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INL Maritime Advisor
ISSUANCE DATE: 07/01/2011
CLOSING DATE: 08/08/2011
SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-11-033-INL
Gentlemen/Ladies:
SUBJECT: Solicitation for a PSC to serve under DOS in INL. The United States Government (USG), represented by the DOS, is seeking proposals (OF 612's) from U.S. citizens interested in providing the PSC services described in the Statement of Duties. Submissions shall be in accordance with the information provided herein and at the place and time specified.
Any questions may be directed to Amy Kara, INL/RM/MS, DOS, who may be reached at FAX No. (202) 776-8686 OR E-Mail at [email protected]. Application should be sent via Fed Ex or DHL, facsimile, OR E-Mail. The use of US Mail is not recommended and may NOT be received in time prior to the closing date of this announcement. All applications shall be submitted by email OR Fax OR courier to:
Amy Kara
US Department of State
2430 E. Street, NW
INL/RM/RM, Navy Hill South Building
Washington, D.C. 20037
Late applications shall not be accepted, unless there was a mishandling once received in DOS. Along with the OF 612, applicants shall provide a resume and three written references including contact information. Applicants are also requested to provide their full mailing address (fax, telephone and/or e-mail where applicable). Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures, which accompany their proposals. The Solicitation number must be referenced on your OF-612. There is one position that will be filled from this solicitation.
1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: PSC-11-033-INL
2. ISSUANCE DATE: 07/01/2011
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED 08/08/2011
4. FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 16:00 PM ET
5. POSITION TITLE: INL Maritime Advisor
6. MARKET VALUE: FS-03 (GS-13 Equivalent)
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year from the date of award
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Jose, Costa Rica
9. JOB DESCRIPTION: See below
US Personal Services Contract
US Department of State
Bureau for International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
American Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica
General Statement of the Purpose of this Contract and Responsibilities of the Contractor:
In 1999, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded a maritime assessment by the US Coast Guard (USCG) in response to a request by the Government of Costa Rica (GOCR). The assessment resulted with a recommendation that PSC position be created and assigned to the US Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica. Maritime engineering technical expertise is required by the Costa Rican Coast Guard (CRCG) to maintain operational status and implement a preventative maintenance plan for seven vessels and twelve small boats.
The purpose of the INL Maritime Advisor position is to support the implementation of the United States Government (USG) and the GOCR Maritime Counterdrug Bilateral Agreement.
Level of Effort
1. The Advisor will report directly to the Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) at the US Embassy, San Jose.
2. The Advisor will be based at the US Embassy and may have an annex office at the CRCG offices located in Puntarenas/Caldera. The Advisor will have significant responsibility for training in Costa Rica and will be required to travel frequently throughout Costa Rica, Central America, and the US.
3. The Advisor will consult and coordinate with the Office of the Defense Representative (ODR) in San Jose, as necessary.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Implement a US sponsored CRCG development plan.
2. Conduct and coordinate training for CRCG personnel. Implement a preventative maintenance program, the renovation of existing CRCG bases, and the integration of Merida funded interceptor vessels to CRCG fleet.
3. Review and advise on the purchases and refurbishment of vessels, as well as, on maintenance and operational training.
4. Assist in the establishment of a preventative maintenance and inventory program that will be essential to the success of the Merida/Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI)-funded and SOUTHCOM-sponsored Enduring Friendship Program, and the operational capabilities of the Coast Guard.
5. Provide technical advice to the NAS and CRCG Directors on maintaining the safe, operational status of all USG donated and CRCG patrol vessels.
6. Provide technical advice/support through the NAS to the CRCG to enable the patrol boat engineers to maintain safe operational status of the patrol and small boats. Provide advice on repairs, ordering spare parts, and supplies.
7. Arrange / manage civilian and military engineering mobile training teams' visits, which will provide additional specialized outboard motor maintenance and other engineering training to the CRCG. Recommend and arrange travel for selected Costa Rican officials to the US for engineering training.
8. Assist the NAS in project budget preparation and program planning. Define and make recommendations on commodity procurements and preparation of related project documentation.
9. Provide advice to the CRCG Director concerning their maintenance and repair budget.
10. Oversee and coordinate, the dry dock periods of various US donated patrol vessels in Costa Rica and supervise funded contracts for dry dock periods:
- One 105-ft Patrol Boat - Swift ship builds w/3 MTU 331B diesel engines
- Three 82-ft Patrol Boat - former USCG cutter w/2 Caterpillar diesel engines
- Two 65-ft Patrol Boat - Swift ship built w/2 MTU 8V331 diesel engines
- One 42-ft Patrol Boat - Swift ship built w/2 MTU 8V331, diesel engines
- Three 38 -ft Small Patrol Boats - Two are outboard engines and one in-board
- Two 32-foot Small Patrol Boats-outboard engines
- Two 26-foot Small Patrol Boats-outboard engines
- Two 25-foot Small Patrol Boats-outboard engines
- One 22-foot Small Patrol Boat-outboard engines
- Two 20-foot Small Patrol Boats-outboard engines
- Two 33-ft Interceptor Boat - SAFE Boats International built w/3 outboard gas engines, due Jun 2011.
11. Assist the CRCG to evaluate, repair, or dispose of operational patrol boats:
- Three 82-ft Patrol Boat - former USCG cutter
- Two 65 ft. Patrol Boats - Swift ship built
- One 32-ft Patrol Boat - APEX built
12. Assist the CRCG to establish an industry-standard, bi-level small boat, and outboard gas engine maintenance program. The standard bi-level program consists of user-level preventive maintenance and a centralized, depot-level maintenance center. The program will be required to conduct repairs and routine maintenance for twelve small boats (ranging from 18-30ft) and approximately thirty outboard engines (ranging from 90-200 HP).
Minimum Qualifications
1. US Citizenship, able to obtain/maintain a DOS Secret security and medical clearance.
2. Work experience:
- Five (5) years of Marine machinery technician experience.
- Five (5) years of Supervisory Marine Engineering experience.
- Five (5) years of marine fleet logistics management systems and practices.
- Five (5) years of marine vessel operation and underway marine engineering.
- Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and perform repairs on marine systems.
- Demonstrated troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repair capabilities of a highly skilled marine machinery technician involving shipboard and small boat systems.
- Five (5) years of common commercial warranty processes.
3. Strong customer service skills and the ability to work with limited supervision is required.
4. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
5. A minimum of ten (10) years experience in related field.
6. Superior interpersonal skills when working with senior level management.
7. Superior English communications skills both oral and written.
8. Ability to speak and write Spanish at the FSI Level 3/3.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Knowledge of maritime interdiction operations or similar program development and implementation in an international environment.
2. Experience working or coordinating with other relevant US government agencies (e.g., Departments of Justice and Defense, USAID) and/or international organizations.
3. Knowledge of US federal government procurement.
Reports Requirements and Distribution
The Advisor shall submit a monthly progress report, as requested by NAS. Both the progress report and a completion of assignment report, which shall be a comprehensive review of the projects in which the Advisor was involved. The assignment report shall include critiques of and recommendations for the various projects and is to be completed within fifteen days prior to the expiration of this contract.
Complexity
The Advisor must be able to assess host country maritime needs, develop, and manage maritime projects in coordination with host-country officials, ensure sustainability of projects through provision of appropriate training/maintenance, ability to integrate competing needs, development, and security agencies, and Costa Rican government entities involved in maritime activities.
Physical Demands
The Advisor's work is both physical and sedentary in nature and involves activity at both the US Embassy and other field locations. The Advisor must be able to demonstrate technical skills. Travel to the US and regions outside Costa Rica will be required, especially for end-use monitoring of USG donated property.
Work Environment
The Advisor's work will occur in the field and at the US Embassy for meetings, program implementation, activity reviews, field inspection, and program evaluation. The Advisor must be able to work independently in remote areas for short periods of time.
Evaluation Criteria
Factor 1 Offeror's demonstrated ability to develop and implement technical assistance in marine vessels, as well as, ability to provide operational and policy guidance to the PNAO. (30 points)
Factor 2 Offeror's demonstrated performance managing planning, budgeting, and oversight functions at an agency-wide level. (20 points)
Factor 3 Offeror's demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment, especially with local, state, or national authorities. (20 points)
Factor 4 Offeror's demonstrated ability to liaise with relevant USG agencies, domestic law enforcement, Coast Guard/Maritime agencies, and the international community for the purpose of sharing information and developing complementary policies / programs. (20 points)
Factor 5 Past performance and the offeror's previous experience and quality of performance. In conducting the evaluation the Government reserves the right to utilize all evaluation info available at the time of evaluation, whether provided by the applicant or obtained from references. (10 points)
COMPENSATION
Compensation for the position will be negotiated as follows: Level of experience will dictate the salary level within the grade range. Entry-level salary will normally be at the first step of the grade range for the position. However, consideration will be given to the successful applicant's experience that is specifically relevant to the position to be filled. Number of years of relevant experience will determine at what step within the grade range the successful applicant will be compensated.
BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES
AS A MATTER OF POLICY, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:
BENEFITS
Employee's FICA Contribution
Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance
Pay Comparability Adjustment
Annual Increase
Eligibility for Worker's Compensation
Annual & Sick Leave
ALLOWANCES (if applicable).
Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance (Section 120).
Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130).
Post Allowance (Section 220).
Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230).
Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260).
Education Allowance (Section 270).
Education Travel (Section 280).
Post Differential (Chapter 500).
Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600).
Danger Pay (Section 650).