SOLICITATION NOTICE
99 -- Senior Justice Advisor
- Notice Date
- 11/17/2023 9:33:03 AM
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 921190
— Other General Government Support
- Contracting Office
- ACQUISITIONS - INL WASHINGTON DC 20520 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20520
- Solicitation Number
- PSC-24-015-INL
- Response Due
- 12/1/2023 12:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 12/16/2023
- Point of Contact
- Dominique Chittum
- E-Mail Address
-
chittumda@state.gov
(chittumda@state.gov)
- Description
- 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: Senior Justice Advisor Location: Washington, DC Salary Level:�� �GS-14 - $132,368 - $172,075 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: November 17, 2023 Closing date:�� �December 1, 2023 Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET Solicitation Number:�� � PSC-24-015-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: 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.� 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: �� �Dominique Chittum �� �U.S. Department of State �� �INL/EX/GAPP �� �ChittumDA@state.gov 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. Equal employment opportunity policy - The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: ChittumDA@state.gov Direct questions regarding this solicitation to: INL/Dominique Chittum E-mail: ChittumDA@state.gov 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): The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is part of the Under Secretariat for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J) within the Department of State (DOS). �INL�s mission is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States and its citizens by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. � INL is the lead bureau responsible for narcotics control assistance activities and international criminal justice issues for the Department. �The Office of Knowledge Management�s Technical Advisory Division (INL/KM/TAD) provides technical assistance and advisory services to INL program offices in addressing the full range of criminal justice development issues in over 70 partner countries around the globe. �INL/KM/TAD assists the bureau to develop strategic partnerships with U.S. state, county, municipal, and federal law enforcement, the justice sector, and corrections agencies and institutions to bring up-to-date and relevant expertise to bear on INL programs. � Criminal justice assistance is a core component of rule of law development and fundamental to sustainably building partner nation capacity to combat destabilizing crime and corruption and promote good governance. �Currently, INL designs, implements, and monitors criminal justice programs in numerous countries, employing hundreds of people in the field to implement these programs. �Programs include training and building capacity of civilian security and justice sector institutions; helping host countries develop new legal framework or institutions to combat corruption, financial crimes, trafficking of illicit goods, and other transnational crime; deployment of mentors, trainers, or other technical advisors; and provision of infrastructure and equipment. The Senior Justice Advisor is expected to provide guidance and assistance on a full range of legal and judicial reform issues. �The Senior Justice Advisor will provide technical criminal justice expertise within INL, and on behalf of the Bureau, in interagency and international settings. �S/he will serve as a resource for INL program managers by providing expert guidance in how to assess, design, and monitor justice sector programs (including in the areas of civil, common, and mixed judicial systems; access to justice; court administration; legal training; and prosecutorial, defense bar, and judicial reform) that are consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals and directives.� DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the Washington-based INL/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Lead or his/her designee, the Advisor will perform the following duties: 1.�� �Work with the INL/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Lead on all substantive and bureaucratic tasks in INL�s justice programs. � 2.�� �Conduct assessments and/or reviews of criminal justice systems in partner countries and/or existing INL programs and procedures as a predicate to the development and implementation of initiatives and projects designed to improve the criminal justice systems overseas. �Write and contribute to assessment and other relevant reports in a timely manner. 3.�� �Plan educational and training sessions for INL staff on a variety of topics within their field of expertise.� 4.�� �Serve as an advisory resource for the Bureau, especially program officers in Washington and in the field on specific aspects of criminal justice reform efforts, especially to inform Bureau strategy, doctrine, policy, and program design on access to justice and other priority issues.� 5.�� �Participate as a technical expert in technical review panels. � 6.�� �Provide professional guidance, assistance, and information to INL staff as required with respect to foreign criminal justice actors and institutions, including in the area of performance measures. 7.�� �Draft or contribute to strategy, doctrine, policy, and advocacy papers, attend meetings and conferences, and represent INL in interagency and international fora on work related to INL. � 8.�� �Facilitate exchange of information and best practices to ensure robust communication on rule of law issues within INL. �Keep abreast of latest trends, news, and updates in criminal justice sector field. 9.�� �Prepare background materials, speeches, and talking points for a range of Department staff including but not limited to the INL/KM leadership (e.g., Office Director, Division Chief), INL Front Office, and Department principles. 10.�� �Participate in outreach activities with domestic and international legal communities to increase awareness of INL programs and policies, assist in the recruitment of short and long-term experts for INL projects, and advance coordination and partnerships with the international justice community.� 11.�� �Conduct legal research, maintain a comprehensive knowledge, and provide expertise to INL on international justice system development and foreign criminal justice systems. 12.�� �Coordinate with INL program offices and embassies to conduct strategic planning in the justice sector, including developing new initiatives and reviewing programs for effectiveness. 13.�� �Serve as an advisory resource for INL and the Department writ large on specific aspects of planning and implementation of justice reform programs. 14.�� �Assist in the oversight, monitoring, coordination, and assessment of INL programs to ensure deliverables and foreign assistance priorities are being fulfilled. 15.�� �Foster interagency cooperation among actors conducting rule of law support operations and INL. 16.�� �Organize and participates in meetings, seminars, and exercises to develop plans and programs for implementation of INL judicial sector assistance and improve overall capacities to effectively reform the judicial system. 17.�� �Participate in outreach activities with domestic and international rule of law communities to increase awareness of INL programs and policies and solicit greater cooperation and participation.� 18.�� �Deploy programmatic initiatives targeted at reducing corruption across all community sectors, including justice, advocating principles of good governance, access to justice, and reform. 19.�� �Introduce innovative technological applications that increase the efficiency, expediency, and organization of the justice delivery system. 20.�� �Draft reports and cables detailing pertinent activities in the justice sector. 21.�� �Prepare background materials and reports used by INL leadership in preparing reports, speeches, briefings, and testimony to articulate INL engagement on justice sector reform. 22.�� �Assist the Bureau with developing lessons to be learned and best practices from INL criminal justice reform efforts and programs to develop recommendations for U.S. foreign policy and foreign assistance interventions and inform INL�s approach in other bilateral and regional programs. � 23.�� �Draft Statements of Work (SOWs,) reports, program plans, training curricula, or other materials as needed that support the effort of INL and program offices in this endeavor. 24.�� �Work effectively under pressure, within short time constraints, and during times of rapidly developing events in austere conditions. 25.�� �Act as a Grants Officer Representative (GOR), Contracting Officer Representative (COR), or Agreements Officer Representative (AOR) in support of INL/KM/TAD criminal justice programs and perform program management and design functions. � 26.�� �Establish direct and frequent liaison with appropriate directors, managers, and officers of relevant U.S. government federal agencies, state and local bar associations, public defender services and district attorney offices, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations in order to coordinate on relevant rule of law programs. 27.�� �Maintain knowledge of and provide advice on domestic and international best practices to improve meaningful access to justice, especially for communities that may be marginalized and/or subject to discrimination and violence in INL partner countries. Facilitate input and consultation, as appropriate, with stakeholders from such communities to better understand their needs and interests and ensures INL programs and initiatives are carried out with the highest regard to �do no harm� principles, as well as confidentiality and privacy considerations of beneficiaries.� 28.�� �Coordinate across INL domestic offices and overseas sections to support foreign policy and foreign assistance efforts that advance implementation of the 2021 National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality; Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017; U.S. Strategy on WPS; Department of State WPS implementation plan for 2020-2023; as well as other related strategies and policy initiatives.� 29.�� �When required, perform the role of Duty Officer. 30.�� �Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work. 31.�� �Perform services that fall within the general scope of work and overall INL mission at physical locations other than Washington INL headquarters, including within other INL offices, bureaus, or other USG agencies for a period not to exceed six (6) months.� TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES 1.�� �Completes the COR (PA296) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of onboarding. � PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The place of performance for this position is Washington, D.C. �Frequent domestic and overseas travel is required. RELATIONSHIP The Senior Justice Advisor will report to the INL/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Leader, who reports to the INL/KM/TAD Division Chief. This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities. The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. �In no instance shall the INL/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Leader 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/KM/TAD Corrections and Justice Team Leader 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. TELEWORK� This position has been designated as 80% telework and will require the incumbent to report to the physical work location twice per pay period. This designation does not guarantee telework privileges for the PSC; INL reserves the right to expand the requirement for in-person presence at the physical work location if the PSC is unable to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position remotely. INL may also require the incumbent to report to the physical work location additional days within a pay period as required to support office or program needs.� Telework must be authorized in advance by the PSC�s supervisor and the INL Contracting Officer (CO). COMPLEXITY The work involves managing and providing technical expertise for various justice sector reform programs, simultaneously. �The ability to perform complex analysis, meet short deadlines, and multi-task successfully is essential. �� SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS The Senior Justice Advisor performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full range of criminal justice and rule of law programs worldwide, which are 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 with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable). (Security clearance upgrade to Top Secret level may be required.) 2.�� �J.D. or international equivalent from an accredited law school. 3.�� �A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience working as a criminal prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, or other position of significant leadership, management, or senior legal advisory responsibility in a domestic court, prosecutorial, or criminal defense organization AND a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience working in international justice sector development; or, a.�� �A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience working in international rule of law or justice sector development. 4.�� �Demonstrated experience in planning, strategizing, implementing, and reporting on projects. 5.�� �Proficient at Microsoft Office Suite. 6.�� �Professional work experience overseas implementing rule of law projects, particularly access to justice projects. 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:�� �Justice Sector Knowledge�� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� � (20 points) Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with a range of justice sector issues, such as prosecution, court management, access to justice, criminal defense, and civil society engagement, especially in an international setting. �Knowledge of justice sector reform efforts implemented by INL or other relevant U.S. government agencies (e.g., Departments of Justice and Defense, USAID). Demonstrated knowledge of bilateral and multilateral organizations engaged in criminal justice reform efforts. Experience providing policy and programmatic technical guidance to a wide audience of interested U.S. agencies and multilateral partners.� FACTOR 2:�� �Program Experience�� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� �(15 points) Demonstrated experience managing or implementing U.S. foreign assistance programs in developing countries. Demonstrated experience and ability to assess current programs and assist in developing and planning for improving U.S. capacities to implement justice programs. Familiarity with project design and development, program evaluations, strategic planning, and performance metrics. Demonstrated skill and ability in managing multiple concurrent activities of varying complexity including changing priorities and short turn-around times.� FACTOR 3:�� �International and Interagency Experience�� ��� ��� ��� � (15 points) Demonstrated experience working or coordinating with other relevant U.S. government agencies (e.g., Departments of Justice and Defense, USAID), donor countries, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, especially related to the criminal justice field. Experience working on international criminal justice issues and reform, including working overseas on a foreign assistance mission, in an embassy, or for a non-governmental organization, multilateral organization, or private company. FACTOR 4:�� �Interpersonal, Communication and Technology Skills�� ��� � (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 with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies, and other regulatory guidelines; and advise program officials. Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment while liaising with members of relevant U.S. agencies and the international community for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information and developing complementary policies and programs.� �� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� � 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 GS-14 equivalent level ($132,368 - $172,075 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�
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(https://sam.gov/opp/50d9a544726c4792ba610c1fb3a9838a/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Washington, DC, USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN06889199-F 20231119/231117230053 (samdaily.us)
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