Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 17, 2006 FBO #1633
SOURCES SOUGHT

R -- US PSC - Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) (referred to locally as MCA Threshold Program Manager) GS- 0301-14; USAID/Albania

Notice Date

5/15/2006
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

NAICS

561990 — All Other Support 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

182-06-003
 

Response Due

6/2/2006
 

Archive Date

6/17/2006
 

Description

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (US PSC)-Development Assistance Specialist (MCA)/(referred to locally as MCA Threshold Program Manager)GS-0301-14, USAID/Albania Issuance Date: 05/12/2006 Closing Date: 06/02/2006 (5 pm local time in Tirana) The United States Agency for International Development is seeking applications (OF-612) from US citizen qualified individuals interested in providing personal services as described herein. Submittals shall be in accordance with the information below at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to Michael B. Stewart, Executive Officer, USAID /Albania using the following contact information: Telephone: +355-4-266-395/96/97/98/99 Fax: +355-4-266-394 E-mail: mbstewart@usaid.gov Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications should be submitted via internet as e-mail attachments or by a courier as follows: By email to: Michael B. Stewart, Executive Officer, USAID/Albania at mbstewart@usaid.gov By DHL or FEDEX, consign documents to: Attention: Michael B. Stewart, Executive Officer USAID/Albania Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers Tirana, Albania P.O. Box 2400/1 Telephone: 355-4-266/395/96/97/98/99 Sincerely, Michael B. Stewart 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 182-06-003 2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 12, 2006 3. CLOSING DATE: June 2, 2006 (5pm local time in Tirana) 4. POSITION TITLE: Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) (referred to locally as MCA Threshold Program Manager) 5. MARKET VALUE: The position is the equivalent of a GS-14, with salary ranging from $77,793 to $101,130 per annum. Final compensation will be based on individual's salary and work history, experience and educational background. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years from effective date of contract. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Tirana, Albania 8. SUPERVISION: USAID/Mission Director. 9. POSITION DESCRIPTION: As below Background: USAID/Albania manages development and transition programs in Albania, financed through Support for East European Democracy (SEED) funds. Total SEED assistance for Albania is about $25 million annually, of which USAID/Albania manages roughly $19 million. In addition to the Director, the Mission is staffed with five US Direct Hires (USDHs), four US Personal Services Contractors (USPSCs) (plus three intermittent USPSC advisors), and 25 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). The USAID/Albania Strategic Plan is organized around a Results Framework containing five strategic objectives (SOs), which link with USAID E&E Bureau goals for: economic restructuring (SO 1.3); civil society development and local government and decentralization (SO 2.1); rule of law (SO 2.2); primary health care reform (SO 3.2); and special initiatives, including energy and combatting trafficking in persons (SO 4.1). The US Government has a strong interest in reducing corruption in Albania. Expanded emphasis is being given to rule of law, democracy and governance, and the fight against trafficking in persons. Largely because of perceptions of corruption in the country, Albania did not qualify as a candidate country for the U.S. Government?s Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), which is administered by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). However, Albania did qualify as a candidate for the Threshold Program, which is intended to assist governments in addressing shortfalls in their qualification for the MCA. The Government of Albania (GoA) submitted a Threshold Program proposal that was subsequently accepted and funded. The USPSC incumbent of this position will manage the MCA Threshold Program in Albania. Basic Function of the Position: The Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) will be responsible for oversight of ongoing and planned activities related to USAID/Albania management of the MCA Threshold Program, in accordance with an interagency agreement with the MCC. Mangement of Albania?s Threshold Country Plan will consist of program direction, management, implementation support, monitoring, coordination, and reporting associated with all activities funded by the Millennium Challenge Account. The primary emphasis will be on three two-year activities totalling $13.85 million, aimed at reducing corruption and increasing efficiency in the Government?s tax administration, public procurement, and business registration sectors. USAID/Albania has recently added a Millennium Challenge Support Objective to its current strategy, in order to cover the Threshold Program. The Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) serves as an active member of the Mission Millennium Challenge Support Objective Team that includes Mission staff, grantees, contractors, host-government officials, and other partners, to ensure maximum program impact with available resources. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Specifically, the responsibilities of the Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) shall include, but not be limited to: program conceptualization and activity design; basic oversight and management of assigned current and planned activities that support the MCA Threshold Program; providing recommendations to the Mission and others concerning design and implementation of strategies, plans, and budgets for ongoing and planned activities; serving as a key Mission resource for information and knowledge about the MCA Threshold Program; management and preparation of input on the MCA Threshold Program portfolio for the annual Congressional Budget Justification process and the SEED report; coordination of all MCA Threshold Program activities, including grantee and contractor work plans, with other members of the Strategic Objective Team; preparation and dissemination of reports on the impact and results of MCA Threshold Program activities; ensuring that all administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID/Albania?s MCA Threshold Program are handled in accordance with established policies and procedures; drafting, or supervising the drafting of, resources transfer documentation (e.g., Modified Acquisition and Assistance Request Documents [MAARDs]), and obtaining necessary approvals; and, ensuring performance-monitoring systems are in place, including the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), that reliable indicators of portfolio impact are established for assigned area of responsibility, periodically reviewing progress in achieving outputs and results, and recommending corrective steps in identified problem areas. Because of the precedent-setting nature of the MCA Threshold Program, the Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) will have unusual responsibilities for developing policies, strategies, plans, and procedures for MCA programs and implementing partners. The Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) will liaise with other donors, and develop procedures to assure cooperation and complementarity in MCA Threshold Program-related activities; maintain day-to-day contact with resident grantees and contractors in related fields, and with short-term advisors and specialists regarding their activities; conduct site visits and inspections; maintain up-to-date information on developments in all areas of the MCA Threshold Program sector; keep the Mission and other relevant offices and organizations informed of problems that could impede results achievement; and, ensure that partners receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, and are informed of country-level and regional issues. The Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) will assure close coordination of MCA-funded activities with other USAID-managed programs, as well as those of the US Embassy, other donors, and, to the extent required, within the Albanian Government. The Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) will carry out or manage program evaluations and assessments, as needed, with follow-up to recommended actions; and will manage closeout actions for completed activities in the MCA Threshold Program portfolio. The Development Assistance Specialist (MCA) will supervise a small FSN staff, assigned to assist with oversight and implementation of the USAID/Albania MCA Threshold Country Plan. Performs other duties as assigned or required. IV. Management Controls The Contractor will report to the Mission Director or his/her designee and will be a senior member of Mission management. S/he will be expected to function with a high degree of autonomy within general USAID and MCC policies and management guidelines. V. Desired Qualifications: 1. An advanced degree in an international development-related field. 2. A demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility and experience in the design, management and implementation of activities and activity portfolios. A combination of activity design and management skills is highly desirable. Familiarity with technical issues in anti-corruption, rule of law, public administration, and public finance is highly desired. 3. Experience in Eastern Europe or CIS countries is highly desirable. 4. Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures relating to activity design, budgeting implementation, and evaluation. Basic familiarity with USAID acquisition regulations is highly desirable. A minimum of 10 years of experience in bilateral foreign assistance in portfolio and activity management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation capacity is desirable. 5. Familiarity with activity and portfolio management, results frameworks and performance measurement. 6. Strong interpersonal and skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of professional counterparts. 7. Superior written and oral communication skills. The ability to meet tight deadlines with concise documents and oral interpretation is required. 8. Demonstrated persuasiveness, cross cultural sensitivity, tact and poise. VI. Contractor Selection Criteria: Education: 10 points. An advanced degree from a recognized (preferably American) university in an international development-related field. Experience: 50 points. At least 15 years of experience working in foreign assistance, including 10 years bilateral experience in the design, management and implementation of development activities. A combination of activity design, management and evaluation skills is highly desirable. Familiarity with technical issues and managing for results in anti-corruption, rule of law, public administration, and public finance is a plus. Other Experience: 25 points. Other experience related to policies and procedures in activity design, implementation, evaluation and reporting. Familiarity with strategic management, results frameworks and performance measurement. Ability to produce well-written documents under tight deadlines. Interpersonal Communication skills: 15 points. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork and organizational skills. Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring in a cross-cultural context. VII. Medical and security clearance requirements The successful applicant must receive medical clearance for serving in Albania. Details of how to obtain U.S. Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted. The successful applicant must be able to receive USAID secret security clearance that involves a comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency. VIII. Period of Service Overseas After written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances, including the doctor's statement of medical opinion required under General Provision Clause 4, have been received the contractor shall proceed to Tirana, Albania where he/she shall promptly commence performance of the duties specified above. The contractor's period of service overseas shall extend over a period of two years, from o/a September 1, 2006, through August 31, 2008 VII. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES/TAXES: A. 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 B. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) Post Allowance (Section 220) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Post Differential (Chapter 500) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) Danger Pay (Section 650) Educational Allowance (Section 270) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) Educational Travel (Section 280) C. FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. VIII. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. government Optional Form 612 which is available at the USAID websites http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/forms.html, http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp, or at Federal offices. Resumes may be attached to the OF-612 and applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria. Point of Contact: Michael B. Stewart, Executive Officer; Phone: +355-4-266395; Fax: +355-4-266394; Email: mbstewart@usaid.gov IX. 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. AID 6-1 (Request for Security Action)** 4. SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)** 5. FD-258 (Fingerprint Cards) 2 each** 6. AID 610-14 (Authority for Release of Information)** 7. AID 6-85 (Foreign Residence Data)** 8. Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970, As Amended** 9. Notice Required by the Privacy Act of 1974** **Forms 2 through 9 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. Note: The selected individual shall be required to obtain a security clearance. All dependents who will be on the Contractor?s orders must also be able to obtain medical clearances. X. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBS) AND ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DOCUMENTS (AAPDS) PERTAINING TO PSCs: CIBs and 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 apply to this contract. Additionally, AIDAR Appendixes D or J also applies to PSCs, which can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf
 

Place of Performance

Address: Attention: Michael B. Stewart, Executive Officer, USAID/Albania, Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, Tirana, Albania, P.O. Box 2400/1, Telephone: 355-4-266/395/96/97/98/99,

Zip Code: N/A

Country: Albania
 

Record

SN01047919-W 20060517/060515220029 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

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