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: Eradication Advisor
Location: Bogota, Colombia
Salary Level: FS-02 - $86,374 - $126,843 (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: April 3, 2019
Closing date: April 17, 2019
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number: PSC-19-045-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. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include:
a. 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.
b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
c. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
e. 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.

2. Supplemental document specifically addressing:
a. Each of the three (3) Evaluation Factors shown in the solicitation. 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 receive that are relevant to each Factor.

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

Dominique Chittum
U.S. Department of State
INL/RM/GAPP
[email protected]

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Lloyd
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 and Evaluation Factor Responses
3) 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/Dominique Chittum
E-mail: [email protected]

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Dominique Chittum
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 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 U.S. Department of State's (DOS) Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has program authority derived from the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA). Under the FAA, INL is responsible for providing assistance to host governments to develop and implement effective counter narcotics, anticrime, and border control programs.

The INL section at U.S. Embassy Bogota, established in 1985, is among the largest and most complex INL offices in the world. INL Bogota is charged with developing strategies and programs to achieve foreign policy objectives in the areas of international narcotics control, law enforcement, and justice.

INL Bogota's Eradication program is part of the Organized Crime and Counternarcotic (OCCN) Division, which supports bilateral U.S. government and Government of Colombia (GOC) counternarcotic efforts by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of illicit crop eradication. These illicit crops include coca and poppy.

The Eradication Advisor supports, assists, and advises INL Bogota and coordinates with other program divisions in helping the Government of Colombia implement illicit cultivation reduction operational tactics and strategies. The Eradication Advisor develops, reviews, implements and/or contributes to a wide variety of plans, policies, and procedures for advancing U.S. interests. The Eradication Advisor will play a key role in shaping future program design and engagement strategies with the Colombian government.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In close coordination with the INL Bogota Eradication Program Manager and the OCCN Division Chief, the Eradication Advisor will be expected to perform the following duties:
1. Under the direction of the INL Bogota Eradication Program Manager, and working with the Colombian government, advises and assists INL Bogota sponsored/directed activities in support of illicit crop reduction activities.

2. Advises the Ministry of Defense, Colombian Armed Forces, and the Colombian National Police (CNP) to bolster eradication effectiveness by supporting the further development of eradication programs to include new eradication methods, tools, and technologies.

3. Advises and assists the GOC on manual eradication methods, operational planning, logistics planning, and design of nationwide strategy and priority setting, through engagement and coordination with the Colombian Ministries of Defense, Justice, and Interior, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), relevant public agencies, and other U.S. Government participating agencies.

4. Advises the GOC on training and equipping security forces' manual eradication programs, including evaluation, oversight, and expansion of new eradication technologies; coordinates procurement and delivery of equipment; and determines training requirements and execution.

5. Coordinates with the Colombian National Police Directorate of Anti-Narcotics (CNP DIRAN), particularly with the Sistema Integrado Información de Monitoreo Antinarcoticos (SIIMA), UNODC, and the Colombian military on the development and implementation of the Centro de Operaciones Anti-Narcoticos (COPAN) integrated communications and intelligence systems.

6. Coordinates with Government of Colombia and a third party entity to create a transparent and credible verification and validation system that accurately tracks and monitors eradication activities. A significant component to this effort is the creation of credibility indexes, timely field reporting and viable adjustments of reporting of field eradication activities.

7. Serves as a primary representative at USG multi-agency working groups and meetings to address program coordination and integrated strategies for sustainable reduction of illicit crops.

8. Assists in the preparation of required reporting such as the annual budget request for International Narcotics, Crime and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds and the Mission Resource Request. Helps administer and monitor the expenditure of funds provided in support of Colombian military forces and the CNP. Prepares program documentation, including evaluations, project progress reports, and procurement requirements for eradication projects.

9. Develops Project Design, Logical Frameworks, Performance Indicators, and Performance Measurement Plans to monitor and measure effectiveness of project implementation.

10. Establishes and maintains appropriate internal management control systems. Ensures that INL Bogota programs are not subject to waste, fraud, or mismanagement. Helps manage and monitor the use of all U.S.-provided commodities intended for eradication purposes.

11. Participates, as directed, in INL Bogota's End-Use Monitoring program for assets and supplies provided by the USG to GOC counternarcotics forces.

12. As directed by the Eradication Chief, serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Grants Officer's Representative (GOR), and/or Agreements Officer's Representative (AOR) on relevant eradication support programs.

13. Assists in briefing Department, Congressional, and other international dignitaries orally and in writing on the INL Bogota-funded OCCN programs in Colombia. As directed by program manager, develops appropriate itinerary and accommodates official travelers, as necessary.

14. Contributes to the drafting of required reporting, including INL Bogota's weekly program implementation reports and ASDARs, the annual budget request for International Narcotics, Crime and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds and the Mission Resource Request, the International Narcotics Control Status Report (INCSR) Volumes I and II, the annual End-Use Monitoring Report, quarterly COR/AOR/GOR desk reviews and trip reports, and ad-hoc topical reporting cables, among other reporting requirements.

15. Maintains security awareness and properly handles classified and controlled items and information.

16. Adheres to Equal Employment Opportunity principles.

TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
1. Completes INL/CAP-implemented "INL-PREP" in-person training course within 90 days of arriving at Post.
2. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post, if not completed within the previous five years.
3. Within first two (2) weeks of arriving at post completes PS800-Cybersecurity Awareness online training.
4. Within one (1) month of arriving at post completes EX250 Annual Counterintelligence and Insider Threat Awareness Course for Cleared Americans.
5. Within one (1) month of arriving at post completes PA454- Annual Ethics Training.
6. Within one (1) month of arriving at post completes PK400-Mandatory Training for Classifiers and Users of National Security Information.
7. Within one (1) month of arriving at post completes PS801- Email at the Department of State.
8. Within two (2) months of arriving at post completes PK217- Records Management for Everyone.
9. Within 120 days of arriving at Post Completes, the Contracting Officer's Representative (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
10. Within the first six (6) months of arriving at Post completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
11. Within first six (6) months of arriving at Post completes PT176- Equal Employment Opportunity and Harassment Overview distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
12. Within first year of arriving at post completes distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI); PP420-Introduction to INL Program and Project Management, PP421- INL Financial Management, PP422- INL Contract Administration, Procurement, Policies and Procedures, PP425 Performance Monitoring and Evaluation and PP420- Writing Specific Objectives.
13. Consultations with the INL Western Hemisphere Program Office may be required prior to deployment.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Embassy - Bogotá, Colombia. Regular travel to rural areas, small towns, and occasionally to large cities throughout Colombia is a requirement of this position. Many of these areas in Colombia are conflict zones where insurgent groups are based, criminal organizations operate, and crime is generally high. In addition, many of these areas in Colombia are tropical, with high temperatures, high humidity, tropical insects and diseases, and minimal infrastructure.

RELATIONSHIPS
The Eradication Advisor will report directly to the INL Eradication Program Manager and through the Eradication Program Manager to the OCCN Division Chief, and will liaise and coordinate with INL/WHP staff in Washington, DC. The Eradication Advisor will provide general administrative and policy advice concerning overall program priorities and objectives, as well as work with INL/WHP to insure program objectives are clearly in line with INL/WHP and the U.S. Embassy Bogota integrated illicit crop reduction strategy. The Eradication Advisor will liaise with other USG agencies/governments active in the fields of policing, law enforcement, security assistance, public affairs, alternative development cooperation, and counterpart host government contacts. The advisor will also coordinate closely with other INL PSC expert advisors, including but not limited to other Eradication Advisors, INL/ARAVI advisors, the Military Advisor, the Counternarcotics Program Advisor, and the Senior Police Advisor. The Eradication Advisor will monitor and evaluate eradication projects in Colombia, analyzing their effectiveness and suggesting improvements.

The INL Eradication Program Manager will provide yearly performance evaluations for the Eradication Advisor's official annual contract review.

COMPLEXITY
This position involves national-level planning, organizing and completing budgeting and organizational analysis of enormous complexity. Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL Bogota is involved, planning, organizing, and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken will vary with little predictability. 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 ensuring compliance with legislative and policy intent and translating it into measurable program outcomes.

SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS
The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative and operational program spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Colombia, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security, medical, and ethics clearances.

2. Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution and ten (10) years related experience in the fields of law enforcement, military, security, or counternarcotics.

3. Demonstrated five (5) years of experience in managing bilateral or multilateral policing, counternarcotics, or security assistance programs.

4. Demonstrated experience:
a. Developing and managing long-term security and law enforcement programs, including assessment, monitoring and evaluation;
b. Drafting related reports/documents, annual and supplemental budget requests, and strategic plan submissions;
c. Project and program design, planning, implementation, monitoring, closing and reporting on projects with measurable outcomes;
d. Drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports for review and/or signature by senior-level officials;
e. Coordinating and working closely with the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Agency for International Development, United Nations and/or international community on security sector development programs;
f. Developing and managing project monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
g. Designing, coordinating, and implementing counternarcotics assistance programs overseas; and
h. Cultivating networks with government officials and NGOs in the context of program design and implementation.

5. Proven ability to work effectively with host-nation counterparts, departments, and ministries to further program objectives, in a timely and concise manner.

6. Demonstrated excellent oral and written English (FSI 4/4) and Spanish (FSI 3/3 or higher) communication skills.

7. Demonstrated knowledge of illicit crop reduction and control programs, methods, and operations.

8. Demonstrated knowledge of military or police capacity training.

9. Demonstrated knowledge of command communications, government intelligence procedures, and logistics management procedures.

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 experience and knowledge in developing, coordinating, organizing, and implementing programs to foreign country security forces, drafting reports for policymakers, project design and management, project management and evaluation, and cultivating relationships with foreign government officials. Experience in implementing integrated illicit crop control activities and other counternarcotics operations while ensuring quality of performance.

Factor 2: Program Experience (25 points)
Experience in program design, implementation, budgeting, performing risk management, quality control oversight, monitoring project delivery, and conducting monitoring and evaluation. Demonstrated experience in preparing program strategies, budgets, spend plans, statements of work (SOW), procurement orders, and purchase requests.

Factor 3: Management and Communication Experience (20 points)
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in both English and Spanish, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies and regulatory guidelines.

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. 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.

The Offeror Rating System is as Follows:

Evaluation Factors have been assigned the following points:
Factor #1 - 25
Factor #2 - 25
Factor #3 - 20
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)
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