SOLICITATION NO: SOL-72066919R00016
ISSUANCE DATE: February 5, 2020
CLOSING DATE: February 25, 2020, 5:30 pm
LOCAL TIME
SUBJECT: Solicitation for Personal Services Contractor (US/TCN PSC) for
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Systems Advisor, USAID/Liberia
Dear Prospective Offerors:
The United States Government, 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.
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,
Robert W. Appiah
Supervisory Executive Officer
USAID/Liberia
USAID/Liberia Mailing Address:
8800 Monrovia Pl
Dulles, VA 20189
ATTACHMENT 1
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066919R00016
2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 5, 2020
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 25, 2020 5:30pm Local Time
4. POINT OF CONTACT: [email protected], [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Systems Advisor
6. MARKET VALUE: $92,977- $120,868 equivalent to GS-14. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One-year base, renewable up to 5-years depending on continuing need for services, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Monrovia, Liberia with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: United States (US) citizens/ U.S. Permanent Residents (non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residency) or Third Country National.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: (US/TCNPSCs) DOS Facility access in lieu of Secret clearance is
Acceptable.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES
A. INTRODUCTION:
USAID/Liberia works closely with the Government of Liberia (GOL) and strives to align program priorities with the country’s priorities and goals. In the health sector, USAID’s program support the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) to implement Liberia’s ten-year National Health and Social Welfare Plan and Policy (NHSWPP), (2011-2021), which aims to improve the health status of all Liberians by increasing access to the utilization of quality services, decentralizing management and decision-making, and ensuring affordability of services. WASH interventions play key roles in environmental and community health programs under the strategy and are integrated into USAID’s Community health programming. In addition to the MOHSW, USAID works with a range of other key national institutions and stakeholders to support in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals for WASH, including the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Ministry of Public Works (MPW) country-level authorities, and NGO’s. USAID’s health program includes substantial support for WASH, which constitutes over one quarter of the Mission’s annual health budget of $46 million.
Under USAID’s Liberia Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for 2019-2024, USAID’s WASH investments are aligned around two key objectives: Quality of health, HIV, nutrition and WASH services improved (IR 3.1) through improvements in infrastructure and management of service delivery and improving access to clean water, sanitation and (Sub IR 3.2.5) through improving systems to sustain quality. Liberia is a high priority country in the US Government Global Water Stagey and is among the USAID’s largest globally. Mission investments are closely aligned with the goals of the Global Water Strategy as well as USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance. Strengthening Liberian systems and institutional capacity to lead, manage, and sustain improvements in WASH is central to the Mission’s approach, supporting the country’s broader transition from recovery to sustained development. Current investments include water pipe network expansion activity (infrastructure investments) in two secondary cities, WASH infrastructure in 24 health facilities, new planned construction of water treatment plant and distribution systems for another secondary town, and improving WASH sector governance and management so that Liberian institutions (such as MPW and LWSC) are able to achieve and sustain increases in clean water and sanitation.
B. Position Objective and Principal Tasks:
The objective of this contract is to obtain the services of a WASH Systems Advisor to provide technical and engineering support to the USAID/Liberia Health Team for the implementation of the Mission’s WASH program, particularly in the areas of water and sanitation sector governance and management, and infrastructure programming, development, operation, and maintenance.
The position will serve as one of two principal technical advisors for WASH in the USAID/Liberia Health Team, and work as part of the Mission’s broader “WASH” team, which includes technical staff from various offices and units, including the mission infrastructure Unit. The incumbent will work closely with the Health Team’s Community Health Services Advisor, who is responsible for managing WASH interventions related to community-level hygiene and behavior change, and integration of these programs into broader health sector strategies and programs. The WASH Systems Advisor will complement these efforts by guiding the Health Team’s water infrastructure development interventions – working closely with the Mission’s infrastructure engineer – and managing Mission interventions, strategies, and programs related to institutional strengthening and systems development in the WASH sector (especially MPW and LWSC).
The WASH Systems Advisor will provide technical and engineering direction and guidance to USAID-financed activities within the health portfolio around WASH and WASH water systems strengthening. S/he will have broad responsibilities for planning and managing USAID-financed programs including collaborating on strategic planning, activity design (including developing scopes of work and program descriptions for technical services), oversight of work plan development and activity implementation, periodic review of financial performance, and monitoring and evaluation of programs and activities that contribute to USAID’s health and WASH portfolios.
The incumbent will be responsible for working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), MPW, the Liberia Water and Sewer Cooperation (LWSC), and other national counterparts on WASH activities, serving as a technical advisor to local counterparts as well as USAID management. The WASH Systems Advisor will be the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the Liberia municipal Water Project, and serve as technical and engineering advisor/activity manager to the Mission Engineer for WASH infrastructure construction projects to ensure they are part of a sustainable systems approach. S/he shall support the Mission in coordinating with other bilateral and Government (USG) entities working in the country. Additionally, the Advisor shall liaise with technical and administrative backstops in USAID/Washington as necessary.
As a technical member of USAID/Liberia’s Health Office, the WASH Systems Advisor is expected to work closely with various sub-sectoral teams in the Mission to plan and implement a broad range of programs. The incumbent will have broad latitude in exercising judgment and is responsible for carrying out the function of this position according to USG policies, professional knowledge, and operational best practices. The incumbent will serve as a member of the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Sub-Team, and report to the HSS Sub-Team Leader.
The WASH System Advisor is expected to respond flexibly and capably to a wide-range of work-related requirements including Washington policy and operational requests, and ad hoc assignments as dictated by unforeseen operational requirements at the discretion of the HSS Sub-Team Leader.
C. Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will fulfill a range of supervisory and oversight responsibilities, including program management and implementation, analytical, evaluative and a broad scope of administrative duties. Program management duties include technical leadership, engineering support, as well as effective and efficient oversight and monitoring to ensure program performance, objectives and results are achieved in accordance to work plans and formal agreements. This includes stewardship over financial and other resources. The program management responsibility requires continued/regular contact with implementing partners (both contractors and grantees), GOL institutions and officials, civil society organizations, private and corporate sector partners, and donors.
The responsibilities of the WASH Systems Advisor are prioritized as follows:
1. Technical and strategic support for strengthening WASH systems and WASH-sector governance (40%)
● Advise the development and implementation of USAID’s ongoing strategies and programs to establish and strengthen sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure and systems in Liberia. This will include a significant focus on institutional strengthening of the LWSC and other GOL counterpart institutions to successfully establish and sustainably manage major water infrastructure development activities contracted by USAID, often in areas where such institutional presence and/or capacity is currently lacking.
● Devise and implement approaches to identify and address policy and intuitional constrains that affect access and use of water in Liberia, and to strengthen national systems/policies related to as utility reform, institutional strengthening and governance, benchmarking, cost recovery and subsidy policies, accountability and transparency, and regulatory reform.
● Promote collaboration and integration of USAID programs to support a “systems approach” to WASH that enhances Liberian ownership over WASH infrastructure and other interventions.
● Identify and coordinate among the various USG and internal USAID water and sanitation-related activities and players, such as the Food for Peace/Title II program.
● Provide technical expertise and advice to MPW, LWSC, MOHSW and country level authorities as necessary to strengthen systems for implementing USAID-funded activities. Compile, analyze, and disseminate reports to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington on WASH issues and accomplishments.
2. Partner Relationships (30%)
● Advise and collaborate with technical staff and cognizant GOL officials at all levels on policy and programmatic issues related to WASH systems, management, and governance, promote and maintain active USAID Mission engage with government, other donors and organizations involved in the sector within Liberia in order to promote collaborative planning toward long term sustainable solutions.
● Establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the MOHSW, county governments, UN, other donors, and NGOs to maintain current knowledge of other donor programs and advise the Mission on ensuring that USAID’s activities are collaborative and complementary.
● Coordinate technical assistance to provide a supportive legal and policy environment that enables public health programs to operate at a high level of service.
● Participate and contribute to technical and coordination meetings hosted by GOL counterparts and other partners.
● Develop and implement strategies for improved networking by partners and sharing of best practices learned in the course of implementing health and WASH activities, in order to accelerate program implementation and impact.
3. Program Management and Oversight (30%)
● Monitor financial, logistical and reporting aspects of USAID-supported programs, assuring compliance with USAID legal and reporting requirements.
● Lead and participate in the design, management, and monitoring and evaluation of water programs and activities to ensure USAID’s planned results and goals are achieved. This includes preparing statements of work or program descriptions, requests for proposals/applications, Acquisition and Assistance requests, decision memos, and other program documents, and guiding the development of work plans and technical documents by USAID and implementing partners.
● Complete certification requirements and become an AOR (Agreement Officer’s Representative) or COR (Contract Officer’s Representative) for the Liberia Municipal Water project and other projects that may be assigned as needed; serve as co-activity manager/technical advisor to Mission engineering staff for ongoing infrastructure construction activities to ensure smooth implementation, and successful completion and transfer to GOL ownership in line with a sustainable systems approach to operations and maintenance.
● Provide engineering expertise in support of Mission health and water supply and sanitation infrastructure programming including design, procurement and oversight of architecture and engineering and construction activities.
● Ensure program implementation achieves planned results, document developmental impacts and resolve any implementation issues in an efficient and professional manner. This includes reviewing quarterly and annual program and financial reports from program partners, paying particular attention to the data pertaining to:
o Activity performance indicators as identified within the Performance Management Plan (PMP) and Operational Plan;
o Program objectives achievement, methodology and lessons learned paying particular attention to inputs, output and expected outcomes including economic, social, cultural, and technical factors;
o Financial indicators (e.g., expenditures, burn rate/pipeline analysis and congruity of expenditures against activities; and
o Incremental funding needs.
● Work closely with the USAID Liberia Office of Financial Management to review and assess monthly accruals and disbursements, and track funding pipelines to ensure compliance with the ADS guidelines.
POSITION ELEMENTS
Supervision Received:
Deputy Health Office Director, Health Team, USAID/Liberia (or designee)
Supervision Exercised:
The incumbent does not directly supervise any other employees. However, the incumbent may provide advice, guidance and on-the-job on WASH-related issues as needed by the CCN staff,.
Available Guidelines:
Guidelines include Agency regulations, ADS requirements, Office of Foreign Assistance guidance, Africa Bureau procedural guidance, Agency procurement guidance, Mission Orders and professional development literature. All of these are general, presenting options and approaches rather than blueprints. Therefore, the incumbent must be able to assess alternatives and interpret guidelines accordingly. Excellent judgment and the ability to deal with ambiguity are essential.
Exercise of Judgment:
A high degree of independent judgment is required in identifying opportunities to use available USAID resources and mechanisms to expand water supply and sanitation coverage, reviewing program documentation, and managing assigned actions and tasks. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to function independently in complex, frequently changing donor environment.
Authority to Make Commitments:
The incumbent will not have independent authority to commit US Government Mission funds on behalf of the U.S. Government.
Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts:
The incumbent will be required to establish strong working relationships with mid-level officials at local government levels, representatives of bilateral and multi-lateral donors/institutions, NGOs, and members of civil society organizations. The WASH advisor may represent USAID with senior GOL officials including the heads of the LWSC and various ministries. Internal contacts should be established with the Front Office, Program Office, RLA and contracts office, Office of Financial Management, and all other teams as necessary.
Time Requirement to Perform Full Range of Duties:
One year
12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
a. Education:
Minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant discipline – e.g. public health, management, or engineering. (10pts)
b. Prior Work Experience:
Minimum 5 years progressively responsible experience international development with a focus on WASH preferred, with at least two years gained in a developing country context. Experience with governance and management issues in the WASH sector preferred, and experience with water infrastructure construction a plus. Experience in managing contracts / agreements for technical work or public health, with experience in construction contracts a plus. (30pts)
c. Language Proficiency:
Written and spoken fluency in English is required. (10pts)
e. Job Knowledge:
Familiarity with US government initiatives and legislation relating to development assistance and WASH; and with USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation requirements for strategy and project design, implementation, management, and evaluation; are preferred. (30pts)
f. Abilities and Skills:
- Demonstrated technical skills in WASH systems or related areas, with preference toward skills in systems strengthening, institutional or organizational development/governance, or water supply and utility services management
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills including ability to collaborate with host-country officials in program implementation and interact with partners, contractors and other stakeholders at senior levels to solve problems.
- Ability to facilitate meetings and make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly technical information to both health and non-health audiences, and achieve consensus on policy, project, technical, and administrative matters.
- Strong computer, verbal, and writing skills required. Must be fluent in English and have proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely in both speech and writing. (20pts)
f. Additional Factors:
USAID Liberia will consider issues such as conflict of interest, nepotism, budget implications, visa status and whether candidates have a work permit in determining successful candidacy. When equally qualified, American Family Members (American Family Members are defined as adult dependents of U.S. Government employees) will be given first preference.
Maximum Points Available: 100
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.
After initial screening of applications, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and visa status in determining successful candidacy.
IV. 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.
- Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.
- Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD
The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:
VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a USPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:
1. BENEFITS:
(a) Employer’s FICA Contribution
(b) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
(c) Pay Comparability Adjustment
(d) Annual Increase (pending a satisfactory performance evaluation)
(e) Eligibility for Worker’s Compensation
(f) Annual and Sick Leave
2. ALLOWANCES:
Section numbers refer to rules from the Department of State Standardized Regulations
(Government Civilians Foreign Areas), available at https://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=282&menu_id=101
− Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120).
− Living quarters allowance (Section 130) or government furnished housing.
− Post Allowance (Section 220).
− Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).
− Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).
− Education allowance (Section 270).
− Educational Travel (Section 280).
− Post differential (Chapter 500).
− Payments during Evacuation/authorized Departure (Section 600)
VII. TAXES
USPSCs are required to pay Federal income taxes, FICA, Medicare and applicable State Income taxes.
VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing USPSC awards are available at these sources:
- USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix D, “Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
- Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.
- Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins
(AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at
http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
- Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
More Information
- Job City Monrovia
