SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Justice Advisor - OF-612
- Notice Date
- 1/15/2013
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Grants, Acquisitions, Procurement and Policy Division (INL/RM/GAPP), SA-4 Navy Hill, South Building, 2430 E Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20037, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20037
- Solicitation Number
- PSC-13-006-INL
- Archive Date
- 2/13/2013
- Point of Contact
- Amy M. Kara,
- E-Mail Address
-
karaam2@state.gov
(karaam2@state.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- To be considered responsive to the solicitation, you must submit a completed and signed OF-612. Otherwise, your submission is considered non-responsive and will not be considered. 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 this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Justice Advisor Mexico City, Mexico Issuance Date: 01/15/2013 Closing Date: 01/29/2013 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-13-006-INL SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. HOW TO APPLY Offeror's proposals shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. Proposals must include the following: 1) Form OF-612 (Completed and signed) 2) Resume 3) Three letters of reference or three references, including contact information Submit all proposals via e-mail or facsimile to the attention of: INL/Amy Kara E-mail: KaraAM2@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Amy Kara Email: KaraAM2@state.gov INL will not accept late proposals unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-13-006-INL 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 01/15/2013 3. CLOSING DATE: 01/29/2013 4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 5:00 PM, EST 5. POSITION TITLE: Justice Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: $80,728 - $118,552 (FS-02 Equivalent) 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from date of award and four option years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Mexico City, Mexico 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR: The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Western Hemisphere Programs (INL/WHP), is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice issues for the Department of State. The Mexico program builds on efforts begun under the Merida Initiative, with a shift away from expensive equipment and towards supporting the Mexican government's institutional reforms and strengthening the Rule of Law. The Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) Office in the Embassy in Mexico City manages the Merida Initiative program funded through the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) account and destined for Mexico. INCLE-funded Merida Initiative assistance to Mexico's justice sector began in FY2009. This activity complements the Mexican government's much greater investment in promoting rule of law, providing for citizen security and reforming state institutions towards greater transparency, responsiveness, and respect for human rights and expanded efforts at state and local institutions. It also complements activities funded by USAID's Economic Support Fund in the areas of security, rule of law, and community development. The goal of this program is to institutionalize justice sector reforms to sustain the rule of law and respect human rights through continued institution building projects with security and justice sector organizations at the federal and state levels. In 2008, Mexico passed a constitutional amendment mandating nation-wide justice sector reform by 2016. The amendment calls for implementation of an oral/adversarial criminal justice system. Mexico's transition in its criminal justice system, albeit an uneven process to date, provides a potentially important window of opportunity for fundamental reform of the criminal justice system, particularly by making the system more accountable and transparent thereby improving its public image for fairness and effectiveness. While the main emphasis of Merida Rule of Law programs has been on supporting Mexico's transition to an oral/adversarial criminal justice system on both the state and federal level, it is also important for Rule of Law programs to address weaknesses in justice sector administration, autonomy, and institutional capabilities. Rule of law assistance is a core component of the USG contribution to stability and reconstruction operations worldwide. INL currently manages criminal justice policy and programs in many international locations and oversees over 1,000 personnel deployed in the field to implement these programs. Purpose: The Justice Advisor will support, assist, and advise INL and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico in their efforts to help Mexico to reform and otherwise establish a more effective criminal justice system and transition to the accusatorial legal system. Besides managing training and mentoring projects and administering equipment procurement supporting Mexican prosecutors, judges, investigators and forensics experts, the Justice Advisor will also liaise with, and coordinate, the activities of USG agency implementers in the justice sector reform area. The Justice Advisor will play a lead role in shaping and strategizing programs for $150 million in future assistance to the Government of Mexico. The Justice Advisor may lead one or more Subject Matter Specialists (SMSs) that assist NAS MEXICO on the full range of criminal justice issues with focus on four strategic areas: disrupting the capacity of the organized criminals to operate; institutionalizing the rule of law; creating a 21st Century border; and building strong and resilient communities. S/he would play a key role in contingency planning and development of future NAS MEXICO activities in the justice sector. S/he would also serve as a resource for other SMS program managers, providing expert guidance to assist in implementing, monitoring and evaluating U.S. foreign policy directives regarding the development of criminal justice sector reform projects managed by NAS Mexico. The Justice Advisor frequently meets with members of other U.S. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international community for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information pertinent to justice sector development and USG priorities and activities. The Justice Advisor will be expected to know or master the full range of assistance project management skills, including planning, budgeting, procurement, contracting, and monitoring and evaluation. The Justice Advisor is frequently called upon to perform other tasks or duties on an ad hoc basis, particularly those requiring strong drafting skills or legal analysis. Relationship: The Justice Advisor reports to the Senior Program Officer covering Rule of Law projects, and oversees the work of the Assistant Justice Advisor. Duties and Responsibilities: a. Serve as the senior Rule of Law expert within NAS MEXICO. b. Provide to NAS and Embassy front offices, analysis of trends and developments in the areas of judicial reform and rule of law. c. Conduct assessments of judicial and security agencies and institutions and their training academies and facilities. d. Develop program designs, performance monitoring plans, and evaluation planning for projects in support of judicial reform and improving the rule of law. e. Coordinate all NAS interagency efforts with DOJ and USAID to include special investigative units, major crimes task forces, judicial training, financial crimes, and arms trafficking. f. Oversee NAS funding of other agencies involved in projects in forensics, money laundering, and trafficking in persons and arms. g. Serve as Embassy Executive Secretary for Arms Trafficking and Money Laundering Working Groups. h. Draft policy and advocacy papers, attend meetings and conferences. Facilitate exchange of information and practices to ensure robust communication on rule of law issues within NAS, as well as with other professionals working in area of Rule of Law in Mexico. i. Prepare background materials and reports to be used by NAS MEXICO Director and other US Consulate officials in preparing speeches, briefings, and testimonies to articulate NAS MEXICO engagement on Rule of Law issues with the mission. j. Participate in outreach activities with domestic and international legal communities to increase awareness of INL programs/ policies and solicit greater cooperation and participation. k. Perform other duties as requested and assigned by the NAS MEXICO Senior Program Officer responsible for Rule of Law programs. Minimum Requirements: 1. U.S. Citizenship, able to obtain/maintain a Department of State Secret security and medical clearance. 2. Law degree from an ABA - accredited law school. 3. Demonstrated two years of work experience as an attorney or judge. 4. Excellent oral and written English communication skills, negotiation and interpersonal skills. 5. Excellent oral and written Spanish communication skills at the FSI 3/3 level. 6. Demonstrated two years of experience managing or directing international rule of law or legal/justice reform programs, international law, and/or the design and implementation of judicial and/or legal capacity building and training programs. 7. Demonstrated ability to accurately perceive and analyze complex fact patterns related to the structure, operation, and deficiencies of foreign criminal justice systems and to employ professional knowledge to develop and apply plans to enhance the effectiveness of prosecutions. 8. Demonstrated ability to perform essential functions under difficult conditions (e.g., limited resources, personal security risks, conflicting and changing priorities, difficult living conditions, language barriers, transportation limitations, disease, etc.). 9. Demonstrated experience with State Department procurement and financial processes. 10. Demonstrated ability to travel to other countries and within the region of Mexico. 11. Proven ability to complete the FSI Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) online course within the first 120 days of assignment successfully. Preferred Knowledge and Skills: • Prior experience working in Central or Latin America. • Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and implementation of major agency - level programs. • Experience working with the UN or other international organizations. • Experience working or coordinating with relevant U.S. Government agencies (e.g., Departments of Justice, Defense, and USAID). • Experience working with US Embassies overseas. • Superior interpersonal skills. Evaluation Criteria: Factor 1: Program Management: (20 points) Experience and ability in managing programs, which will enhance the rule of law in Mexico. Such programs will include capacity building for Mexican judicial and security forces, provision of equipment, training, and equipping of special investigative units and major crimes task forces, oversight of refurbishing projects, and academy development. Factor 2: Liaison: (20 points) Ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies, Host Nation representatives, and international community in developing and coordinating rule of law programs. Factor 3: Subject Matter Expert (20 points) Ability to provide expert rule of law subject matter and policy guidance relevant to current situation in Mexico to senior level policy makers within the Embassy and INL. Factor 4: Communication: (20 points) Ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and written form. Factor 5: Past Performance: (20 points) Offeror's previous experience and quality of performance. (Evaluator may use all evaluation information available at the time of the evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from references). Pre-Award Ethical Responsibilities of PSC (JUN 2011) This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, "Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors," or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. COMPENSATION For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the following: • Entry-level salary is at Step 1 of the grade range assigned to solicitation • Consideration given for experience relevant specifically to the solicitation requirements • Level and extent of experience dictates the salary level within the grade range BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE • Employee's FICA Contribution • Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance • Pay Comparability Adjustment • Annual Increase • Eligibility for Worker's Compensation • Annual & Sick Leave • 401K Plan ALLOWANCES - IF APPLICABLE • Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance • Living Quarters Allowance • Post Allowance • Supplemental Post Allowance • Separate Maintenance Allowance • Education Allowance • Education Travel • Post Differential • Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure • Danger Pay
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/State/INL/INL-RM-MS/PSC-13-006-INL/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: US Embassy, Mexico City, Mexico
- Record
- SN02965703-W 20130117/130115234426-6ae4dc58733f2f15547578127ebe6c34 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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