TITLE: Response Alternative for Technical Services (multiple positions)

 

ISSUANCE DATE: October 10, 2001

CLOSING DATE: December 31, 2001

 

Gentlemen/Ladies:

 

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

 

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Humanitarian Response (BHR), Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is seeking applications (Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612) from persons interested in providing the PSC services described in the attached. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

 

Questions may be directed to Kirk Dohne (202) 661-9369 or Jesse C. Freese (202) 661-9366, or Fax at (240) 465-0244 or via e-mail at ofda@globalcorps.com. Applicants should retain copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kim Hupp

Contracting Officer

 

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER:         M/OP-02-030

2. ISSUANCE DATE:              October 10, 2001

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED

FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS:    December 31, 2001

4. POSITION TITLE: Response Alternatives for Technical Services (RATS)

5. MARKET VALUE:   $287.30 to $373.49 per day

6. INITIAL PERIOD

OF PERFORMANCE:    PSC contract will be 1 year in duration *(please see Statement of Limitations on Periods and Place of Performance)

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:  Worldwide **(please see Statement of Limitations on Periods and Place of Performance)

8. JOB DESCRIPTION (TO INCLUDE EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR POSITION):

 

Please see below for:

(1)    Job Description and Qualifications

(2)    Statement of Limitations on Period and Place of Performance

(3)    Important Note Concerning the Number of Contractors to be Hired and the Closing Date

(4)    Additional Information

 

(1) JOB DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS

All RATS will:
Respond to humanitarian emergencies--natural, technological and conflict-related disasters-as required, worldwide. The contractor will be required to travel on short notice as a critical component of a U.S. Government disaster and humanitarian response.

General Disaster RATS:

The General Disaster RATS may perform the following tasks as needed by OFDA:

• conduct initial assessments, recommend appropriate relief, and facilitate and coordinate actual U.S. Government emergency response activities;
• maintain liaison with other responders and host governments;
• provide coordination and managerial oversight of OFDA-funded activities;
• perform the administrative management activities including providing advice, guidance and direction on administrative planning matters;
• take responsibility for actions related to: personnel; general services; security; safety; supply management; contracting services; leasing; travel; and records management;
• identify disaster mitigation measures that could be linked to disaster response activities;
• coordinate delivery of relief supplies provided by OFDA;
• interpret USAID management regulations and direct their application to facilitate DART support
• determine availability of support including secretarial, equipment rental, storage, office space, local hire personnel, communications, and obligating authority for procurement of supplies, commodities and services;
• Serve on a Washington Response Management Team, as appropriate;
• Provide back-up to OFDA/Washington Disaster Operations Specialists or Regional Coordinators
• engage in appropriate training either as a participant and/or trainer;
• assist in the development of various types of country/regional strategies; and,
• other tasks as determined by OFDA.

 

BASIS OF RATING:  Applicants who meet the basic qualifications and selective factor(s) will be further evaluated based on the quality ranking factors listed below.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to address each of the factors on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor.  Be sure to include your name, social security number, and the announcement number at the top of each additional page.  Failure to address the selective and/or quality ranking factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.                                                                       

 

Basic Requirements and Selective Factors: (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Candidates not meeting all of the basic qualifications and selective factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.

• Bachelor’s degree plus seven years relevant work experience with the U.S. Government, an international organization or a non-governmental organization, of which at least three years will have been in disaster or emergency response field

OR

Master’s degree/advanced training in international relations, economics, food policy, public health or related field plus 5 years work experience with the U.S. Government, an international organization or a non-governmental organization, of which at least three years will have been in disaster emergency response field;

• basic computer skills, including knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft WORD and MS Excel
• ability to operate a 4-wheel drive, standard shift vehicle in cross-country conditions
• excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills.
• US citizenship

 

Quality Ranking Factors: (Determines the ranking of qualified candidates in comparison to other candidates)

• Additional work experience with the U.S. Government, an international organization or a non-governmental organization surpassing the amount required by the basic qualifications
• demonstrated ability to work with a diverse array of individuals and organizations involved in disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance, including U.S. Government agencies (e.g., USAID, State, U.S. Department of Defense, CDC, NOAA, USGS), international organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and host governments;
• demonstrated effective management, and leadership skills;
• work experience in conflict affected areas;
• Foreign Language abilities in one or more major world language with preference given to abilities that equal or surpass the 3/3 level or an indigenous language at the 2/2 level.

 

(2) STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS ON PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

The purpose of this contract is to establish an employee/employer relationship with the contractor to perform services on a temporary, on-call, basis as a Response Alternative for Technical Services. It is BHR/OFDA's intent to contract for these services for a maximum of 130 days per calendar year. As it is the government's intent to contract for temporary services of a limited duration, the contractor shall be considered a "special employee" as defined in 18 USC 202 and may, therefore, be exempt from certain requirements of various statutes governing employee (contractor) conduct and the government wide Standards of Conduct regulations. (Since these include criminal statutes, the employee (contractor) should consult with an agency ethics advisor regarding specific questions.)

The level of effort anticipated under this contract will be provided within the terms of this contract at times mutually agreed to by BHR/OFDA and the contractor. Upon identification of a temporary need within the scope of work, BHR/OFDA will contact contractor and provide the following information:

1.    Date contractor is needed to report to BHR/OFDA or assignment in the field

2.    Duration of Assignment

3.    Region of operation Contractor will support; which may be worldwide

4.    SOW for the specific activity
 

Contractor will notify BHR/OFDA within 24 hours of availability. At the time contractor accepts the assignment, contractor is expected to commit for the duration of the assignment. While contractor will be required to commit to a certain time period, it is understood that the exigencies of a disaster may require the assignment to be extended (not to exceed 130 days). Contractor shall notify OFDA at the time of commitment if their existing schedule would preclude an extension. Notification of schedule conflicts shall not necessarily disqualify contractor from the assignment but will simply assist BHR/OFDA in recruiting a replacement. Subsequently, if contractor agrees to an extension of the duration of a particular assignment, thereafter, contract will be required to give BHR/OFDA 10 days notice for release from the assignment.

 

(3) IMPORTANT NOTE CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF CONTRACTORS TO BE HIRED AND THE CLOSING DATE

It is OFDA’s intent to contract with multiple Personal Service Contractors under this Solicitation. All applications, including those previously reviewed in relation to an earlier review period, received on or before the following dates:

October 24, 2001

November 30, 2001

December 31, 2001

will be reviewed for the number of available positions on that date.

A candidate not contracted with during an earlier period need not reapply for additional positions available in subsequent review periods, applications will be reviewed for all available positions under this solicitation subsequent to the date of receipt.

 

(4) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WHERE TO APPLY: 

Via mail: GlobalCorps, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20004

Via facsimile: 240-465-0244

Via email: ofda@globalcorps.com

 

FOR INFORMATION ON OTHER VACANCIES OR FOR INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF THIS VACANCY, CALL (202) 661-9369 or (202) 661-9366

 

PLEASE READ ATTACHED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION.  IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

 

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

 

A Voluntary Background Survey can be obtained from the above listed contacts or on-line at http://www.usaid.gov/about/employment/idi79-2.pdf . The information from this survey is used to help insure that agency personnel practices meet the requirements of Federal law. Your responses are voluntary and not required.

 

I. How To Apply                                                               

A. Submit a resume, OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment, or any other written format you choose (SF-171, Application for Federal Employment, is also acceptable).  You must include the following information regardless of which application form/format you choose:                                          

1)    The announcement number, title and grade and/or pay band of the position for which you are applying.                                         

2)      Personal Information                                                       

a)    Full name, mailing address (including ZIP Code), home and work telephone numbers (including area code)                                      

b)    Social security number AND country of citizenship                          

c)      Veterans' preference.

d)      Competitive status. 

e)      Highest Federal civilian grade held, including job series and dates held.                                                                   

3)      Education                                                                  

a)    High school - name, city, state and ZIP Code (if known) and date you received diploma or GED.                                             

b)      Colleges and universities - name, city, state and ZIP Code (if known), major(s), type(s) of degree(s) received and date(s) received.  If you did not receive a degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours.

4)    Job-Related Work Experience (Paid and Nonpaid)

a)    Job title (include series and grade if Federal) AND salary

b)      Starting and ending dates (month and year) AND hours per week

c)      Employer's name, address, and telephone number (including area code)

d)      Supervisor's name and telephone number (indicate if we may contact your current supervisor)

e)    Duties and accomplishments

5)    Other Qualifications

a)    Job-related training courses (title and year)                              

b)    Job-related skills (i.e., other languages, computer hardware/software, communications equipment, etc.)

c)    Job-related certificates and licenses (current only).

d)    Job-related honors, awards and special accomplishments (i.e., publications, Memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, performance awards, etc.).  Give dates but do not send documents unless requested.               

 

General Information                                                       

A. A separate application must be submitted for each announcement.            

B. Applications must be postmarked no later than the closing date of the announcement and received no later than 3 workdays after the closing date.                                                       

C. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.                        

 

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

 

1. BENEFITS

Employer's FICA Contribution

Contribution toward Health & 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).

 

3.  CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs

 

01-09 Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens for Support of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Initiatives

 

01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Service Contracts (PSCs)

 

00-08S Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens

 

00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Service Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizens

 

00-05 Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs

 

00-03 2000 FICA and Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs)

 

99-7  Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services

 

98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waiver List

 

98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs

 

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 Advertisement of and Requirements for Evaluating Applications for PSCs

 

98-11 Determining a Market Value for PSCs

 

98-3  Class Deviation to 31.205-6(g)(3), Foreign National Severance Pay Under Professional Services Contracts

 

97-17 PSCs with U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident 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 locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less

 

97-3  New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination

 

96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract

 

96-19 U. S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) - Leave

 

94-9  Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs)

 

93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

 

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs

 

  1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612.

**2. Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62).

**3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or

**4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85).

**5. Finger Print Card (FD-258).

 

NOTE: Form 5 is available from the requirements office.

 

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

** The forms listed 2 through 5 shall only be completed upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.