SAMDaily.us | PRESOL | 99 | Border and Security Advisor

SAMDAILY.US - ISSUE OF MARCH 27, 2021 SAM #7058
SOLICITATION NOTICE

99 -- Border and Security Advisor

Notice Date: 3/25/2021 11:01:29 AM
Notice Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
NAICS: 921190 — Other General Government Support
Contracting Office: ACQUISITIONS - INL WASHINGTON DC 20520 USA
ZIP Code: 20520
Solicitation Number: PSC-21-040-INL
Response Due: 4/8/2021 12:00:00 PM
Archive Date: 04/23/2021
Point of Contact: Victoria V. Stewart
E-Mail Address: StewartVV@state.gov
(StewartVV@state.gov)
Description: �U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL)�� 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. Position Title: � �Border and Security Advisor�� Location:�� Quito, Ecuador Salary Level:�� FS-02 - $89,505 - $131,441 (Equivalent GS-14) Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. Issuance Date: �March 25, 2021�� Closing date:�� April 8, 2021 Closing Time: � 3:00 p.m. EST�� Solicitation Number:�� PSC-21-040-INL Job description: �See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1.�� Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2.�� Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a.�� Paid a non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for any overseas experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.� b.�� Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. c.�� Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).� d.�� Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.� e.�� U.S. Citizenship Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.� 3.�� Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: �Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.� Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor. � 4.�� Professional References: �Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. � Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: �� Victoria V. Stewart �� U.S. Department of State �� INL/EX/GAPP �� StewartVV@state.gov Sincerely, Amy M. Kara Contracting Officer U.S. Department of State 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. � � NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION� This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed):� 1.�� Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2.�� Resume � 3.�� Evaluation Factor Responses 4.�� Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. � Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed.� *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN�S PREFERENCE Veteran�s preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Victoria V. Stewart E-mail: StewartVV@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Victoria V. Stewart E-mail: StewartVV@state.gov INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. � GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of state is the President�s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State�s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous and secure world.� Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.� The Office of Western Hemisphere Programs (INL/WHP) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The Bureau is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination, and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice assistance programs for the U.S. Department of State. INL/WHP provides policy guidance and develops and monitors foreign assistance programs to address the full range of border, security, and justice sector issues. �INL assistance includes institutional capacity building, professionalization of justice sector personnel through training initiatives, expanding legal aid services, fostering coordination within the criminal justice system, increasing public awareness and access to justice, construction and remodeling of facilities, and improving the Ecuadorian justice and security systems throughout the country. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the new position of �INL Border and Security Advisor (BSA) at the U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador. �The Advisor will support the implementation of the United States Government (USG) and the Government of Ecuador (GOE) border security program in accordance with the 2002 Letter of Agreement and 2019 Amended Letter of Agreement. �The BSA will provide advice and support to the INL Director, other INL colleagues, and representatives of U.S. law enforcement agencies at U.S. Embassy Quito. �The Advisor will work closely with Ecuadorian National Police officials, and key members of the Ministry of Government, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Justice. �The BSA will work closely with the GOE to develop and implement processes and tools that will enable GOE border forces to detect and interdict, and lessen the flow of illicit trafficking of narcotics and precursors, and other illicit movements in the southern and northern borders of Ecuador. � The BSA will assess Ecuador�s needs, and develop and manage appropriate border security projects using international best practices and standards in coordination with Ecuadorian officials, ensuring the sustainability of projects through the provision of appropriate training/maintenance/operational requirements. �The BSA will assess and determine what INL investments should be made at key transient nodes in the southern and northern borders, as well as the coastal areas. �This will require extensive knowledge of border control operations and significant travel to various regions in Ecuador. �� DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES� Under the direct supervision of the Quito INL Director or his/her designee, the BSA will perform the following duties: 1.�� Manages the full lifecycle of border security assistance projects in Ecuador to include strategic and budget planning, design, coordination, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, and closeout. �Ensures INL border security assistance projects meet strategic objectives and foreign assistance priorities set by the Embassy and INL Quito. 2.�� Provides policy analysis and program guidance to INL on border security issues and programs in Ecuador. �Such guidance may address a range of issues, to include strategy, capacity, budget, training and technical assistance requirements, procurement planning, refurbishment and/or construction of border facilities, and reviewing sustainability of INL investments. 3.�� Coordinates and/or conducts training and technical assistance for GOE agencies, especially the Ecuadorian National Police, involved in border security to include maintenance and operational training with a special focus on modernizing and strengthening Ecuadoran border institutions. � 4.�� Identifies support requirements related to border security and leads the preparation of documentation for procurement of technical services, training, and commodities and the monitoring of procurement actions, including drafting source origin waivers, contract and grant solicitations, scopes of work, bilateral letters of agreement, delivery, and acceptance of items procured to support INL Quito.� 5.�� Serves as a Contracting Officer�s Representative (COR), Agreements Officer Representative (AOR), and/or Grants Officer Representative (GOR), as assigned. � 6.�� Ensures INL Quito and the Embassy Front Office receive timely information and reporting on the activity and impact of border security programs so that policy decisions are fully informed by programmatic reporting. �Prepares periodic status reports, budget reports, and program reviews. �Tracks progress of assistance in achieving larger INL Quito goals. 7.�� Serves as a liaison with representatives of other U.S. Embassy law enforcement agencies involved in border security including, but not limited to, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the U.S. Coast Guard,. �Attends Embassy law enforcement meetings and report on major issues, including the status of INL projects. 8.�� Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with key Ecuadorian border officials and agencies. �Represents INL and the USG in coordination meetings with the GOE and other foreign governments as required. 9.�� Ensures USG provided commodities are utilized effectively and no fraud, waste, or mismanagement occurs in the program through continuous oversight and end-use monitoring (EUM). �Provides input for the annual EUM report to the U.S. Congress. �Reviews and advises on the purchases and refurbishment of systems/equipment transferred to the relevant GOE entities. 10.�� As assigned by INL Quito leadership, participates in visits by senior officials and serves as an escort or control officer. �Arranges the itineraries and logistical support for official visitors. �Briefs visiting officials and Embassy staff on the role of INL and the status of U.S.-Ecuador border security projects and related initiatives. 11.�� Prepares background materials, talking points, and reports the INL Director and other USG actors can use in preparing speeches and briefings to articulate INL engagement on border security challenges and assistance efforts in Ecuador. � 12.�� Supervises U.S. contractors funded under the program, as well as other locally employed staff, as assigned. 13.�� When required, perform the role of Duty Officer. 14.�� Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES� 1.�� Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 2.�� Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) DL course through FSI within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post.� 3.�� Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (OT610) prior to deployment to Post.� 4.�� Completes INL-relevant courses within the first nine (9) months of arriving at Post: a.�� INL�PREP (as required by INL Director depending on past experience) b.�� PP420 INL Program and Project Management I c.�� PP421 INL Financial Management d.�� PP422 INL Contract Administration, Procurement Policies and Procedures e.�� PA392 ILMS Overseas Ariba Procurement� PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The BSA will be based in the INL section at U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador. In Ecuador, the work is principally sedentary, however frequent travel in and around Ecuador, is likely � including high security risk areas in the border regions. �Extended onsite visits to project sites will occasionally be required, necessitating the ability to walk medium to longer distances (hundreds of yards or more) on generally irregular dirt or stone surfaces, in both hilly and flat terrain. �Those who use wheelchairs, have respiratory difficulties, or require assistance walking will find this difficult. �Additionally, those undergoing medical treatment or taking certain medicines that limit their physical or mental abilities may find it difficult to adhere to the limitations recommended by their physician(s).� RELATIONSHIPS The BSA will serve under the leadership and direction of the U.S. Embassy Quito INL Section�s (INL Quito) Director and Deputy Director and work closely with INL Quito�s program specialists responsible for developing and implementing INL programs.� The BSA reports to and receives broad policy guidance and general direction from the INL Deputy Director.� The BSA proceeds independently in planning and implementing many aspects of organizational, project, and logistical operations. �The BSA coordinates and communicates with the INL Quito team and INL/WHP Program Officer in Washington. �The BSA�s actions, decisions, and recommendations are reviewed on the basis of results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations. COMPLEXITY Develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the program, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of the program. �Coordinating plans with various other groups including international donors, USG interagency partners, and the Government of Ecuador can be complicated. �Projects require dynamic leadership, expertise, and complex innovation, and the ability to single-handedly or in concert with a variety of other stakeholders, resolve critical problems and achieve difficult goals that may affect other programs. �They are broad in scope and complicated by many complex features, technical, administrative, or political in nature.� SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Ecuador, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. Guidelines consist of USG and Department of State Acquisition Regulations and accepted legal principles and theories. �In addition, the BSA must be able to determine application of basic administrative policy statements concerning the issue or problem being studied, and may include reference to pertinent legislative history, related court decisions, state and local laws, or policy initiatives of agency management. �The BSA must also consider and adhere to various other existing federal regulations, and the interaction between Department of State policies, legislation, the Foreign Assistance Act, and other authorization and appropriations in the INL account, applicable National Security and Presidential Decision Directives, OMB Circulars, and Department of State financial operating procedures and policies. �The BSA is recognized as a substantive authority on overall management and/or interpretation of guidance on program and project planning and evaluation in a specialized area. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS� 1.�� U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security and Medical clearances. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to TS level may be required). 2.�� Bachelor�s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, AND �� Ten (10) years of professional experience related to border security and/or law enforcement. 3.�� Demonstrated experience in: �� Managing border security and/or law enforcement programs, including strategic planning, budgeting, implementation, procurement, monitoring and evaluation. �� Engaging, advising, training, and/or mentoring foreign partners on border security and/or law enforcement capacity building efforts. �� Experience advising both working level and senior levels of U.S. and/or partner governments on border security and/or law enforcement. 4.�� Superior English oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. 5.�� Proficient in oral and written Spanish communication skills.� 6.�� Demonstrated five (5) years of related experience managing international programs in the fields of border security, law enforcement, security cooperation , foreign assistance management, counternarcotics, and/or counter-transnational crime. 7.�� Demonstrated experience working in Latin America on border security and/or law enforcement assistance projects. 8.�� Demonstrated experience in: �� Managing programs or projects, including budget preparation, goods and services procurement, and project implementation and oversight, preferably involving maritime activities. �� Drafting related reports/documents, annual budgets, and strategic plan submissions; �� Planning, strategizing, implementing and reporting on projects; � �� Drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level officials; and �� Coordinating and working closely with the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the United Nations, and/or international community on security sector or criminal justice development programs. �� Experience advising developing countries to improve border security operations in resource constrained environments. EVALUATION CRITERIA� (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. FACTOR 1: �� Work Experience �� (25 points)� Demonstrated ability to provide expert subject matter and program recommendations to senior level policy makers within the Embassy and INL on a broad spectrum of border security and law enforcement issues. � Demonstrated managerial experience. FACTOR 2: � Program Experience�� (20 points)� Demonstrated experience and ability to assess current programs and assist in developing and planning for improving U.S. capacities to implement INL border security and law enforcement programs. �� FACTOR 3: �� International Experience �� (15 points)� Demonstrated ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies, host nation representatives, and the international community in developing and coordinating border security programs. � �Demonstrated experience working in Latin America on border security and/or law enforcement assistance projects.� FACTOR 4: �� Management & Communication Experience �� (10 points)� Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and advise program officials. �Demonstrated experience drafting program reports, budgets, strategic plans, and other documents for senior-level audiences.� BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. �Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in not receiving credit for all of the applicant�s pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.� The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:� Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:� Factor #1 � 25� Factor #2 � 20� Factor #3 � 15� Factor #4 � 10� Total Possible � 70 Points� Interview Performance � 30 points The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) This position has been designated at the FS-02 equivalent level ($89,505 and $131,441 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries, including any recruitment supplemental pay that exceeds the listed pay range, will not be entertained or negotiated. 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 (provided by DOS Med) 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: SAM.gov Permalink
(https://beta.sam.gov/opp/6580f731073b4980bd1e7214fe74b09a/view)
Place of Performance: Address: ECU; Country: ECU
Record: SN05953937-F 20210327/210325230119 (samdaily.us)
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99 -- Border and Security Advisor