Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 03, 2005 FBO #1346
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- Caucasus Desk Team Leader

Notice Date

8/1/2005
 

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-GRO-EGAS-05-1852
 

Response Due

8/31/2005
 

Archive Date

9/15/2005
 

Description

ISSUANCE DATE: August 1, 2005 CLOSING DATE: August 31,2005 3:00PM EDT Ladies/Gentlemen: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contract (PSC) for Caucasus Desk Team Leader, Office of Europe and Eurasia, USAID/Washington Solicitation No. M/OAA/GRO/EGAS-05-1852 The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals 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 Qualifications listed in the solicitation. Consideration and selection will be based on a panel evaluation of the applications vis-a-vis the Evaluation Criteria. Resumes may be attached to the SF-171 or OF-612 and applicants should write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address these criteria. Applicants are required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. Applications that are received without a signature will not be considered for the position. The U.S. mail system is not as reliable as other methods of submitting applications, such as courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax or by e-mail. Applicants are responsible for submitting the SF-171 or OF 612, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the closing data and time specified in the solicitation whether submitted by courier, overnight mail services, hand delivery, fax or e-mail. An application received after the closing date and time will be considered late, 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. Applications that are submitted by courier service or hand-carried must be accepted at the 14th Street entrance of the Ronald Regan Building. The courier must inform the guard there is a package for Jessica Schubel. The guard will contact that person and inform her that there is a package for pick-up at the 14th Street entrance. Packages cannot be dropped off at the desk, someone must accept the application from the courier. Any questions as well as submission of proposals in response to this solicitation must be directed to: Jessica Schubel, Contract Specialist U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Acquisition and Assistance M/OAA/GRO/EGAS, Room 7.09-113 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20523-7101 Telephone Number (202) 712-5858 Fax No. (202)216-3132 E-Mail: jschubel@usaid.gov Applicants that submit their application by E-mail without an electronic signature must send a fax or scanned copy of the signature page in order for their application to be considered for this position. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their proposals. All submissions should be clearly marked with the solicitation number: M/OAA/GRO/EGAS-05-1852. Sincerely, a/s James D. Goodwin Contracting Officer M/OAA/GRO/EGAS Office of Acquisition and Assistance SOLICITATION NUMBER: M/OAA/GRO/EGAS-05-1852 ISSUANCE DATE: August 1, 2005 CLOSING DATE/TIME: August 31, 2005 3:00PM EST POSITION TITLE: Caucasus Desk Team Leader MARKET VALUE: This position is the equivalent of a GS-14, ranging from $88,369 to $114,882 per annum. Final compensation will be based on individual's salary and work history, experience and educational background. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Ten months from start date of the contract. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Washington, DC with travel. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all U.S. Citizens BACKGROUND The Program Officer, Office of Eurasia Affairs (EAA), Europe & Eurasia (E&E) Bureau, serves as the Team Leader for the Caucasus Desk. This Desk is one of the four EA geographic desks, in addition to Russia, Ukraine/Moldova/Belarus, and Central Asian Republics. The Caucasus Desk is the focal point of the E&E Bureau?s relationships with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The incumbent performs staff duties and responsibilities to ensure the effective development and implementation of country programs and activities. The incumbent assures that field mission and Washington views are taken into account during the design, development, and implementation of strategies, programs and projects. The Team Leader also backstops Mission personnel and budgeting, external relations and information and country-specific donor coordination. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Provides continuing guidance to USAID/W and field personnel on new and established Agency and Bureau policy and procedures on program development and implementation. Monitors developments associated with U.S. assistance to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Facilitates release of funds to these countries. Represents the Missions and interprets their positions on issues, problems, and programs. 2. Reviews and recommends for approval proposed assistance strategies and activities requiring ?performance funds,? taking into account the country economic, political and social situations; development plans, programs and priorities of recipient countries; U.S. objectives, USAID strategy, and ongoing assistance programs; and contributions made by other organizations and third countries. 3. Prepares narrative and statistical descriptions and analyses on the status of activities in desk countries for Bureau, Agency, State, OMB, and Congressional reviews and presentations; prepares briefing papers and Congressional testimony. 4. In collaboration with the Bureau's Program Office, assesses progress in achieving Bureau strategic objectives, particularly in the Caucasus region. Recommend modifications of the Mission?s approach, if necessary. 5. Assists in Mission implementation of approved strategies by coordinating and expediting technical assistance provided by Bureau and USAID offices. 6. Participates in annual Bureau reviews of Mission performance and budget requests. Recommends remedial actions, if necessary. Recommends appropriate budget levels, within parameters established by State and OMB. Facilitates review of unsolicited proposals and helps address concerns of existing grantees and contractors. 7. Maintains continuous review of assigned country programs and situations in order to appraise and report on progress toward achievement of strategic objectives. 8. Serves temporary duty (TDY) assignments in the field mission offices. KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION In order to analyze and evaluate program objectives and effectiveness, and develop recommendations for action and/or Agency policy positions, incumbent must possess the following: Comprehensive knowledge of USAID's country program strategy and planning systems, with particular reference to FREEDOM Support Act requirements, as well as a thorough working knowledge of the Agency?s project design and implementation systems. Thorough working knowledge of U.S. foreign aid legislation and trends and Executive Branch policies and directions. Knowledge of relevant economic and social issues of assigned countries. Solid knowledge of USAID management systems and administrative procedures. Strong skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues and problems of a procedural and factual nature. Strong skill in conducting interviews with supervisors and employees to obtain information about organizational missions, functions and work procedures. *Note ? PSCs may represent the agency, except that communications that reflect a final policy, planning or budget decision of the agency must be cleared by a US Direct Hire employee. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS Under the supervision and policy direction of the Office Director, the incumbent has a degree of independence to act within overall Agency and Bureau policies and objectives and is held accountable for timeliness and quality of finished products. The incumbent coordinates and monitors Caucasus programs both at the policy/strategy level and on a daily basis. The supervisor furnishes advice and guidance in problem cases, reviews work products for technical adequacy and conformance to policy, and evaluates overall effectiveness in terms of contributions to established goals. The employee plans, coordinates, and carries out the successive steps in accordance with accepted office policies, applicable precedents, organizational concepts, management theory, and occupational training. GUIDELINES Guidelines include laws and legislative initiatives, Agency rules and regulations, US government foreign and domestic policy directives, country-specific policies, and strategy and program planning issues, which are subject to interpretation. Incumbent is expected to use independent judgment in determining the application of current foreign assistance legislative provisions and executive policies to assigned responsibilities. The employee must use independent judgment in researching regulations and in determining the relationship between guidelines and organizational efficiency, program effectiveness, or employee productivity. COMPLEXITY Work includes technical analysis, particularly economic policy review, country strategy formulation, project proposal analysis and program implementation review. The necessary analytical role requires awareness of U.S. Government political complexities and changing host country circumstances. Tasks often require departing from past approaches and dealing with unstructured circumstances. Task objectives may depend on an assessment of competing demands. Experienced judgment is needed to provide appropriate advice for E&E management. The myriad pressures for access to the program and decision-makers create an unusual combination of technical, administrative and policy issues at all times. SCOPE AND EFFECT The expertise provided by the incumbent contributes to Mission analysis and identification of the key economic and social problems in the Caucasus region. His or her input helps to define what is appropriate for USAID?s attention and guides the development of strategic and project approaches. Such input keeps the Mission abreast of Washington agencies? views of the region. The incumbent's findings and recommendations are vetted with the Office Director and senior E&E management. These findings and recommendations heavily influence the position that the Agency takes regarding program strategy, composition and funding. PERSONAL CONTACTS Incumbent maintains close contact with appropriate staff in the field, the E&E Bureau, and central bureaus, in particular Global and Legislative and Public Affairs. Outside contacts are with staff of the State Department Office of the Coordinator for U.S. Assistance for Europe and Eurasia, and other State Department offices and bureaus. The incumbent will also have frequent contact with high government officials, host country representatives and NGO's. Host country embassy contacts are often at the ministerial level and include ambassadors. Frequent contacts are also made with the IMF and World Bank officers in charge of specific country programs for these institutions. Public contacts are extensive, and may include association leaders, corporate officers, lobbyists, diaspora group members, university representatives, and non-profit foundation executives. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS The purpose of contacts is to cooperate with colleagues and counterparts to assure the completion of necessary actions, to advocate specific positions and to explain and/or justify U.S. Government policy position. Contacts typically involve such matters as: identification of decision-making alternatives; appraisals of success in meeting goals; and recommendations for resolving problems. Incumbent must be skilled in negotiating and presenting policy/strategy options and in effecting a consensus on solutions. PHYSCIAL DEMANDS The work is essentially sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in an office setting. Occasional requirements for field trips could expose the incumbent to disease, challenging work conditions, and security risks. SUPERVISION/OVERSIGHT OF OTHERS Incumbent provides guidance to two Caucasus Region desk officers. One is responsible for Georgia and Azerbaijan. The other desk officer is responsible for Armenia. As a Team Leader, the incumbent?s leadership, technical and program management skills coupled with hands-on experience are important to ensure that the desk officers can perform their functions in a highly efficient and knowledgeable manner. The incumbent is responsible for offering timely feedback to the Office Director regarding the desk officers? performance. SELECTIVE FACTORS Minimum Qualifications A masters degree in the field related to international development and, at least, ten years of comparable work experience relevant to the factors listed in the ?Knowledge Required by the Position? section set forth above; or, a bachelors degree and, at least, 15 years of work experience relevant to the factors presented above in the ?Knowledge Required by the Position? section. Evaluative Factors 1. Knowledge of U.S. development assistance legislation, trends and U.S. Government policies and directions. (20 points) 2. Knowledge of USAID country program strategies,budget and program management systems, and project design and implementation concepts and procedures including knowledge of FREEDOM Support Act requirements. (30 points) 3. Knowledge of relevant political, economic and social issues in the Eurasia Region. (20 points) 4. Ability to adapt analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the identification, consideration and resolution of issues and problems. (10 points) 5. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. (10 points) 6. Ability to deal with team members, associates, representatives of foreign governments and Congressional staffers. (10 points) APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: For USPSCs a U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices); Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. 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. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. It is also possible that reference checks may be conducted on those candidates selected for an interview. The Government will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). ** 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). ** * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** 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. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) PERTAINING TO PSCS CIBs 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 apply to this contract. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.) BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): (1) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Post Allowance (Section 220) (4) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (5) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (6) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (7) Danger Pay (Section 650) (8) Educational Allowance (Section 270) (9) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.
 

Place of Performance

Address: US Agency for International Development, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Zip Code: 20523

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00858964-W 20050803/050801211509 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

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