Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 31, 2007 FBO #1951
SOURCES SOUGHT

R -- Solicitation US/PSC Program Coordinator HIV/AIDS

Notice Date

3/29/2007
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, South Africa USAID-Pretoria, Dept of State, Washington, DC, 20521-6120, UNITED STATES
 

ZIP Code

00000
 

Solicitation Number

674-07-005
 

Response Due

4/27/2007
 

Archive Date

5/12/2007
 

Description

ISSUANCE DATE: March 29, 2007 CLOSING DATE: April 27, 2007 SUBJECT: Solicitation No. 674-00-07-005 Ladies/Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in providing the PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Submission shall be in accordance with the attached information and applications should be submitted electronically to gwarshaw@usaid.gov , Contracting Officer, Pretoria, South Africa. This solicitation will remain open until April 27, 2007. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the above email address. Sincerely Gail H. Warshaw Contracting Officer USAID/Pretoria UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) United States Government (USG) HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator - LESOTHO PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (PSC) 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 674-07-005 2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 28, 2007 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: April 27, 2007 at 12.00 noon, local time, Pretoria, South Africa... 4. POSITION TITLE: United States Government (USG) HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION: (GS 14 - $79,115 - $102,848 per annum). The salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will additionally receive post differential approved for Lesotho (currently set at 10% of base pay), housing, international travel, shipment benefits and education allowances. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years to start on or about September 2007 or as soon as the contract is ready for signature, with the possibility of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Maseru, Lesotho. 8. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret level clearance required. 9. JOB DESCRIPTION: A. Position Title: United States Government (USG) HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator B. Organizational Location of the Position: U.S. Embassy, Maseru, Lesotho C. Position Title of Direct Supervisor: USAID Regional HIV/AIDS Program Director, Pretoria, South Africa D. Supervisory and Administrative Controls The USAID/Lesotho PEPFAR Coordinator will work under the leadership and day to day oversight of the Ambassador/DCM, as part of the USG HIV/AIDS Team in Lesotho. The Ambassador/DCM also shall have a leading role in evaluating the performance of the individual selected for the PEPFAR Coordinator position. Given that the PEPFAR Coordinator will be based in the US Embassy, time and attendance forms will be approved by the DCM. In accordance with USAID rules and regulations governing USAID programs and operations, USAID shall administer most administrative and human resource requirements of the PEPFAR Coordinator, including but not limited to, payroll, personnel files, managing the USAID contractor evaluation process, and any required formal approval of travel. The USAID RHAP Director will be the overall supervising officer for purposes of the USAID PSC contract with the PEPFAR Coordinator, with the understanding that the Ambassador/DCM shall provide day to day oversight of the individual selected. E. Introduction and Background: Lesotho is experiencing one of the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world, affecting both urban and rural areas with equal ferocity. With the third highest HIV prevalence rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, UNAIDS (2004) estimates that 28.9% of adults 15-49 years of age are infected with HIV. This agrees with the 27.8 HIV prevalence rate among young pregnant women (15-24) in the capital city. The estimated number of orphans due to AIDS living in Lesotho in 2003 is 100,000 (up from 68,000 in 2001). With so many persons of productive age infected with HIV, the epidemic is not only a severe health crisis, but also a threat to the future development and economic viability of Lesotho as a nation. An estimated 320,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS including approximately 22,000 children between the ages of 0-14 years and 56,000 people in need of anti-retroviral treatment. HIV prevalence is 14.4 percent among young women between the ages of 15-19 and suggests very high rates of new HIV infection. The vast majority of new HIV infections can be attributed to a high prevalence of multiple, concurrent sexual partnerships. Intergenerational sex, high mobility, and early ages of sexual debut for both young men and women may also contribute substantially to HIV transmission. Although Lesotho is not among the 15 focus countries designated by the President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the overwhelming magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Lesotho and its impact on neighboring countries merits concern and enhanced USG assistance. The Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) is working closely with key USG agencies to address this situation. Currently, the implementing USG agencies in country include the U.S. Agency for International Development?s (USAID) Southern Africa Regional HIV/AIDS Program (RHAP) the Department of Health and Human Services? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) Southern Africa Regional Program and U.S. Peace Corps. Over the past two years the USG has significantly increased HIV/AIDS funding for Lesotho. F. Basic Functions: The incumbent is designated by the Chief of Mission (Ambassador) or his/her designate, to serve as principal point of contact and coordinator of activities related to the U.S. President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the Emergency Plan / PEPFAR) in Lesotho. The HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator will work closely with all USG agencies involved in HIV/AIDS programming in Lesotho and will contribute to Lesotho?s HIV/AIDS national strategy, facilitating a coordinated USG HIV/AIDS response in collaboration with other donor groups and implementing partners in country. G. Duties and Responsibilities: Roles and Responsibilities The HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator will have responsibilities across a range of areas including to: ? Serve as the Ambassador?s and the Deputy Chief of Mission?s principal advisor on HIV/AIDS and developments in the President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. ? Serve as USG HIV/AIDS program coordinator in country, interacting with multilateral agencies, the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), NGOs and other key stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS programming. ? Actively foster and facilitate USG interagency collaboration and cooperation. ? Provide communication between all USG-supported HIV/AIDs activities in Lesotho carried out by USAID, CDC, DOD, DOL, Peace Corps and Department of State. ? Coordinate, facilitate and document monthly USG HIV/AIDS Task Force meetings and other actions required to implement a coordinated HIV/AIDS program. ? As permitted by the workload of assigned responsibilities and as requested in coordination with the Ambassador and the USG team, limited additional coordination and implementation responsibilities with the National AIDS Commission (NAC), the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), and other relevant Ministries. Program Development ? Lead in development and implementation of USG coordinated Program Strategy, progress reports, an annual Operational Plan and all other associated reports. ? Draft, oversee, and coordinate Emergency Plan reports and serve as liaison to OGAC and USG implementing agencies. ? Monitor and coordinate U.S. agency activities to ensure complementarity and compatibility with Congressional and OGAC mandates. ? Act as point of contact for all Emergency Plan and HIV/AIDS activities in Lesotho. ? Act as point of contact for temporary duty (TDY) visitors, congressional delegations (CODELS) and other visitors relating to HIV/AIDS activities. ? Promote information exchange with partners, regional institutions, the Global Fund and other international organizations, relevant networks about effective program implementation practices and other shared concerns. ? Assist USG Task Force in monitoring and evaluating the outputs and impact of HIV/AIDS USG supported activities. ? Serve as chief point of contact for the USG HIV/AIDS program for the GOL, other donors, multilateral organizations and other current or potential stakeholders. ? Provide USG representation on national level bodies including (but not limited to) the CCM, the Expanded UNTG, the HIV/AIDS Partners Forum (NAC), the Health Partners Forum and others; provide technical input to those bodies as needed. ? Play a lead role in recognizing opportunities for and gaps in the USG program by synthesizing the technical inputs of other stakeholders and bringing these ideas to the Task Force. ? Play a lead role in creating linkages among USG implementing partners and between USG and other implementing partners. ? Assist the Task Force to create a system for in-country financial tracking of the overall PEPFAR budget for Lesotho including current and planned procurements, expenditures and pipelines. ? Serve as initial POC for new partners and assist in making appropriate introductions to GOL. ? Convene weekly meetings of in-country team to brief one another on past, current and future activities and developments. External Relations ? Foster and facilitate active collaboration and coordination on HIV/AIDS activities with relevant governmental ministries, implementing partners, the donor community, and key stakeholders. ? Serve as representative and liaison with the host country government, other donors and USG implementing partners for coordination, information sharing and other issues related specifically to the Emergency Plan. H. Qualifications: The following are REQUIRED: 1. Advanced degree(s) in public health, nursing, medicine or other relevant training in international health. 2. Minimum of five years experience in international public health programming and/or implementation. 3. Minimum of three years experience working in technical oversight, design and implementation of HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries. 4. Excellent management, coordination, interpersonal and teamwork skills. 5. Demonstrated team leadership skills. 6. Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with multiple partners. 7. Strong quantitative and analytical skills, verbal skills and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues. 8. Familiarity with USAID and/or USG systems and implementation mechanisms. 9. A high degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret technical and political opportunities and constraints. 10. Experience in operating effectively in cross-cultural environment and working within interagency setting. 11. Strong conceptual, analytical, and reasoning skills. I. Available Guidelines: The incumbent is required to understand Mission and Agency specific policies and procedures which govern project activity management in addition to State established administrative operating procedures, policies and formats. Oral guidance from the immediate Supervisor and specific detailed instructions will be given (when necessary) for carrying out unique assignments. The incumbent will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving guidelines and policies which affect overall EP initiative and keeping abreast of evolving development on HIV/AIDS issues in Lesotho. J. Exercise of Judgment: In instances not clearly covered by written guidelines, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well informed judgment in devising innovative approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial and/or policy problems. Excellent (balanced) judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. The use of initiative, discretion and patience is expected from the incumbent in dealing with USG Lesotho and representatives from donor organizations to resolve problems that arise during the course of work for which there is often no clear or immediate solution. K. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will have no independent authority to commit U.S. Government (USG) funds on behalf of the U.S. Government. L. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will be required to maintain solid working relationships with U.S. Embassy, USAID RHAP, U.S. Peace Corps, CDC, DOL and DoD to function effectively. The incumbent will be required to work closely with OGAC in Washington, Lesotho USG Interagency Task Force, foundations, NGOs, other foreign donor institutions (i.e. WHO, DFID, JICA, etc.) and other local and international groups. M. Other Requirements: In addition, the incumbent must also be: 1) A U.S. Citizen; 2) Able to obtain US Government medical and security clearances; 3) Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary; 4) Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested. N. Selection Criteria: Applicants meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. Following are the evaluation criteria for this position for a total of 100 points: EDUCATION (20 points): ? Advanced degree(s) in public health, nursing, medicine or other relevant training in international health. WORK EXPERIENCE (30 points): ? Minimum of five years experience in international public health programming and/or implementation. ? Minimum of three years experience working in technical oversight, design and implementation of HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries. Prior work experience in Southern Africa would be advantageous ABILITIES AND SKILLS (50 points): ? Excellent management, coordination, interpersonal and teamwork skills ? Demonstrated judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret technical and political opportunities and constraints. ? Strong quantitative and analytical skills, verbal skills and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues. ? Familiarity with USAID and/or USG systems and implementation mechanisms. ? Experience in operating effectively in cross-cultural environment and working within interagency setting. O. Selection Process: After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accord with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates which do not meet the minimum educational and work experience requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, final candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at the US Ambassador?s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant?s cover letter. The interviewing committee will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by the interview committee with respect to their applications. The final selected candidates must obtain security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). A substantial delay in obtaining either required clearance will make the applicant ineligible for selection. AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, AN OFFSHORE USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES: BENEFITS (1) Employee's FICA Contribution (2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance --50% of Health Insurance Annual Premium (not to exceed $7,750 for a family and $3,410 for employees without dependents) --50% of Life Insurance Annual Premium ( not to exceed $500) (3) Pay Comparability Adjustment --Annual across the board salary increase for USG employees and USPSCs (4) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation (5) Vacation & Sick Leave ALLOWANCES* (If Applicable): As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC qualifying as off-shore is normally authorized the following allowances: (1) Post Differential (Section 500) (2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) (3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) (4) Post Allowance (COLA)(Section 220) (5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) (6) Payments During Evacuation (Section 600) (7) Education Allowance (Section 270) (8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (9) Danger Pay (Section 650) (10) Educational Travel (Section 280) * Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). OTHER BENEFITS: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Lesotho in accord with the AIDAR, e.g. post differential, international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. List of REQUIRED Forms for USPSCs a. 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 USG offices.) Forms (b) through (e) shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the position. b. Medical History and Examination (DS-1843). c. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or d. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). e. Finger Print Card (FD-258). (NOTE: Form is available from the requirements office.) Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) pertaining to PSCs . Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html
 

Place of Performance

Address: USAID/South Africa, 100 Totius Street, P.O. Box 43, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa

Zip Code: 0027

Country: SOUTH AFRICA
 

Record

SN01261671-W 20070331/070329220111 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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