SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- PSC-07-013 (INL) Poppy Elimination Program Advisor (PSC)
- Notice Date
- 11/30/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, INL RM MS, 2430 E Street, N.W., South Building SA-4 Navy Hill, Washington, DC, 20520, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- PSC-07-013(INL)
- Response Due
- 12/8/2006
- Archive Date
- 12/23/2006
- Description
- You have received this Personal Services Contractor (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in the cover letter of this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data/text that may not be received when retrieving this document electronically. If the recipient does not notify the contact person that they have obtained this document then any amendments to the document may not be available to the recipients. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. POPPY ELIMINATION PROGRAM ADVISOR, Kabul, Afghanistan ISSUANCE DATE: 11/30/06 CLOSING DATE: 12/08/06 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-07-013 (INL) Gentlemen/Ladies: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The United States Government, represented by the Department of State, is seeking proposals (OF 612?s) from U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions may be directed to Margaret A. Dickson, INL/RM/MS, DOS, who may be reached at FAX No. (202) 776-8775 OR E-Mail dicksonma@state.gov. All applications should be sent via Fed Ex or DHL, facsimile, OR e-mail. The use of US MAIL is not recommended and may NOT be received in time prior to the closing date. All applications submitted by FedEx or DHL should be sent to the following address: Margaret A. Dickson Department of State 2430 E. Street, NW INL/RM/RM, Navy Hill South, Rm. 107 Washington, D.C. 20037 Late applications shall not be accepted, unless there was a mishandling once received in DOS. Along with the OF 612, applicants shall provide a resume and three written references including contact information. Applicants are also requested to provide their full mailing address (fax, telephone and/or e-mail where applicable). Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals. Please reference the number of this solicitation when sending your application. There is one position that will be filled from this solicitation. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-07-013 (INL) ISSUANCE DATE: 11/30/2006 CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED: 12/08/2006 FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 16:00 PM ET POSITION TITLE: Poppy Elimination Program Advisor MARKET VALUE: FS-02 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: January 2007- December 2007 extendable as required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, Afghanistan JOB DESCRIPTION: See below GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR A. Background This position is located in the American Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan in the Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS), which administers a $700m foreign assistance program supporting Government of Afghanistan (GOA) efforts to combat narcotics, restore rule of law and establish a civilian police presence on a national level. Within the NAS office, the Poppy Elimination Program Advisor (PEP) oversees a $20m program that aims to reduce poppy cultivation at the provincial level by conducting outreach activities and providing direct support to local Afghan governors as part of the Ministry of Counter-narcotics? province?based implementation of the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS). PEP is a multi-disciplinary approach that cuts across the elements of the NDCS, and the PEP teams provide governors with knowledge of district and village stakeholders, awareness of development projects and expertise in agricultural matters. The teams also transmit information and aims to influence opium cultivation-related behaviors by educating the public on the counter-narcotics strategy and the governors' efforts to eliminate poppy cultivation. The PEP teams also provide a critical link from these provinces to the central government on counter-narcotics program matters. B. Supervisory Controls The contractor works under the supervision of the Narcotics Affairs Section Director, however, the individual exercises wide latitude for independent action, designing programs and implementing approved new programs under general supervision. Completed work is reviewed for timeliness and effectiveness. C. Statement of Work Serves as the NAS Director?s principal advisor on PEP, supervises foreign nationals and contractors associated with implementing the PEP program, and ensuring that the PEP contractors and Afghan personnel address the following issues: 1. Act as a Resource to the Provincial Governors The PEP teams provide Governors with knowledge of district and village stakeholders, awareness of development projects and expertise in agricultural matters. The teams also transmit information and aims to influence opium cultivation-related behaviors by educating the public on the CN strategy and the Governors efforts to eliminate poppy cultivation. The PEP teams also provide a critical link from these provinces to the central government on CN program matters. 2. Act as Development Liaison Provide farmers with economic opportunities and alternatives to poppy cultivation as an essential part of the counter-narcotics strategy in Afghanistan. The role of PEP in this regard is to map existing development and alternative livelihood projects; serve as interlocutors to the donors; and, report to the Governors and MCN on the community level perceptions of projects and needs. It is vital that that the PEP teams establish good working relations with the major donors. 3. Provide Community Outreach The goal of PEP?s community outreach work is to alter attitudes and behaviors in an Afghan culture where too many people have come to depend upon the cultivation of poppy - despite its illegality, the major public health hazard that it presents, and its threat to security and governance. PEP is working to change attitudes and behaviors and gain buy-in and support through community outreach to everyone throughout the province. PEP is likely to have most impact in delivering CN communications by working with and through grassroots community networks, including clinics, teachers, mullahs and ulema, and by supporting provincial, district and village shuras and jirgas. They will also assist provincial officials in delivering CN messages through working with the local media (TV, radio, newspapers). 4. Act as Monitor One of the most direct ways to affect the farmer?s decision on poppy cultivation is to introduce risk into the planting decision by demonstrating a credible threat of eradication. Governor - led eradication campaigns throughout their provinces, along with PEP?s publicity campaigns, are working to create this risk. During the Poppy Cultivation season, PEP provides agricultural specialists to monitor poppy eradication efforts reported by provincial government. These specialists will work alongside United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other MCN survey personnel and report their findings back to the MCN and international community. During the off-season, these same PEP specialists work in the rural areas to influence pre-planting decisions by farmers, monitor their planting intentions for the following season, and build up knowledge of land use and ownership patterns throughout the province. D. Minimum Qualifications 1. Bachelor?s degree from a accredited institution, or equivalent experience may be substituted (i.e., Associates degree with five years related experience, or ten years of related experience in public administration). 2. Must be an U.S. citizen, subject to Department of State security clearance. Current or former national agency check desired. 3. Familiarity with Embassy organization and management procedures and Embassy interrelated activities, as well as knowledge of programs, organization, and operations of other USG elements making up the U.S. Mission, which are involved in counter-narcotics programs, particularly the military, is required. E. Preferred Knowledge and Skills The PEP Advisor should have sufficient formal education and life experience to enable him/her to successfully: 1. Independently identify and assess local political motivation 2. Identify opportunities for assistance 3. Assist with the formulation and implementation of a local policy/program 4. Develop a dynamic and strong information campaign 5. Ensure Afghan ?ownership? of poppy elimination 6. Work within a small mixed International/Afghan team in isolated and arduous conditions 7. Acquire a good working knowledge of all the terrain and agriculture within their allocated Province including all aspects and issues surrounding poppy cultivation 8. Acquire a good knowledge and understanding of the Alternative Livelihoods and development activity within their province 9. Evaluate support, compliance and engagement with poppy elimination throughout the Province 10. Report eradication activity 11. Establish and maintain good relations with the leadership of the local international military security providers and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) 12. Exercise initiative, ingenuity and imagination and the mental agility to adhere to a challenging mission in a complex political and security environment F. Evaluation Factors 1. A good knowledge of overseas USG international counter-narcotics programs and Embassy Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement bureau (INL)-specific administrative requirements and procedures. 2. Two or more years of working closely with senior officials of foreign governments, comparable to provincial governors in Afghanistan, to nurture and implement far-reaching policy changes. 3. Two or more years working in a developing country, preferably on counter-narcotics, agricultural, or public information programs, especially bridging the gap between policy makers in the capital city and those charged with implementing policies and programs in the field. 4. Must be physically qualified to live overseas and willing to engage in in-country travel to remote locations. The work is both physical and sedentary in nature and involves activity at both the NAS headquarters (Embassy) and Forward Operating Locations (FOL). 5. Past performance evaluation of applicant?s ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the Government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. G. Compensation Compensation for the position will be negotiated as follows: Level of experience will dictate the salary level within the grade range. Entry-level salary will normally be at the first step of the grade range for the position. However, consideration will be given to the successful applicant?s experience that is specifically relevant to the position to be filled. Number of years of relevant experience will determine at what step within the grade range the successful applicant will be compensated. H. Benefits & Allowances AS A MATTER OF POLICY, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES: 1. BENEFITS (a) Employee's FICA Contribution (b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance (c) Pay Comparability Adjustment (d) Annual Increase (e) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (f) Annual & Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES (if applicable). * (a) Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120). (b) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130). (c) Post Allowance (Section 220). (d) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230). (e) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260). (f) Education Allowance (Section 270). (g) Education Travel (Section 280). (h) Post Differential (Chapter 500). (i) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600). (j) Danger Pay (Section 650).
- Place of Performance
- Address: Kabul
- Country: AFGHANISTAN
- Country: AFGHANISTAN
- Record
- SN01188562-W 20061202/061130220310 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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