U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS (INL)     

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.

Position Title: Anti-Impunity Advisor

Location: San Salvador, El Salvador

Salary Level: FS-02 - $91,475 - $134,334 (Equivalent GS-14)

Period of performance: The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions.

Issuance Date: August 22, 2022

Closing date: September 15, 2022

Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET

Solicitation Number: PSC-22-058-INL

Job description:  See below

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The Department of State is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal services for the subject position under a personal services contract, as described in this solicitation. Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Applicants interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
2. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include:
   1. Paid a 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 any overseas 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.
   2. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
   3. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
   4. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
   5. U.S. Citizenship

Note: Resume must contain explicit information to make a valid determination that the candidate meets the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information needs to be clearly identified in the resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

1. Evaluation Factor document specifically addressing:  Each of the Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation below. Responses must be limited to 500 words per Evaluation Factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Note: The Evaluation Factors are worth 70 out of 100 points. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each Factor.  

1. Professional References: Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references. 

Additional documents submitted will not be accepted. Incomplete or late offers will not be considered. Complete applications must be emailed to:

            Cecille Washington

            U.S. Department of State

            INL/EX/GAPP

           [email protected]

Sincerely,

Katelynn E. Barham

Contracting Officer

U.S. Department of State

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.

PRE-AWARD ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PSC (JUN 2011)

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 a personal conflict of interest, such as a financial conflict, 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. 

HOW TO APPLY

Offerors proposal 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.  The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by the offeror during the solicitation process.    

NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION

This solicitation in no way obligates the Department of State to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit the Department of State to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the application.

Proposals must include the following and not exceed twenty (20) pages (additional pages will not be accepted or reviewed):

1. Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
2. Resume  
3. Evaluation Factor Responses
4. Three (3) names and contact information (phone and email) of current and/or previous supervisors to serve as professional references.  

Note: Your resume should contain explicit information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide explicit information to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration. Additional documents submitted beyond the requirements will not be accepted or reviewed.

*** ONE PDF ATTACHMENT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Veteran’s preference is not applicable to this position therefore do not submit DD-214.

ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, SEX, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LAWFUL POLITICAL AFFILIATION, NONDISQUALIFYING DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AFFILIATION WITH AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTOR.

Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of:

INL/Cecille Washington

E-mail: [email protected]

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:

INL/Cecille Washington

E-mail: [email protected]

INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT

Mission of the U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world.

Mission of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL): INL is under the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.

The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section (INL) in El Salvador implements programs funded by the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Western Hemisphere Programs (INL/WHP).  The Bureau is responsible for the development, coordination, implementation, and supervision of international narcotics control, law enforcement activities, and international criminal justice issues for the DOS. 

The purpose of this Personal Service Contract (PSC) is to provide an Anti-Impunity Advisor who will help stand up and then lead the interagency Anti-Impunity Team in El Salvador. The Anti-Impunity Advisor and their Team will develop relationships with local stakeholders, receive potential corruption cases from multilateral and regional organizations, evaluate and guide development of an Anti-Impunity Complaint Platform, and help manage coordination of anti-impunity efforts by U.S. agencies in support of cooperation with host-nation actors, as appropriate. The Anti-Impunity team will vet the potential cases based on U.S. foreign policy priorities, U.S. nexus thresholds, law enforcement equities, and the local political context. Cases may then be referred to the Department of State or relevant interagency partner(s) for the application of anticorruption tools, as appropriate. The Anti-Impunity Team will also work directly with civil society to provide capacity building in local and regional anti-impunity efforts. The strategic objective is to reduce corruption and impunity in El Salvador, thereby reducing one of the root causes of irregular migration.

The INL Anti-Impunity Advisor will coordinate programs with but not limited to: Salvadoran, Honduran, and Guatemalan government entities; other INL advisors in the region; and interagency partner representatives from the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), and DOJ’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (OPDAT). The PSC will work closely with the INL/WHP CARSI Team Lead, anticorruption and anti-impunity counterparts in Guatemala and Honduras, and INL-supported interagency personnel. The Advisor will also have contact with Government Officials of partner nations, coordinating agencies (USG or host country) as appropriate, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other USG agencies and employees.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the San Salvador-based INL Director or his/her designee, the Anti-Impunity Advisor will perform the following duties:

1. Liaises and coordinates with the INL/GPP Anticrime Sanctions and Deterrence Tools (ASDT) Team for up to four weeks prior to deployment to El Salvador and participates in trainings, meetings, and briefings as required by INL/GPP and INL/WHP.
2. Serves as the INL Anti-Impunity Advisor in El Salvador to assist in the coordination of anti-impunity efforts across USG agencies at post.
3. Serves as a key advisory resource for the INL/El Salvador Director.  The Advisor will coordinate with INL/WHP and INL Guatemala and Honduras counterparts, as appropriate, on relevant matters relating to the foundation and functioning of the Anti-Impunity Team.
4. Meets with civil society organizations (CSOs) in El Salvador to identify anticorruption/anti-impunity goals and challenges. Uses this information to report to the INL Director, as necessary, and provide targeted mentorship, case development assistance, and training to selected CSOs as described below.
5. Works with the Anti-Impunity Team and partners, as appropriate, to provide case development and training for civil society groups involved in anticorruption and anti-impunity efforts. This includes identifying and recruiting organizations and subject matter experts to provide training and mentorship for CSO capacity building programs.
6. Coordinates engagement between INL, DOJ, and USAID to synchronize and establish USG anti-impunity objectives with the CSOs in El Salvador.
7. Guides the Anti-Impunity Team with prioritizing the use of various anticorruption tools and assisting with initial package development.
8. Reviews legislation proposed or passed by the Government of El Salvador related to transparency, accountability, access to justice, etc. and identifies areas of opportunity for engagement for the Anti-Impunity Team, the CSOs, and host country vetted units on anticorruption policies and legislation.  
9. Identifies and meets with the private sector to identify areas for potential collaboration on anticorruption and anti-impunity efforts. 
10. Conducts research and makes recommendations on anticorruption/anti-impunity efforts and challenges through a thorough review of recent surveys, studies, commentaries related to transparency, accountability, access to justice, etc. Reviews and analyzes policy and programmatic documents and makes recommendations based on findings.
11. Coordinates effectively and shares information with INL/WHP leadership, INL/GPP, and INL anticorruption and anti-impunity counterparts in northern Central America, as appropriate. 
12. Provides monthly reporting to San Salvador INL Director on activities, achievements, challenges, and next steps, sharing the information with INL/WHP, as appropriate.  Reporting shall include key metrics, as identified by INL/WHP and INL El Salvador.
13. Attends meetings with U.S. and host-government officials, as requested and appropriate.
14. When required, performs the role of Duty Officer.
15. Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work.
16. Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Grants Officer’s Representative (GOR), and Agreements Officer’s Representative (AOR), as assigned.

TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES

1. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post.
2. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 
3. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post.
4. As required by INL San Salvador Director – Completes INL/PREP training offered by INL/KM.
5. Consultations with the INL Program Office may be required.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The place of performance is US Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador. This position requires travel within El Salvador, as well as regular (less than 50%) travel to other Central American countries and to the United States as needed.  The Advisor must be willing to work in highly hazardous environments where exposure to verbal and physical threats from criminal elements are highly likely.

RELATIONSHIP

The Anti-Impunity Advisor reports directly to the INL Director at Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador and will have close working relationships with the INL/WHP CARSI Team Lead and INL anticorruption and anti-impunity counterparts in Guatemala and Honduras and their designees, as determined by INL Directors. The Anti-Impunity Advisor will provide general administrative and policy direction concerning overall program priorities and objectives, as well as work with INL/WHP to develop and manage programs and related issues.

The Contract Administrator is the INL Contracting Officer in Washington.  In no instance shall the INL Director at Embassy San Salvador or any other individual be authorized to alter or modify the terms and conditions of the contract or waive the Government's requirements, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. The Contracting Officer must authorize such changes in writing.

The INL Director at Embassy San Salvador will provide yearly performance reviews to the INL/EX/GAPP Contracting Officer in Washington, D.C. to contribute to the incumbent’s official yearly review.

COMPLEXITY

The Anti-Impunity Advisor must be able to review host country anti-impunity needs and capacity to increase the scope of operations and information-sharing; develop and manage relationships with multiple INL personnel, CSOs, and host government officials spanning El Salvador and Washington, D.C.; ensure sustainability of projects through provision of planning, communication, and operational standards; and have the ability to integrate competing needs of partners (including other USG agencies) into a coherent and comprehensive approach.

Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing, and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken. The PSC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions.

SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS

The Anti-Impunity Advisor performs a broad range of coordination tasks related to leading the Anti-Impunity Team and serving as an advisor on anti-impunity measures and results in El Salvador. Anticorruption and anti-impunity efforts are of significant interest to the Administration, to the public, and to Congress. The strategic objective is to reduce corruption and impunity in El Salvador, thereby reducing one of the root causes of irregular migration. 

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Top Secret level security clearance, medical clearances, and ethics clearance (if applicable).
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in criminal justice, international relations, or a similar field of study.
3. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in a relevant field related to this SOW.
4. A minimum of five (5) years of experience working on justice sector, anticorruption, and rule of law programs.
5. Demonstrated expertise in understanding current issues and needs in Latin America related to the justice sector and demonstrated experience creating effective strategies to address needs.
6. A minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience (including but not limited to mentoring, training, and guiding staff).
7. Demonstrated experience working overseas with U.S. government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, Department of State, or USAID; or with international organization or civil society.
8. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with high-level officials (governmental and non-governmental).
9. Demonstrated communication and liaison skills appropriate to work with a wide variety of governmental, public, and private sector representatives, as well as with local community members and groups.
10. Demonstrated oral and written Spanish language proficiency at the equivalent of FSI 3/3 (Minimum Professional Proficiency) Level.

EVALUATION FACTORS

(Used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors.) Offerors should cite specific, illustrative examples for each factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any additional words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Factor 1:                    Work Experience                                                                  (25 points)

Demonstrated relevant experience working on rule of law, corruption, anti-impunity, or related issues; ability to coordinate with host-country government officials and civil society organizations; ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural and overseas environment.   

Factor 2:                    Communication and Interpersonal Experience                    (20 points)

Demonstrated capability to serve as a leader among a working group, which may include federal government peers from other agencies. Proven communication skills across a wide range of sectors (public, private, civil society) and geographical areas. Demonstrated commitment to fighting corruption and INL’s wider mission.

Factor 3:                    Program Management and Administration                      (25 points)

Demonstrated knowledge of program management, concepts, practices, and principles to analyze and develop recommendations for program implementation and USG objectives. Demonstrated ability to manage resources, influence by design, and effectively collaborate to further goals, objectives, and activities. 

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who clearly meet the Education/Experience Requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factor responses. Offerors are required to address each of the Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:

Factor #1 – 25

Factor #2 – 20

Factor #3 – 25

Total Possible – 70 Points

Interview Performance – 30 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Past performance evaluation of applicant’s ability to perform under the contract.  In conducting the evaluation, the U.S. 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.

Total Possible Points: 100

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. INL will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that an applicant has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, INL reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection.

COMPENSATION (BASE PAY)

This position has been designated at the FS-02 equivalent level ($91,475 - $134,334 per annum). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based upon qualifications, previous relevant experience and work history, salary and educational background. Salaries, including any recruitment supplemental pay that exceeds the listed pay range, will not be entertained or negotiated.

For award, INL will negotiate for this contract based on the market value as outlined above and overall experience relevant to the solicitation requirements. 

BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, INL NORMALLY AUTHORIZES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

BENEFITS - IF APPLICABLE

• Employee's FICA/Medicare Contribution
• Contribution toward Health and Life Insurance
• Pay Comparability Adjustment
• Annual Increase
• Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
• Annual, Sick and Home Leave
• 401K Plan
• MEDVAC (provided by DOS MED)

ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE STANDARDIZED REGULATIONS (DSSR) - IF APPLICABLE

• Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (TQSA) or Per Diem upon arrival at Post
• Housing Allowance
• Post Allowance
• Supplemental Post Allowance
• Maintenance Allowance (SMA)
• Education Allowance
• Educational Travel (full-time United States based secondary)
• Post Hardship Differential
• Danger Pay
• Shipment of HHE, UAB, POV and Consumables