Senior Corrections Advisor

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 Corrections Advisor Location: Washington, DC Salary Level: GS-14 - $121,316 - $157,709 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: May 8, 2020 Closing date: May 22, 2020 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number: PSC-20-041-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: Dominique Chittum U.S. Department of State INL/EX/GAPP [email protected] Sincerely, Anthony Pierce 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/Dominique Chittum E-mail: [email protected] Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Dominique Chittum 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 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. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is the lead bureau responsible for narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice issues for the U.S. Department of State (DOS). The Office of Knowledge Management’s Technical Advisory Division (INL/KM/TAD) provides technical assistance and advisory services to INL program offices in addressing the full range of criminal justice development issues in over 70 partner countries around the globe. INL/KM/TAD assists the Bureau develop strategic partnerships with U.S. state, county, municipal, and federal law enforcement, justice sector, and corrections agencies and institutions to bring up-to-date and relevant expertise to bear on INL programs. Criminal justice assistance is a core component of rule of law development, which is critical to help countries fight destabilizing crime and corruption and promote good governance. Currently, INL designs, implements, and monitors criminal justice programs in numerous countries, employing hundreds of people in the field to implement these programs. Programs include training and building capacity of civilian security and justice sector institutions; helping host countries develop new legal framework or institutions to combat corruption, financial crimes, trafficking of illicit goods, and other transnational crime; deployment of mentors, trainers, or other technical advisors; and provision of infrastructure and equipment. The Senior Corrections Advisor is expected to provide guidance and assistance on a full range of legal and judicial reform issues as a corrections expert. The Senior Corrections Advisor will provide technical criminal justice and corrections expertise within INL, and on behalf of the bureau, in interagency and international settings. S/he will serve as a resource for INL program managers by providing expert guidance in how to assess, design, and monitor corrections programs (ex: classification, prisoner security, alternatives to incarceration) that are consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals and directives. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based INL/KM/TAD Team Lead or his/her designee, the Senior Corrections Advisor will perform the following duties: • Serve as a senior corrections expert within INL/KM and advise on such matters to the bureau, especially to inform policy and program design. • Develop and assist other INL staff to develop corrections programs for INL that are coordinated with other criminal justice programs. Draft statements of work, reports, program plans, training curricula, policy guidance, program plans, or other materials as needed that support the effort of INL and program offices in this endeavor. • Provide policy analysis and program guidance to INL staff, the INL front office, and other Department of State offices upon request on corrections issues. • Serve as an advisory resource for INL program managers in Washington and in the field on specific aspects of design, planning and implementation of corrections assistance programs. • Participate in and/or lead overseas assessments of corrections capacities and structures in countries where future missions are being considered, as well as assessments/evaluations of the impact of ongoing programs. Write and contribute to the assessment and other relevant reports in a timely manner. • Represent INL, as needed, at domestic and international conferences on international corrections issues. Attend bureau, interagency, and international meetings and events on behalf of INL. • Prepare background materials, speeches, and talking points for a range of Department of State staff, including but not limited to bureau and office leadership. • Participate in outreach activities with domestic and international law enforcement communities to increase awareness of INL programs and policies and solicit greater cooperation and participation. • Assist with recruitment of corrections personnel for INL programs. • Participate as a technical expert in technical review panels. • Maintain knowledge of contemporary, professional correctional operational and management principles, techniques, and issues which are appropriate for international application. • Plan and deliver brownbag informational/training sessions for INL on a variety of corrections issues. • Act as a GOR, COR, or AOR in support of INL/KM/TAD criminal justice programs and perform program management and design functions. • Establish direct and frequent liaison with appropriate counterparts of relevant U.S. Government federal agencies, state and local agencies and institutions, private sector, and non-governmental organizations in order to coordinate on relevant corrections programs. • Participate in INL office meetings. • When required, perform the role of Duty Officer. • Perform other duties as requested and assigned directly related to this Statement of Work. • Perform 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 Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) and/or the Grants Officer’s Representative course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of contract start date, as needed. 2. Completes all on-line training mandated by the Department of State (e.g., HTSOS, ethics) within 120 days of contract start date. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The position is located in the U.S. Department of State, Annex Building 1 in Washington, D.C. Frequent domestic and international travel is required. RELATIONSHIPS The Senior Corrections Advisor will report to the INL/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Lead. This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities. The INL/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Lead will provide yearly performance reviews to the Contracting Officer in INL/EX/GAPP to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review. COMPLEXITY This position involves planning, organizing and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity. 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 studies/audits to be undertaken. The PSC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions. SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State Secret level security clearance. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to TS level may be required). 2. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience working in U.S. corrections system including security or field operations, management, organizational development, planning, and training. 3. A minimum of two (2) years of experience working at the level of warden, chief of security, chief of classification, or chief of prisoner programs, (or the equivalent). 4. Graduate of a U.S. federal or state P.O.S.T. certified corrections or probation/parole academy of at least 120 hours in length. 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: Knowledge of Corrections Sector (25 Points) Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with a range of corrections issues, especially in an international setting, to include issues related to prison management, classification, prisoner/staff safety, alternatives to incarceration, operations, training, etc. Demonstrated ability to provide subject matter expertise on corrections issues. Demonstrated knowledge of correctional practices, as well as familiarity with different corrections systems throughout the world. Factor 2: Program Management (20 Points) Demonstrated knowledge and ability to assess, develop, monitor, and evaluate corrections assistance programs anywhere in the world. Experience assessing corrections sector capabilities, including the ability to provide policy and programmatic technical guidance to U.S. government agencies and international partners. Demonstrated skill and ability in managing multiple concurrent activities of varying complexity including changing priorities and short turn-around times. Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and implementation of major agency-level programs, and demonstrated ability in managing multiple concurrent activities of varying complexity including changing priorities and short turn-around times. Factor 3: Interpersonal and Communication (15 points) Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner, and to interact effectively with others at all levels, in order to prepare, analyze, explain, and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies, and other regulatory guidelines, and advise program officials. Demonstrated ability to liaise with members of relevant U.S. agencies and the international community for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information and developing complementary policies and programs. Successful track record of working in a team environment. Ability to speak foreign languages, especially Spanish, French, or Arabic. Factor 4: International and Interagency Experience (10 points) Experience working or coordinating with other relevant U.S. government agencies (e.g., Departments of Justice and Defense, USAID), international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, especially related to the corrections field. Experience working on international corrections issues and reform, including working overseas in the corrections development field. 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 – 25 Factor #2 – 20 Factor #3 – 15 Factor #4 - 10 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 ($121,316 and $157,709 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