ISSUANCE DATE: August 08, 2013 CLOSING DATE: August 23, 2013 SUBJECT: Solicitation No. SOL-504-13-000001 Personal Services Contract - USAID/GUYANA- USPSC PEPFAR Country Coordinator. Salary range US$84,697.00 to US$110,104.00 (GS-14) Ladies and Gentlemen: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services as described in the attached solicitation. The length of this position is estimated to be two (2) year with an extension option for up to five 5 years. Final contracting action will be contingent to funds availability. Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: Ana Díaz or Soraya Morillo USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-731-7044/809-731-7042 E-mail address:
[email protected] and
[email protected] Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosure which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted to the following individuals by August 23, 2013/ 4:30 pm Eastern Time: Ana Díaz/ Soraya Morillo USAID/Dominican Republic Telephone Number: 809-731-7044/ 809-731-7042 E-mail:
[email protected] E-mail:
[email protected] Sincerely, Judy Webb Regional Contracting Officer PEPFAR Country Coordinator Guyana I. SCOPE OF WORK Overview The PEPFAR/Guyana Interagency Country Coordinator reports to the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana and to the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), and is responsible for leading, managing and coordinating the strategy and implementation planning, and communication between and among the USG departments and agencies (CDC, DOD, DOL, Peace Corps, USAID, and State) involved in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Guyana. The PEPFAR Coordinator receives policy direction and decision-making authority from the U.S Ambassador to Guyana and the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. Daily supervision and annual evaluation of the Coordinator is assigned to the Deputy Chief of Mission. Introduction PEPFAR - the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those impacted by from HIV/AIDS around the world - is the largest commitment by any nation in history to combat a single disease internationally. PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. It forms the cornerstone of President Obama's Global Health Initiative. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. Thanks in large part to U.S. leadership, tremendous progress has been made in the fight against global AIDS. PEPFAR has directly supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for more than 3.2 million men, women and children worldwide as of September, 2010. PEPFAR has directly supported 11 million people with care and support, including nearly 3.8 million orphans and vulnerable children, in fiscal year 2010 alone. PEPFAR directly supported antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission for more than 600,000 HIV-positive pregnant women in fiscal year 2010, allowing more than 114,000 infants to be born HIV-free. In its second phase, PEPFAR has focused on the transition from an emergency response to building sustainable programs. These programs are country-owned and country-driven and address HIV/AIDS with a broader context of health and development. Within the State Department, the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC) is responsible for coordinating the implementation of PEPFAR. Additional information about S/GAC and PEPFAR is available at www.pepfar.gov. The PEPFAR Country Coordinator ("the Country Coordinator") serves as the Embassy-based presence of the Department of State's Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (S/GAC). The Country Coordinator represents the PEPFAR program and policies of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator in a designated country. In the designated country, the Ambassador or his/her designate provides on-site line management and country-level policy direction to the Country Coordinator, with an official reporting relationship to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator or his designee. The U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the substantial investments of PEPFAR, ensuring that these investments are wisely and effectively deployed to have the greatest impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Country Coordinator's main area of oversight is the facilitation, coordination, planning, and reporting of program performance for the interagency program in the designated country. As the S/GAC representative in a partner country or region, the Country Coordinator is charged with overseeing processes to ensure that the bilateral funds deployed by PEPFAR are wisely and effectively used to address the in-country HIV/AIDS epidemic. Specifically, the Country Coordinator coordinates with the PEPFAR implementing agencies to ensure that funds are allocated strategically across agency and technical areas, are coordinated with inputs from the partner country government and other donors, are consistent with U.S. Government laws and policies, especially legislation pertaining specifically to PEPFAR, and support the national goals and plans of the partner government or governments. With guidance from S/GAC's Management and Budget division, the Country Coordinator works with implementing agency financial managers to coordinate reporting systems for tracking funds accurately, so that resources are correctly directed and deployed rapidly. PEPFAR is a "whole of government" program, involving multiple U.S. Government (USG) agencies in a single, strategic response coordinated by the Department of State at the headquarters level and by the Country Coordinator in the field. An open, transparent and effective interagency process is essential for the success of PEPFAR's efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment. The Country Coordinator's role is to ensure that the country level program reflects this whole of government approach, working with S/GAC's Programs division to communicate key policy and technical issues to the broad USG PEPFAR team in country. The Country Coordinator is responsible for leading the development and monitoring of a cohesive interagency program by providing leadership and facilitation to the interagency PEPFAR team in the designated country for all aspects of PEPFAR -policy, technical, managerial, and operational. The Country Coordinator collaborates with the U.S. Embassy, partner government, and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator to ensure achievement, not only of the primary HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care goals of PEPFAR, but also the public health sustainability and health diplomacy goals of PEPFAR. PEPFAR in Guyana PEPFAR Guyana is dedicated to helping Guyana achieve an AIDS Free Generation through shared responsibility and smart investments based on the best available evidence. PEPFAR Guyana is a program in transition and has begun a shift away from direct service delivery, to a targeted assistance (TA) model. The transition encompasses both a programmatic and financial transition. The transition in Guyana is guided by the PEPFAR Blue Print for Achieving an AIDS Free Generation and the PEPFAR Guyana Transition Plan: 2013-2017. USG resources during the transition period are focused on ensuring that Guyana will have the body of country specific data, technical capacity, HR and coordinating mechanisms required to direct and execute an HIV program that reflects the nation's priorities, consistent with reduced donor funding. Transition in Guyana is built upon our achievements, including a strong partnership with and commitment of the Government of Guyana to the success of the National HIV Response. The high coverage of the ART and PMTCT program are testaments to this partnership. In Guyana, PEPFAR programs are implemented by five USG agencies: the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Peace Corps, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These agencies support a coordinated interagency management model which leverages and builds upon agency-specific strengths, expertise and historical relationships to achieve shared PEPFAR goals. The Government of Guyana is committed to fighting HIV/AIDS and takes a leadership role in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment care for all its citizens. Over the past eight years, PEPFAR has supported the national capacity to plan, lead, manage, and deliver quality health services across Guyana. The United States is the largest HIV/AIDS bilateral donor in Guyana. Other major donors and development partners supporting the HIV/AIDS response in Guyana include: the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund) the United Nations agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, PAHO/WHO, ILO), and PANCAP. Major Duties and Responsibilities Program Management and Implementation • Leads the USG PEPFAR interagency team in Guyana in the conception, formulation, and recommendation of initiatives in response to the epidemic profile in the designated country, and to the program operational realm, including: o ensure that the PEPFAR program fits within the regulations of the partner country government and aligns with international policies and recommendations; o communicate USG policy and technical direction to implementing agency leadership; o coordinate and facilitate the interagency approach to PEPFAR within the USG. • Coordinate and facilitate with PEPFAR implementing agencies the restructuring, reorienting and recasting immediate and long range goals, objectives, plans and schedules to meet substantial changes in policy, legislation, program authority and/or funding; Facilitate discussion with the interagency team regarding projects to be initiated, dropped or curtailed; leads development of annual country operational plans (COPs); engage with the interagency process in-country in long range planning in connection with prospective changes in USG funding, policies, and programs. • Establishes appropriate controls to ensure the integrity-financial, technical, and operational-of all HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs implemented pursuant to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. • In consultation with the U.S. Embassy front office and coordinating and facilitating with the interagency PEFPAR implementing agency leadership, management and technical teams, the PEPFAR in-country team decides how best to apply the funds for successful program impact. To properly coordinate budget planning in conjunction with implementing agencies, the Country Coordinator must understand the current levels of expenditure and pipeline, develop budgets, and ensure continued flow of funds necessary to implement the program. • Ensures the use of data collection and knowledge-based program management in regard to all aspects (implementation, technology, costing) of treatment, prevention and care strategies. • Provides leadership, advice, and counsel to USG interagency team in-country in the implementation and monitoring of the PEPFAR program portfolio. • Facilitates interagency decision-making to ensure program sustainability in a post-Emergency response with greater country ownership in the political ownership/stewardship, institutional ownership, capabilities, and mutual accountability. • Analyzes the unique operational context of the PEPFAR program in the designated country. Coordinates the interagency process to establish a vision and strategy for responding to this context within the guidelines of S/GAC policy and U.S. diplomatic priorities. Collaboration among Major Non-USG Stakeholders • Ensures coordination and linkage of USG bilateral assistance with other bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations, and international multilateral organizations engaged in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. • Collaborates and shares information with multilateral partners, other donors, and S/GAC relevant to the success of broad efforts to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic in country. • Liaises with these development partners, and in particular, with the Country Coordination Mechanism of the Global Fund, to ensure complementarities between the USG investments and other donors. May act as the USG representative member on the local Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). • Along with other USG PEPFAR implementing agency leadership, establishes appropriate protocol for collaboration with the partner government, including provide oversight and develop the vision of USG interaction with the partner government on all aspects of HIV/AIDS, including the various executive branch bodies from the health sector to social welfare systems to finance. Promotes alignment with and understanding of the partner government priorities and policies among USG staff implementing the PEPFAR program. • Evaluates the relative need, local conditions and capability of the designated country to develop or improve their infrastructure and programs necessary to provide or strengthen the quality, availability and sustainability of HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care services. • Leads discussions about the timing and planning for transition from USG resources toward other types of funding for sustainable HIV responses. • Counsels and advises S/GAC decision-makers regarding the optimal mix of funding support for the designated country. • Ensures outreach to and engagement of private-sector partners, including advocacy groups, faith- and community-based organizations, and businesses in the HIV/AIDS response. Encourages the engagement of these groups by all USG agencies responding to the epidemic in-country. Program Representation • Aids in assuring the accountability of PEPFAR and other HIV/AIDS programs supported by the USG to Administration officials, Members of Congress, and the general public through the development and communication of appropriate statements, reports, and representation. • In collaboration with various PEPFAR implementing agencies, serves as a representative of the USG, and the Ambassador's office in particular, in country-level and, international-level fora such as working groups, country coordinating mechanisms, steering committees, etc., with a focus on responding to the HIV epidemic and to integration of HIV services into broader health efforts in the designated country. • Counsels and advises the S/GAC and U.S. Embassy staff on relevant HIV/AIDS policies and issues that emerge in various settings with stakeholders. As requested by S/GAC and the U.S. Embassy, speaks on behalf of the USG about specific country HIV/AIDS epidemic needs based on a comprehensive knowledge of the overall country, regional, and global context, in-country HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, and the current status of implementation of PEPFAR. • Supported by a Country Support Team Lead (CSTL) at S/GAC, communicate field-based and headquarters priorities upstream and downstream. With the CSTL, facilitate interagency dialogue between the field and headquarters interagency teams. • In collaboration with PEPFAR leadership from other USG agencies, Serves as a representative of the USG at international meetings, conferences, etc., whose sponsors or attendees may include donors and others with significant equities and other contributors in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. • Recommends and promotes positions and views for the USG on strategies, initiatives and current programs that aim to improve the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS. • In coordination with PEPFAR leadership from other USG agencies, Plans and directs the identification, development, implementation and monitoring of outreach and/or liaison activities and initiatives with USG representatives, including Congressional staff, the partner government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and regional donors to foster greater leadership, commitment and resources on their part in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. • Informs and engages the Chief of Mission, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, USG representatives in-country administering HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs, non-governmental organizations, and partner government officials and their medical professionals on PEPFAR program achievements, concerns and needs and to reinforce initiatives to accomplish the goals of PEPFAR through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic efforts. Other Duties as Assigned • The Country Coordinator devises and maintains appropriate management and internal control systems to ensure that all resources are safeguarded against waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation; obligations incurred comply with applicable laws and regulations; and revenues and expenditures are promptly recorded and accounted for in accordance U.S. Government procedures. • Proactively identifies program areas where potential for waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation exist and pursues systematic resolution. Contacts Working through appropriate channels within the Embassy and OGAC, the PEPFAR Coordinator may have contacts, in addition to Members of Congress and top officials from their immediate Congressional oversight committees and sub-committee staffs, are with executive and senior level officials and their representatives of the following organizations outside the Department at national and international levels in highly unstructured settings: the Executive Branch departments and agencies implementing and managing PEPFAR such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, Defense, Commerce, and Labor; the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); and the Peace Corps; ministers of health representing foreign governments; domestic and international medical and scientific communities; international, multilateral organizations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and organizational components within the United Nations such as the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); non-governmental organizations; the media; the general public; and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of contacts is to influence, motivate or persuade key officials of foreign governments and senior representatives of international, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations, including those who may be cautious in working with the U.S. Government, to implement HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs; restructure and improve the quality and capacity of health care systems generally; and properly and thoroughly measure the progress of PEPFAR in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic given the multi-billion dollars in financial resources authorized and appropriated by the Administration and the U.S. Congress. Reporting Requirements The work consists of broad program management of the multi-faceted PEPFAR function to develop, facilitate, and monitor in-country HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care plans; to serve as the key coordination and facilitation of the USG interagency team implementing PEPFAR activities in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and health systems strengthening; and to address issues, concerns, etc. associated with services for orphans and vulnerable children, palliative care, training and volunteers, and health care worker human capacity development. The Country Coordinator assists the PEPFAR implementing agencies with planning, developing, directing, and controlling key functions of a major program with international scope. The Country Coordinator's portfolio involves the full range of roles and responsibilities associated with broad program management and leadership to include accountability for the success of the aforementioned functions; the monitoring and oversight of operations to deliver, measure and evaluate accomplishments and/or progress to date, and to highlight successes and to identify reasons for shortfalls; to adjust, should such action be necessary, to achieve program goals; the development and maintenance of internal control systems to ensure that human, financial, technological and material resources are safeguarded against waste, fraud, unauthorized use or misappropriation; etc. These roles and responsibilities may be complicated by the need to consider and evaluate the impact of a range of factors such as: the need to recommend variance in Country Operational Plans (COPs) based on stages of the designated country's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the anticipated trajectory of the USG investment in that response; the lack of appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care protocols which can lead to ineffective, inconsistent and uneven program implementation; limited technical capacity which is a barrier to increasing and strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care interventions and to ensuring compliance with established, recognized protocols; avoiding the duplication of program efforts and an uncoordinated response, especially in the most afflicted nations where so many institutions and organizations have initiated well-meaning programs; and Administration and Congressional interest and oversight in light of the unprecedented resources that the Administration and Congress have authorized and appropriated in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic through PEPFAR. Level of Authority The Country Coordinator is viewed as a Section or Agency Head within the Guyana Mission Country Team and is an expert authority on the host country HIV/AIDS epidemic and U.S. Government policies and practices, through PEPFAR, to provide HIV/AIDS services, particularly prevention, treatment and care. The Country Coordinator has a specialized and demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of management of public health or other programs, especially in resource poor settings; knowledge and demonstrated capability in coordination of organizations or agencies with varied organizational culture and core competencies towards the achievement of common goals; demonstrated competency in facilitation and negotiation between various stakeholders resulting in measurable, positive outcomes; knowledge of the culture, socio-cultural norms, and the public health capacities in countries where the USG is implementing and administering HIV/AIDS programs; substantial knowledge of facilitation and management that can be applied to a diverse group of USG implementing agencies working to mitigate HIV/AIDS and to deliver services pertaining to its treatment, prevention and care; knowledge of the operations and capacities of other donor governments, international multilateral organizations, and non-governmental organizations involved in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic; an ability to establish and maintain working relationships at all levels throughout the management, medical, scientific, public, and private sectors of the broad Emergency Plan community to gather and exchange information and negotiate proposals and initiatives; ability to provide timely expert advice and consultation to executive and senior level management officials regarding the appropriate investment of US resources in the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS; and skill in verbal and written communication to review and present analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, defend proposals, and negotiate agreements. Management Responsibilities • Supervises a section which is comprised of at least one Foreign Service National staff. • Provides assistance in crisis management planning and contributes to the preparation and execution of emergency action plans. • Manages human, physical, and financial resources. Supervision Received The Country Coordinator reports to the Ambassador or his/her designate who provides on-site line management and country-level policy direction; the Country Coordinator also maintains an official reporting relationship to the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator or his designee. The supervisor provides administrative direction with regular and recurring assignments. Specific tasks frequently originate out of the public health, program management, or policy activities of the work; the Country Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating and carrying out assignments, apprising the supervisor of progress as appropriate. Physical Demands and Logistical Arrangements The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. The position provides for USG provision of office space, telephone, fax, and email as well as travel, lodging and transportation reimbursement when undertaken for official purposes. Work Environment and Travel Work is primarily performed in an office setting within USG offices in Georgetown, Guyana. Temporary duty travel to the United States or elsewhere may be required as part of the duties of this position. The Contractor is expected to travel within Guyana as required to meet the responsibilities of the position inclusive of: - travel as required in preparation for and to accompany, the Ambassador, DCM, USG officials, or other visitors as required; - travel for PEPFAR field visits; and - travel to and participation in meetings or appropriate workshops, including an annual PEPFAR Coordinators' meeting and the annual PEPFAR meeting. II. QUALIFICATIONS: In order to be considered for this position a candidate must meet the Required Minimum Qualifications listed below. Consideration and selection will be based on panel evaluation of Required Minimum Qualifications, Desired Qualifications and Evaluation Factors. Additionally, interviews and writing samples may be requested. Applicants are encouraged to write a brief appendix to a resume, OF-612 to demonstrate how prior experience and/or training addresses the Minimum Qualifications and Evaluation Factors listed below: A) Required Minimum Qualifications and Experience This position requires a highly qualified and experienced individual with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to foster team work, the capacity for strategic thinking, and an understanding of the technical and policy requirements to achieve the PEPFAR goals in Guyana. The incumbent must be familiar with and be able to work well in an overseas environment and with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental counterparts. The PEPFAR Country Coordinator must have the following qualifications: Education: • An advanced degree (master's or higher) in a relevant professional discipline, such as Public Policy, Public Heath, Business Administration or related subject, is required. Prior Work Experience: • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional level experience at the international program management level and experience working internationally in the design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, preferably with a focus on HIV/AIDS. Skills: • Strong interpersonal, teamwork, facilitation and negotiation skills; • Strong oral and written communication skills; • Ability to mediate interagency conflicts and facilitate decisions on complex technical, programmatic, strategic and financial issues; • Strong analytical skills; • Strong capacity to multi-task, including managing, prioritizing and fulfilling competing demands in real time; • Ability to keep track of a large amount of data and manage complex interagency planning and reporting processes; • Ability to empower PEPFAR team members to apply available resources and expertise to addressing the local epidemic; • Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness; • Strong managerial skills; • U.S. Citizen (offshore or resident); • Able to obtain US Government medical and secret security clearances; • Available and willing to work outside the regular 40-hour workweek when required/necessary; and • Willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested. Language: • Level IV English ability (fluent) is required. The incumbent must possess a high degree of proficiency in both written and spoken English. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent is required to exercise independent judgment and ingenuity to interpret and develop applications and guidelines to devise innovative approaches to resolve technical, administrative, managerial, and policy problems. Excellent, balanced judgment must be exercised in setting priorities. In addition, considerable judgment is required to work effectively with host-government officials; coordinate multi-sectoral efforts in support of objectives; and collect, analyze, and report the progress of activities and recommend project actions. III. EVALUATION FACTORS: The following factors are listed in descending order of importance and will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation. The highest ranking applicants may be selected for an interview, but an interview is not always necessary. A. Education (15 points): Must possess an advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in a relevant professional discipline, such as Public Policy, Public Heath, Business Administration or related subject, is required. B. Technical Experience (40 points): Seven years of professional experience managing and implementing public health programs in developing countries, with an emphasis on health systems strengthening, is required. • Recognized professional with a proven track-record in international health, specializing in organizational and human capacity development, human resources for health, and healthcare finance, especially within Health and HIV/AIDS settings. • Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with USG procedures and policies including procurement, financial and programmatic management, performance monitoring and evaluation of impact. • Demonstrated previous experience working in Health and/or HIV/AIDS programming required. • Demonstrated knowledge of the critical technical and substantive issues related to systems strengthening and capacity development, program/project development and public health, especially within HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment settings. • Demonstrated ability to interpret regulatory directives and related guidance, based on familiarity with USG and PEPFAR programs, policies, and regulations. C. Language, Writing and Communication Skills (30 points): • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a wide range of senior-level and working-level contacts with Health and HIV/AIDS programs in host country government, non-governmental, and private-sector circles. • Demonstrated fluency in English, with outstanding public speaking, negotiating, writing, and communication skills. • Demonstrated ability to present complex material, including data, clearly concisely and persuasively in presentations, technical reports, and other mediums, at times within short timeframes. • Ability to draft speeches, press releases and success stories for the Ambassador and other high-ranking officials and for OGAC, Congress, and other stakeholders. D. Teamwork and Management skills (10 points): • Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and to proactively build consensus. • Ability to interact effectively and persuasively with a broad range of internal and external partners, especially high-ranking officials of the host country government, national NGOs and international organizations. • Ability to function productively as a member of a multidisciplinary team and demonstrate experience and skills in managing human and financial resources. • Demonstrated strong management and analytical skills to strategize, develop and implement effective Health programs. • Demonstrated strong financial management and administrative skills to track the performance of implementing partners. E. Computer Literacy (5 points): • Proficiency with computer word processing, e-mail, worldwide web applications, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet programs, and related logistics software for management, forecasting, etc. IV. Length of Contract It is estimated that a base contract will be issued for an initial two (2) year period, with options to extend it for three (3) more years depending on availability of funds. V. Applying: Applications must be received by the closing date and time at the address specified in the cover letter. Qualified individuals are required to submit: - A complete U.S. Government Optional Form 612 with hand-written signature (downloadable forms are available on the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. List of Required Forms for PSCs Forms outlined below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ 1. Optional Form 612 2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843) ** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (SF-86) ** or 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258)** ** 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. VI. Benefits and Allowances: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual and Sick Leave 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) * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas) FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are required to pay Federal Income Taxes, FICA and Medicare. 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, AND AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.