MODIFICATION
R -- INL Legal Advisor - OF612
- Notice Date
- 12/29/2015
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- 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-16-014-INL
- Archive Date
- 1/26/2016
- Point of Contact
- Deborah Strom,
- E-Mail Address
-
StromDG@state.gov
(StromDG@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. INL Legal Advisor Skopje, Macedonia Issuance Date: 12/11/2015 Closing Date: 01/11/2016 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-16-014-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. 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. HOW TO APPLY Offerors proposal 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. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages: 1) Form OF-612 (Completed and signed) 2) Resume 3) Three letters of recommendation OR three references to include contact information *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN'S PREFERANCE Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Deborah Strom E-mail: StromDG@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Deborah Strom E-mail: StromDG@state.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-16-014-INL 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 12/11/2015 3. CLOSING DATE: 01/11/2016 4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 3:00 PM, EST 5. POSITION TITLE: INL Legal Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: $101,630 - $132,122 (FS-01 Equivalent) 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from date of award, with four optional years 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Skopje, Macedonia 9. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR: The Department of State's (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is the Bureau charged with foreign policy development relating to international crime, drug trafficking, corruption, criminal justice reform, post-conflict/civilian policing, and related issues. In Macedonia, and throughout the Balkans, INL supports criminal justice sector reforms and facilitates effective cross-border and regional law enforcement cooperation. In Macedonia, INL provides training, technical, and material support to police, prosecutors, and judges. INL has a wide array of partners in this effort, including other U.S. agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and commercial providers. Macedonia is a recipient of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funding. INCLE funding assists countries in their fight against transnational crime and illicit threats, including efforts against terrorist networks, the illegal drug trade, and other illicit enterprises. Embassy Skopje receives approximately $1.6M annually in INCLE funding for the following programs: a law enforcement capacity program, implemented by the Department of Justice's Office of International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP) and a justice program aimed at advancing the rule of law and democratic principles. Macedonia, like every other candidate state for the European Union (EU), must demonstrate its capacity to fight organized crime and corruption and bolster public confidence in its justice sector institutions. INL's assistance programs are critical for achieving these goals. After the formal adoption of the new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) by the Macedonian Parliament on November 17, 2010, Macedonia began a substantial transformation of its criminal justice system from one that is inquisitorial to one that is more adversarial and closer to the U.S. system. The transformation entails dramatically changing the roles and responsibilities of the police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges in Macedonia. The centerpiece of this new legislative framework is the adoption of a new CPC, which introduces new concepts into the criminal justice system: prosecutor-led investigations, greater defense rights and responsibilities to gather and challenge evidence, multiple special investigative techniques, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and trials in which the judge presides, rather than investigates. INL programs in Macedonia have aimed to promote effective, efficient and transparent implementation of the CPC, which will streamline investigations and prosecutions, enhance interagency cooperation, and more effectively address organized crime, corruption, and political interference within Macedonian justice sector institutions. Implementation of this framework will promote greater accountability among justice sector institutions and actors, requiring extensive public outreach and significant monitoring and advocacy on the part of civil society and the media. Based on recent political events in Macedonia, INL programs plan to focus assistance activity toward addressing both high-level and low-level corruption as a way to increase public confidence in the criminal justice sector. Special emphasis will be on capacity development within the law enforcement and justice sector to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption-related cases. Moreover, INL programs plan to help develop and reform criminal justice institutions that can independently fulfill their mandates, thereby developing sustainable institutions. Purpose: The purpose of this position is to provide a Legal Advisor to U.S. Embassy Skopje who will serve as the central role in implementing INL programming to support Macedonia's progress toward EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. This program will be focused on developing the capacity of Macedonia to fight corruption and organized crime through mentoring and practical training for prosecutors and judges. The Advisor will also be expected to formulate innovative, targeted, and sustainable approaches for building the rule of law in Macedonia, to include proper implementation of the CPC. The Advisor is responsible for in-country management of INL rule of law programs and ensuring that these programs are meeting expectations. The Advisor coordinates activities with the Deputy Chief of Mission, the rule of law political officer in country, and the INL Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) Program Officer in Washington, DC. The Advisor also works closely with the management section at Post to ensure proper execution of INL programming. INL seeks applicants with the requisite technical expertise, and a strong management background who are able to operate independently and work with limited resources. Duties and Responsibilities a. Serve as the Legal Advisor within INL/EA's assistance mission in Macedonia. b. Provide policy analysis and program guidance to INL, Embassy Skopje, and other USG entities on effective mechanisms for, progress in, and impediments to, achieving reform objectives in Macedonia. c. Manage, coordinate, and supervise all phases of INL rule of law programs in Macedonia, including sustainment upon completion of projects and supervision of local staff. The incumbent should be able to work independently and cooperatively with INL/EA to ensure that the program and administrative budgets are monitored routinely and that the projects fall within program guidelines notified to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). d. Implement INL rule of law program through training and mentoring. Serve as a trainer for INL-funded training programs. Provide mentoring and technical assistance to prosecutors on a range of issues, focusing on fighting corruption. Identify outside experts, when appropriate, to serve as trainers. e. Ensure compliance with INL program management policies and procedures, which will include monitoring procurement and end use monitoring; and drafting program planning documents, such as work plans, budget plans, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. f. Establish and maintain relationships with Macedonian justice sector and other government officials, including prosecutors, investigators, judges, defense attorneys, civil society, parliamentarians, and other rule of law actors, to include the law enforcement sector. Ensure adequate follow up with study groups and training (train-the-trainer, alumni conferences). g. Design and monitor assistance programs for the criminal justice sector utilizing a range of methodologies, such as conducting interviews and focus groups, as well as reviewing analytical reports. Ensure program activities develop local capacity. Activities should include a broad range of justice sector actors and there should be a strong emphasis on joint/collective training between different criminal justice groups (i.e. police- prosecutor workshops). Assist Macedonia in attaining EU accession goals by meeting EU benchmarks related to judicial reform and fair trials by hosting local workshops and practical case studies. h. Coordinate with other implementers in the international donor community, including the European Commission, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other donors. Maintain close collaboration with ICITAP, INL grantees, the Public Affairs Section, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). i. Coordinate with local civil society organizations to develop an understanding of their challenges and needs, assessment of political developments in the country, as well as opportunities for INL support. j. Focus on establishing guidelines, standard operating procedures, and public diplomacy tools to build alumni networks and develop mechanisms for linking Macedonian criminal justice actors with U.S. and European criminal justice professionals. k. Provide mentoring on key anti-corruption concepts and tools to improve the justice system's capacity to address corruption. Advise Embassy Front Office and INL/EA on legislative developments impacting the criminal justice sector and share monthly and after-action reports for all discrete training and assistance activities conducted in accordance with the work plan. Assess the impact of political developments on U.S. policy objectives, make recommendations to the Country Team, and keep INL/EA updated on these developments. Develop legal memoranda and technical support on legal issues that may arise in connection with policy or program issues. l. Cooperate with other sections of the Embassy and other regional INL-funded advisors to facilitate program implementation. m. Represent INL in internal and external meetings, ceremonies, and representational events as required. Relationships The Advisor will receive guidance from the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) on program policies and priorities, and the INL/EA Program Officer on program implementation and INL bureau objectives. The Advisor is also expected to coordinate closely with the rule of law political officer in Embassy Skopje. The Advisor will supervise all staff implementing INL's rule of law program in Macedonia. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is delegated the authority to act for the Contracting Officer in matters concerning technical clarification, inspection and, after concurrence by the Contracting Officer, acceptance of Contractor performance under the contract, including preparation of receiving reports, and the authorization of progress payments when appropriate. The COR will coordinate all work with the Contractor and review Contractor's performance at significant stages of its development. In no instance, however, shall the COR be authorized to alter or modify the specifications or the contract terms and the conditions or waive the government's requirement, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. Such changes must be authorized, in writing, to the Contracting Officer. Deliverables Deliverables are required under this SOW consist of the following: • Annual Work Plan. The Legal Advisor, in cooperation with the INL/EA program officer, shall prepare a work plan within 90 days of the beginning of the date of the contract. Work plans must be approved by INL/EA and the DCM. • Three-Year Program Strategy. The Legal Advisor, in cooperation with INL/EA program officer, shall prepare a three-year program strategy, outlining the priorities and proposed activities. • Successful completion of the Distance Learning (DL) FSI Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) course within six (6) months of assignment. Certificates: The PSC shall obtain/maintain Basic Federal Acquisitions Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC P/PM) provided by a combination of INL in-house, distance learning and outside contractor coursework within six (6) months. Monthly status reports: Monthly reports shall be submitted to the INL Program Officer and the DCM. Items that shall be reported upon include: • Feasible opportunities to train and equip criminal justice sector actors with specific emphasis on program and financial management and sensitivity to Embassy policy goals. • Readouts and analysis of meetings with key Macedonian interlocutors, to include those attended with other Embassy personnel. • Updates on program activities, to include grant monitoring, demonstrating implementation of the work plan. • Ad hoc tasks completed for the Embassy. • Updates on noteworthy policy and political developments impacting the rule of law. • Updates on major criminal and corruption cases, which involves tracking successful prosecutions. • Readouts of trainings conducted by both the PSC and the LES staff. • Description of upcoming activities. The PSC shall coordinate assistance activities with the INL-funded law enforcement program manager at Skopje, and identify opportunities for cooperation. The PSC shall participate in twice monthly calls, unless rescheduled, with the INL Program Officer to provide updates on program activities, Embassy priorities, and other relevant Embassy activities. The PSC shall schedule and facilitate meeting requests from INL during program reviews and assessments. The PSC shall assist in the full range of activities required to identify, acquire, and deploy services and commodities necessary for project implementation. These activities include: • Development/identification of project services and commodity requirements including discussions with host nation counterpart personnel. • Conduct of market research to determine potential sources of supplies/services. • Contact with other USG agencies with similar requirements. • Acquisition planning. • Drafting statements of work/specifications and evaluation criteria for use in solicitations. • Development of independent government estimates of the cost/price of project commodities and services. • Participation as a member of Technical Evaluation Panels established to review and evaluate potential contractor proposals in response to formal solicitations. Complexity The Advisor must be able to assess host country criminal justice reform needs and anti-corruption programs and policies, and develop and manage organized crime and corruption projects in coordination with host-country officials. The Advisor must also ensure sustainability of projects through provision of appropriate training and maintenance. The Advisor must have the ability to integrate competing needs of U.S. criminal justice, development, and security agencies, and host government entities involved in the criminal justice sector. The work involves planning, organizing, and managing day-to-day administration and oversight of a large number of organizational initiatives and training details. The ability to effectively manage large quantities of ever-evolving data is also essential. Scope and Effectiveness The Advisor performs a broad range of tasks related to a complex foreign assistance program in the Republic of Macedonia. INL programs have a significant impact on embassy operations, including those of other USG agencies. Personal Contacts The Advisor will work closely with the senior ICITAP advisor, Embassy Management Section personnel, Political Section personnel, USG law enforcement agencies, contractors and grantees implementing INL projects, and host country counterparts. Travel Frequent travel to local locations will be required. Occasional travel to other countries in the region and the U.S. may also be required. Minimum Qualifications • U.S. citizenship; able to obtain/maintain Department of State Secret and Medical Clearances, and ethics, if applicable • J.D. degree from an accredited institution. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a translator. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. • Demonstrated Ten years of professional legal experience as a U.S. prosecutor, defense attorney, or a judge. Demonstrated experience instructing and implementing rule of law or criminal justice sector reform projects, analyzing and determining comprehensive program requirements, and proposing feasible solutions for problems in implementation of projects. • Demonstrated knowledge with best practices in investigating criminal and/or corruption cases either as a prosecutor, defense attorney, or a judge. • Excellent oral and written English communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write for and orally communicate with senior officials. • Demonstrated experience in administration and management of international criminal justice sector or anti-corruption projects in foreign countries, including preparation of budgets, procurement of goods and services, and implementation and oversight of projects • Must have a minimum of five years of successful supervisory and leadership experience, preferably in a multicultural environment. Demonstrated experience in program management. • Ability to complete the FSI Contracting Officer's Representative course successfully within 120 days of assignment. • Ability to complete Distance Learning (DL) FSI Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) courses successfully within six (6) months of assignment. Preferred knowledge and skills • Familiarity with project design and development, program evaluations, strategic planning, and performance metrics. • Experience assisting countries develop the capacity to fight corruption and organized crime. Experience in public corruption and complex crime cases as a prosecutor, defense attorney, or judge. • Experience advising anti-corruption agencies and internal affairs offices. • Experience serving as a trainer in an international context. • Experience working or coordinating with other relevant USG agencies (e.g., INL, Department of Justice, and USAID) or international donors (OSCE, European Commission, etc). • Knowledge of civil law system. • Ability to integrate projects into the broader goals of an organization. Physical Demands and Work Environments Normal routine will involve meeting with Government of Macedonia (GoM) officials and organizing training activities and workshops. The Advisor will be based in the American Embassy in Skopje, and is expected to communicate with the Embassy on a frequent basis and attend regular meetings with the rule-of-law political officer and the Deputy Chief of Mission. Some travel within the region, or travel to training sites outside Skopje. Evaluation Criteria: Factor 1 Knowledge and Experience (40 points) Applicant demonstrates knowledge of all phases of U.S. criminal justice operations, particularly related to public corruption cases, based on professional legal experience. Expertise should include field, institutional, line, and management operations, organizational development, planning, and training. Factor 2 Leadership and Management (30 points) Applicant demonstrates the ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner and bear responsibility for several simultaneous projects, while keeping the overall program goals in perspective. Previous management experience should include managing staff from diverse backgrounds (preferably international); making decisions about resource allocations; and familiarity with project design, development, implementation and evaluation. Factor 3 Communication (15 points) Applicant demonstrates the ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and in writing. Factor 4 Interpersonal skills (10 points) Applicant demonstrates a proven record of accomplishment working in a team environment; with a diverse group of stakeholders. Factor 5 Past Performance (5 points) 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. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE • Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution • Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance • Pay Comparability Adjustment • Annual Increase • Eligibility for Worker's Compensation • Annual, Sick and Home Leave • 401K Plan • MEDVAC Reimbursement ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE • Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post • Housing Allowance • Post Allowance • Supplemental Post Allowance • Maintenance Allowance (SMA) • Education Allowance • Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary) • Post Hardship Differential • Danger Pay • Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/State/INL/INL-RM-MS/PSC-16-014-INL/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: US Embassy, Skopje, Macedonia
- Record
- SN03979659-W 20151231/151229234314-f3519f2a20f55473a2fe731b44d8dc1e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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