USPSC Support Relief Group (SRG) Humanitarian Advisor

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 7200AA24R00080

ISSUANCE DATE: August 20, 2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: February 7, 2025, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor

(USPSC), Support Relief Group (SRG) Humanitarian Advisor

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records.

USAID will evaluate all offerors based on stated evaluation criteria. USAID encourages all individuals, including those from disadvantaged and under‐represented groups, to respond to the solicitation.

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

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in Attachment 1.

Sincerely,

Patricia Steckler Contracting Officer

Office of Acquisition & Assistance (M/OAA/BHA‐CPS/PSC)

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The United States Agency for International Development (https://www.usaid.gov/) (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) works to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helping people in need become more self‐reliant. BHA is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, achieving, monitoring, and evaluating international humanitarian assistance falling into two conceptual areas: 1) Humanitarian Response during emergencies and 2) Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience activities to address longer‐term recovery after emergencies. You can learn more about BHA on our website (https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian‐assistance).

As global crises have grown more complex and protracted, the Support Relief Group (SRG) program was developed by BHA to meet growing humanitarian needs through surge staffing capacity. The SRG program is managed by the Surge Staffing Team (SST) in BHA's Response Resources Division (R2D) in the Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO). The SRG program brings on board candidates who work for discrete periods of time, but on an intermittent basis for no more than 2007 hours (approximately 250 days) per contract year. SRG can be deployed within hours to fill urgent, high priority positions on response teams at both headquarters and in the field, backfill necessary Washington positions, be assigned to field offices for short term staff enhancement, and to assess critical situations as warranted based on speciality. SRG staff can be used for activities as short as one day or for up to several months at a time.

The activation of the SRG Humanitarian Advisor will be coordinated between the Surge Staffing Team (SST) and the Office of Global Policy, Partnerships, Programs, and Communication (G3PC). G3PC directs the Bureau’s leadership in global humanitarian policy, showcases BHA’s life‐saving work through strategic communication and information, and manages collaboration with the U.S. Interagency and external stakeholders, including public and private partners, international and multilateral organizations, non‐ governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions. The office is organized into seven divisions: Humanitarian Policy and International Systems; Humanitarian Multilateral; Humanitarian Organizations and Partnerships; Private Sector Engagement, Diaspora, and Innovation; Global Capacity and Leadership Development; U.S. Engagement, Strategy, and Programs; and Strategic Communications and Humanitarian Information.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

BHA needs to maintain a roster of SRG Humanitarian Advisors to provide the Bureau, in particular G3PC, with surge capacity during periods of increased activity and heavy workloads within the office. SRG Humanitarian Advisors are a key cadre for fulfilling coordination roles in the field and in Washington, D.C. for disaster response. SRG Humanitarian Advisors for G3PC may also provide technical advice and assistance for the analysis of policy issues ranging from displacement and humanitarian principles to disaster risk reduction; collaborate with high‐ranking officials within the international community; manage humanitarian policy awards; and work to strengthen BHA’s relationships with public international organizations, NGOs, international financial institutions, the United States Government (USG) Interagency, Congress, or other organizations such as think tanks, academic institutions, foundations, and the private sector. These positions will help the organization lead on policy issues and assist in planning for BHA strategies and responses to humanitarian crises, as well as advocate and educate on humanitarian issues, and help prepare key briefings and policy guidance.
The SRG Humanitarian Advisor will perform the following tasks:

● This position is expected to be able to qualify, train for and routinely serve on disaster/humanitarian responses in Washington DC or in the disaster area for 4 to 6 weeks (or more) intervals. These can either be Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) and/or Response Management Teams (RMTs). DARTs are deployed to the field in response to disasters and operate in the field, providing staff an opportunity to deploy overseas for an extended period of time (e.g., 6‐8 weeks). RMTs are based in Washington, DC and provide services to support DARTs, such as coordination and external engagement, communications, planning, logistics, travel coordination, or other similar duties (depending on the RMT role).

● Research, analyze, and develop policy recommendations on specific issues and matters relating to humanitarian affairs, in partnership with G3PC Divisions.
● Represent BHA in international and USG interagency forums on disaster response and humanitarian issues.
● Represent BHA at donor meetings covering a broad range of humanitarian issues.
● Assist in conducting specialized humanitarian training on the international humanitarian architecture.
● Attend various international humanitarian meetings, including meetings with United Nations (UN) agencies, NGOs, donors, and other country representatives and provide authoritative information and views to formulate humanitarian policies and coordinate strategies on policy issues for the USG.
● Work cooperatively with relevant USG offices and serve as a lead point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.
● Represent USAID at meetings with the UN, international organizations, and other donors and other conferences sponsored by members of the international community, and provide guidance and advice on USG positions, negotiate strategies, and in consultation with USAID/Washington conduct negotiations with the donor community and make recommendations to the appropriate officials in USAID.
● Work with counterparts in other donor organizations at the most senior levels to exchange information, establish meetings on specific donor issues, solicit publications, and collect information on training opportunities and coordinate these activities with relevant USAID officers.
● Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with U.S. Mission to the UN offices and relevant USG offices and serve as a lead point of contact for these groups in the area of humanitarian affairs.
● Coordinate with other federal agencies on international disaster responses and plan and organize regular meetings on disaster response and disaster risk reduction with the USG interagency.
● Provide skilled support to G3PC humanitarian policy, training, programs, public‐private engagement, communications, and interagency teams and serve as a backup staff resource to BHA’s domestic and internationally‐based staff.
● Take trainings as needed for the role.
● Act as subject matter expert and trainer for a variety of G3PC‐managed trainings.
● As needed, may serve on temporary short‐term assignments (“detail”) on other teams within the office or Bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the position’s scope of work.
● As needed, staff is expected to support BHA’s hiring efforts and serve on PSC hiring committees.

Training will be provided.
● The PSC may be expected to obtain an Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification. The AOR/COR oversees agreements and/or contracts. This includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, financial/budget reports, contractor performance evaluations, and compliance. More information about the AOR/COR responsibilities and related requirements can be found in the COR designation letter (https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/302mar) and the AOR designation letter (https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/303mai). In the event that this role requires an AOR/COR certification, mandatory training will be provided.

● The SRG Humanitarian Advisor does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short‐term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12‐month contract year.

Supervisory Relationship
The USPSC will take direction from and report to the FARO/Response Resources Division Chief or their designee. During activation, day to day work is under the general supervision of a G3PC Division Chief or designee.

Supervisory Controls
The supervisor provides administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. USPSC independently plans, designs and carries out projects, studies, and programs. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative. There is no higher level official technically responsible for administering the program/project.

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the education and experience factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● A High School Diploma or its equivalent with at least ten (10) years of experience in international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, political science, public policy, or a related field. Experience must include a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in either domestic or international civilian‐led disaster relief or humanitarian assistance efforts.

OR

● A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least six (6) years of experience in international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, political science, public policy, or a related field. Experience must include a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in either domestic or international civilian‐led disaster relief or humanitarian assistance efforts.

OR
● A Master's in any discipline with at least four (4) years of experience in international relations, human rights, economics, public health, disaster management, political science, public policy, or a related field. Experience must include a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in either domestic or international civilian‐led disaster relief or humanitarian assistance efforts.

AND

● Experience leading international emergency response efforts, humanitarian assistance programs, humanitarian coordination teams, or humanitarian policy issues from an overseas, regional or headquarters‐based office.
● Experience working with multiple stakeholders across the USG interagency or within the humanitarian community.
● Experience making policy or programmatic recommendations to senior leaders on international emergency response or humanitarian situations.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215‐
1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215‐1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. FAR provisions of this solicitation are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.
The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

III.A SELECTION FACTORS
(Determines basic eligibility for the position. Offerors who do not meet all of the selection factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.)
● Offeror is a U.S. Citizen.
● Complete resume submitted. See section IV for resume requirements. Experience that cannot be quantified will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
● USPSC Offeror form AID 309‐2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures may be accepted.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. If there is a change in circumstances requiring access to National Security information classified at the Top‐Secret level, the offeror may be asked
to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of an offer or removal.

● Ability to obtain a Department of State medical clearance and maintain it throughout the life of the contract. More information on medical clearance classifications can be found in 16 FAM 211.2 Clearance Classifications or the Department of State webpage on medical clearances.
● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.

III.B OFFEROR RATING SYSTEM
The offeror rating system factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified offerors in comparison to other offerors. Offerors must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided.
The rating factors are as follows:

Education and General Experience See Section II Pass or Fail
Specialized Experience See Section II 30 points
Interview See Section III.C 60 points
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks See Section III.D. 10 points

III.C Interview (60 points)

During the interview process, a selection panel will assess the candidate’s suitability for the position.

III.D Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)
Offerors must provide their references to USAID upon request no later than seven (7) days from the initial request. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the offeror being removed from consideration for this solicitation. In addition, the Agency has the right to seek any additional feedback on the offeror as needed.

Total Possible Points: 100

BASIS OF RATING: Offerors who meet the Education/Experience requirements and Selection Factors will be further evaluated in accordance with the Offeror Rating System. Those offerors determined to be competitively ranked may also be evaluated on interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks.

Offerors are required to address each factor of the Offeror Rating System in their resume, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to each factor. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to address the selection factors and/or Offeror Rating System factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The most qualified offerors may be interviewed and required to provide a writing sample. BHA will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews.

Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for offerors being considered for selection.

Note: Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. BHA reserves the right to select additional offerors if vacancies become available during the future phase of the selection process.