Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
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.
Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Issuance Date: 07/28/2014
Closing Date: 08/04/2014
SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-14-040-INL
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.
HOW TO APPLY
Offeror's proposals 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.
Proposals must include the following:
1) Form OF-612 (Completed and signed)
2) Resume
3) Three letters of reference or three references, including contact information
Submit all proposals via e-mail to the attention of:
INL/Janette Dull
E-mail: DullJR@state.gov
Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Janette Dull
E-mail: DullJR@state.gov
INL will not accept late proposals unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal.
1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-14-040-INL
2. ISSUANCE DATE: 07/28/2014
3. CLOSING DATE: 08/04/2014
4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 3:00 PM, EST
5. POSITION TITLE: Contracting Officer's Representative
6. MARKET VALUE: $81,535 - $119,737 (FS-02)
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from date of award and four option years
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti
9. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR:
The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is currently implementing an assistance program that seeks to strengthen Haiti's law enforcement capacity through training, equipment, technical assistance, and infrastructure improvements. INL assistance supports the implementation of key parts of the Haitian National Police (HNP) Development Plan. INL also provides support to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) through police and corrections advisors, who work to build capacity of HNP officers. INL is also providing assistance to strengthen the prison system, increase counternarcotic capabilities, and strengthen the justice sector.
The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the position of Contract Officer Representative (COR) who is responsible for providing expert advice, guidance, and direction in the administration of multiple INL support contracts. These contracts encompass a contract value of approximately $20 million annually with over 100 personnel on assignment throughout Haiti. These contracts are in support of the entire INL portfolio.
RELATIONSHIP
The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) reports to the INL/Haiti Deputy Director in coordination with the INL Director, Program Managers, INL/Washington, and AQM or INL/RM contracting officers. The COR will work at the INL/Haiti office, with frequent travel to the field as needed, to include areas throughout Haiti.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The COR's to perform some or all of the following duties:
1. Assisting the contracting officer during discussions/negotiations of contract issues;
2. Monitoring the contractor's technical progress and the expenditures of resources relating to the contract;
3. Performing inspection and accepting the work on behalf of the U.S. Government;
4. Informing the contracting officer, in writing, of any performance or schedule failure by the contractor;
5. Resolving technical issues arising under the contract which fall within the scope of the COR's authority, and referring to the contracting officer any issues which cannot be resolved without additional cost or time;
6. Informing the contracting officer, in writing, of any needed changes in the Performance Work Statement or specifications;
7. Ensuring that the U.S. Government meets its contractual obligations to the contractor, e.g., providing U.S. Government-furnished equipment and services and timely U.S. Government review and approval of documents if such reviews are required by the contract:
8. Maintaining regular email and phone correspondence with contractor staff, program staff, and the Contracting Officer;
9. Reporting incurred costs which are not appropriately chargeable to the contract (cost-type contracts only);
10. Reviewing and approving the contractor's vouchers or invoices;
11. Maintaining a COR file;
12. Verifying contractor statements regarding the development of patentable inventions, if required under the contract;
13. Assisting in contract closeout by informing the contracting officer when the work has been completed and by completing contract closeout documentation.
A. Acquisition Requirements and Duties:
1. Assist in the full range of activities required to identify, acquire, and deploy services and commodities necessary for project implementation.
2. Develop and identification of project services and commodity requirements including discussions with host nation counterpart personnel.
3. Conduct market research to determine potential sources of supplies/services, as well as assist program officers with Acquisition Planning and the INL annual Advanced Implementation Planning (AIP).
4. Contact USG agencies with similar requirements.
5. Draft statements of work/specifications and evaluation criteria for use in solicitations.
6. Develop independent government cost estimates (IGCE) for commodities and services.
7. Participate as a member of Technical Evaluation Panels established to review and evaluate potential contractors' proposals in response to formal solicitations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
1. U.S. citizen, obtain/maintain Department of State Secret security, Medical and Ethics clearance.
2. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution or substituted with 5 years of experience performing related functions in program management and oversight.
3. A total of five (5) years' professional work experience, of which four years should be directly related to performing functions in program management and/or contractor oversight.
4. At least two (2) years of previous COR experience on contracts of moderate to high complexity that required significant acquisition investment, including law enforcement development.
5. Training or experience in contract administration principles, policies, regulations and procedures.
6. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
7. Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
8. Judgment and decision making, considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
9. Demonstrated ability to facilitate win-win outcomes and reconcile competing or opposing points of view.
10. Demonstrated superior writing and communication skills.
11. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
12. Demonstrated ability to communicate information and ideas orally so others will understand.
13. High level knowledge of MS Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and e-mail programs.
14. Writing and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
15. Adept at dealing with personnel in mid and high level positions both within and outside the Embassy and with host government officials.
16. Able to work with representatives of contractors or grantees hired by the USG to implement foreign assistance, including providing clear guidance, responding in a timely manner to inquiries, and maintaining sound oversight of contract implementation.
17. Demonstrated ability to engage constructively with senior government and industry officials.
18. Complete the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) distance-learning course through Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 of arriving at Post.
19. Obtain/maintain Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC-COR) Level III Certification within 120 of arriving at Post. (see http://www.fai.gov for details)
20. Proven ability to complete Distance Learning (DL) FSI Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) courses within the first 120 days of assignment successfully.
A. General Requirements:
1. Manage and oversee specific contracts for required goods and services.
2. Analyzes performance under contracts, including costs, quality, adherence to delivery schedules, and other relevant factors. Contracts shall include, but are not limited to support for civilian policing, building the capacity of Haitian law enforcement through training, advisors, and technical assistance, information technology equipment and software programs, vehicles, specialized electronic equipment, rental of hotel rooms, conferences rooms, and equipment needed.
B. Ethical Requirements:
1. In performance of this contract, the contractor shall be subject to the ethics rules applicable to Department of State employees under 5 CFR Part 2635 (Standards of ethical conduct for employees of the Executive Branch), 2 FAM 700 (Ethics), and 3 FAM 4120 (Employee Responsibilities Abroad) and 4170 (Official Clearance of Speaking, Writing and Teaching). Contractor shall also be subject to 5 CFR Part 2637 (regulations concerning post-employment conflicts of interest).
2. Conditions for Contracting Prior to Receipt of Ethics Clearance: The Contractor may commence work prior to the completion of the ethics clearance. The Contractor shall not perform Contracting Officer Representative functions until clearance received. Further, if Contractor does not obtain ethics clearance within 30 days of commencing work, this contract may be terminated in accordance with paragraph (a) (2) of General Provision 16 of this contract.
PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS (DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED)
1. Previous experience managing U.S. Government assistance programs.
2. Good working knowledge of general office procedures relevant to INL.
3. Practical understanding of the U.S. Government role in Foreign Assistance.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
FACTOR 1: Program Oversight (30 points)
Experience in providing contractor oversight on high dollar and complex contracts, ensuring contractor requirements are being fulfilled per the Statement of Work and other deliverables; evaluating and documenting contractor performance, especially through a well-developed Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).
FACTOR 2: Experience (25 points)
The ability and demonstrated work experience related to this position, as well as applicable training.
FACTOR 3: Past Performance (25 points)
Evaluation of applicant's ability to perform. In conducting the evaluation, the 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.
FACTOR 4: Federal Acquisition (20 points)
Comprehensive understanding of contract administration principles, policies, regulations and procedures, including U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
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.
VETERAN'S PREFERANCE
Veteran's Preference is not applicable to this position.
COMPENSATION
For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the following:
• Entry-level salary is at Step 1 of the grade range assigned to solicitation
• Consideration given for experience relevant specifically to the solicitation requirements
• Level and extent of experience dictates the salary level within the grade range
BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES
AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE
• Employee's FICA Contribution
• Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance
• Pay Comparability Adjustment
• Annual Increase
• Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
• Annual & Sick Leave
• 401K Plan
ALLOWANCES - IF APPLICABLE
• Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance
• Living Quarters Allowance
• Post Allowance
• Supplemental Post Allowance
• Separate Maintenance Allowance
• Education Allowance
• Education Travel
• Post Differential
• Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure
• Danger Pay
Janette Dull, Contract Specialist, Email DullJR@state.gov
