SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- PSC - Senior Justice Advisor, Skopje, Macedonia - OF-612 Application form
- Notice Date
- 3/21/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Grants, Acquisitions, Procurement and Policy Division (INL/RM/GAPP), SA-4 Navy Hill, South Building, 2430 E Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20037, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20037
- Solicitation Number
- PSC-12-079-INL
- Archive Date
- 5/6/2013
- Point of Contact
- Larry S. Parr, Fax: 202-776-8775
- 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 - INL Senior Justice Advisor (SJA), U.S. Embassy Skopje, Macedonia Issuance Date: 03/21/2013 Closing Date: 04/21/2013 SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-12-079-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: 202-776-8775 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-12-079-INL 2. ISSUANCE DATE: 03/21/2013 3. CLOSING DATE: 04/21/2013 4. TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 12 midnight, EST 5. POSITION TITLE: Senior Justice 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: Skopje, Macedonia 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below STATEMENT OF DUTIES GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR A. 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 Macedonia, 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. Macedonia is an active recipient of Assistance to Europe, Eurasia 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 Skopje receives approximately $2.5M annually in AEECA funding for this effort, as well as for the following programs: a law enforcement capacity program, implemented by the Department of Justice's Office of International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP); and a defense bar program, implemented by the American Bar Association; and a legal socialization civil society program. Macedonia, 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. After the formal adoption of the new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) by the Macedonian Parliament on November 17, 2010, Macedonia began a substantial transformation of its criminal justice system from one that is inquisitorial to one that is more adversarial and closer to the U.S. system. The transformation entails dramatically changing the roles and responsibilities of the police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges in Macedonia. The centerpiece of this new legislative framework is the adoption of a new CPC, which introduces new concepts into the criminal justice system: prosecutor-led investigations, greater defense rights and responsibilities to gather and challenge evidence, multiple special investigative techniques, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and trials in which the judge presides, rather than investigates. INL programs in Macedonia focus on effective, efficient and transparent implementation of the CPC that will streamline investigations and prosecutions enhance interagency cooperation, and more effectively address organized crime, corruption, and political interference within Macedonian justice sector institutions. Implementation of this framework will promote greater accountability among justice sector institutions and actors, requiring extensive public outreach and significant monitoring and advocacy on the part of civil society and the media. B. PURPOSE. The purpose of this position is to provide a Senior Justice Advisor (SJA) to U.S. Embassy Skopje who will serve as the central role in developing INL programs to support Macedonia's judicial reforms and other rule-of-law initiatives that will help further Macedonia's progress toward EU and NATO membership. This program will be focused on implementation of the CPC, but the advisor will be expected to formulate innovative, targeted, and sustainable approaches for building the rule of law in Macedonia. The Advisor is responsible for in-country management of INL justice reform programs and ensuring that these programs are meeting expectations. The Advisor coordinates activities with the Deputy Chief of Mission, the rule of law political officer in country, and the INL Office of Europe and Asia (INL/EA) Program Officer in Washington, DC. INL seeks applicants with the requisite technical expertise, and a strong management background who are able to operate independently and work with limited resources. C. STATEMENT OF WORK Primary Duties and Responsibilities a. Serve as the SJA within INL/EA's overall assistance mission in Macedonia. b. Provide policy analysis and program guidance to INL, Embassy Skopje, and other USG entities on effective mechanisms for, progress in, and impediments to, achieving reform objectives in Macedonia. c. Manage, coordinate, and supervise all phases of INL justice programs in Macedonia, including sustainment upon completion of projects and supervision of two local staff. The incumbent should be able to work independently to ensure that the program and administrative budgets are monitored routinely and that the projects fall within program guidelines notified to Congress and OMB. d. Ensure compliance with INL program management policies and procedures, which will include negotiating INL bilateral Letters of Agreement; monitoring procurement and end use monitoring policies; and drafting program planning documents, such as work plans and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. e. Establish and maintain relationships with Macedonian justice sector and other government officials, including prosecutors, investigators, judges, defense attorneys, civil society, parliamentarians, and other rule of law actors. Ensure adequate follow up with study groups and training (train-the-trainer, alumni conferences). f. Design and monitor assistance programs for the justice sector utilizing a range of methodologies such as conducting interviews and focus groups as well as reviewing analytical reports. Ensure program activities develop local capacity. Activities should include a broad range of justice sector actors and there should be a strong emphasis on joint/collective training between different criminal justice groups (i.e. police- prosecutor workshops). Assist Macedonia in attaining EU accession goals by meeting EU benchmarks related to judicial reform and fair trials by hosting local workshops and practical case studies. g. Coordinate with other implementers in the international donor community, including the European Commission, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other donors. Maintain close collaboration with ICITAP, ABA, the Public Affairs Section and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). h. Serve as a trainer for INL funded training programs. Provide mentoring and technical assistance to prosecutors on a range of issues such as plea bargaining and prosecutor-led investigations. Identify outside experts, when appropriate, to serve as trainers. i. Focus on establishing guidelines, standard operating procedures, and public diplomacy tools build alumni networks and develop mechanisms for linking Macedonian criminal justice actors with U.S. and European criminal justice professionals. j. Provide mentoring on 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. k. Advise Embassy Front Office and INL/EA on legislative developments impacting the criminal justice sector. Assess the impact of political developments on U.S. policy objectives and make recommendations to the Country Team. Develop legal memoranda and technical support on legal issues that may arise in connection with policy or program issues. l. Prepare after-action reports for all discrete assistance activities conducted in accordance with the work plan with the Embassy Country Team. D. POSITION ELEMENTS 1. Supervision Received: The Advisor will receive guidance from the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and will receive program policy guidance concerning the overall program priorities and objectives from the INL/EA Program Officer. The Advisor is also expected to coordinate closely with the rule of law political officer in Embassy Skopje. 2. Supervision Exercised: The Advisor will supervise all staff implementing INL's justice program in Macedonia. 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 Macedonia. 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 senior ICITAP advisor, the American Bar Association project lead, the INL legal socialization program, Embassy Management Section personnel, 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 in the American Embassy in Skopje, and is expected to communicate with the Embassy on a frequent basis and attend regular meetings with the rule-of-law political officer and the Deputy Chief of Mission. 2. Rural environment: Some travel within the region, or travel to training sites outside Skopje. E. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS a. Citizenship: U.S. citizen; and able to obtain/maintain a Department of State Top 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, defense attorney, or a judge. f. Communication: Excellent oral and written English communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write for senior officials. g. Leadership and Management: Must have a minimum of five years of successful supervisory and leadership experience in a multicultural environment. Also, a minimum of one year of program management experience. F. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Familiarity with project design and development, program evaluations, strategic planning and performance metrics. • Experience in rule-of-law development in an international environment. • Experience serving as a trainer in an international context. • 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 civil law system. • Ability to integrate projects into the broader goals of an organization without confliction. G. EVALUATION CRITERIA Factor 1 Knowledge and Experience (35 points) Applicant demonstrates 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) Applicant demonstrates 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) Applicant demonstrates the ability to communicate complex issues in a timely and concise manner, both orally and in writing. Factor 4 Interpersonal skills (10 points) Applicant demonstrates 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. H. 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 I. ETHICS REQUIREMENTS This solicitation may result in the award of one or more personal services contracts as defined in FAR 2.101. Prior to contract award, all offerors or quotes' must advise the cognizant Contracting Officer if they have personal conflict or interest, such as a financial convict, that would prevent them from either meeting the requirements of the clause entitled, "Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractors", or otherwise objectively performing their contractual duties upon contract award. "Post-Award Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Services Contractor" - This is a personal services contract as defined in FAR2.101. The contractor shall be subject to the same ethical requirements and responsibilities as a member of the Civil Service or Foreign Service, including but not limited to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5CFR part 2635 and employee Responsibilities Abroad, 3 FAM 4120. The contractor is required to complete and file the appropriate financial disclosure form, either form OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, or form OGE 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, with the Department of State Ethics Office (L/Ethics) within thirty (30) days of the contract award if the position is one designated for filing. J. 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-12-079-INL/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: AmerEmbassy Skopje, Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
- Record
- SN03018322-W 20130323/130321235212-afd5bce8d786fb4bb00579758bb3d553 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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