SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) - OF-612
- Notice Date
- 8/13/2012
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541690
— Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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-12-071-INL
- Archive Date
- 9/15/2012
- Point of Contact
- Amy M. Kara,
- E-Mail Address
-
karaam2@state.gov
(karaam2@state.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- To be considered responsive to the solicitation, you must submit a completed and signed OF-612. Otherwise, your submission is considered non-responsive and will not be considered. 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. Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) Podgorica, Montenegro Issuance Date: 08-13-2012 Closing Date: 08-31-2012 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-12-071-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. Offeror's 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/Amy Kara E-mail: KaraAM2@state.gov Fax: 202.776.8686 Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Amy Kara Email: KaraAM2@state.gov INL will not accept late proposals unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-12-071-INL 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 08-13-2012 3. CLOSING DATE: 08-31-2012 4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 5:00 PM, EST 5. POSITION TITLE: Resident Legal Advisor 6. MARKET VALUE: $99,628 - $129,517 (FS-01 Equivalent) 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from date of award and four option years 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Podgorica, Montenegro 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR: Background The Department of State (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL is the Bureau charged with foreign policy development relating to international crime, drug trafficking, corruption, criminal justice reform, post-conflict/civilian policing, and related issues. In Montenegro, and throughout the Balkans, INL supports criminal justice sector reforms and facilitates effective cross-border and regional law enforcement cooperation. In each country in the region, INL provides training, technical, and material support to police, prosecutors, and judges. INL has a wide array of partners in this effort, including other U.S. agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and commercial providers. Montenegro is an active recipient of Assistance to Eastern Europe and Central Asia (AEECA) funding from DOS Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE). AEECA funding provides bilateral economic, security, democracy, and humanitarian assistance to 18 states of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Embassy Podgorica receives $1.8M in AEECA funding for a resident legal advisor (RLA) program and a policing program, implemented by the Department of Justice's Office of International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP). Montenegro, like every other candidate state for the European Union (EU), must demonstrate its capacity to fight organized crime and corruption and bolster public confidence in its justice sector institutions. INL's capacity-building programs are critical for achieving these goals. Purpose: The purpose of this position is to provide a Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) to U.S. Embassy Podgorica who will serve as the central role in developing INL programs to support Montenegro's judicial reforms and other rule-of-law initiatives that will help further Montenegro's progress toward EU and NATO membership. The Advisor is responsible for in-country management of INL judicial reform programs and ensuring that these programs are meeting expectations. The Advisor coordinates activities with the rule-of-law pol/econ officer in country and the INL Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) Program Officer in Washington, DC. The Advisor program is part of a much larger effort aimed at achieving a core U.S. national security objective. One means to this end is the promotion of greater security and rule of law in areas under the Government of Montenegro's (GoM) control, support that buttresses the foundations of a democratic state. Duties and Responsibilities a. Serve as the Resident Legal Advisor within INL/EA's overall assistance mission in Montenegro. b. Coordinate all training and procurement activities associated with the RLA program, including managing the activities and assisting with the recruitment of other INL rule-of-law personnel assigned to providing training to the GoM. c. Provide policy analysis and program guidance to INL, Embassy Podgorica, and other USG entities on effective mechanisms for, progress in, and impediments to, achieving reform objectives in Montenegro. d. Establish and maintain relationships with Montenegrin justice sector and other government officials, including prosecutors, investigators, judges, parliamentarians, and Justice Ministry officials. Provide day-to-day subject matter expertise on legislative reform pertaining to the reform of the justice sector. e. Develop assistance programs for prosecutors concerning the investigation and prosecution of cases. Conduct local case study workshops, conferences, and a guest speaker series that develops the Montenegrin prosecutors' trial preparation skills and on the implementation of new criminal procedure code tools such as task forces, prosecutor-led investigations, plea bargaining and cross-examination. f. Manage rule-of-law programs for Montenegro in partnership and coordination with other implementers in the international donor community, including the European Commission, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other countries. The Advisor will collaborate closely with the International Criminal Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP) on program implementation and training. g. Support the Embassies goal of assisting GoM to form and operate the country's first interagency investigative task force targeting organized crime and corruption. h. Provide comprehensive training programs on implementation of the new Criminal Procedure Code and amendments to the Constitution with an emphasis on plea bargaining and prosecutor-led investigations. i. Ensure adequate follow up with study groups and training (train-the-trainer, alumni conferences). j. Assist Montenegro in attaining EU accession goals by meeting EU benchmarks related to judicial reform and fair trials by hosting local workshops and practical case studies. Allow time for the participants in the system - including prosecutors, judges and police -- to learn, and prepare for, their new roles under a new Code of Criminal Procedure by sponsoring joint practical trial advocacy and skills development workshops. k. Provide mentoring to key justice concepts to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the justice system, including prosecutor-led investigations, plea-bargaining, and expanded use of special investigative techniques, are distributed to line prosecutors. l. Provide guidance to Embassy Front Office and INL/EA on legislative developments and share weekly, quarterly and after-action reports for all discrete training and assistance activities conducted in accordance with the work plan with the Embassy Country Team. Assess the impact of political developments on U.S. policy objectives and make recommendations on action to the Country Team. m. Develop legal memoranda and technical support on legal issues that may arise in connection with policy or program issues. Minimum Qualifications a. Citizenship: U.S. citizen; an able to obtain/maintain a Department of State Secret security and medical clearance. b. Education: J.D. degree from an accredited institution. c. Foreign Language: demonstrated ability to work effectively with a translator. d. Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite. e. Work Experience: Demonstrated five years of professional-level experience as a U.S. prosecutor or defense attorney. f. Communication: Excellent oral and written English communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write senior officials. g. Leadership and Management: Must have a minimum of five years of successful supervisory and leadership experience in a multicultural environment. Preferred knowledge and skills • Familiarity with project design and development, program evaluations, strategic planning and performance metrics. • Experience in rule-of-law development in an international environment. • Experience working or coordinating with other relevant USG agencies (e.g., INL, Department of Justice, and USAID) or international donors (OSCE, European Commission, etc). • Knowledge of American criminal justice system and demonstrated understanding of the major legal systems throughout the world. • Ability to integrate projects into the broader goals of an organization without confliction. Position Elements 1. Supervision Received: The Advisor will receive guidance from the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) or rule-of-law pol/econ chief. In addition, the Advisor will receive program policy guidance concerning the overall program priorities and objectives from the INL/EA Program Officer. 2. Supervision Exercised: The Advisor will supervise all staff implementing INL's RLA program in Montenegro. 3. Guidelines: The Advisor will be guided by the INL Program and Policy Guide. Supplementary guidance will be provided by the Foreign Affairs Manuals for Financial Management (4 FAM), General Services (6 FAM) and Logistics Management (14 FAM), and associated Foreign Affairs Handbooks (FAH). 4. Complexity: The work involves planning, organizing, and managing day-to-day administration and oversight of a large number of organizational initiatives and training details. The ability to effectively manage large quantities of ever evolving data is essential. 5. Scope and Effectiveness: The Advisor performs a broad range of tasks related to a complex foreign assistance program in the Republic of Montenegro. INL programs have a significant impact on embassy operations, including those of other USG agencies. 6. Personal Contacts: The Advisor will work closely with the other INL project lead, the senior ICITAP advisor, Embassy Management Section personnel, other embassy USG law enforcement agencies, contractors implementing INL projects, and host country counterparts. 7. Travel: Frequent travel to local locations will be required. Occasional travel to other countries in the region and the U.S. may also be required. Physical Demands and Work Environments: 1. Urban environment: Normal routine will involve meeting with GoM officials and organizing training activities and workshops. The Advisor will be based outside of the American Embassy in Podgorica, but is expected to communicate with the Embassy on a frequent basis and attend regular meetings with the rule-of-law pol/econ chief. 2. Rural environment: Some travel within the region, or travel to training sites outside Podgorica. Evaluation Criteria: Factor 1 Knowledge and Experience (35 points) Offeror's demonstrate the knowledge of all phases of U.S. criminal justice operations based on professional legal experience. Expertise should include field, institutional, line, and management operations, organizational development, planning, and training. Factor 2 Leadership and Management (35 points) Offeror's demonstrate the ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner and bear responsibility for several simultaneous projects while keeping the overall program goals in perspective. Previous management experience should include managing staff from diverse backgrounds (preferably international); making decisions about resource allocations; and familiarity with project design, development, implementation and evaluation. Factor 3 Communication (15 points) Offeror's demonstrate the ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and in writing. Factor 4 Interpersonal skills (10 points) Offeror's demonstrate a proven record of accomplishment working in a team environment; with a diverse group of stakeholders. Factor 5 Past Performance (5 points) Past performance evaluation of applicant's ability to perform under the contract. In conducting the evaluation, the Government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation information available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from other sources. 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 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-12-071-INL/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: U.S. Embassy, Podgorica, Montenegro, United States
- Record
- SN02836818-W 20120815/120813235904-a9a60b405d294df30521d4ae6b3cceee (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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