SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- PSC - Capacity Building Advisor to Afghan Ministry of Counternarcotics (MCN), Kabul, Afghanistan - OF-612 Application form
- Notice Date
- 4/26/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, INL RM MS, 2430 E Street, N.W., South Building, SA-4 Navy Hill, Washington, District of Columbia, 20520
- ZIP Code
- 20520
- Solicitation Number
- PSC-12-044-INL
- Archive Date
- 6/12/2012
- Point of Contact
- Larry S. Parr, Fax: 202-776-8686
- E-Mail Address
-
ParrLS@state.gov
(ParrLS@state.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- OF-612 Application form You have received this "Personal Services Contractor" (PSC) solicitation through the Department of State (DOS) Internet site. If you have any questions regarding this PSC, you may contact the DOS Official named in this solicitation. The Department is not responsible for any data and/or text not received when retrieving this document electronically. Amendments to solicitation documents generally contain information critical to the submission of an application. PSC - Capacity Building Advisor to Afghan Ministry of Counternarcotics (MCN), Kabul, Afghanistan Issuance Date: 04/26/2012 Closing Date: 05/28/2012 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-12-044-INL SUBJECT A solicitation for a Personal Services Contractor (PSC), Department of State (DOS), Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, seeks applications from US citizens interested in providing PSC services as described in this solicitation. HOW TO APPLY Offeror's proposals shall be in accordance with the requirements stated in this solicitation at the place and time specified. A proposal will be determined non-responsive and ineligible for consideration unless all required documents and information are included in the submission. Offerors shall ensure their resume demonstrates their possession of the minimum qualifications outlined in this Solicitation, as well as their ability to fulfill all required duties. Proposals must include the following: 1) Form OF-612 (Completed and signed) 2) Resume 3) Three letters of reference, including contact information 4) Reference the Solicitation Number, on all documents 5) Full Mailing Address and Phone Number Submit all proposals via e-mail or facsimile to the attention of: INL/Larry Parr Email: parrls@state.gov Fax: 202-776-8761 Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Larry Parr Email: parrls@state.gov INL will not accept late proposals unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-12-044-INL 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 04/26/2012 3. CLOSING DATE: 05/28/2012 4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 5 PM, EST 5. POSITION TITLE: Capacity Building Advisor to Afghan Ministry of Counternarcotics, Kabul, Afghanistan 6. MARKET VALUE: $80,728 - $129,517 (FS-01 - 02 Equivalent) 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from date of award and four option years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Kabul, Afghanistan 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR A. BACKGROUND The Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Programs (INL/AP) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in the Department of State. The Bureau is responsible for the development, supervision, coordination and implementation of international narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice issues for the Department of State (DOS). INL/AP provides policy guidance and develops, executes and monitors programs to address the full range of counternarcotics issues as they relate to supply- and demand-reduction activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. INL has been engaged in an effort with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) to ensure a comprehensive approach to the drug problem. The U.S. Counternarcotics Strategy for Afghanistan targets narcotics traffickers through interdiction, while also supporting agricultural development, eradication, demand reduction, public information, and rule of law programs. The Bureau is the U.S. State Department's designated lead for capacity building within the Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN). INL seeks a Capacity Building Advisor to work jointly with MCN in Kabul to develop the technical skills, strategic planning, and professionalism in the areas of policy, finance, and administration. Purpose The Capacity Building Advisor to the MCN is treated as a member of the core staff of the MCN. The Capacity Building Advisor will work directly with one or more of the seven Policy and Coordination Divisions at the MCN in Kabul, as well as a variety of INL-funded staff augmentees and mentors. The specific assignment will be based on MCN priorities, which are set by the Minister of Counter Narcotics. The MCN will make need-based position assignments, in coordination with the INL Section of the U.S. Embassy-Kabul (INL-Kabul) and the Ministry's Counter Narcotics Advisory Board (CNAB). Relationships Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will directly report to the Director of the INL Section at U.S. Embassy Kabul through the INL Kabul Counternarcotics Team Leader. Tasking will come from both INL/Kabul and INL's Afghanistan and Pakistan Program Office in Washington. The incumbent's actions, decisions and recommendations are reviewed on the basis of results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations. Because the incumbent receives only general policy guidance, he/she must constantly depend on his/her own professional judgment to further the mission of INL. Level of Effort: Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of U.S. Embassy Kabul: 8:30am to 5:30pm Sunday through Thursday with a minimum of fifty-five hours per week. Travel and Position Location: The position is located in Kabul. Frequent travel in and around Afghanistan is likely. All movements within Afghanistan will be covered by the U.S. Military and/or the INL air wing and motor pool assets, and all travel outside of Afghanistan will be covered by commercial airlines. Pre-deployment support for the Afghanistan-based Advisor: The advisor will be required to attend two (2) weeks of basic familiarization training at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington D.C. prior to deployment. Life Support: Life support for the Advisor will be provided by other USG service providers and is not to be included in this task order proposal. INL will provide the incumbent with access to the Embassy compound. The incumbent will have access to hardened and/or regular cars (exact type will be dependent on security situation) from motor pool for transportation around Kabul. Housing will be assigned by the Embassy's Management Office in coordination with INL Kabul. B. STATEMENT OF WORK • Serve as the lead capacity building advisor at MCN, providing oversight and management of all INL-supported expat and Afghan capacity building advisors embedded in the Ministry. • Working with Afghan MCN partners, create a Results Framework for this capacity-building project, which will build consensus around objectives and approaches; ensure that implementers, beneficiaries and stakeholders share a common understanding of how the project will achieve its objectives; and serve as the foundation for the project work plan and Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP). • Provide training, mentoring and technical support to Afghan Ministry partners on a daily basis to meet project milestones, track progress according to PMP indicators, and maintain a results-oriented focus. • Assist MCN in strategic planning and implementing Afghan Government CN policy, with a special focus on improving efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. supported programs, including (but not limited to) Good Performers Initiative (GPI), Alternative Livelihoods, Drug Demand Reduction, Law Enforcement, and Interdiction. • Provide training, mentoring and technical support to Afghan Ministry partners on government administration and finance functions, with a special focus on internal audits, finance, human resources, and procurement and logistics infrastructure. • Support MCN in distinguishing between broad, policy-level objectives on CN matters and specific, programmatic actions that can be realistically achieved by the ministry within its existing or gradually-improving capacity, emphasizing the importance of both long-term planning as well as steady and incremental - rather than immediate - growth in programmatic oversight and implementation. • Support and help advance the Ministry of Counter Narcotics's mandate, under Afghan law, to regularly receive, monitor, and evaluate statistics and data from all relevant government institutions regarding programs that support implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy, and, where possible, assist government institutions to improve such reporting to the Ministry of Counter Narcotics. • Serve as a continuous link between MCN and the INL Section of U.S. Embassy Kabul; submit regular written reports to INL Kabul on substantive CN issues and capacity building issues. • Build and maintain open lines of communication with Afghan, U.S. and international stakeholders on CN programs, including stakeholders from USAID and other U.S. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations, the UK Embassy, ISAF, and representatives of the U.S. military and other coalition forces. • Identify opportunities for assistance and collaboration, including opportunities to integrate counternarcotics elements into existing development, rule of law, or other CN-related projects. • Draft reports and cables as directed by the U.S. Embassy-Kabul, detailing pertinent activities in the counternarcotics sector. • Work effectively under pressure, within short time constraints, and during times of rapidly developing events. • Inform INL of new developments in the portfolio and consult with INL in advance of important briefings, meetings, or presentations of new initiatives. • Produce a brief written weekly report on status of programs, activities, and initiatives to be disseminated via email to designated points of contact at INL Kabul, and INL/AP on a mutually agreed upon day of the week. Upon reporting to post, propose a format for this report, which should include, but is not limited to: recent and planned activities, accomplishments, challenges, proposed solutions, administrative issues, and upcoming schedule (to include TDYs and leave). Photographs may be included, as well. Guidelines Guidelines consist of various letters of authorization and memoranda of understanding between the U.S. Government and the Government of Afghanistan, as well as existing federal regulations, Department of State policies, legislation, the Foreign Assistance Act, and other authorization and appropriations in the INL account. Complexity The incumbent will develop tailored plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of MCN policies and programs. Assessing the current capacity of MCN, the incumbent will provide training, mentoring and technical support on government administration and finance functions. Coordinating plans with various other groups including international donors, the U.S. military and the Government of Afghanistan can be complicated. The work horizon of this position is one year; the incumbent must actively plan organization needs twelve months into the future. Active planning involves anticipating future events and requirements, deciding or recommending what needs to be done, the people and other resources required, and the timing of the activities. Operating within the country strategy, the incumbent will have ongoing opportunity to develop and assess new ideas and approaches that impact how the MCN functions. The incumbent must absorb and understand a large volume of detailed information on policies and procedures for multiple disciplines and how that will impact MCN capacity. The work pattern will be typified by many different overlapping tasks with heavy disruption due to changes in priorities, external events, and other interruptions, the incumbent must be flexible in shifting priorities and anticipate infrastructure needs. Physical Demands In Afghanistan, the work is principally sedentary, however frequent travel in and around Afghanistan is likely. While on a site visit there are physical demands associated with travel to and from remote areas abroad in restrained time frames over underdeveloped infrastructure and conveyances - the position requires an above average resistance to fatigue and physical hardships. Extended onsite visits to remote project sites may rarely be required, necessitating the ability to walk medium to longer distances (hundreds of yards or more) on generally irregular dirt or stone surfaces, in both hilly and flat terrain. Those who use wheelchairs, have respiratory difficulties, or require assistance walking will find this difficult. Additionally, those undergoing medical treatment or taking certain medicines that limit their physical or mental abilities may find it difficult to adhere to the limitations recommended by their physician(s). Travel on helicopters and/or cargo-oriented fixed wing aircraft will also be required. Those with ear or other problems, who do not easily adapt to pressurized environments or higher but non-pressurized environments, will find the travel requirements of these positions difficult. Those with circulation problems or difficulties adapting to climate extremes or extremely dusty environments will find this aspect of the position difficult. C. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS a. U.S. citizenship, eligible for a State Department Secret security clearance and medical clearance. b. The incumbent should possess a university degree in a field related to the primary duties of this position, however five or more years of relevant field experience involving capacity building work in Afghanistan or a post-conflict environment is a suitable substitute for a university degree. Examples of relevant fields include: International Affairs, International Development, Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice, Political Science or Public Administration; South/Southwest Asia, Middle East, Asian or Islamic Studies; Business Administration and/or finance; and Development Economics. c. A minimum of 3 years experience living and working in developing countries, preferably as part of major donor-funded civil society or governance programs in an emerging democracy, conflict zone, and/or in Central Asia. NOTE: A SECURITY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND ALONE IS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT OF THIS POSITION. d. Significant professional experience tailoring and employing organization needs assessment tools, and addressing and implementing capacity building approaches and interventions. e. International experience is required; experience in Afghanistan or Iraq strongly preferred. f. Knowledge Areas i. The incumbent must quickly acquire a detailed knowledge of INL programs, civilian and military planning, and applications to GIRoA and USG counternarcotics goals. The incumbent will be expected to give detailed advice on how these areas operate. ii. The incumbent must quickly acquire a detailed knowledge of the political situation; social, cultural, religious, economic, and legal frameworks; security situation; and the agricultural, infrastructural (roads, bridges, irrigation, etc.), counternarcotics strategy in his/her geographic area of assignment. iii. The incumbent should possess, at the time of assignment, detailed knowledge of at least one (but preferably at least two) of the following fields: counternarcotics policy, counternarcotics-related law enforcement, justice sector development, public information, finance, program management, business administration, public administration, agriculture livelihood development, economic livelihood development, alternative livelihood development, and/or drug demand reduction/treatment. iv. The incumbent should possess, at the time of assignment, detailed knowledge of evidence-based capacity building and training models, and demonstrated familiarity with internationally recognized best practices in capacity building. g. Any degree of fluency in Pashto or Dari is desired, as is experience in working with an interpreter. h. A range of written and oral communication skills are required for this position. The incumbent will, at various times, be required to transmit routine information to other international advisors through e-mail and fax, discuss sensitive matters with tact and diplomacy with the international community in both formal and informal letters and e-mails, as well as provide complex explanations, persuade and influence, and resolve conflicts in a written format without compromising the organization's position. D. EVALUATION CRITERIA Factor 1 Ability to provide capacity building and development expertise to the Embassy and INL. 20 points Factor 2 Experience and ability to assess current programs, and assist in developing and implementing performance plans in critical needs areas. 20 points Factor 3 Ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies, host nation representatives, and the international community in developing and coordinating CN programs. 15 points Factor 4 Ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and in written form. 10 points Factor 5 Ability to effectively promote teamwork. 15 points Factor 6 Experience in working in an overseas high-threat environment. 10 points Factor 7 Past Performance: Offeror's previous experience and quality of past performance. (Evaluator may use all evaluation information available at the time of the evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from references.) 10 points E. COMPENSATION For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the following: • Entry-level salary is at Step 1 of the grade range assigned to solicitation • Consideration given for experience relevant specifically to the solicitation requirements • Level and extent of experience dictates the salary level within the grade range F. BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES BENEFITS • Employee's FICA Contribution • Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance • Pay Comparability Adjustment • Annual Increase • Eligibility for Worker's Compensation • Annual & Sick Leave • 401K Plan ALLOWANCES • Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance • Living Quarters Allowance • Post Allowance • Supplemental Post Allowance • Separate Maintenance Allowance • Education Allowance • Education Travel • Post Differential • Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure • Danger Pay
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/State/INL/INL-RM-MS/PSC-12-044-INL/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: AmeriEmbassy Kabul, Afghanistan
- Record
- SN02732347-W 20120428/120426235817-192c990e94be0f7eca477e244fcf1985 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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