Senior Advisor for International Cyber Negotiations

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL) You have received this "Personal Services Contractor” (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. Position Title: Senior Advisor for International Cyber Negotiations Location: Remote (place of performance will be the selectee’s home of record within the United States) Salary Level: GS-15 (based on OPM locality pay for selectee’s home of record within the United States) Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. Issuance Date: June 29, 2023 Closing date: July 6, 2023 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-23-053-INL Job description: See below Dear Prospective Offerors: The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include: a. Paid a 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 any overseas 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. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. e. U.S. Citizenship Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. 3. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing: Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have receive that are relevant to each Factor. 4. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to: Cecille Washington U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP [email protected] Sincerely, Katelynn Barham Contracting Officer U.S. Department of State SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011) This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, “Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors,” or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. HOW TO APPLY Offerors proposal shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed): 1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed) 2. Resume 3. Evaluation Factor Responses 4. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed. *** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VETERAN’S PREFERENCE Veteran’s preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Cecille Washington E-mail: [email protected] Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Cecille Washington E-mail: [email protected] INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight drugs, crime and terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world. Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. INL’s Office of Global Programs and Policy (INL/GPP) serves as the focal point for counterdrug and anti-crime policy and programs, while also serving as the Bureau’s institutional link with multilateral entities and overseeing a wide-array of anti-crime sanctions and deterrence tools. To this end, INL/GPP is responsible for overseeing engagement within a range of multilateral stakeholders in the area of cybercrime, including debates in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to serve as INL’s Senior Advisor for International Cyber Negotiations. The Senior Advisor will serve as the Bureau’s senior technical expert on cybercrime policy and provide specialized international cybercrime policy expertise to assist the United States in conducting diplomatic activities. This requirement will take on added urgency as cybercrime treaty negotiations continue through 2024, taking place in Vienna, Austria and New York, New York. The United States must maintain strong leadership in these negotiations to thwart undue Russian influence in this process. The Senior Advisor will consult and coordinate with INL’s senior leadership as well as senior leaders of other relevant USG agencies and other actors to develop and implement diplomatic strategies to counter this Russian and Chinese push for a new treaty, as well as in other multilateral venues related to cybercrime and other issues related to the criminal misuse of emerging technology. The position requires criminal justice sector subject expertise in the field of cybercrime investigations and prosecutions, with an emphasis on international cybersecurity and cybercrime policy. The position also requires previous experience working with senior interagency leaders and international counterparts, and also in engaging private sector stakeholders. This experience is necessary to enable the incumbent to determine swiftly the policy implications of various UN resolutions, including with regard to their impact on international treaties ratified by the United States and related INCLE foreign assistance programs, and quickly devise and help in the implementation of activities to advance United States cybersecurity and cybercrime diplomatic and policy goals. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of INL/GPP Division Director and INL/GPP Branch Chief or his/her designee, the Senior Advisor will perform the following duties: 1. Uses his/her subject matter expertise in cybersecurity and cybercrime policy to identify and develop plans to advance United States policy goals on these topics at the UNGA and other related multilateral negotiations that may arise. 2. Coordinates with relevant Department and U.S. interagency stakeholders to implement the above-referenced policy objectives by initiating and participating in meetings, negotiations and discussions related to the work of the UNGA, particularly any cyber-related resolutions which are proposed and advanced in the First or Third Committees, as well as other diplomatic negotiations related to cybercrime that could affect U.S. treaty obligations and policy commitments in this field. 3. Develops and maintains professional and social relationships with relevant United States, foreign and private sector officials to maximize the effectiveness of U.S. diplomatic policy implementation. 4. Prepares required reporting on relevant actitivies during the UNGA. Drafts action memos, information memos, cables, letters, public remarks and talking points, as well as any follow-up documentation, as needed. Provides expert advice and coordinates with interagency stakeholders to gather and consolidate official guidance on draft resolutions and other UN documents and reports in order to engage personally in or advise U.S. negotiators in multilateral meetings and events. 5. Communicates with the U.S. interagency and foreign interlocutors on cybercrime treaty negotiation dynamics and substantive positions, and keeps INL leadership apprised, as needed. 6. Maintains security awareness and properly handle classified and controlled items and information. 7. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer. 8. Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. 9. Performs services that fall within the general scope of work and overall INL mission at physical locations other than Washington INL headquarters, including within other INL offices, bureaus or other USG agencies for a period not to exceed six (6) months. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1. Completes the Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post (if applicable). PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance will be the selectee’s home of record within the United States. Frequent travel to the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York, New York and the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna is required during performance of this contract. Travel to other domestic and overseas locations for multilateral negotiations and coordination may also be necessary on an ad hoc basis. This part-time position is not to exceed 1,000 hours within the period of performance. TELEWORK This position has been designated as 100% remote. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT At the telework location, the employee is expected to provide their own office space. A government issued laptop and cellphone will be provided to complete all job requirements. At this location, the Program Advisor will own and maintain all property. RELATIONSHIPS The incumbent will serve as advisor to the INL Assistant Secretary and will receive day-to-day direction from the INL/GPP Division Director and INL/GPP Branch Chief. The INL/GPP Division Director and INL/GPP Branch Chief will provide yearly performance reviews to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the INL/GPP Division Chief, INL/Branch Chief or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing. The INL/GPP Division Chief and INL/GPP Branch Chief will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review. COMPLEXITY This position involves planning, organizing, and completing policy and diplomatic analysis of enormous complexity. A potential treaty on cybercrime as envisioned by U.S. rivals would impact U.S. commerce and trade as well as criminal and security-related threats and would potentially impact U.S. Constitutional protections and standards of human rights globally. Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing and determining the scope and depth of actions to be undertaken. The Senior Advisor is expected to address difficult scenarios by determining the nature and magnitude of the issues presented and determining and helping to implement actions to advance U.S. diplomatic and policy goals. SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The Senior Advisor will perform broad and extensive assignments related to complex diplomatic issues, including negotiations on resolutions and votes in the committees and plenary, related to advancing United States policy goals on cybersecurity and cybercrime. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions. The PSC will be expected to work part time. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Top Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). 2. Master’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution in a related field. 3. A minimum of fifteen (15) years of related experience in the fields of international cybercrime, U.S. foreign and national security policy and law enforcement. 4. Demonstrated experience developing and managing international cybercrime policy issues. 5. Demonstrated experience planning, strategizing, implementing and reporting on policy issues. 6. Demonstrated experience drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, public remarks and talking points, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level officials. 7. Demonstrated experience coordinating and working closely with the Department of State, United Nations and/or international community on international cybersecurity and cybercrime issues, including experience leading or participating in multilateral negotiations at the United Nations or other international organizations. 8. Proven ability to work effectively with U.S. and foreign counterparts, departments, and ministries to further program objectives, in a timely and concise manner. EVALUATION FACTORS (Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored. Factor 1: Work Experience (30 Points) Demonstrated knowledge and work experience in the area of international cyber security and cybercrime, including work in conjunction with U.S. officials and foreign counterparts. Factor 2: Leadership/Interpersonal (10 points) Demonstrated ability to effectively liaise with the Department of State and other U.S. interagency partners; work independently with general guidance; and work as a member of a small, highly specialized team in an office environment. Factor 3: Management & Communication Experience (30 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and advise INL officials. BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Offeror Rating System is as Follows: Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points: Factor #1 – 30 Factor #2 – 10 Factor #3 – 30 Total Possible – 70 Points Interview Performance – 30 points Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned) Past performance evaluation of applicant’s ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. Total Possible Points: 100 The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. COMPENSATION (BASE PAY) This position has been designated at the GS-14 equivalent level ($132,368 - $172,075 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries, including any recruitment supplemental pay that exceeds the listed pay range, will not be entertained or negotiated. For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE • Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution • Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance • Pay Comparability Adjustment • Annual Increase • Eligibility for Worker's Compensation • Annual, Sick and Home Leave • 401K Plan • MEDVAC (provided by DOS Med) ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE • Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post • Housing Allowance • Post Allowance • Supplemental Post Allowance • Maintenance Allowance (SMA) • Education Allowance • Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary) • Post Hardship Differential • Danger Pay • Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables