Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF DECEMBER 16, 2007 FBO #2211
MODIFICATION

R -- Palestinian Civic Engagement Program Advisor

Notice Date

12/14/2007
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, West Bank, Gaza USAID-West Bank, Amer Emb/Tel Aviv Unit #7228, APO, AE, 09892-0206, UNITED STATES
 

ZIP Code

09892-0206
 

Solicitation Number

PSC2942008003
 

Response Due

1/4/2008
 

Archive Date

1/19/2008
 

Point of Contact

Sandy Sakran, Procurement Specialist, Phone 972-3-511-4870, Fax 972-3-511-4893
 

E-Mail Address

ssakran@usaid.gov
 

Description

SOLICITATION NO.: PSC 294-2008-003 ISSUANCE DATE: December 14, 2007 CLOSING DATE: January 4, 2008 Gentlemen/Ladies: Subject: US Personal Services Contract (PSC) Palestinian civic Engagement Program Advisor (1 Year) ? One Year Renewable The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (Standard Form 171's / or / Optional application for Federal Employment Form (OF-612)) from persons interested in providing the Personal Services Contract (PSC) services described below. Submissions 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-?-vis the Evaluation Criteria. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the SF-171 and Of-612 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. Applicants are reminded and required to sign the certification at the end of the SF-171 or OF-612. Resumes may be attached to the SF-171 or OF-612. Any questions as well as submission of the applications and the required documents in response to this solicitation may be directed to Ms. Sandy Sakran who may be reached at Fax No. 972-3-511-4893, or via E-mail address: ssakran@usaid.gov. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of the USAID. The U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award or to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation. USAID reserves the right to award all or none of the contracts contemplated herein, subject to availability of funds. Sincerely, Roy Plucknett Contracting Officer USAID/West Bank and Gaza SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC 294-2008-003 ISSUANCE DATE: December 14, 2007 CLOSING DATE: January 4, 2008 POSITION TITLE: Palestinian Civic Engagement Program Advisor MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($79,115 - $102,848) PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Jerusalem ? USAID/West Bank & Gaza PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The USPSC will be for a period of one year ? One additional year renewable. MARKET VALUE: The market value for this PSC is equivalent to a GS-14 level. The salary range for a GS-14 level is $79,115 - $102,848. In addition, the Mission has 30% Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA), 5% Post Differential and 20% Danger Pay. The salary will be determined based on past salary history, working experience and educational background of the successful candidate. BACKGROUND: The USAID Mission for the West Bank and Gaza manages the overall U.S. assistance program to the Palestinians. This assistance program is an integral part of the U.S. support for the Palestinian-Israeli effort to create and maintain a peaceful co-existence, and as such it reflects the demands of a continually evolving political and economic environment. It is implemented against the backdrop of ongoing conflict and negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel. The USAID program is intended to improve the quality of life of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza; promote a competitive market economy; foster the effective use of scarce resources; promote the development of a democratic society; encourage sound public management and provide emergency or humanitarian assistance when needed. The program has obligated $1.5 billion since 1994 on the WBG development program. In per capita terms, this is one of the largest USAID programs in the world. The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking proposals (Standard Form 171 or Standard Form 612) from persons interested in providing the PSC services described below. This is a diverse and politically sensitive program and is one of the few USAID Missions worldwide without a bi-lateral agreement with a host government. In December 2007, the management of the current Office of Transition Initiatives? contract will transfer to USAID/West Bank and Gaza?s DGO. The program will be renamed ?Palestinian Democracy Strengthening Program? (PDSP), and is designed to strengthen Palestinian democracy leading to the establishment of a democratic, viable Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors. The initiative provides targeted support to democratic actors, including civic and local leaders, and helps to build broad-based support for the peace process. The DGO portfolio is currently valued at approximately $75 million, and includes programming in the areas of judicial reform, rule of law, local governance, independent media, government accountability and transparency, elections, and conflict management and mitigation. The DGO programs approximately $20 million annually. The PCEP will complement ongoing programming in the DGO and deepen overall impact of existing U.S. Goverment-funded democracy and governance initiatives. POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Palestinian Civic Engagement Program Senior Advisor will be based in Jerusalem at the U.S. Consulate in West Jerusalem. The Incumbent will serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for the $25 million, high profile Palestinian Civic Engagement Program (PCEP) designed to strengthen the political transition that strengthens the establishment of a democratic, viable Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors. The program provides targeted support to democratic actors, including civic and local leaders, and helps to build broad-based support for peace initiatives. The Incumbent works with local DGO staff and reports directly to the DGO Director. The PCEP is designed to strengthen the political transition leading to the establishment of a democratic, viable Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors. The initiative provides targeted support to democratic actors, including civic and local leaders, and helps to build broad-based support for the peace process. The PCEP supports four main objectives: (1) Support to democratic processes critical to a viable democratic state; (2) Strengthen civil society organizations in support of positive democratic change and increased government accountability and transparency; (3) Increase public confidence in local authorities and respect for the rule of law by addressing community safety issues; and (4) support initiatives that advance the vision of a negotiated settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict leading to a viable, democratic Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel and its neighbors. Programming includes a robust small grants component designed to provide commodity support and technical assistance to democratic actors, including civic and local leaders. Small grants will range from $10,000 to $100,000 on average, though larger grants may also be considered. The PCEP directly supports U.S. Government political objectives, and the Incumbent will work closely with U.S. Government officials, including those at USAID and the Consulate General in Jerusalem. The PCEP works with a broad range of Palestinian counterparts, including Palestinian ministries and independent institutions, civil society organizations, local leaders, among others. The initiative will be integrated into the overall DGO portfolio, and will complement ongoing activities in the areas of local governance, government transparency and accountability, independent media, rule of law, judicial reform, conflict management and mitigation, elections, among other areas. The current PCEP contract ceiling is $25 million, and the obligation to date is $19 million. The PCEP contract will end on June 9, 2009, unless a one-year extension is granted. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The PCEP Senior Advisor will be based in Jerusalem and will serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) and be responsible for the development, oversight, and management of the PCEP. The Incumbent reports directly to the DGO Director. The specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: ? Conceptualization and design of program strategies and objectives in close coordination with DGO staff, USAID personnel, US Consulate General, US Embassy, local government officials, and civil society actors. ? Serves as the CTO for the PCEP; ? Oversees the development and implementation of program grants to ensure that program design supports overall program goals and objectives in a timely manner; ? Prepare and maintain program budgets; ? Travels, as permitted to field sites, to monitor implementation of grants and provide overall program oversight; ? Oversees performance of Contractor, and helps to ensure the Contractor is in full compliance with U.S. Government rules, regulations, and policies; ? As directed by DGO Director, assist in representing the program in meetings with USAID, U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate, local government officials, U.N. organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. ? Prepares all financial and narrative reports and maintenance of official files; ? Manages project close-out; ? Monitors local and regional political developments and regularly briefs DGO staff on their potential programmatic impact; ? Assists the DGO Director in the preparation of the Operational Plan, portfolio review, and other USAID reports and planning documents; ? Drafting and editing of official correspondence, including but not limited to required waivers and action memoranda; ? Participates in regular DGO team and partner meetings; ? Assists the DGO Director in responding to administrative requests, including requests for information. ? Performs other duties as determined by the DGO Director. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS / SUPERVISION: The incumbent will report to and be supervised by the DGO Director. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND EVALUATION FACTORS: Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: The PCEP Senior Advisor is a senior-level position requiring supervisory management experience, the ability to serve as an effective liaison officer with a wide array of individuals and institutions, and a knowledge of the Middle East in general, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in particular. Familiarity with a range of development issues, including but not limited to community development, political transitions, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, rule of law, and human rights, is necessary. Prior experience with US government agencies and managing program operations in civil conflicts is preferred. The successful candidate will possess excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to work in a highly stressful environment with minimal supervision. The Incumbent will be able to exercise sound political judgment in a politically-charged and challenging security environment. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: 1. Education (10 points) ? Graduate degree in international relations, law, political science, human rights, or related field is required. ? CTO certification is desired. 2. Experience (50 points) ? Minimum of five (5) years overseas experience in democratic development, democracies in transition, conflict settings, international affairs, or related area is required. ? Minimum of two (2) years experience in the design and implementation of conflict mitigation programming, with particular emphasis on supporting positive political transitions in highly complex environments. ? Minimum of five (5) years experience in U.S. Government foreign affairs agencies, international non-governmental organizations, or large public international organization related to democracy and governance, media, human rights, conflict management and mitigation, or other related areas is required. ? Minimum of four (4) years experience in management experience is required. ? Experience working in dynamic, politicized environment is required. ? Experience working in the design and implementation of conflict mitigation and peace-building activities is preferred. ? Experience in resolving complex problems in a team context is required. ? Ability to produce program results at an aggressive work pace and under intense scrutiny is required. ? Experience with USAID management and monitoring systems is a plus. 3. Knowledge and Abilities (40 points) ? Strong oral and written communication skills is required. ? Demonstrated ability in writing narrative reports, briefing papers, and other official documents is required. ? Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse staff and officials is required. ? Demonstrated supervisory skills and ability to maintain team morale and productivity in a challenging security environment under difficult conditions is required. ? Demonstrated ability to operate independently and effectively in a difficult, highly-complex environments with political and economic instability is required. ? Knowledge of recent political development in the West Bank and Gaza; ? One year previous experience serving as a CTO is strongly preferred. ? Experienced-based knowledge of monitoring and evaluation, knowledge of USG budgetary and procurement process, and USG rules and regulations related to implementation of USG assistance, and property management principles is strongly preferred. ? Strong analytical skills is required. Demonstrated analytical and independent decision-making skills in a heavy workload and high stress environment is required. ? Strong computer skills (MicroSoft Office, including Word and Excel) is required. ? Native-level English (both written and oral) is required. ? Knowledge of Arabic a plus. 4. Other (0 Points) ? U.S. citizen and ability to obtain U.S. Government secret security and medical clearances. Maximum Points Available: 100 SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Supervisor will set overall objectives. The employee and the supervisor together will develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The incumbent is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The working environment at the USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission is stressful due to the ongoing conflict. Due to the unpredictable security situation, travel of all Americans to West Bank, including USPSCs, is heavily restricted. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The DGO is comprised of an office director, deputy office director, and five Foreign Service National staff. The USAID West Bank & Gaza Mission is based in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Mission works closely with the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem and the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained. DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year, with the option to renew. The contractor should be available to start as soon as possible subject to appropriate medical and security clearances. INSTRUCTION to APPLICANTS: (a) Interested individuals are requested to submit an Optional Application for Federal Employment Form (OF-612) or a Standard Form 171 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or internet http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do , or at Federal offices); (b) Applicants are required to provide three references with the complete contact information and a current resume/curriculum vita (CV) as an attachment to the SF-171 or OF 612. Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/psc_solicitations.html The following are required forms for PSCs: *1. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62) *2. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security (SF86) or *3. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85) *4. Finger Print Card (FD-258) *The forms listed 1 through 4 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. This solicitation is issued as of the date of this letter and closes at 16:30 local time on January 4, 2008, Tel Aviv, Israel. This office must receive your application prior to the closing date and time in order for you to be considered for this position. Please send your application to the attention of Ms. Sandy Sakran, either via email at ssakran@usaid.gov or by fax to fax number 972-3-5114893 or using one of the following addresses, as applicable. U.S. Mail Address: Sandy Sakran USAID UNIT 7228, BOX 0026 APO, AE 09830 Delivered by Courier or Express Mail: Sandy Sakran, USAID Trade Tower Building, 10th Floor 25 HaMered Street Tel Aviv, Israel This solicitation does not represent a commitment on behalf of the USAID. The U.S. Government is not obligated to make an award or to pay for any costs associated with the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation. ================================================================ AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 1. BENEFITS Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave 2. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable). ** (A) Temporary Lodging 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), and (J) Danger Pay (Section 650) ** Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA, and Medicare. 3. Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs 06-12 Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) implementation 06-11 Home leave and revised General Provision 5, Leave and Holidays 06-10 PCS medical expenses payment responsibility 06-08 AIDAR, Appendices D&J: Using the optional schedule to incrementally fund contracts 06-07 AIDAR, Appendix D: Contract budget salary determination and salary increases 06-01 Medical Evacuation Insurance 05-08 Personal Services Contracts ? Annual health insurance costs for 2005 04-15 Cash awards for USPSCs and TCNPSCs 03-07 Instructions to Contracting/Agreement Officers on their Role in the Debt Collection Process 03-05 Revised Requirements for Posting of Federal Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Opportunities 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process-Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizens. 01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process-Personal Services Contracts (PSCs) with U.S. Citizens. 00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts(PSCs) 99-22 PSC Policy 99-15 Changes to AIDAR Concerning Resident Hires and Deviations. 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements. 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs 98-12 Guidance Regarding Advertisement of Personal Services Contracts (PSCs), and Requirements for Evaluating Applications for PSCSs 97-17 PSCSs with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Residents Aliens Recruited from the U.S. 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other than Full & Open competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSC) 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) 89-29 Use of Government Bill of Lading for Transportation of Personal Service Contractor (PSC) Household Effects, Unaccompanied Baggage, and Privately Owned Vehicles. Subject to Availability of Funds. ================================================================= NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (14-DEC-2007); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
 

Web Link

Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/WES/PSC2942008003/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: Jerusalem

Country: ISRAEL
 

Record

SN01470678-F 20071216/071214231103 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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

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