USPSC Vetting Official

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720FDA20B00023
ISSUANCE DATE: June 22, 2020
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: October 2, 2020, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as a Vetting Official (VO) under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation.
Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.

Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:
(a) Paid and 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 all field 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) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related
skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
(d) U.S. Citizenship
(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (beta.SAM.gov, OFDA Jobs,
Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully
meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information must be
clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your
qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I.
This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2
is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT
All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed
notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the
DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit
can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257…

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received.
Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers.
Your complete resume must be emailed to:

OFDA Recruitment Team
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Website: www.OFDAjobs.net
Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to OFDA Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely,

/s/
Renee Newton
Contracting Officer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Management and Verification of Vetting Information:

• Manage the process from receipt of the vetting request from recipient organizations through final vetting results received from USAID’s Office of Security (SEC), and final determination made by DCHA leadership.
• Collect vetting data from applicants and review forms for completeness and accuracy of information submitted by applicants and/or recipients.
• Conduct quality control and provide oversight of all vetting information.
• Perform regular checks in the PVS database to verify if a record currently exists for the prospective recipient.
• Guide applicants and/or recipients on the type of documents required for vetting and make necessary adjustments in PVS.
• Communicate directly with applicants and recipients regarding eligibility determinations.
• Notify COs/AOs, CORs/AORs and recipients of vetting results.

Vetting Policy, Procedures and Oversight:

• Serve as the senior vetting expert for OFDA and FFP, advising leadership and staff on vetting policy and operational issues.
• Engage with USAID senior leadership and staff, the USG’s interagency, and the public on matters pertaining to partner vetting.
• Represent OFDA and FFP on USAID’s Vetting Policy Working Group and other internal or interagency fora.
• Prepare background documents and brief USAID leadership on the vetting recommendations and results in order to make a final vetting determination. Facilitate vetting presentations to internal and external audiences.
• Initiate and maintain strong working relationships with other USAID Bureaus, Missions or staff engaged in vetting to provide technical direction on vetting of humanitarian programs.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on vetting policies and procedures, and provide policy guidance to program staff, including AORs and CORs, on the vetting process.
• Working with the Office of the General Counsel, assist USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) in the development of vetting award and partner communication language, as needed.
• Facilitate training to USAID staff, applicants, and recipients on the vetting process and required documentation.
• Develop a strong understanding of USAID’s vetting policies, authorities, and approaches.
• Establish a system that tracks OFDA and FFP vetting priorities and communicates with other Vetting Staff on those priorities.
• Provide day-to-day technical direction and priority-setting and provide performance management oversight for the Vetting Assistant(s) and Vetting Analyst(s).
• Mentor and cross-train staff on effective communications with applicants and recipients, as well as with other USAID staff on vetting issues.

PVS Database Management and Filing:

• Test, identify, and report on the system’s functionality and capabilities.
• Report accuracy of data in the system and recommend any corrective actions and improvements.
• Generate reports for OFDA and FFP leadership in order to analyze vetting results and monitor any outstanding or delayed vetting queries.
• Develop an internal vetting filing system and supervise its maintenance in accordance with Agency policies on sensitive and classified information. Attend all required PVS training; provide training and support to Project Assistants on use of the system as needed.

Supervisory:

• Manage and supervise the Vetting Assistant(s) and Vetting Analyst(s).
• Oversee the Vetting Team by assigning/balancing workloads, reviewing work products, addressing personnel issues, providing professional development opportunities, and any other management tasks as needed.
• Review work product for compliance and accuracy.

General:

• Work in rapidly changing, high-pressure situations that often exceed normal business hours.
• Sign-up for and serve as needed, on Washington-based RMTs, which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will be varied.
• Serve as the OFDA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis, for approximately one week every six months. As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.
• As needed, may serve on temporary details within the office to meet operational needs during staff shortages, not to exceed six months. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities as well as directly related to the scope of work provided.SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
  The USPSC will take direction from and report to the AARM Team Lead or his/her designee.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Supervisor provides administrative directions in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.
The USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out projects, studies and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for administering the program/project and this position is designated by DCHA leadership via a formal VO Designation Letter. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

START DATE: Immediately, once necessary clearances are obtained.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in, or pertinent to, the specialized field (including, but not limited to, disaster management, political science, public policy, international relations or a related field), and a minimum of nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working on emergency relief and humanitarian assistance programs, of which three (3) years were obtained from the field in the areas of international development, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in, or pertinent to, the specialized field (including, but not limited to, disaster management, political science, public policy, international relations or a related field), and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working on emergency relief and humanitarian assistance programs, of which two (2) years were obtained from the field in the areas of international development, emergency relief program operations, or post-emergency rehabilitation or reconstruction aid.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient
competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection
factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)

• Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
• Complete resume submitted. See cover page for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
• USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
• Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
• Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM
  The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses.

Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process. The rating factors are as follows:

Technical Experience (15 points)

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal acquisition and assistance laws, regulations, policies and procedures, including contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements relating to the implementation of emergency and/or international development programs and the handling of Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• Proven experience in analyzing and interpreting program data, conducting complex analyses, and identifying solutions to and addressing complex procurement or postaward.
• Demonstrated knowledge in working in secure and classified systems.
• Demonstrated experience in, and knowledge of, working in complex, high-threat and/or non-permissive environments; and
• Proven experience working with a wide variety of stakeholders.

Negotiation, Communication, and Interpersonal Skills (15 points)

• Experience in negotiating, collaborating and/or coordinating on complex and difficult policies/guidance across different parts of an organization and different stakeholders to attain effective solutions.

• Experience drafting cohesive guidance, standard operating procedures, and other policy related documentation from a wide variety of sources.

• Experience communicating and transferring knowledge on complex policy and programmatic topics to a multitude of non-specialist audiences at a variety of levels, including junior staff, peers, and senior leadership.

• Proven ability to multi-task and respond to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Management Experience (5 points)

• Experience managing, mentoring, coaching, guiding and training seasoned and junior coworkers and technical staff including reviewing work products and providing performance feedback.

Interview Performance (40 points)
Timed Writing Test (15 points)
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)
Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection. Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. OFDA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during future phase of the selection process.