SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- USPSC - Water and Sanitation Advisor
- Notice Date
- 1/6/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 921190
— Other General Government Support
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Washington D.C., USAID/Washington, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Room 7.10-006, Washington, DC, 20523
- ZIP Code
- 20523
- Solicitation Number
- DCHA-DOFDA-06-423
- Response Due
- 1/30/2006
- Archive Date
- 1/31/2006
- Description
- SOLICITATION NUMBER: DCHA/DOFDA-06-423 ISSUANCE DATE: January 6, 2006 CLOSING DATE: January 30, 2006 5:00PM EST LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (PSC) - Water and Sanitation Advisor The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. CITIZENS ONLY interested in providing PSC services as described in the attached solicitation. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials: 1) Complete and hand-signed federal form OF-612 (Resumes or CVs in lieu of the OF-612 Form are not acceptable). 2) Supplemental document specifically addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) shown in the solicitation. Please note that all information to be evaluated by OFDA must be contained in the QRF response document and the OF-612 form and may not depend on references to your resume. No exceptions to the minimum document submission requirements will be allowed. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications that are incomplete or received without a handwritten signature and supplemental QRF document will not be considered for the position. Applicants are responsible for submitting materials that are in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. There will be no exceptions. Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to: Amy Feldman or Stephanie Paul Telephone Number: (202) 661-9377 or (202) 661-9369 E-Mail Address: water@globalcorps.com Website: www.globalcorps.com Facsimile: (240) 465-0244 or (202) 315-3803 All applications should be submitted to: GlobalCorps 1201 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20004 E-Mail Address: water@globalcorps.com Facsimile: (240) 465-0244 or (202) 315-3803 Sincerely, Kenneth E. Stein Contracting Officer 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: DCHA/DOFDA-06-423 2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 6, 2006 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: January 30, 2006 5:00PM EST 4. POSITION TITLE: Water and Sanitation Advisor 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-13 ($77,353 - $100,554 per year) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:2 years, renewable up to 5 years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:Washington, D.C. 8. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret 9. AREA OF CONSIDERATION:Open to all U.S. Citizens POSITION DESCRIPTION Background The Water and Sanitation Advisor is an integral part of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Health Team. OFDA addresses all disaster health risks with a strong focus on identifying and managing health risks in complex humanitarian emergencies (CHEs). In natural and complex emergencies, excess mortality results from malnutrition, malaria, measles, diarrheal diseases, and acute respiratory infections. HIV/AIDS is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to excess mortality in disasters. These conditions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups (children under five years of age, the elderly, and women). The team provides technical assistance to OFDA including assessments, proposal reviews, risk management, capacity building and technical innovations to address the major causes of excess morbidity and mortality. OFDA's water and sanitation interventions include rehabilitation and/or drilling of water sources, water catchment systems, funding for training on diarrheal disease prevention and treatment, sanitation intervention (latrines), hygiene promotion on water and sanitation issues. Introduction OFDA is the office within USAID that is responsible for providing non-food humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disasters. OFDA is part of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA). OFDA is organized into three divisions, under the management of the Office of the Director. The Disaster Response and Mitigation (DRM) Division is responsible for coordinating with other organizations for the provision of relief supplies and humanitarian assistance. DRM also devises, coordinates, and implements program strategies for a variety of natural and human caused disaster situations. DRM hires sector specialists to provide technical expertise in assessing the quality of disaster response. The Program Support (PS) Division provides programmatic and administrative support including budget/financial services, procurement planning, contracts and grants administration, and communication support for OFDA's Washington and field offices. The Operations (OPS) Division develops and manages logistical, operational, and technical support for disaster responses and administrative support to all offices and operations. OPS maintains readiness to respond to emergencies through several mechanisms, including managing Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams, Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), and Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), to ensure OFDA's capacity to execute and coordinate USG humanitarian assistance and response to natural disasters and complex emergencies. The Technical Assistance Group (TAG) is within the DRM Division and was created in order to provide OFDA with a skilled cadre of technical experts in a variety of fields relevant to its disaster response mechanism. It is divided into a number of subgroups that include the Food Security, Health, Most Vulnerable Populations, and Natural Hazards groups. The Water and Sanitation Advisor is part of the Health Team in TAG. OBJECTIVE The Water and Sanitation Advisor will provide OFDA with technical assistance in program assessment and planning, strategy development and implementation, and monitoring of water and sanitation mitigation and response activities. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Water and Sanitation Advisor's duties and responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following: * Serve as the water and sanitation expert on the TAG Health Team in reviewing project proposals, field program progress, country strategies and any health-related issues; * Contribute to the formulation and articulation of appropriate water and sanitation strategies and policies for OFDA and the rest of the U.S. Government (USG) in disaster and emergency-related situations; * Provide crucial technical expertise and recommendations to ensure that OFDA health responses, specifically those dealing with water and sanitation are robust, rapid and appropriate; * Make projections of available resources for a given response and identify areas that would require outside support in order to make the response a viable effort; * Direct reviews and recommend project proposals related to water and sanitation to senior professionals; * Monitor OFDA water and sanitation funded programs and provide assistance for improving outcomes. * Provides the technical linkage between OFDA and other organizations, i.e. USPHS, USAID, WHO, that are involved in disaster and emergency response issues related to water and sanitation; * Maintain up-to-date, expert-level knowledge of the technical area and of the organizations engaged in related program activities; * Act as a technical expert and point of contact for senior professionals, senior officials and implementing partners on issues of water and sanitation; * Serve as a technical authority on field assessment missions, Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and Response Management Teams (RMTs); * When in the field, determine the host nation's capability to provide an effective response to specific health-related issues especially in water and sanitation; * Serve as the OFDA Duty Officer on a rotating basis after normal duty hours, weekends and holidays, receiving telephone calls and notifications of cable traffic received by the State Department Operations Center dealing with emergency situations. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP The Water and Sanitation Advisor will take direction from and report to the Technical Assistance Group (TAG) Team Leader or his/her designee. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The Supervisor will provide administrative direction in terms of broadly defined objectives and functions. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: (Determines basic eligibility for the position. Candidates who do not meet all of the minimum requirements are considered NOT qualified for the position.) * Bachelor's degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, environmental health, environmental engineering or a related field) and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in water and sanitation, three (3) of which must include on-the-ground experience in water source management and sanitation programs in complex emergencies in developing countries. OR * Master's degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including, but not limited to, environmental health, environmental engineering or a related field) and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in water and sanitation, three (3) of which must include on-the-ground experience in water source management and sanitation programs in complex emergencies in developing countries. AND * U.S. Citizenship * Work experience in disaster response in under-developed countries * Ability to obtain a secret level security clearance * Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance QUALITY RANKING FACTORS: (Used with interview performance and reference check results to determine the ranking of qualified candidates in comparison to other applicants. The factors are listed in order of importance from highest to least.) QRF #1 Demonstrated experience conducting water and sanitation needs assessments, evaluating strategies, and formulating strategic responses for emergency water and sanitation interventions in international settings. QRF #2 Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, and management of emergency water and sanitation programs in international settings. QRF #3 Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation of emergency water and sanitation programs in an international setting. QRF #4 Demonstrated experience preparing concise, in-depth technical reports detailing water and sanitation conditions, potential health risks associated and appropriate responses. QRF #5 Demonstrated experience working with a diverse array of individuals and organizations involved in disaster response/preparedness/mitigation and humanitarian assistance, including U.S. Government agencies (e.g., USAID, State Department, Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Agriculture), foreign governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and United Nations (UN) agencies. BASIS OF RATING: Applicants who meet the Minimum Requirements will be further evaluated based on the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs), interview performance, and satisfactory academic and professional reference checks. Applicants are required to address each of the QRFs on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards you have received that are relevant to each factor. Be sure to include your name, social security number and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selective and/or quality ranking factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards. The Applicant Rating System is as Follows: QRFs have been assigned the following points: QRF #1 - 14 points QRF #2 - 12 points QRF #3 - 10 points QRF #4 - 8 points QRF #5 - 6 points Interview Performance - 30 points Satisfactory Academic and Professional Reference Checks - 20 points Total Possible Points: 100 WHERE AND HOW TO APPLY: Qualified individuals are required to submit: 1. A U.S. Government Optional Form 612 with original signature (available on the USAID website, http://www.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms or internet http://fillform.gsa.gov or at Federal offices) or www.globalcorps.com (Resumes or CVs in lieu of the OF-612 Form are not acceptable). 2. Supplemental document specifically addressing each Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) shown in the solicitation. 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. Via mail: GlobalCorps, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20004 Via facsimile: (240) 465-0244 or (202) 315-3803 Via email: water@globalcorps.com The most qualified candidates may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. OFDA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection. NOTE: At the discretion of the Contracting Officer, if a temporary or permanent Secret security clearance or State Department Medical Clearance cannot be obtained within a reasonable period of time, the offer may be rescinded, or the PSC contract may be terminated by the Government without further compensation. NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS All individuals contracted as US PSCs are required to have a DUNS Number. USAID will provide a generic DUNS Number and PSCs are not required to register with CCR. For general information about DUNS Numbers, please refer to FAR Clause 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number (6/99) http://www.arnet.gov/far/current/html/52_200_206.html#wp1137568 LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs Forms outlined below can found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ or at http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/citizen.portal 1. Optional Form 612. 2. Medical History and Examination Form (DS-1843). ** 3. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86), or ** 4. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85). ** 5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** 6. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form). ** ** Forms 2 through 6 shall be completed ONLY upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) and ACQUISITION & ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs CIBs and AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provisions in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc to determine which CIBs and AAPDs apply to this contract. BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: BENEFITS: Employer's FICA Contribution Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance Pay Comparability Adjustment Annual Increase Eligibility for Worker's Compensation Annual & Sick Leave ALLOWANCES (if Applicable).* (A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120). (B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130). (C) Post Allowance (Section 220). (D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230). (E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260). (F) Education Allowance (Section 270). (G) Education Travel (Section 280). (H) Post Differential (Chapter 500). (I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600). (J) Danger Pay (Section 650). (K) Medical Evacuation Insurance. * Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). FEDERAL TAXES: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NON-DISQUALIFYING HANDICAP, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington, D.C.
- Record
- SN00962148-W 20060108/060106211547 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |