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:  INL Coordinator               

Location:  San Jose, Costa Rica     

Salary Level: FS-02 - $89,505 - $131,441 (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:  Tuesday, November 09, 2021                   

Closing date:  Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Closing Time: 3PM EST                 

Solicitation Number: PSC-22-001-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:

• 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.
• Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
• Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
• Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
• 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.

3.  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 receive that are relevant to each Factor.  

4. 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:

            Janette Dull

            U.S. Department of State

            INL/EX/GAPP

            [email protected]

Sincerely,

Katelynn 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/Janette Dull

E-mail: [email protected]

Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:

INL/Janette Dull

E-mail: [email protected]

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

Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

Statement of Work (SOW)

U.S. Embassy – San Jose, Costa Rica

INL Coordinator

FS-02 (GS-14 Equivalent)

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 Office of Western Hemisphere Programs (INL/WHP) is part of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, (INL).  INL/WHP provides policy guidance and develops and monitors programs to address the full range of border, security and justice sector issues.  The areas addressed include institutional capacity building, professionalization of justice sector personnel through training initiatives, expanding legal aid services, fostering coordination within the criminal justice system, increasing public awareness and access to justice, construction and remodeling of facilities, and improving the Costa Rican justice and security systems throughout the country.

This position is located in International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office San Jose (INL/SJ), with duty in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The purpose of this Personal Services Contract (PSC) is to serve as the principal coordinator for the INL section, which provides security and justice sector reform support in Costa Rica.  The position is responsible for overall management of the INL programs, including personnel, budgeting, acquisition, logistics, information technology, and evaluation of INL Costa Rica security and justice sector projects with a combined annual budget of approximately $32.5 million.  The position helps coordinate among the procurement section, INL Costa Rica program staff,  INL Costa Rica leadership, and other sections within the U.S. Embassy.  The INL Coordinator provides advisory services on wide‐ranging policy and technical administrative matters relative to United States foreign assistance through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the INL Costa Rica Director or his/her designee, the INL Coordinator will perform the following duties:

1. Assists in the oversight, monitoring, coordination, and assessment of INL programs to ensure deliverables and foreign assistance priorities set by the Embassy are being fulfilled as directed by the INL Costa Rica team.
    
2. Ensures that INL Costa Rica and the Embassy front office receive timely information and reporting on programs so that policy decisions are fully informed by programmatic reporting. 
    
3. Assists with designing, developing, and writing contract and grant solicitations, bilateral letters of agreement, and budget plans.
    
4. Provides advice and assistance on improving police and justice sector administration and resource management.
    
5. Provides technical assistance to Costa Rica’s security and justice sector leadership, which will develop a long-term strategy for modernizing and strengthening Costa Rican institutions.
    
6. Generates support for and advances United States policy objectives actively with key host government officials.  Coordinates with interagency representatives at the U.S. Embassy and/or in the region on activities to ensure a coherent approach to overall management of criminal justice sector assistance in international criminal justice programs.
    
7. Plans and develops training programs in Costa Rica and throughout the region in accordance with U.S. Embassy and Department of State goals and objectives.  Undertakes their implementation, while monitoring and reporting significant developments.  As necessary, makes mid-course adjustments and closes out programs when complete.
    
8. Provides strategic planning and process development on all phases of project execution from development through implementation, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, monitoring, and coordination.
    
9. Liaises actively with INL/Washington to ensure regular coordination of objectives, key issues, obstacles, and successes.
    
10. Identifies logistical support requirements; provides advice and assistance in preparation of documentation for procurement of technical services, training, and commodities and the monitoring of procurement actions, including drafting source origin waivers, bid solicitations, scopes of work, delivery, and acceptance of items procured to support the INL Costa Rica.
     
11. Develops budget plans for INL Costa Rica and regional CARSI programs to ensure projects accord with policies and objectives of U.S. goals and objectives.
     
12. Assists with host government officials’ projects that support United States and partner-nation counter organized crime and institution building objectives.
     
13. Ensures USG-provided commodities are utilized effectively and that no fraud, waste, or mismanagement occurs in the program through continuous oversight and end use monitoring.
     
14. Manages large-scale contract mechanisms put in place to achieve program objectives and acts as Contracting Officer Representative for major construction and procurement initiatives.
     
15. Supervises U.S. contractors funded under the program, as well as other locally employed staff and personal services contractors, as assigned.
     
16. Prepares, coordinates, and ensures the timely issuance of both one-time and periodic reports on the various programs to include the impact of programs on narcotics trafficking, institutional strengthening and public support for security services. 
     
17. Coordinates periodic status reports, budget reports, and program reviews.  Tracks progress of training in achieving larger CARSI Initiative goals. 
     
18. Attends embassy law enforcement meetings as required and reports on major issues, including the status of INL projects.
     
19. When required, perform the role of Duty Officer.
     
    TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES

1. Completes the Contracting Officer Representative (PA296) distance-learning course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of arriving at Post. 
    
2. Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first six months of arriving at Post.
    
3. Completes the mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (CT650) prior to deployment to Post. 
    
4. Consults with the INL Program Office within 30 days of arriving at post.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position is based in San Jose, Costa Rica.                     

RELATIONSHIPS

The Coordinator will be under the leadership and direction of the U.S. Embassy San Jose INL Section’s (INL Costa Rica) Director or designee and works closely with INL Costa Rica’s program managers and specialists responsible for developing and implementing INL programs.

The Coordinator reports to and receives broad policy guidance and general direction from the INL Director or designee.  The Coordinator proceeds independently in planning and implementing many aspects of organizational, project, and logistical operations.  The Coordinator’s actions, decisions, and recommendations are reviewed on the basis of results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations.

COMPLEXITY

Develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of the program, and develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.  Coordinating plans with various other groups including international donors, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Government of Costa Rica can be complicated.

Projects require dynamic leadership, expertise, and complex innovation; and the ability to single-handedly or in concert with a variety of other stakeholders resolve critical problems and achieve difficult goals that may affect other programs.  They are broad in scope and complicated by many complex features, technical, administrative, or political in nature. The successful candidate must possess expertise in procurement procedures and logistics, which must be coupled with an efficient, effective communication style in order to coordinate among INL leadership, procurement staff, and programmatic staff.

SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS

The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counter narcotics programs in Costa Rica, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress.

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 and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State Secret level security, medical, and ethics – if applicable clearances.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Foreign Affairs, Project Management, or a related field.
3. Demonstrated two (2) years supervisory and leadership experience in a multi-cultural environment, including the full range of management skills, such as mentoring and counseling subordinates. 
4. Minimum of seven (7) years of management experience related to project management, international development, international affairs, political science, and/or public administration.
5. Excellent writing and communication skills.
6. Demonstrated superior interpersonal, and managerial skills.
7. Proficient at basic office computer programs.
8. Demonstrated ability to adjust application of best practices, lessons learned, and international norms to an overseas environment.
9. Superior interpersonal skills working with all levels.
10. Demonstrated superior communications skills, oral and written, in English and Spanish.
     
    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                                                                              (20 Points)

Demonstrated work experience in managing complex projects which include determining and validating requirements, implementing progress on projects, and coordinating efforts among interagency stakeholders.

Factor 2:        Program Experience                                                                        (15 points)

Demonstrated experience in preparing budgets, acquisition plans, statements of work (SOW), procurement orders, purchase requests, sole-source justification waiver requests.

Factor 3:        International Experience                                                                 (15 points)

Demonstrated ability to liaise with members of relevant USG agencies, Host National representatives, and the international community in developing and coordinating justice programs. 

Factor 4:        Management & Communication Experience                                (20 points)

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with others at all levels to prepare, analyze, explain and defend determinations and requirements in conformance with applicable laws, policies and other regulatory guidelines; and advise program officials.

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 – 20

Factor #2 – 15

Factor #3 – 15

Factor #4 – 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)

This position has been designated at the FS-02/GS-14 equivalent level ($89,505 - $131,441 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