ISSUANCE DATE: April 15, 2005, 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (3:00 PM Bogota, Colombia Time)CLOSING DATE: May 6, 2005, 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (2:00 PM Bogota,Colombia Time) Ladies/Gentlemen: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) Peace Process Task Force Coordinator USAID/BOGOTA RFP 514-05-0001 The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications of qualified individuals from U.S. citizens interested in providing Personal Services Contract (PSC) services as described in the attached solicitation. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. PLEASE NOTE: THE PERFORMANCE OF THISPOSITION WILL BE IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE WHERE ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING TIME/DATE IS IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA. APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BUT USAID ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELAY IN TRANSIT, MIS-ROUTING, ETC. SUMISSIONS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE INFORMATION AT THE PLACE AND TIME SPECIFIED. GIVEN THE OFTEN INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD WITH FAX AND EMAIL, ALL CANDIDATES ARE NOTIFIED THAT WHATEVER METHOD THEY CHOOSE TO UTILIZE, WE STRONGLY URGE THEY CONFIRM WITH THE USAID EXECUTIVE OFFICE THAT ALL DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS NOTICE. EQUIPMENT FAILURES AT USAID OR BY THE APPLICANTS NETWORK ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR LATE SUBMISSION AS CANDIDATES HAVE THE OPTION OF SENDING THEIR APPLICATION HARD COPY BY COURIER. NO REPEAT NO APPLICATIONS WILL CONSIDERED AFTER THE CLOSING TIME AND DATE AND IT IS THE APPLICANTS FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE ALL THEIR DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY OUR OFFICE. Potential applicants should submit Optional Form OF-612, Resume and 3 references including full name, telephone number and address. (Note: applicants who submit the SF-171 and 3 references will be considered as having submitted the proper forms for consideration. However, since the SF-171 has been updated through the OF-612, candidates should strive to submit using the OF0612 and attaching a resume). The OF-612 form is located at the USAID Agency website www.usaid.gov, click on Business and Business Forms. Applications may be: (1) sent to fax number 571 423 6859 (in Bogota) (2) sent as an email attachment to Helena Pardo, Human Resources Assistant at
[email protected] (3) mailed through the US postal service to: Supervisory Executive Officer AmerEmbassy/USAID UNIT 5101 APO AA 43 038 Please note if you use the US postal service, delivery is to the Military APO mailroom in the US which can take 1-2 more weeks. Again as noted above, deadline for receipt is when it reaches the USAID EXECUTIVE OFFICE in BOGOTA, COLOMBIA, not when it reaches a U.S. mailroom. Documents received at the Executive Office in Colombia AFTER the deadline time/date as listed above will not considered. (4) Courier (DHL, Federal Express or other courier) Supervisory Executive Officer USAID Carrera 45 No.22D-45 Bogota, D.C., Colombia Phone 571 423 68680, xt 161 Any questions may be directed to Ms. Helena Pardo who may be reached at FAX No. 571 423 6859 of E-Mail:
[email protected]. Telephone calls can be made to country code 57 city code 1 office number 423 6880 xt 189. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All offers are contingent on receipt of (a) medical clearance, (b) security clearance and (c) must be made in writing by the Supervisory Executive Officer. Sincerely, Denise Herbol Supervisory Executive Officer SOLICITATION NUMBER: 514-05-0001 ISSUANCE DATE: April 15, 2005, 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (3:00 PM Bogota, Colombia Time) CLOSING DATE: May 6, 2005, 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (2:00 PM Bogota,Colombia Time) POSITION TITLE: Peace Process Task Force Coordinator MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($89,625-$116,517) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Bogota, D.C., Colombia SECURITY ACCESS: Secret AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Internally Displaced Persons Office POSITION DESCRIPTION USAID/Colombia has organized a Peace Process “Task Force”, with representatives from various offices and Strategic Objective Teams (SOTs) that, while nascent, has been meeting regularly to share information, track progress, coordinate activities within a post-wide inter-agency working group and plan possible future responses to the GOC’s on-going peace initiatives. An informal sub-group of this “Task Force” comprises a “Secretariat” which is planned as a more strategic and operational arm of the Task Force. The Mission has agreed to fund a one-year PSC (renewable subject to availability of funding and authority) to coordinate and strengthen the work of the Task Force, head the Secretariat and provide expert advice to the Mission on the peace process. Description of Duties: As an expert in various aspects of the Peace Process, (negotiations, transitional justice, demobilization/reincorporation of combatants, etc), the incumbent will assist USAID/Colombia as a highly qualified and expert program developer and manager position itself for a possible programmatic response to the GOC’s Peace Initiative. In addition, he incumbent will lead the ÜSAID/Colombia “Task Force” and head the Task Force Secretariat, working under the overall policy guidance of the Mission Director and the day-to-day supervision of the Deputy Mission Director. A Task Force leader the incumbent will work in close collaboration with representatives from various USAID SO teams and Embassy offices. The advisor will report to the Deputy Mission Director. In addition to leading the Task Force and chairing the Secretariat, the incumbent will serve as the Mission’s chief advisor concerning, programs supporting the Colombian peace process. In addition, the USPSC may be assigned to serve as CTO for one or more of the programs supporting the hoped-for multi-year Colombian peace process. He/she will also provide senior Mission and Embassy leadership with highly qualified and at times sensitive policy and technical advice. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1) Task Force Further develop and strengthen USAID’s Peace Process “Task Force” (TF), develop agenda items, ensure follow-up on decisions taken, propose design studies, coordinate activities of the TF with other U.S. Embassy offices. Chair the TF Secretariat. Share analysis of reports and studies, peace process policy dialogue, input from coordination with other donors, etc with TF members. 2) Policy Development As requested, conduct analysis from the perspective of strategic USG interests of current and prospective peace policies, including if authority granted by Washington to the demobilization and reincorporation process of the GOC. In operational aspects and GOC policy related Colombia, other non-USG institutions such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the International Criminal Court are also involved in place process activities. The incumbent will also analyze initiatives undertaken by these organizations as well. Undertake regular strategic analysis of international, national, regional and local policies in Colombia and how they can be better integrated with and re-enforce USAID and broader USG Country-Team peace initiatives. Based on such analysis, develop and recommend appropriate USAID and Embassy policies, and advise Mission/Embassy leadership and selected GOC counterparts on policy implementation. 3) External Relations On matters involving peace initiatives; the incumbent shall be responsible for developing and maintaining an active dialogue on the development of key policy initiatives and institutional reforms with senior governmental, donor, and private sector counterparts. The incumbent will also be responsible for developing and maintaining close and effective working relationships in these areas with senior officials in other USG agencies in the Embassy, such as the Department of Justice and Department of Defense, as well as non-USG institutions including but not limited to the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Organization of American States (OAS) and bilateral aid agencies. 4) Program Development, Implementation and Monitoring The incumbent will offer strategic leadership on the development and implementation of possible USAID programs in a manner designed to promote their consistency with other development and foreign policy objectives of the GOC, USAID and Embassy. The incumbent may eventually have overall responsibility for the development and implementation of Mission’s administration of peace programs, including the demobilization and reincorporation process, if authorized, and assist in coordinating their planning and execution with senior GOC, donor, and relevant USG officials. 5) Monitoring and Analysis Perform all other duties necessary for monitoring the achievement of selected results of the current, approved Peace Initiatives program. Examples of such “other duties” include: * Monitoring progress, including the outputs of the existing GOC reincorporation program “Tracking, Monitoring and Evaluation” system. * Monitoring implementation of the “Justice and Peace” Law. * Monitoring the impact of other donor support strategy/programs on peace and related human rights efforts. * Identify institutional and procedural weaknesses and resource constraints that may impact on GOC capacity to plan for and implement peace program initiatives; also, provide recommendations and/or design future assistance programs to enable achievement of USG and Colombian goals for sustainable peace processes. * Reporting on an ad-hoc and regular basis the monitoring activities. 6) Develop Reports On as needed basis in carrying out the monitoring and analysis activities and regular Mission reports. 7) Other duties Perform all other duties necessary for the achievement of the results as required. MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Note: Candidates who do not meet these required minimum qualifications will not be considered. a. Education: Master’s Graduate degree in law, political science, national security affairs, public administration, or other relevant field. b. Work Experience: At least 10 years of international development experience including five years of successful work involving peace initiatives including conflict resolution, demobilization and reincorporation programs, and/or transitional and/or restorative justice efforts. c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Expert knowledge of demobilization and reincorporation programming, conflict resolution, and human rights and international humanitarian law. Thorough understanding of U.S. foreign/national security policy implications for development assistance. Specific knowledge of past demobilization and reincorporation experiences in other countries, human rights, conflict mitigation and management, and assistance to conflict victims. Knowledge of management information systems and their application to peace processes. In depth knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural structure, and development prospects and priorities in Latin America, and if possible Colombia. d. Language Proficiency: Level 3 in Spanish (reading/writing) and native facility in English is required. Level 4 Spanish is preferred. SELECTION CRITERIA 30 points: Expert knowledge of demobilization and reincorporation programming, conflict resolution, and human rights and international humanitarian law. Thorough understanding of U.S. foreign/national security policy implications for development assistance. Specific knowledge of past demobilization and reincorporation experiences in other countries, human rights, conflict mitigation and management, and assistance to conflict victims. Knowledge of management information systems and their application to peace processes. In depth knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural structure, and development prospects and priorities in Latin America, and if possible Colombia. 25 points: Number of years of international development experience including five years of successful work involving peace initiatives including conflict resolution, demobilization and reincorporation programs, and/or transitional and/or restorative justice efforts. 20 points: Ability to develop long-range program plans, goals, objectives and milestones for arguably the most sensitive and complex programs: peace initiatives and human rights. Ability to coordinate of work of SOTs, other agencies within the Embassy, other donors and officials of the Government of Colombia. Ability to gather information, to identify and analyze issues to base the development of recommendations and program approaches to resolve substantive problems. Understanding of the political and/or institutional interests of a multitude of stakeholders. 15 points: Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with senior USAID officials, and personnel in Washington; with senior Embassy officials; with high-level officials in the Governmental of Colombia, and the Colombian Congress; and with senior representatives of non-governmental organizations, officials from international donor institutions, and, representatives of the implementing partners. 10 points: Level 3 in Spanish (reading/writing) and native facility in English is required. Level 4 Spanish is preferred. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit: For USPSCs a U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612 (available at the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices); Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCS Forms outlined below can found at http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ 1. Standard Form 171 or Optional Form 612. 2. Contractor Physical Examination (DS 1843). ** 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). ** * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). ** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) PERTAINING TO PSCs 00-5 Personal Service Contract (PSCs) Annual Health Costs 00-3 2000 FICA $ 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 Waver 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 For USPSCs 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other than Full and Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with 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 of Personal Services Contract 96-19 U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) – Leave 96-8 Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) Please refer to this website http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/psc_solicit/ to consult CIBs. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: (NOTE: An individual defined as a Resident Hire employee may only be eligible for those benefits listed under item A below.) BENEFITS: Employee's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Federal Increases if authorized by Congress Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and pouch mail service Note: Given that this is a one year contract, certain benefits and allowances such as family and dependent travel to Post and transportation of HHE/POV are not provided, in the same manner as is not provided to USDH employees. ALLOWANCES (If Applicable): * (1) Housing (2) Post Differential (Chapter 500) (3) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600) (4) Danger Pay (Section 650) (5) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) (6) Post Differential * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes.