SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00088
ISSUANCE DATE: August 27, 2024
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: December 16, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC), Technical Operations Officer
Dear Prospective Offerors:
The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described
in this solicitation.
Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will
not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.
USAID will evaluate all offerors based on stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals,
including those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups, to respond to the 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 offer.
Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.
Sincerely,
Maria N. Munoz
Contracting Officer
Office of Acquisition & Assistance
(M/OAA/BHA-CPS/PSC)
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 7200AA24R00088
2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 27, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 16, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
This solicitation is open and continuous until December 16, 2024. The following are the closing dates
for each review period:
October 16, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
December 16, 2024, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Offerors not selected during a previous review period must reapply in order to be considered for
positions available in subsequent review periods. A review period may be canceled at the Contracting
Officer’s discretion.
4. POINT OF CONTACT: FARO Recruitment Team, [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: Technical Operations Officer
6. MARKET VALUE: $117,962.00 - $153,354.00 equivalent to GS-13 (includes Locality Pay)
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value and will include Locality Pay for
domestic USPSCs based on the location of the Official USAID Worksite, or the approved alternative
worksite if approved for remote work. USPSCs performing overseas are not entitled to Locality Pay.
Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated.
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Washington. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for U.S.-
based positions.
8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years tentatively 145 day estimated start date from closing
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: U.S. Citizens Only
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Secret
If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the
Top-Secret level, the offeror may be asked to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive
Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (https://www.usaid.gov/) Bureau for
Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of
disasters by helping people in need become more self-reliant. BHA is responsible for planning,
coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance
falling into two conceptual areas: 1) Humanitarian Response during emergencies and 2) Early Recovery,
Risk Reduction, and Resilience activities to address longer-term recovery after emergencies. You can learn
more about BHA on our website (https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance).
The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) leads and manages operational assistance and the
purchase and delivery of goods and services in response to declared foreign disasters and international
humanitarian needs in key functional areas, including supply-chain management, procurement, logistics,
oversight, and operational coordination with the U.S. military.
BHA’s DIVERSITY PHILOSOPHY
Your Uniqueness is Welcome Here!
It takes talented people with unique experiences to provide the best humanitarian aid possible. We are
committed to having a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. We strive to create an
inclusive workplace, where everyone brings their authentic selves to work. We invite you to join us in
providing humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate the suffering around the world.
Statement of Duties to be Performed
The Technical Operations Officer will be responsible for providing technical expertise regarding chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) to the Bureau's staff. The Technical
Operations Officer is responsible for planning and preparing for a CBRNE response as well as training and
equipping BHA’s humanitarian response teams to work in CBRNE environments. The Technical Operations
Officer is also responsible for U.S. government (USG) interagency coordination with other USG agencies
during both a CBRNE response and steady-state. The Technical Operations Officer may be required to
deploy internationally as part of a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) or to join a Washington, DC-
based Response Management Team (RMT) during a CBRNE response.
This position is within the Technical Operations Unit, which is part of the Civil-Military Engagement Team,
CMD Division, FARO. The Technical Operations Unit is responsible for providing CBRNE training and
equipment to BHA’s humanitarian response teams.
Technical Guidance/Expertise:
● Serve as a subject matter expert on all CBRNE related needs for BHA’s disaster and humanitarian
response and programming
● Monitor and track CBRNE trends, best practices, and guidelines, including Occupational Safety and
Health Administration regulations.
● Monitor and track trends and best practices in the humanitarian assistance sector.
● Oversee the tracking, inventory, and maintenance of CBRNE related personal protective equipment.
● Advise senior bureau and office leadership on CBRNE-related safety and security considerations.
● Provide subject matter expertise in the area of CBRNE for disaster and humanitarian response teams.
● Provide technical CBRNE guidance and planning to RMT and DART.
● Ensure BHA and USAID coordination within the interagency during a response effort.
● Ensure DART Leaders and Response Managers are aware of CBRNE procedures and practices during a response.
Planning and Coordination:
● Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of CBRNE training and exercises for internal BHA audiences and external and interagency partners.
● Plan, organize, and execute annual training for CBRNE responses for internal and external stakeholder participants, ensuring learning and preparedness for responses with CBRNE components or focus.
● Plan annual exercises, incorporating assistance from USG interagency partners (e.g., Department of Energy [DOE] and Department of State [DOS]) into BHA disaster response teams, to ensure effective interagency expertise in support of CBRNE disaster responses.
● Ensure BHA staff are prepared and knowledgeable about the interagency partners, coordination, and proper actions during a CBRNE response event.
Liaison and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders:
● Effectively interface and coordinate with interagency partners and external stakeholders.
● Engage and work with both external and internal stakeholders, ensuring effective understanding of
roles and responsibilities within BHA and among BHA interagency partners and stakeholders during a
CBRNE event or response.
● Develop and maintain relationships with other USG entities involved in a CBRNE humanitarian and/or disaster response (e.g., DOS, DOE, Federal Occupational Health, Department of Defense, National
Security Council).
● Coordinate and develop relationships with United Nations agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency.
● Provide technical direction, liaison, and/or expertise to other USG agencies during a disaster or humanitarian response to ensure proper assignment of roles and responsibilities and effective interagency coordination.
● Inform and educate other USG agencies of BHA’s role and responsibilities during a humanitarian and/or CBRNE response.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
● This position is expected to be able to qualify, train for, and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington, D.C. or in the disaster area for 4 to 6 weeks (or more) intervals. These can either be DARTs and/or RMTs. DARTs are deployed to the field in
response to disasters and operate in the field, providing staff an opportunity to deploy overseas for an extended period of time (e.g., 6-8 weeks). RMTs are based in Washington, DC and provide
services to support DARTs, such as coordination and external engagement, communications, planning, logistics, travel coordination, or other similar duties (depending on the RMT role).
● As needed, may serve on temporary short-term assignments (“detail”) on other teams within the office or Bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the position’s scope of work.
● As needed, staff are expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees.
Training will be provided.
● The PSC may be expected to obtain an Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification. The AOR/COR oversees agreements and/or contracts.
This includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests,
financial/budget reports, contractor performance evaluations, and compliance. More information about the AOR/COR responsibilities and related requirements can be found in the COR designation
letter (https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/references-chapter/302mar) and the AOR designation letter (https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/references-
chapter/303mai). In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.
● The Technical Operations Officer does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not
to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.
Supervisory Relationship
The USPSC will take direction from and will report to the Technical Operations Unit Lead or their designee.
Supervisory Controls
The supervisor sets overall objectives. USPSC and supervisor together develop deadlines, projects and work to be done. The USPSC independently plans, designs, and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements, or expected results. Technical problems are
generally resolved without reference to supervisors.
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy
items (less than 50 pounds). During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment,
and exposure to severe weather conditions.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● A High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least nine (9) years of experience working in disaster response, emergency relief/management, humanitarian civil-military operations,
humanitarian assistance, or a technically relevant field, two (2) years of which must include working on CBRNE preparedness, planning, operations, programs, or issues.
OR
● A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least five (5) years of experience working in disaster response, emergency relief/management, humanitarian civil-military operations, humanitarian
assistance, or a technically relevant field, two (2) years of which must include working on CBRNE preparedness, planning, operations, programs, or issues.
OR
● A Master's in any discipline with at least three (3) years of progressively working in disaster response, emergency relief/management, humanitarian civil-military operations, humanitarian
assistance, or a technically relevant field, two (2) years of which must include working on CBRNE preparedness, planning, operations, programs, or issues.
AND
● Specialized experience:
■ Experience working in a hazard or disaster environment (e.g., military, firefighter, emergency management, etc.)
■ Experience working with U.S. interagency or international stakeholder coordination
■ Experience developing; implementing; or managing a training, equipping, or exercise program
III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215- 1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of
offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive
range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient
competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.
The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is
interviewed.
III.A SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
● Complete resume submitted. See section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
SUBMITTING AN OFFER
Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
(b) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
(c) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.
(d) U.S. Citizenship
(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).
Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for which you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.
NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.
NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained; the offer may be rescinded.
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 offer.