is a completed background investigation that reflects one?s qualification for a Secret security clearance. A temporary clearance must be obtained through USAID, prior to award. If the temporary clearance cannot be obtained within a two (2) week period, USAID reserves the right to deny the applicant?s proposal from further consideration. 2. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). 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). Acquisition and Assistance policy directives (AAPD) and Contract Information Bulletins (cibs) pertaining to PSCs contain information on USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts, and may be found at the following web site: http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc The highest ranking applicant(s) may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Sincerely, Kenneth E. Stein Contracting Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OAA/DCHA/DOFDA-05-716 ISSUANCE DATE: February 18, 2005 DUE DATE/CLOSING DATE/TIME: March 14, 2005, 4:00 pm (16:00 Local time, Washington, D.C.) POSITION TITLE: Senior Rule of Law Advisor for Europe and Eurasia MARKET VALUE: $88,369 - $114,882 per 2005 Federal cost of living adjustment PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two (2) Year base period, with up to two (2) additional Option Years (maximum of four years) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, D.C. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens Only 1. SCOPE OF WORK (JOB DESCRIPTION) SCHEDULE A.I Article I - Statement of Duties -- Senior Rule of Law Advisor Objective: The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Chief, Rule of Law Division of the Office of Democracy and Governance in the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA/DG/ROL) or his designee, who provides guidance primarily in the form of broad objectives and directives. The incumbent is expected to carry out work assignments using independent professional judgment to ensure that effective technical leadership is provided by the division. The incumbent receives minimal day-to-day technical or policy supervision and has wide latitude for individual initiative, judgment and decision-making. When reviewed, completed work is evaluated for adherence to policy and to ensure that broad objectives are met. Statement of Work The Senior Rule of Law Advisor serves the Europe and Eurasia region as part of DCHA/DG/ROL. S/he is responsible for provision of technical advice and management of selected activities of a region-wide (26 countries in the Europe and Eurasia region) portfolio of legal reform activities, including activities designed to improve the independence of the judiciary, protect human, rights, reduce corruption, reform criminal justice systems, improve parliaments and support post-war reconstruction and peace accord implementation (e.g. Kosovo). This includes, but is not limited to, a cooperative agreement with the American Bar Association, Inter-Agency Agreements with the Department of Justice, and grants to several NGO's. It also includes full-service support to USAID missions in the region, including performing sector assessments, evaluations, project designs, inter-agency fact-finding missions, organizing international conferences and helping to obligate funds to indefinite quantity contracts, leader with associate awards, and other mechanisms. While serving in the DCHA Bureau, the incumbent is funded by the Europe and Eurasia Bureau (E&E), which is the principal client for the contractor?s services. In addition to providing support to field missions, the contractor is also expected to assist E&E Bureau offices in USAID/Washington with such functions as preparing Congressional Q&A's, conducting program reviews, reviewing country strategies, coordinating with other USAID offices and participating in inter-agency working groups with the Departments of State and Justice and other agencies. As of January 2004, the total portfolio of all bilateral USAID rule of law projects in the E&E region was in excess of $168 million; regionally rule of law project funding totaled approximately $9 million. This is carried out in conjunction with law enforcement activities implemented by the Departments of State and Justice. Thus, the position is crucial to the both the E&E and DCHA Bureaus. Rule of Law activities in the DCHA Bureau are also coordinated with the commercial law and regulatory reform activities carried out in the region by the USAID Bureau of Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade, and the E&E Economic Growth Office. The Advisor will be based at USAID in Washington, D.C. A USAID security clearance at the Secret level, and building pass are required. A temporary clearance must be obtained through USAID, prior to award. If the temporary clearance cannot be obtained within a two (2) week period, USAID reserves the right to deny the applicant?s proposal from further consideration Thereafter, the US PSC contractor may be allowed to commence work prior to the completion of the Security clearance process. However, upon the date the Advisor is determined to be unable to obtain the required Security clearance, this Contract will be immediately terminated for default, with no severance pay or any other reimbursement allowed. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position: a) Assist USAID missions to formulate rule of law strategies for individual countries; reviewing strategies submitted as part of results frameworks; directing rule of law assessments; directing rule of law contract and/or grant evaluations; reviewing unsolicited proposals; responding to Congressional inquiries. b) Design new project components and activities to be implemented by the institutional contractors or to be bid for new contractors and/or grantees with consequential impact on Federal organizational conflicts of interests regulations). This includes preparing statements of work, requests for proposals/applications, Acquisition and Assistance requests, decision memos, Congressional Notifications, inter-agency agreement letters, etc. c) Travel within the E&E region to provide hands-on consultations and monitoring of on-going Rule of Law activities. d) Serve as a senior advisor to both the Europe and Eurasia Bureau and the Office of Democracy and Governance with regard to the status of all justice sector reform in the E&E region, including activities of other USG agencies, host governments, other donors and non-governmental organizations. With an in-depth knowledge of USAID's rule of law programs across the region, represent the Agency in inter-agency and international forums with regard to such issues as justice sector reconstruction, human rights, police and security sector reform, transitional justice, war crimes, anti-corruption and other topics as they relate to USAID's current or potential rule of law programming. e) Provide briefings to U.S. and foreign officials, Congress, and other donors on USAID programming in the region. Facilitate visits by foreign officials and delegations to USAID. f) Assist in providing training on rule of law for Agency Democracy and Governance officers and E&E Bureau staff. g) Act as Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for assigned contracts and grants, including day-to-day responsibility for monitoring implementation of activities, tracking financial issues, processing obligation actions and other requests to OP under the contracts/grants, and responding to requests. for approvals of individual activities. Supervision: No supervision over others is required. 2. QUALIFICATIONS Education/Experience: The successful candidate for this position shall: a) Have completed a graduate degree (Juris Doctor degree or equivalent legal degree strongly preferred), and have at least 5 years of experience practicing in the field of law or experience in managing, designing, and/or evaluating justice sector and rule of law development activities on behalf of an international donor, the U.S. Government, or an NGO. b) Demonstrate knowledge of the Europe and Eurasia region, in particular of its political development and the current political environment. c) Have knowledge and operational facility with word processing, computer networks, internet, email and other common electronic communication skills. The incumbent must be capable of working independently without significant administrative support, especially computer skills, send/receive messages, faxes, maintaining/distributing working papers and other documents. 3. CONTRACTOR'S COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT: This position is equivalent to a GS-14. Final compensation will be based upon the individual's salary, work history and education background, and payable in U.S. Dollars plus certain benefits/allowances: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: A. Benefits: (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave (only earned for actual work days) B. Allowances (If Applicable): (1) Post Differential (Chapter 500*) and (2) Danger Pay (Section 650*) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). C. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. 4. RFP Evaluation Factors for Award Minimum Requirements: * Have completed a graduate degree (Juris Doctor degree or equivalent legal degree strongly preferred), and have at least 5 years of experience practicing in the field of law or experience in managing, designing, and/or evaluating justice sector and rule of law development activities on behalf of an international donor, the U.S. Government, or an NGO. * A USAID security clearance at the Secret level, and building pass are required. A temporary clearance must be obtained through USAID, prior to award. If the temporary clearance cannot be obtained within a two (2) week period, USAID reserves the right to deny the applicant?s proposal from further consideration. Thereafter, the US PSC contractor may be allowed to commence work prior to the completion of the subsequent Security clearance process. However, upon the date the Advisor is determined to be unable to obtain the required Security clearance, this Contract will be immediately terminated for default, with no severance pay or any other reimbursement allowed. Experience and skills: a) Experience working in rule of law or justice sector activities such as institutional reform, legal framework development, access to justice, justice reform advocacy, human rights, police reform, transitional justice, or war crimes. 35 points b) Experience working in development programs in assisted countries of the Europe and Eurasia region. 25 points c) Experience in conducting and drafting assessments, background analyses, and project/program designs in the democracy and governance sector. 20 points d) Experience working successfully with multi-disciplinary teams. 15 points e) Ability to speak English is required. In addition, at least one of the regional languages, preferably Russian and/or Serbo-Croatian, is desirable. 5 points
- Place of Performance
- Address: USAID, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, RRB, Washington, DC
- Zip Code: 20523-7900
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 20523-7900
- Record
- SN00754049-W 20050220/050218211517 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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