Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2003 FBO #0661
SOURCES SOUGHT

R -- Agricultural Development Specialist

Notice Date

9/17/2003
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

Contracting Office

Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Honduras USAID-Tegucigalpa, Unit #2927, APO, AA, 34022
 

ZIP Code

34022
 

Solicitation Number

USAID-Honduras-EXO-522-03-024
 

Response Due

10/2/2003
 

Archive Date

10/17/2003
 

Point of Contact

Vivian Idiaquez de Paredes, Personnel Specialist, Phone 504-236-9320, Fax 504-236-7776, - Sandra Aguilera de Ferrari, Contract Specialist, Phone (504) 236-9320, Fax (504) 236-7776,
 

E-Mail Address

vidiaquez@usaid.gov, saguilera@usaid.gov
 

Description

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking proposals (SF 171 or OF-612) from persons interested in providing PSC services described in the attachment. Submissions shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. All applications shall be submitted by mail, facsimile or e-mail. If sent via courier to: Executive Office/PER, USAID/Honduras Frente a la Embajada Americana, Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., Honduras, C.A. If sent via U.S. mail to: USAID/Honduras, Unit 2927, APO, AA 34022, Application forms: USG Standard Form 171 and Optional Form 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms. USAID/Honduras anticipates awarding a USPSC contract as a result of this solicitation. USAID/Honduras reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation. Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals. Please reference the number of this solicitation when sending your application. Sincerely, Neil Kester, Supervisory Executive Officer. POSITION INFORMATION: Issuance Date: September 18, 2003, Closing Date: October 2, 2003, Market Value: 2003 GS-13 equivalent -- $61,251 - $79,629. Period of Performance: Two (2) years with two (2) option years. I. BACKGROUND: Starting in 1994, USAID/Honduras' Agriculture and Natural Resources Office (ANRO) employed a USPSC to assist with the implementation of its Policy Analysis and Implementation Project (PAIP) in the agricultural sector. In 1995, the responsibilities for this position were expanded to include, in addition to agriculture sector policy issues, broader economic policy issues and closer involvement with the public and private sector organizations. As a result of this work, close working relationships were established with several key Honduran economic policy making institutions, such as the Minister of the Presidency's Policy Analysis Unit (UNAT), the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce (SAG and SIC, respectively), the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH), the National Statistics Institute (INE), the Foundation for Investment and Development of Exports (FIDE), the Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP), and the Federation of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (FEDECAMARAS). The Mission?s 1998-2002 Strategic Plan included SO1 ? ?Expanded and Equitable Access to Productive Resources and Markets? to improve Honduran policies conducive to economic growth and poverty reduction, and to improve market access and competitiveness. The primary implementers are Chemonics International and its four subcontractors (IMCC, MSI, Austin Associates, FIDE), FINTRAC, Land O' Lakes, Carana Corporation, Accion International, Aid to Artisans, and Covelo Foundation. USAID?s new 2003-2008 Central America and Mexico (CAM) Regional Strategy includes Strategic Objective (SO2) Economic Freedom: Open, Diversified and Expanding Economies. This SO will address agricultural based market development and business development. The program is expected to introduce more productive technology, build links between producers, agribusinesses and external markets and improve economic and trade policies which encourage investment and exports. This new SO will include trade, diversification and integrated watershed management activities, as well as the Mission?s Food Security activities. The incumbent will be responsible for contributing to achievement of the following principal SO2 results: -Increased trade, both intra-regional and total; - Greater contributions of especially higher value-added sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, services and ?green products? to the economy; - New jobs and economic opportunities, leading to increased and more equitably distributed incomes of the citizens of Central America and Mexico; and - Improved management of critical watersheds and natural resources. There are direct and important links between agriculture, rural income, food security, watershed management, biodiversity, and disaster preparedness. Honduras is highly susceptible to hurricanes and drought conditions. By introducing profitable agribusiness options and environmentally friendly technology, USAID/Honduras expects the pressure on Honduras fragile hillsides and protected areas to diminish. SO2 initiatives will increase small farmer access to modern technologies as alternatives to slash and burn agriculture, the principal deforestation cause in Honduras. Honduras proved its ability to rebuild after Hurricane Mitch. It now has the opportunity to transform productive sectors in step with the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the UN?s Millennium Development Agenda. Farmers produce an array of attractive tropical fruit and vegetables that do not compete with US producers. There are also agricultural market linkages within the region, with Canada, Europe and Japan and opportunities for growth in wood manufacturing, light assembly and artisan products. II. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: The primary objectives of this USPSC position are: (i) to assist the Government of Honduras (GOH) and USAID/Honduras to identify and implement sound agricultural trade and agri-business investment policies, regulations and activities that will enhance Honduras? competitiveness under the Central America Free Trade Agreement; (ii) to manage, coordinate, and monitor new agri-trade and agri-business investment activities required to achieve CAM?s SO2 results, in collaboration with other Strategic Objectives teams; and (iii) to advise the ANRO Director on agri-business matters. III. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The USPSC Agricultural Development Specialist shall serve as the economic growth and private sector technical resource to USAID/Honduras. S/he shall design activities and be responsible for implementation of the SO by guiding, coordinating and managing the human and financial resources to achieve planned results in agricultural development, agribusiness and trade promotion. The incumbent will fully engage USAID?s primary government counterparts (e.g., SIC, SAG, UNAT, BCH, INE, FIDE, COHEP) on SO2 agri-trade and agri-business investment policy and technology transfer work. The incumbent shall play a lead role in technical discussions with public and private sector organizations, including, but not limited to, the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) reports, Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations, Global Development Alliances opportunities, Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA), National Agricultural School (ENA), Panamerican Agricultural College (EAP, Zamorano) capabilities. The Agricultural Development Specialist will liaise with other U.S. institutions, such as USDA and DOC. S/he will maintain regular contact with other international donor institutions working in Honduras e.g. the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE), and other regional and bilateral development assistance agencies. The incumbent will: 1. Provide agri-business technical guidance to SO2 and Intermediate Results (IR) teams within ANRO and the other SOs operating in the Mission. 2. Draft and review scopes of work for short-term consultants, work plans, budgets, procurement plans, and other pertinent documentation. Review contractor proposals, participating as technical advisor in contract negotiations, technical guidance/oversight of work carried out by contractors, and periodic evaluation of contractor performance. 3. Analyze CAFTA and FTAA agricultural trade and investment related provisions that would bear on Honduras? competitive position in the regions. 4. Provide Policy implementation coordination by engaging senior agricultural policy leaders in the GOH and the private sector in technical discussions, fact-finding, and negotiation to determine their priorities for trade and business investment policies and programs. Engage private sector stakeholders (e.g., input distributors, agro-processors, manufacturers and other supporting service industries such as transportation providers) in discussions to identify problems with firm competitiveness, markets, financing, legal and regulatory requirements, and technology, and find means to solve them. 5. Monitor and evaluate grantee and contractor performance to determine effectiveness of implementation to achieve SO2 results. 6. Prepare agri-trade and agri-business reports and issue papers for Mission management decision-making and public relations (including speeches, talking points and press releases) as a senior professional in conferences, seminars, and other venues held in the CAM region and in the United States. Specifically, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities: SERVES AS AGRI-TRADE/AGRI-BUSINESS TEAM LEADER (45%): Articulates and communicates to the team the assignments, projects, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion. Identifies, distributes, and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, skill level, and/or occupational specialization. Makes adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks; and ensures each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality have been met. Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinates the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the supervisor. Estimates and reports to the team on progress in meeting established milestones and deadlines for completion of assignments, projects, and tasks. Ensures all team members are aware of and participate in planning for achievement of team goals and objectives. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official. Informs the supervisor of performance management issues/problems and recommends/requests related actions, such as: assignments, reassignments, promotions, tour of duty changes, peer reviews, performance appraisals, awards, and recognition. PROGRAM/ACTIVITIES DEVELOPMENT AND/OR MANAGEMENT WORK (25%): Plans and designs centralized and mission-specific activities under established and/or proposed program objectives. Identifies and implements necessary actions related to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of business, commercial, industrial, micro-industrial and agricultural development programs and projects. Designs and/or manages the development of Mission-specific SO2 activities within the trade, business, commercial, industrial, micro-industrial and agricultural development area, identifying actions related to program/project implementation, monitoring, and evaluating activities. Promotes production and trade of agricultural and non-agricultural commodities. Serves as liaison with USAID?s CAM Regional agricultural trade and diversification promotion activities. Leverages donor funds by identifying opportunities based on private sector needs and program orientations. Provides analytical leadership and contributes to adjustments in the Mission strategy to enhance the medium and long-term impact of the SO?s investments to reduce poverty and better manage watersheds. Exercises independent judgment and applies broad technical knowledge of business conditions and trends in preparing or assuring preparation of implementation documents, concept and decision papers, briefing memoranda, authorizations, and Congressional notifications. Assists the Mission in advancing the state-of-the-art of the agri-business discipline, and in improving approaches in activity management. Designs and participates in broad trade agri-business, commercial, industrial, micro-industrial and agricultural sector assessments, and participates in results framework development and review. Presents and defends positions, as required, for the CAM Performance Monitoring Plan, Annual Reports and closeout reviews. Provides guidance to Intermediate Result and Activity Teams, and/or other groups. Coordinates information and builds consensus from various organizations involved in the preparation and approval of various documents. MARKET ANALYSIS (10%): Evaluates broad marketing programs of major economic significance and/or a variety of marketing activities or commodities within highly specialized markets that have countrywide impacts. Monitors and evaluates CAFTA related trade capacity building activities for Honduras. Analyzes the effects of various factors on Honduras, such as WTO accession and compliance; trade policy and reform; legal and regulatory reforms to encourage private investment and trade; trade facilitation; and current technology and standards. Responsible for keeping the Mission abreast on policy areas that could hinder, reinforce or multiply the SO?s development investments and impacts that would require USAID attention and assistance. Formulates and manages a program of research and field support that continually improves USAID understanding of trade development problems in the Honduras. Develops clear technical guidelines for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs of trade capacity building. MONITORS CONTRACTOR'S PERFORMANCE (10%): Independently reviews contractor performance through site visits, correspondence, and telephone conversations for completion of applicable contract clauses, e.g., small business, patent rights, labor laws, and progress reports. Recommends issuing cure or show cause notices when the contractor is not in compliance. Conducts contract reviews to evaluate performance. Monitors contractor activity through personal contact or review to assure compliance with technical, financial, delivery, and other terms of the contract. Reviews official contract files to ensure there is no pending administrative action; contract is complete in every aspect and ready to close, and to obtain approval of all closeout documentation. PERFORMS PRE-AWARD GRANT/AGREEMENT WORK (5%): As a cognizant technical officer, analyzes the requirements and the appropriate alternatives prior to the acquisition of resources via grant or agreement processes. Establishes a long-range plan that identifies the mission, goals and objectives; the major activities within the organization; and the needs, problems, costs and benefits of each project. Initiates specific project plans that documents scope, project schedule, end users, market research and proposed funding. Based on the requirements of the pre-award analysis, develops the Statement of Work (SOW) which must address the following factors: (1) specific, extensive and complete description of organization's needs; (2) description of requirements in terms of functions to be performed, performance to be achieved, quantitative and qualitative requirements that must be met; (3) projected workload requirements; (4) security privacy requirements; and (5) space and environmental requirements. PERFORMS POST AWARD/AGREEMENT WORK (5%): Serves as a cognizant technical officer for a significant on-site services contract which has an allotted time of fiscal obligation. As a program/project officer, participates in continual planning to integrate the actions involving the contractual obligations and responsibilities of both the government and the contractor. Plans, designs, and conducts studies and analyses of procedures, internal controls, efficiency, and timeliness of response to grant related work. Designates and collects relevant data, analyzes data, draws conclusions, and formulates comprehensive reports which clearly set forth findings and appropriate recommendations. Following contract award is responsible for monitoring all the phases of award and closing. This includes: (1) monitoring the contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the contracting officer changes in requirements; (2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by the contracts; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance. IV. WORKPLANS AND PERFORMANCE REPORTS: The incumbent shall develop, with the ANRO Director and/or the Deputy Mission Director, an Annual Work Plan that shall lay out specific work objectives. The Annual Work Objectives and any substantive revisions shall be reviewed and approved by the ANRO Director and/or the Deputy Mission Director. The Contractor shall prepare and submit annual performance reports (Managing for Excellence Report/Annual Report) to the ANRO Director and/or the Deputy Mission Director, and senior Mission management. The reports shall be a key input for monitoring and evaluating progress measured by outputs and impact in achieving the SO2?s results. The reports shall describe in detail achievements during the reporting period, particularly as related to the SO, Results Framework and monitoring plan. V. SUPERVISION: 1. Supervision Received: Reports to the USAID/Honduras SO2 Team Leader/Director of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Office (ANRO) and/or the Mission Director. S/he works closely with SO2 counterparts and partners and other complementary SOs, including SO1 Ruling Justly: More Responsive, Transparent Governance and SO3 Investing in People: Healthier, Better Educated People. 2. Supervision Exercised: May be requested to supervise FSN or other USPSC employees. VI. LEVEL OF CONTACTS: USAID and U.S. Embassy Counterparts, Implementing Partners, Government Officials, other donors, and NGOs. VII. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: In order to accomplish this objective, the Contractor must have the following qualifications and experience: - A minimum of a Master Degree in agriculture or agribusiness, economics, business administration or related relevant field, or equivalent work experience. - Ten (10) years international work experience in agriculture or agribusiness development, private sector and trade development, farmer group development, or farming systems development linked to natural resource conservation. - Experience working with farmer associations, private sectors, other donors and national governments to improve policies and investments in rural livelihoods linked to sustainable resource use. - Five (5) to ten (10) years experience in administering/monitoring international development programs in LAC region preferred. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate: - Strong conceptualization, design, negotiation and programming skills. - Strong program management and organizational skills. - Strong interpersonal skills and experience in working in a team oriented organization. - Spanish fluency equivalent to the 3/3 is mandatory for this position. OTHER SKILLS: Ability to write project documents and policy reports well using word processing and spreadsheet software. Ability to lead discussions on sensitive and often contentious economic and financial matters. Highly effective interpersonal skills are required. The ability to plan, organize, manage and evaluate management events is important for technically complicated programs and projects. Ability to draft concise, informative reports, briefing materials, talking points on complex subjects with short lead times. VIII. SELECTION CRITERIA: Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following selection criteria: 1. Education/Experience (60 points); 2. Skills and Abilities (20 points); and 3. Applicable language capability. Personal interview and a writing sample in English and Spanish will be conducted (20 points). IX. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: The selected applicant must be able to obtain an appropriate medical clearance. Details of how to obtain U.S. Department of State Medical Unit medical clearance will be provided once a job offer is made and accepted. The successful applicant must be able to receive a USAID security clearance that involves an applicant comprehensive background investigation performed by a U.S. Government Agency. The USPSC will be based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with frequent travel throughout Honduras. Details on travel plus administrative and logistical support, living quarters and HHE shipping allowance, etc. will be included in the Specialist?s Personal Services Contract. X.PERIOD OF SERVICE OVERSEAS: The incumbent will provide services described above commencing in calendar year 2003 for two (2) years with options to extend for two (2) additional option years. Exercising the said options will depend on continuing need of the services, availability of funds and satisfactory or better performance, pursuant to FAR 52.217-9 . XI. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A USPSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES LISTED BELOW. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCE MAY VARY TO PERSONS MEETING THE DEFINITION OF RESIDENT HIRE USPSC: 1.BENEFITS: - Employee?s FICA contribution; - Contribution towards Health and Life Insurance; - Pay Comparability Adjustment; - Annual Increase; - Eligibility for Workers Compensation; - Annual and Sick Leave; and - Access to Embassy medical facilities, commissary and APO mail services. 2. ALLOWANCES (*If applicable): - Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120); - Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130); - Post Allowance (Section 220); - Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260); - Education Allowance (Section 270); - Education Travel (Section 280); - Post Differential (Chapter 500); - Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600); and Danger Pay (Section 650). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. XII. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Standard Form 171 or OF-612 (available at the USAID website: http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms Internet, http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at Federal offices), by fax, e-mail or U.S. mail to be received by the closing date, above. Applicants are requested to provide their full mailing address and contact information (fax, telephone and email where applicable). To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter. All applications must be signed. Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) Pertaining to PSCs can be found at the following website: http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/cib/)
 

Place of Performance

Address: USAID/Honduras, Frente a la Embajada Americana, Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., Honduras, C.A.,

Country: Honduras
 

Record

SN00436103-W 20030919/030917213013 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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