Law Enforcement and Justice Sector Program Manager/COR
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: Law Enforcement and Justice Sector Program Manager/COR
Location: Monrovia, Liberia
Salary Level: FS-03 - $ 69,988 - $102,780 (Equivalent GS-13)
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 10, 2019
Closing date: May 24, 2019
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number: PSC-19-053-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.
Supplemental document specifically addressing:
f. Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. 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.
3. 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/RM/GAPP
ChittumDA@state.gov
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Lloyd
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):
4. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
5. Resume and Evaluation Factor Responses
6. 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: ChittumDA@state.gov
Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Dominique Chittum
E-mail: ChittumDA@state.gov
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 inititiatives 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 INL section in Embassy Monrovia is responsible for managing U.S. foreign assistance funds to support the Government of Liberia's efforts to reform its criminal justice sector. This program helps the Liberians professionalize and build their civilian law enforcement and justice sectors, improve the management and operations of their criminal justice system, and strengthens their counternarcotics capacity. Managing this assistance involves negotiating and developing project agreements, overseeing implementation, reporting on progress, and analyzing results.
The Law Enforcement and Justice Sector Program Manager/COR ("INL Program Manager/COR") will reside in Monrovia and travel and work in the field as circumstances dictate and allow.
The INL Program Manager/COR supports the INL Director in planning, implementing, and overseeing the multi-million dollar INL criminal justice reform program. The INL Program Manager/COR builds and maintains proper internal procedures and applies good management principles to maintain adherence to U.S. Government (USG)/Department of State (DOS) regulations as part of regular operations. The INL Program Manager/COR oversees the administrative functions of the INL section in Embassy Monrovia, and INL-funded contract personnel in Monrovia. The INL Program Manager/COR serves as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on several contracts. In coordination with the Embassy Financial Management Office (FMO), the INL Program Manager/COR also manages INL's post-held funds and performs budget execution, and other financial duties.
This position requires the officer to work rapidly, responding promptly to multiple demands and juggle constantly changing priorities in a difficult and demanding environment. The INL Program Manager/COR must be able to determine swiftly what needs to be done under difficult circumstances, who can best do it, and how it can be delivered while providing oversight to ensure its effectiveness.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Monrovia-based INL Director or his/her designee, the INL Program Manager/COR will perform the following duties:
Substantive and Programmatic
• Provides regular advice and recommendations to the Director on all management and contractual issues.
• Coordinates the efforts of INL advisors and mentors on INL projects including through grants/cooperative agreements, letter of agreements with international organizations, and contracts.
• Assists the Director with developing overall programming strategy and ideas, and design.
• Serves as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Grants Officer Representative (GOR) and Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) for contracts, grants/cooperative agreements and international agreements as directed. Coordinates with the relevant Contracting and Grants Officers.
• Maintains strong relationships with key members of the host government.
• Coordinates with the Department, interagency, and international entities conducting training and assistance in Liberia.
• Tracks and reports on ongoing issues at Post, including on Leahy vetting issues, and host government developments.
• Facilitates the regular flow of reporting from Post, and drafts cables and monthly reporting of INL Liberia activities in a timely manner.
• Oversees the preparation of the annual budget request for INL funds; participates in preparing post's Integrated Country Strategy and annual Mission Resource Request.
• Drafts annual reporting requirements for INL (e.g. the INCSR parts I and II, the End-use Monitoring Report, etc.).
• Manages all INL programmatic and office properties at Post.
• Maintains an inventory of program and office related nonexpendable and expendable property and supplies held in any INL Liberia controlled or contracted storage.
• Manages End-use monitoring (EUM for property donated to the Liberian government), and INL Liberia vehicles.
• Supports and arranges for visits by VIP and other visitors, and supports other USG agencies and elements within the Mission involved as required.
• Issues official travel authorizations as needed for INL personnel, USG subject matter experts, and INL contractors; and arranges participant travel authorizations for host government personnel to attend training courses and conferences.
• Coordinates INL/Anti-Crime funded trainings in the West Africa Regional Training Center (RTC), International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) Gaborone, and other regional and cross-cutting training programs.
• Support INL efforts to complete Leahy vetting.
Managerial and Administrative
• Provides guidance on daily office activities, establishes office priorities, assigns tasks, tracks deadlines, ensures correct maintenance of files (paper & electronic), and plans for potential or unanticipated events and requirements.
• Develops and revises policies and procedures for coordination with other Embassy sections.
• Monitors the work of the two Locally Employed Staff (LES) on their daily tasks and functions in coordination with the Director, including tracking their progress, managing their training, and drafting performance evaluations.
• Monitors the performance of contractors in the field, in coordination with the Director to ensure the fulfillment of contractual obligations and progress toward stated objectives, and the review and hiring of contractor positions in Liberia.
• Consults and coordinates with the Mission Human Resources Office (HRO) on human resources issues as needed.
• Establishes and backfills Personal Services Contractors (PSCs), LES, Eligible Family Member (EFM), and other positions at Post as applicable, and drafts and revises position descriptions.
• Maintains security awareness and properly handles classified and controlled items and information.
• Promotes and implements Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) objectives.
Financial
• Performs the contractor and financial functions required of a COR.
• Overseess the finances for INL Liberia and coordinates financial issues with the Post Financial Management Office (FMO).
• Oversees and tracks INL PD&S funds at Post, and provides input into WebRabit.
• Plans, coordinates, and executes purchase requests and authorizations for all INL project and PD&S requirements.
• Participates as required on the ICASS board and other relevant Mission standing committees for INL.
• Maintains INL Liberia accounting records in the Regional Financial Management System (RFMS), and conducts monthly reconciliation of accounting transactions in RFMS.
• Reviews all INL vouchers and financial transactions.
TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
1. Obtains required Federal Acquisition Certification Program for Contracting Officer Representatives (FAC-COR) Certification within six (6) months arriving at post. This position requires a FAC-COR Level III. The Department's Procurement Information Bulletin 2012-15 provides the required training and experience requirements to obtain the FAC-COR Certification. The PSC must have all the requisite experience for obtaining a FAC-COR Level III in accordance with PIB 2012-15 prior to coming on board but will be granted six (6) months to take the Department of State specific online or in-person training to receive a DOS FAC-COR Level III Certificate.
2. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at post.
3. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (OT610) prior to deployment to post.
4. If applicable - Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This position is located at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia. Occasional travel in the region, the United States, or internationally is possible.
Relationship:
The INL Program Manager/COR reports directly to the INL Director. The INL Coordinator is the principal advisor to the INLDirector on INL program strategies and implementation, serves as the COR on INL contracts, and also performs key administrative, human resources, and financial functions to ensure that the INL section is able to effectively carry out INL programming at Post. The INL Program Manager/COR is also expected to work with other senior level U.S. and foreign government officials in coordination with the INL Director.
COR AUTHORITIES AND LIMITATIONS
After the INL Program Manger obtains the required FAC-COR Certification, the Contracting Officer will designate in writing the position of COR, to take certain actions under the contract(s) requiring oversight. The designation memorandum will specify the scope and limitations of the authority to be delegated.
The COR is delegated the authority to act for the Contracting Officer in matters concerning technical clarification, inspection and, after concurrence by the Contracting Officer, acceptance of Contractor performance under the contract, including preparation of receiving reports, and the authorization of progress payments when appropriate. The COR will coordinate all work with the Contractor and review Contractor's performance at significant stages of its development. The COR will be responsible for:
• Developing a strong working relationship with the Contracting Officer
• Promptly notifying the Contracting Officer in writing of any noncompliance or deviation in performance or failure to make progress
• Maintaining constant cognizance with respect to technical compliance with contract terms on part of the Contractor
• Knowing and understanding the terms and provisions of the contract
• Knowing the scope and limitations of the COR position's authority
• Using good judgment, skill and reasonable care in the exercise of the COR position's authority
• Protecting privileged and sensitive procurement information
• If appropriate, periodically visiting the Contractor's workplace
• Serving as the property administrator for the contract(s) assigned
• Establishing and maintaining adequate COR files
• Preparing performance assessments for input into the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)
In no instance, however, shall the COR be authorized to alter or modify the specifications or the contract terms and the conditions or waive the government's requirement, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. Such changes must be authorized, in writing, to the Contracting Officer.
DELIVERABLES/REPORTS
Deliverables are required under this PSC and shall include: monthly status reports, monthly evaluation of contractor performance, special reports when required, and "Completion of assignment report," which shall be a compressive review of the projects in which the contractor was involved. Each report shall include a critique of and recommendations for the various projects. The completions of assignment reports are due no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration of this contract. The Personal Service Contractor shall submit two (2) copies of each report as required to the following;
1. INL/POST Director(s) and;
2. INL/Program Officer
Per FAR Part 4, the above referenced documents shall be incorporated and copies stored in the PSC's hard file under Section V.; Tab E - Receiving Reports.
The Contractor shall prepare and submit two copies of each technical report required by the schedule of this contract (e.g., progress reports, final reports, etc.), to the Embassy INL Section and to the Program Officer, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Department of State Washington, DC. The title page of all reports forwarded pursuant to this paragraph shall include a descriptive title, the author's name(s), contract number, project number, and title, contractor's name, name of the State Department project office, and the publication or issuance date of the report.
When preparing reports, the Contractor shall refrain from using elaborate artwork, multicolor printing, and expensive paper/binding, unless it is specifically authorized in the Contract Schedule. Wherever possible, pages should be printed on both sides using single spaced type.
COMPLEXITY
This position involves planning, organizing and completing complex financial and organizational analysis. 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 INL Program Manager/COR 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 INL Program Manager/COR 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 in Liberia, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security and Medical clearances. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable).
2. A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in the areas of law, business management, international development, international affairs, political science, public administration, or a related field and a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience, of which five (5) years should be directly related to performing functions in program management and/or contractor oversight; or,
a. A minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience in lieu of an undergraduate degree.
3. Required Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC-COR) Level II Certification. Proof of certification required to be submitted with application materials.
4. Demonstrated training or experience in contract administration principles, policies, regulations and procedures.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordinator of people and resources.
6. Demonstrated experience drafting highly complex, analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level officials.
7. Demonstrated experience drafting reports/documents, annual budgets, and strategic plans.
8. Demonstrated on-the-ground international experience managing development programs in a post-conflict setting, to include design, monitoring and evaluation of programs and overseeing contractors.
9. Demonstrated experience in planning, strategizing, implementing and reporting on projects, including familiarity with requirements and mechanisms for USG contract management and procurement.
10. Working-level proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
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 Program Management (20 Points)
Demonstrated experience in program management, especially in international programs that include foreign government entities, non-governmental, and international organizations, and experience involving analysis, planning, management, advisory, operational, or evaluative duties. Experience in providing contractor oversight on high dollar contracts, and in evaluating and documenting contractor performance. Demonstrated ability to prioritize work in a fluid, fast moving environment, and ability to manage financial matters, such as budget oversight, travel, and tracking of property and assets. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working overseas, particularly in West Africa is preferred. Certified as COR level II or higher. Previous experience managing develop programs in the law enforcement and justice sectors is preferred. Experience working for the U.S. government or in a U.S. Embassy overseas is preferred.
Factor 2 Interpersonal Relations (20 Points)
Demonstrated experience in conducting meetings and discussions that justify, defend, negotiate, overcome resistance or settle highly significant or controversial issues. Demonstrated experience coordinating and/or integrating the work of participating groups with conflicting or undefined priorities, requiring accomplishment of major compromises in the project goals, techniques and/or methodologies prior to substantial progress. Demonstrated ability to manage local staff, interact with senior-level host government officials, and international actors.
Factor 3 Communication (20 Points)
Demonstrated independent experience in preparing and writing reports, audits, memoranda, etc. in a subject area related to the duties of the position to include reports and decision papers requiring independent analysis and having a significant impact in the program area on an international level.
Factor 4 International Experience (10 Points)
Demonstrated experience managing programs in foreign, post-conflict environments to include ability to live, work, and travel in difficult conditions with limited support, manage programs in a complex and fluid environment, and show good judgment in challenging security situations.
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 - 20
Factor #2 - 20
Factor #3 - 20
Factor #4 - 10
Total Possible - 70 Points
Interview Performance - 30 points
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks - Pass/Fail (no points assigned)
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)
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
Dominique A. Chittum, Contract Specialist, Email ChittumDA@state.gov
