Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Two Positions) – USAID

By Osama Elsheikh Last updated Mar 13, 2023

Job Description

SOLICITATION NUMBER	72066723R00004
POSITION TITLE	Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Two Positions)
ISSUANCE DATE	03/07/2023
CLOSING DATE/TIME	03/21/2023 at 23:59 Khartoum time. Applications received after this closing date and time will not be considered.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE	Khartoum, Sudan

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Contractor (CCNPSC – Local Compensation Plan)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on the stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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 offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION

POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Human Resources Office, e-mail at [email protected]

MARKET VALUE: The full performance level of this position is equivalent to FSN-11, which is between $57,233.5 – $85,695.1 US Dollars.

However, if USAID’s evaluation does not result in an award at the full performance level, USAID may make an award to a CCN at a lower level with contract options to place the contractor at each progressive level until the full performance level is reached.

The entry level of this position is equivalent to FSN-9, which is between $29,405.5 – $43,947.9 US Dollars; and the intermediate level of this position is equivalent to FSN-10, which is between $40,983.7 – $61,317.5 US Dollars.

In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of U.S. Embassy Khartoum/USAID final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value of the performance level for which the CCNPSC is selected.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be for one year, estimated to start o/a May 2023. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential one-year contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the need for services and performance.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Khartoum, Sudan with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs) – an individual who is a cooperating country citizen (Sudanese) or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in (Sudan) the cooperating country.

SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The successful candidate will be required to obtain a security clearance “Sensitive but Unclassified” (SBU), as pre-condition for employment.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This position is established as Acquisition and Assistance Specialist “Ladder” position, which includes positions at the

FSN-11 – Full Performance,

FSN-10 – Intermediate Level, and

FSN-9 – Entry Level.

At the Full Performance Level/FPL, the CCNPSC will perform the following general duties:

The Specialist (Full Performance Level/FPL) is responsible for providing professional level acquisition and assistance (A&A) support to Mission Technical Offices, DO Teams, and any designated clients. USAID programs are diverse and multi-sectoral. The Specialist is required to guide designated Technical Offices, and/or DO Teams, through acquisition and assistance processes to support a variety of activities. These activities are implemented through complex A&A mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated contracts, task orders, cooperative agreements, Interagency Agreements (IAA), and sole source or limited competition awards, requiring the Specialist to be expert with regard to the full range of USAID instruments. The Specialist coordinates the development of A&A objectives for assigned portfolios, taking primary responsibility for all phases of the A&A process for complex actions. The Specialist performs complete A&A transactions for complex activities. The Specialist provides guidance and mentoring to junior-level staff, trainees, procurement technicians, and assistants on basic principles of USG and USAID acquisition, assistance, general A&A management, A&A policy direction, new/changed procurement policies, etc., as required. The Specialist is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the US, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.
The Specialist (FPL) must fully understand the USG laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing each type of A&A mechanism, and to apply these requirements to make recommendations to the supervisor regarding the appropriate instrument type for the situation at hand. The Specialist works independently in the selection of the appropriate A&A instrument types to meet the Mission’s needs, and accurately applies United States Government (USG) A&A laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument. The Specialist has an advanced knowledge of the procedures for acquisition of goods, for managing personal services and non-personal services contracting actions and managing and awarding assistance agreements.
The Specialist (FPL) performs his/her assignments independently, seeking the guidance of the Contracting/Agreement Officer (CO/AO) for the most complex activities. The Specialist works directly with technical specialists/activity managers in DO Teams throughout the Mission and/or the Region, assisting in the preparation of annual A&A plans, clear and concise statements of work/statements of objectives/program descriptions, etc., and supporting documentation. The Specialist provides well supported guidance to technical specialists/activity managers pertaining to their A&A-related responsibilities and procedures.

At the Intermediate Level/IL, the CCNPSC will perform the following general duties:

The Specialist (Intermediate Level/IL) is responsible for providing acquisition and assistance (A&A) support to Mission Technical Offices, DO Teams, and any designated clients. USAID programs are diverse and multi sectoral. The Specialist is required to provide assistance with acquisition and assistance processes to designated Technical Offices, and/or DO Teams, and to support a variety of activities. These activities are implemented through complex A&A mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated contracts, task orders, cooperative agreements, Interagency Agreements (IAA), and sole source or limited competition awards, requiring the Specialist to become familiar with the full range of USAID instruments. Assignments are designed to provide more advanced experience with the intent that the Specialist will be responsible for all phases of the A&A process for complex actions in the future. The Specialist performs complete A&A transactions for activities involving moderate complexities. The Specialist is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the US, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.
The Specialist (IL) must understand the USG laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing each type of A&A mechanism and apply these requirements to make recommendations to the supervisor or higher-level Specialist/Officer regarding the appropriate instrument type for the situation at hand. The Specialist is assigned work in such a manner as to enhance the knowledge and skills of the individual to work independently in the selection of the appropriate A&A instrument types to meet the Mission’s needs, and to accurately apply United States Government (USG) A&A laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument. The Specialist should have an operating knowledge of the procedures for acquisition of goods, for managing personal services and non-personal services contracting actions, and managing and awarding assistance agreements.
The Specialist (IL) performs his/her assignments semi-independently, seeking the guidance of higher-level Specialists/Officers for more complex activities. The Specialist works directly with technical specialists/activity managers in DO Teams throughout the Mission and/or the Region, assisting in the preparation of annual A&A plans, clear and concise statements of work/statements of objectives/program descriptions, etc., and supporting documentation. The Specialist provides well supported guidance to technical specialists/activity managers pertaining to their A&A-related responsibilities and procedures.

At the Entry Level, the CCNPSC will perform the following general duties:

The Specialist (Entry Level/EL) is responsible for providing basic acquisition and assistance (A&A) support to Mission Technical Offices, DO Teams, and any designated clients. USAID programs/projects/activities are diverse and multi-sectoral. These programs/projects/activities are implemented through complex A&A mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated contracts, task orders, cooperative agreements, Inter Agency Agreements (IAA), and sole source or limited competition awards, requiring the Specialist to become familiar with the full range ofUSAID instruments. Assignments are designed to provide diversified experience as a foundation for future responsibility. The Specialist performs complete A&A transactions for activities involving few complexities. The Specialist is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the US, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.
The Specialist (EL) is assigned work in such a manner as to enhance the knowledge and skills of the individual to work independently in the selection of the appropriate A&A instrument types to meet the Mission’s needs, and to accurately apply United States Government (USG) A&A laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument. The developmental nature of the assignments provides exposure to the acquisition of goods and various types of services. The Specialist will become equally familiar with the procedures for acquisition of goods, for managing personal services and non-personal services contracting actions, and managing and awarding assistance agreements.
The Specialist (EL) performs assignments under the guidance of higher-level Specialists/Officers, and with technical specialists/activity managers in DO Teams throughout the Mission and/or the Region, assisting in the preparation of annual A&A plans, clear and concise statements of work/statements of objectives/program descriptions, and supporting documentation. The Specialist will develop the ability to provide well supported guidance to technical specialists/activity managers pertaining to their A&A-related responsibilities and procedures.

The Position Descriptions for each level are attachments to this solicitation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

The minimum qualifications required for each performance level of the “ladder” are as follows:

Full Performance Level/FPL (FSN-11):

Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required. Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for Experience.
Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.
Post Entry Training: In order to qualify at the FSN-11 level, the Specialist must be certified at the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level – 1, and have additionally completed USAID Essential Elements in Assistance and CON 237 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) or equivalent. FAC-C Level II & III courses may be provided, in person or on-line, over a period of time as a part of the continuing requirement for all A&A professionals to complete a minimum of eighty (80) Continuous Learning Points for every two-year period. In addition, the Specialist may be provided with formal or on-the-job training to keep abreast of changes in the ADS, FAR, CFR, OAA-Intranet, the AIDAR, and Office and Mission operating and administrative procedures. Off-site formal training, if considered necessary, will be provided based on availability of course offerings, and availability of funds.
Language Proficiency: Level IV, strong written and oral proficiency in English is required. Level IV in Arabic is also required.
Skills and Abilities: The ability to independently plan and administer complex A&A activities and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to complex acquisition and assistance programs, is required. Ability to manage the competition phase of new agreements and contracts and to perform cost or price analysis in both a competitive and non-competitive environment is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid- to high-level representatives of the US, local, and business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the Region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Business suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required.

Intermediate Level/IL (FSN-10):

Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required. Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for Experience.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working at a Fully Successful level in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.

Post Entry Training: Successful completion of all online courses required for Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level I, USAID Essential Elements in Assistance, and CON 237 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) or equivalent. FAC-C Level I certification is not required to achieve the FSN -10 level, only that the required training has been completed in accordance with the ILTP. The Specialist will be provided additional formal and/or on-the-job training in the ADS, FAR, AIDAR, other CFR, and Mission and Office operating and administrative procedures. Training covering Assistance, Simplified Acquisition, and other formal and/or on-the-job training, as considered appropriate, will be provided based on availability of course offerings, and availability of funds. The Specialist will have a formal Individual Learning and Training Plan (ILTP) of courses leading to successful completion of Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level I.

Language Proficiency: Level IV, strong written and oral proficiency in English is required. Level IV in Arabic is also required.

Job Knowledge: Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes is required. An understanding of USG A&A regulations and policies, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a moderately complex acquisition and assistance portfolio, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types. A good knowledge of host-country and markets pertaining to activity requirements for services and commodities, and a good knowledge and understanding of US/local market and pricing methods, is required.

Skills and Abilities: The ability to semi-independently plan and administer A&A activities and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to acquisition and assistance programs involving moderate complexities, is required. The ability to manage the competition phase of new agreements and contracts of moderate complexity, and to perform cost or price analysis in both a competitive and non-competitive environment, is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid- to high-level representatives of the US, local, and business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the Region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Business suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required.

Entry Level/EL (FSN-9):

Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required. Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for Experience.
Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.
Post Entry Training: There are no specific pre-entry training requirements for this entry level position. The Specialist will be provided formal and/or on-the-job training in the ADS, FAR, AIDAR, other CFR, and Mission and Office operating and administrative procedures. Training covering Assistance, Simplified Acquisition, and other formal and/or on-the-job training, as considered appropriate, will be provided based on availability of course offerings, and availability of funds. The Specialist will have a formal Individual Learning and Training Plan (ILTP) of courses leading to successful completion of Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level I. At a minimum, the ILTP must include all of the online courses required for FAC-C level I certification, USAID Essential Elements in Assistance, and CON 237 Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) or the equivalent. It is not expected that FAC-C Level I certification will be obtained at the FSN-09 level, only that the required training has been completed in accordance with the ILTP.
Language Proficiency: Level IV, strong written and oral proficiency in English is required. Level IV in Arabic is also required.
Skills and Abilities: The ability to plan and administer simple A&A activities, and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to acquisition and assistance programs involving few complexities, is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid to high-level representatives of the US, local, and business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Office suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required.

CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Evaluation Factors:

Applicants who clearly meet the minimum Education and Prior work Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factors listed below:

Education (as stated above) – 20%
Prior Work Experience (as stated above) – 30 %
Skills and Abilities (as stated above) – 25 %
Technical Job Knowledge (as stated above) – 25 %

Maximum points available: 100

Offerors seeking consideration for the full performance level will be considered in isolation first, and only if no acceptable offeror is found at that level, the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will proceed to review offerors at the lower levels.

“’The TEC will consider all offerors below the full performance level on an equal basis for their demonstrated potential to rise to the full performance level.”

The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluation and ranking applicants for the position. Only finalists will be contacted by USAID/Khartoum with respect to their applications. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors to be considered. USAID/Khartoum reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person, or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306/c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Note: due to the high volume of applications we receive for each solicitation, we will only contact candidates who Are being considered. However, each candidate will receive an auto reply to acknowledge the receipt of his/her application.

Selection Process:

To be considered for candidacy, offerors must address each criterion in their application as to how they meet the minimum qualifications required for the position mentioned in Section II, Item a-b. If the application submitted fails to demonstrate eligibility, the application will be marked unqualified. It is the responsibility of the offeror to provide all pertinent information.

Applications will be initially screened and scored in accordance with evaluation factors and points mentioned above. Offerors in a competitive range might be tested for English language competency and technical knowledge. Offerors with passing marks from the recruitment and language tests, will be invited for an interview. The recruitment tests and the interview will be structured around the evaluation factors mentioned above. The successful offeror will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, knowledge, skills and abilities; a written test; an interview; and the results of reference checks. References may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror.

Only offerors within a competitive range will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful offerors.

Internal candidates employed under Chief of Mission Sudan are only eligible to apply upon completion of one year in their current position.

After the closing date of the receipt of applications, a committee/panel will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the above required evaluation factors. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

As this solicitation is for a “ladder” position, Interested Offerors must identify the FSN-equivalent level at which level(s) the Offeror wants to be considered. If the TEC determines that an Offeror is not qualified at the position level(s) the Offeror identified, the Offeror will not be considered further unless the Offeror identified that they are willing to be considered at any lower level(s). An offeror who fails to identify any level for consideration, will be evaluated only against the full performance level.

Offerors are required to complete and submit the AID 309-2 (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals) form. The AID 309-2 Application form can be found on the USAID website Offeror Information For Personal Services Contracts With Individuals (AID 309-2). Continuous Pages are required if your work experience description goes beyond Section C

– Continuous Pages of Section C of form AID 309-2 can be found in the following link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RvrjVG8ga4E9FNx-OtCqYTQ4nN7FKcqv/view?usp=sharing

A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) without photo.
A copy of transcript.
A copy of Sudanese ID card or valid Sudanese Residency and Employment Permit. Please note that USAID is not able to sponsor offerors for the permit.
A cover letter (optional), a certified copy for name change (if any).

All required documents must be scanned and submitted via email only. Please ensure documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF formats. Please do not submit documents in zip files or web links.

Application must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the address in Section I, item 4.

To ensure consideration of application for the intended position, the offeror must prominently reference the Solicitation Number in the application submission. The email subject should read: First name Last name – USAID 72066723R00004

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.
Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors – Please be advised that, upon award, the contractor will be required to follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a CCNPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

Basic Rate: FPL (FSN-11): $48,236.0 – $72,356.0

IL (FSN-10): $34,465.0 – $51,697.0

EL (FSN-9): $24,653.0 – $36,977.0

LEVEL SPECIFIC ALLOWANCES:

COLA**: FPL (FSN-11): $8,682.5 – $13,024.1

IL (FSN-10): $6,203.7 – $9,305.5

EL (FSN-9): $4,437.5 – $6,655.9

ACROSS LEVELS ALLOWANCES:

Meal Allowance: $315.00

Family Allowance: $557.00 annual per Employee’s dependent Spouse

$827.00 per annual for each unmarried, dependent child under the age of 21, up to six children

TAXES

LE staff is responsible for calculating and paying local income taxes. The U.S. Mission does not withhold or make local income tax payments.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

ALL QULAIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGRADLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, GREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFULL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER MERIT FACTOR.