M Class Classifier
Statement of Work (SOW)
To Hire Classification Expert
Background
In addition to American officers, FAS overseas offices are staffed by nearly 330 locally employed staff (LES). Existing LES positions include, but are not limited to, Senior Agricultural Specialist, Agricultural Assistant, Marketing Specialist, Administrative assistant, and Clerk/Driver.
Each time a new PD for these defined subject positions is created and/or is substantively altered, Post is required to submit various documentation to the Department of State's (DOS) Regional Classification Bureaus. These regional units review the submitted paperwork to determine the position's appropriate grade (e.g. LES-4, LES-5).
In order to reduce the amount of time Posts spend undertaking the classification process and to ensure a more fair, transparent, and predictable classification outcome, FAS's Office of Foreign Service Operations (OFSO) has embarked on an effort to standardize all LES PDs. To achieve this envisioned outcome, FAS seeks the expertise of a human resources professional with previous experience working in DOS's LES position description classification process.
Scope
FAS intends to develop standardized position descriptions for several unique LES job series, such as Senior Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Marketing Specialist. The standardized PDs will then undergo the DOS classification process. Once completed, Posts will gradually transition to the new standardized PD's resulting in a savings of agency resources and improved staff retention.
Objectives
The contract will enable FAS to secure needed expertise, which is currently unavailable within the agency, to develop standardized LES PDs. These standardized PDs will undergo the DOS classification process whereupon they will be gradually implemented by overseas Posts. The new standardized PDs will save agency resources and improve staff retention.
Tasks
• Consults with FAS headquarters staff, overseas offices, and reviews relevant material (e.g. FAS Strategic Plan FY19-FY22) to fully understand FAS's purpose and role.
• Reviews existing LES PDs and other supporting information to fully understand the various roles of FAS LES in carrying out the FAS mission.
• Assesses possibility of combining, where appropriate, multiple PDs into a single PD.
• In consultation with FAS, drafts suitable language to be used in standardized PDs. The new standardized PDs must be considered both "recruitable" and "classifiable" in the DOS classification process.
• Classifies each new proposed position, using MCLASS software (TBD), provides the analysis (without the grade) to FAS for review to make sure all components of the classification match the desired requirements.
• Prepares detailed job report with resulting grade (output from MCLASS software- TBD) for each standardized PD.
• To aid regional classifiers, prepares appropriate guidance/documentation to help familiarize regional classifiers with FAS, the agency's mission, and LES role in carrying out this mission.
Delivery
Refer to Tasks Section.
Government-Furnished Property
No government-furnished property will be provided. Copies of PDs and other supporting documentation required for the performance of the contract will be furnished as needed.
Security Requirements
The documentation reviewed as part of this contract will not/not contain any Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Contractor access to the USDA South Building for meetings with FAS officials will be granted on an as-needed basis. Building access will be required for meetings at DOS.
Place of Performance
The majority of work under this contract is expected to be performed at the contractor's facility. Meetings at USDA and, possibly DOS, will also be required.
Period of Performance
The overall period of performance is 6 months.
Please send all questions no later than 2pm EST, August 19, 2019 and Quotes no later than 2pm EST, August 23, 2019.
Farhaan Nasir, Contract Specialist, Phone 2022053415, Email farhaan.nasir@usda.gov - Matthew E. Harvey, Contract Specialist, Phone 5153232291, Email matthew.harvey@usda.gov
