USPSC Senior Program Operations Specialist

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720FDA20B00077

ISSUANCE DATE: August 5, 2020

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 26, 2021, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

This solicitation is open and continuous until February 26, 2021. The following are the closing dates for each review period:

August 26, 2020, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

November 25, 2020, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

February 26, 2021, 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 Senior Program Operations Specialist (SPOS) 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. 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. Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation.**

3. 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…

sysparm_search=kb0013183

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 and the supplemental document addressing the QRFs 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

The SPOS will provide critical analysis on programming with PIOs, manage a complex multi-million dollar portfolio of grants, serve as an office-wide resource on grant-making and procurement regulations as they pertain to PIOs, and interface regularly with the Disaster Response Divisions regarding funding to PIOs.

The SPOS is part of the GPT and will report directly to the GPT Team Lead (GPTL). The SPOS will be required to be available for deployments possibly lasting up to 90 days or 30% of the year.

The SPOS duties and responsibilities will include the following:

Award Portfolio Management:

· Become certified and serve as the Contracting Officer’s Representative and Agreement Officer’s Representative for awards managed by the HPGE Division.

· Conduct quality assurance and lead peer reviews of grant documentation in the HPGE GPT.

· Manage the PIOs award portfolio.

· Ensure consistency in OFDA’s grant management processes.

Award Guidelines and Regulations:

· Promote uniform policies and procedures for relating to partner agencies on grant management.

· Facilitate OFDA Guidelines for Proposals trainings to NGO partners, and facilitate internal training to OFDA staff on managing awards and how to fund PIOs.

· Participate on Agency-wide working groups to ensure award consistency on all levels, including policy-related decisions that impact programs such as: partner vetting, Automated Directive System (ADS) revisions and PIO categorical inclusions.

· Mentor and train new HPGE staff on PIO and NGO awards processing.

· Develop internal guidance to streamline the awards process and serve as an OFDA-wide resource on USAID policies governing PIOs, particularly related to the International Disaster Assistance account.

· Serve as a member of the internal AARM Team to assist in formulating and maintaining OFDA grants guidelines.

· Lead on competitive solicitations, including Requests for Proposals and Annual Program Statements.

· Serve as the main technical resource on PIO awards, including policy coordination and adherence to USG regulations.

· Provide recommendations for complex questions and concerns from OFDA staff and PIO partners related to award standard provisions and policies.

· Evaluate compliance with existing processes and procedures.

External Relations:

· Represent USAID at senior-level meetings with other USG agencies and in large scale events focused on humanitarian assistance sponsored by members of the international community, including IOs and NGOs.

· Represent USAID at donor meetings covering a broad range of humanitarian programming issues and provide DCHA Bureau with analysis and guidance on programming within the UN system.

· Anticipate the needs of the organization regarding developments in the areas of programming and prepare analyses, briefings, documents, and meetings, as required.

· Attend various UN and other meetings and provide authoritative information and views to formulate USG programming strategies and influence UN programming policy.

· Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with other relevant USAID offices and serve as an expert point of contact for these groups in the area of programming.

· Maintain communications and relationships with partner organizations/offices, both within and outside the USG to ensure essential coordination of actions and information exchanges. Respond to inquiries, perform outreach services, and facilitate their access to OFDA staff.

· Coordinate planning and help manage quarterly and annual consultations with partner agencies and organizations, particularly bilateral meetings with PIOs.

· Manage visits of senior UN officials engaged in programmatic responses to ongoing humanitarian crises, including liaising with other USAID offices and USG interagency.

Internal Coordination:

· Coordinate with the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Acquisition and Assistance, to ensure timely grant processes. This includes keeping track of the latest PIO standard provisions and ADS 308 policy.

· Maintain and encourage outreach to OFDA Divisions concerning global programs.

· Work closely with the GPTL to formulate the HPGE Team’s internal budget, including drafting narrative justifications and budget revisions.

Administrative and Other General Duties and Responsibilities:

· Lead in the preparation of memoranda and briefing papers, including liaising with other HPGE divisions and other DCHA offices to provide input and country-level feedback.

· Actively respond to follow-up actions regarding ongoing and current emergency programs.

· Analyze complex policies and make recommendations to senior management related to global programs.

· 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 detail within the office, 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.

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: international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, public policy, or a related field) plus a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance and on humanitarian policy issues, and two (2) years of experience managing complex humanitarian programs. Offerors must demonstrate work experience with a humanitarian organization, such as a USG foreign assistance agency, UN, IO, or international humanitarian NGO.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to: international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, public policy, or a related field) plus a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in emergency relief and humanitarian assistance and on humanitarian policy issues, and two (2) of experience managing complex humanitarian programs. Offerors must demonstrate work experience with a humanitarian organization such as a USG foreign assistance agency, UN, IO, or international humanitarian NGO.

QUALITY RANKING FACTORS (QRFs)

(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. The factors are listed in priority order from highest to least. The evaluation of QRF responses 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.)

QRF #1 Proven ability in all aspects of international grant management in the humanitarian sector, including proven experience in the identification, analysis, and management of global humanitarian response, broad sectoral and research initiatives and programs; developing detailed program budgets; and developing and supporting grant management processes.

QRF #2 Proven experience in providing expert guidance in the area of humanitarian assistance with regard to the different implementation, policy, and program approaches utilized by public IOs and NGOs. Detailed knowledge, based on hands-on experience of humanitarian action and a thorough on-the-ground knowledge of the international humanitarian system concepts and issues is required.

QRF #3 Demonstrated ability to consistently and independently perform in a high visibility, high-pressure environment and accurately represent the USG policy positions. Strong work ethic, polished representation skills, ability to initiate, develop and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ability to be both detail-oriented and results-oriented is essential. A high degree of diplomatic and leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to work with a diverse array of individuals and organizations.

QRF #4 Demonstrated knowledge and experience with U.S. policy and regulations for responses to natural disasters and complex emergencies. Understanding of U.S. humanitarian assistance programming and approaches.

QRF #5 Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication, preparing and presenting analysis, providing guidance, soliciting sensitive information, reviewing proposals, and negotiating agreements.

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the QRF responses. 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 of the QRFs in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, and/or education 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 Quality Ranking 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.

The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:

QRFs have been assigned the following points:

QRF #1 – 15 points

QRF #2 – 10 points

QRF #3 – 10 points

QRF #4 – 8 points

QRF #5 – 7 points

Interview Performance – 30 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – 20 points

Total Possible Points: 100