INL Border and Security Advisor
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.
INL Border and Security Advisor
San Jose, Costa Rica
Issuance Date: 05/22/2015
Closing Date: 06/05/2015
SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-15-037-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/Deborah Strom
E-mail: Stromdg@state.gov
Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Deborah Strom
E-mail: Stromdg@state.gov
INL will not accept late proposals unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal.
1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-15-037-INL
2. ISSUANCE DATE: 05/22/2015
3. CLOSING DATE: 06/05/2015
4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 3:00 PM, EST
5. POSITION TITLE: INL Border and Security Advisor
6. MARKET VALUE: $66,728 - $120,934 (FS 03/02 Equivalent)
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from date of award and four option years
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Jose, Costa Rica
9. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR:
In 1999, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded a maritime assessment by the US Coast Guard (USCG) in response to a request by the Government of Costa Rica (GOCR). The assessment resulted with a recommendation that PSC position be created and assigned to the US Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica. In 2012, with the expansion of the INL program in Costa Rica, the responsibilities of the position expanded considerably to include cooperation with the newly formed Border Police and overall Costa Rican border security program. Subsequently, successes within the prison reform program and increases in security concerns among high risk prison inmates, more and more often connected to cartels, the responsibilities of the security program expanded to include the prison system as well.
Purpose
The purpose of the INL Border and Security Advisor position is to support the implementation of the United States Government (USG) and the GOCR Border and Security program as defined in the annual Letters of Agreement and Amendments. The Advisor will provide advice and support to the INL Director, other INL colleagues, and representatives of law enforcement agencies at the Embassy. The Advisor for Border and Security programs will work closely with GOCR officials, including the Ministry of Public Security (Coast Guard, Border Police, and Air Surveillance), and the Ministry of Justice (Prisons).
Relationship
The Advisor will report directly to the INL Director or as designated at the U.S. Embassy, San Jose. The Advisor will be based at the U.S. Embassy. The Advisor will have significant responsibility for training in Costa Rica and will be required to travel frequently throughout Costa Rica, Central and South America, and the United States. The Advisor will consult and coordinate with the Office of the Defense Representative (ODR) in San Jose, as necessary.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Implements a U.S.-sponsored Border and Security program, which coordinates activities to support the coast guard, the border police, air surveillance, and prison officials, with a focus to develop the interagency relations between the different entities.
2. Provides strategic planning and development of all phases of border/POE security projects. Such efforts include the complete project implementation cycle and management phases, including research and development, acquisition and implementation, planning, scheduling, budgeting, and project monitoring.
3. Serves as a liaison with representatives of other U.S. Embassy law enforcement agencies involved in border/POE and Counterterrorism projects, including, but not limited to, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), especially Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). Represents INL and the U.S. Government in coordination meetings with the GOCR and other foreign governments as required.
4. Offers advice and assistance in preparing documentation for the procurement of systems and equipment, including drafting purchase requests, bid solicitations, statements of work (SOW), requests for source-origin waivers, and sole-source justifications.
5. Attends general and law enforcement meetings, national and international conferences and seminars, and meetings with GOCR officials, reporting on discussions, activities, and/or decisions.
6. Provides advice and assistance in end-use monitoring (EUM) of U.S. Government-supplied commodities and services, preparing an input for the annual EUM report to the U.S. Congress.
7. Provides advice and assistance in the formulation of INL input to the Integrated Country Strategy (ICS).
8. Participates in visits by senior officials and serves as an escort or control officer, including the arrangement of itineraries and logistical support for official visitors.
9. Briefs DOS, U.S. Congress and other visiting officials and Embassy staff on the role of INL and the status of U.S.-Costa Rica border/POE security projects and related initiatives.
10. Coordinates training for CRCG, Border Police, Air Surveillance, and Prison personnel to include maintenance and operational training.
11. Reviews and advises on the purchases and refurbishment of vessels and other specialized security based equipment for the CRCG and Border Police.
12. Provides technical advice/support to the CRCG Director, Border Police Director, Air Surveillance Director, and Prison officials concerning their maintenance and repair plans, including advice/support to the CRCG and Border Police to enable the patrol boat engineers to maintain safe operational status of the patrol and small boats. Provides advice on repairs, ordering spare parts, and supplies.
Minimum Qualifications
1. U.S. Citizenship, able to obtain/maintain a DOS Secret security and medical clearance.
2. Demonstrated customer service skills and the ability to work with limited supervision.
3. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
4. A minimum of ten (10) years related experience in border security.
5. A minimum of two (2) years demonstrated experience in managing programs or projects, including budget preparation, goods and services procurement, and project implementation and oversight, preferably involving border security activities.
6. Superior interpersonal skills when working with senior level management.
7. Superior English communications skills both oral and written.
8. Demonstrated proficiency of the Spanish language, spoken and written.
9. Complete the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) distance-learning course through Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 of arriving at Post. 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)
10. Proven ability to complete Distance Learning (DL) FSI Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) courses within the first six (6) months of assignment successfully.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Demonstrated knowledge of maritime interdiction operations or similar program development and implementation in an international environment.
2. Demonstrated experience working or coordinating with other relevant US government agencies (e.g., Departments of Justice and Defense, USAID) and/or international organizations.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of US federal government procurement.
Complexity
The Advisor must be able to assess host country needs, develop and manage maritime/border/prison projects in coordination with host-country officials, including promoting US interests with host government officials, ensuring sustainability of projects through provision of appropriate training/maintenance, and integrating competing needs of US and Costa Rican law enforcement agencies, and Costa Rican government entities involved in maritime/border/prison security and counternarcotics activities.
Scope and Effectiveness
The Advisor's work will occur in the field and at the US Embassy for meetings, program implementation, activity reviews, field inspection, and program evaluation. The Advisor must be able to work independently in remote areas for short periods of time. The Advisor must be able to demonstrate technical skills. Travel to the US and regions outside Costa Rica will be required, especially for end-use monitoring of USG donated property.
Evaluation Criteria
Factor 1 Offeror's demonstrated ability to develop and implement technical assistance in marine vessels, as well as ability to provide operational and policy guidance on border and prison activities to the INL Director. (30 points)
Factor 2 Offeror's demonstrated performance managing planning, budgeting, and oversight functions at an agency-wide level. (20 points)
Factor 3 Offeror's demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment, especially with local, state, or national authorities. (20 points)
Factor 4 Offeror's demonstrated ability to liaise with relevant USG agencies, domestic law enforcement, Coast Guard/Border Police/Prison agencies, and the international community for the purpose of sharing information and developing complementary policies / programs.
(20 points)
Factor 5 Past performance and the offeror's previous experience and quality of performance. In conducting the evaluation the Government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation info available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from references. (10 points)
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
Deborah Strom, Contract Specialist, Email StromDG@state.gov
