SUBJECT: INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF) PROFESSIONAL LOCAL LIAISON ADVISORY SERVICE (LLAS) CONTRACTOR FOR GUATEMALA Dear potential applicants. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service, on behalf of the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), is seeking applications from qualified citizens living in Guatemala to provide services as a LLAS Contractor in Guatemala under a Personal Services Contract (PSC), as described in the following solicitation: 20343120Q00006. This document describes the job of the LLAS Contractor. Please read it carefully. This contract will be awarded for a twelve-month Base Period and four (4), twelve-month Option Periods in accordance with the following Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Contract Terms and Conditions. Option periods are not guaranteed and will be exercised at the discretion of IAF based, in part, on the Contractor’s performance. The estimated base period salary with benefits for this LLAS Contractor position is estimated at $81,680.25; but may be negotiated based upon capabilities to perform, qualifications, educational background, experience, previous salary and work history. The LLAS Contractor position may have optional sub-contracting possibilities available for Technical Consultants. The applicant assumes full responsibility for ensuring that their responses are received at the place as delineated herein and by the date and time identified below. The Respondent assumes full responsibility for ensuring electronic submissions are formatted in accordance with Security Requirements. The following file extensions are unacceptable: BAT; CMD; EXE; PIF; RAR; SCR; VBS; HTA; AND CPL FILES. Microsoft Office compatible documents and Adobe PDF are acceptable. Submitted materials with unacceptable or unreadable formats may be found non-responsive. Applications shall be e-mailed to
[email protected], with the subject line “Applications for 20343120Q00006 LLAS CONTRACTOR, Attn: MCaplinger/Dholbert and received on or before 2:00 pm EST, April 21, 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only complete applications submitted to the e-mail address above will be considered. A complete application shall include the following six (6) items: Provide a Cover Letter in Spanish that demonstrates the applicant’s capability to perform each of the required work responsibilities identified in the SOW. Provide a resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that demonstrates the applicant has the required qualifications identified the statement of work. Furthermore, The resume or CV must be written in Spanish or English. Write “20343120Q00006 LLAS CONTRACTOR” on the front page of the resume or CV. Applicant should hand sign the last page of the resume or CV. A list of three (3) references with contact information (telephone number and if available, email). A copy of applicant's educational diploma. A copy of applicant’s identification card with photograph (driver’s license, national identification card, or passport acceptable). Provide applicant’s salary history for last three jobs. Thank you for your interest in IAF. We look forward to reviewing your application. David Holbert Contracting Officer INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS The Government will evaulate applications in the following phases: 1.0 EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS: QUALIFICATIONS Evaluation Criteria 1: Technical Capability Applicants shall provide a Cover Letter that clearly and sufficiently addresses in written form their capabilities to perform each of the work responsibilities identified in the Performance Work Statement (3 pages herein). GO / NO-GO Factors: Late or incomplete applications will not be evaluated and will be considered non-responsive. To be considered a complete application, applicants shall submit applications that include the following items and evidence as attachments to their email: ____ 1. A CV/resume, written in Spanish or English, with the applicant’s signature on the last page. _____2. A one- to two-page cover letter demonstrating the ability to perform the required services as described in the PWS. _____3. Reside in Guatemala. _____4. Possess a B.A. or better in an appropriate field. _____5. Have at least 10 years of professional experience working in grassroots development or a combination of grassroots development and small-business development, economic development, monitoring and evaluation, or management of international development programs. At least half of this experience must be in-country. _____6. Demonstrate fluency in spoken and written Spanish. 2.0 Application Evaluation Process Applicants qualified for this position shall demonstrate, in the documents/information submitted and through the Application Evaluation Process described in Section 1.2, the ability to provide the services as described in the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS) as they apply to the following evaluation criteria: Phase I – Initial Review (A) EVALUATION CRITERIA 1 – REQUIRED TECHNICAL CAPABILITY A bachelor’s degree, or better, from an accredited university in social science, humanities, or a related field. Native in spoken and written Spanish. Ability to travel throughout Guatemala, and other countries as required. Demonstrated experience in coordinating and facilitating travel logistics and field-based events. Competence with standard Microsoft Office Suite of computer programs – Word, Excel, etc. Preferred skills and knowledge include : Knowledge of IAF mission, goals, and priorities. Experience working with grant management. Experience working with international donor agencies. Valid driver’s license. (B) EVALUATION CRITERIA 2 – REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Experience working directly with marginalized groups and/or community-based organizations in Guatemala. Experience working with agricultural cooperatives, small businesses, and/or NGOs that offer credit. Experience interacting with stakeholders, especially in a grants management, small-business development, or international development context. Experience with financial management/accounting and preparation of programmatic and financial reports. Experience in small-business development, monitoring and evaluation, and/or management of international development programs in Guatemala. Experience with participatory development methods. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. High level of motivation, personal commitment, and ethical standards. Applicants are not guaranteed an interview. The Technical Evaluation Team will determine a range of the highest rated applicants in Phase I to move to Phase II - Interview. If, in Phase II, applicants fail to get an acceptable rating the government reserves the right to interview the next highest rated applicants from Phase I. PHASE II – Interview All interviews will be completed with the same interviewer(s). If more than one individual conducts each interview, each interviewer will complete an individual interview evaluation score sheet and a consensus interview score will be agreed upon by all interviewers. Questions asked during the interview will be consistent among applicants and relevant to the requirements as described in the solicitation. An individual record of questions asked and responses received from the applicant will be included with this worksheet as documentation supporting the chosen rating. Phase III – Past Performance The Evaluation Panel will select applicant(s) from Phase II for the past performance. The reference questions will be consistent for all past performance references and will be relevant to similar work performed in comparison to this requirement. A record of references contacted, questions asked, and responses received will be included with this worksheet as documentation supporting the chosen rating. IAF will practice diligence to contact all references provided for applicants being considered for Award. However, time will dictate the number of contacts made. If at all possible, at least 1 direct reference contact should be made for all applicants considered for award. If an applicant has received negative reference responses, fair opporuntiy to address such will be given, in compliance with FAR 15.305(a)(2)(ii). 3.0 AWARD An offer for award will be made to the applicant receiving the highest score in Phase II, considering references and availability. If the offer is not accepted, the Government reserves the right to make an offer to the next preferred applicant without further discussion. The Contractor shall obtain a satisfactory security certification through the United States Embassy within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the contract. This certification will be initiated and costs assumed by IAF.