USPSC, Support Relief Group (SRG) Senior Safety and Security 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.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT
The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) is a diverse, mission-driven team of experts leading the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) operational readiness and excelling in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Together, we create a safe environment where we inspire and enable our staff to achieve their full potential.
SRG is a program developed by BHA to satisfy its growing need for surge capacity. The SRG program brings on board candidates who work full-time for discrete periods of time, but on an intermittent basis for no more than 2007 hours (approximately 250 days) per calendar year. SRG can be deployed within hours to backfill Washington positions, be assigned to field offices for staff enhancement, to serve on response teams at both headquarters and in the field, and to assess critical situations as warranted. SRG staff can be used for activations as short as one day or for up to several months at a time. It takes talented people with unique experiences to provide the best humanitarian aid possible. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. We strive to create an inclusive workplace, where everyone brings their authentic selves to work.
Activation of the Senior Safety and Security Advisor will be coordinated with the Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Team (HASST) in FARO’s Field Operations Division. HASST provides strategic advice, technical expertise and operational support to BHA decision makers and staff in support of our mission to save lives and alleviate suffering. This is achieved through multi-tiered engagement and assistance to support capacity building within the humanitarian community; technical guidance focused on fostering a culture of effective safety and security risk management; the provision of training and support to empower staff to make responsible decisions appropriate to complex security environments; and the development of innovative tools and systems to enable BHA’s mission and field work.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED
● Guide and contribute to a collaborative and effective team environment while setting the tone and example for open communication and regular coordination; a work environment conducive to mutual respect; clear expectations for performance; and clear delegations of roles, responsibilities, and authority.
● Models a leadership style that prioritizes their team and organization first and exemplary access negotiation and de-escalation skills in the safety and security sector critical to the delivery of civilian-based international humanitarian assistance.
● Guide appropriate safety and security interventions within BHA activities and provide technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and U.S. Government (USG) colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related humanitarian access, safety, and security.
● Serve as BHA subject-matter expert on specialized humanitarian safety and security management topics.
● Mentor team members to build technical and other professional skills which meet the professional goals of staff and the needs of BHA, including in preparation for and during deployments (when practicable).
● Participate in and help lead work with BHA’s geographic offices and regional teams, both at headquarters and in the field, to coordinate, monitor, and track the activities of BHA humanitarian programs as they relate to safety and security.
● Provide or oversee (and remain informed about) general and country-specific security guidance and briefings to BHA staff.
● Participate in and help lead BHA’s management of critical security incidents and the systems and processes in support of critical incident management.
● Deploy to the field in support of the geographic offices and their regional teams’ operational safety and security needs, including comprehensive risk assessments and development of safety and security risk management plans. Mentor new team members.

● Serve as subject matter expert and exercise substantial latitude for operational security decision-making as delegated by field-team leaders.

● Develop, deliver, and co-lead course content and serve as a resource speaker on established HASST training modules at BHA training courses.
● Participate in and help lead review BHA partner safety and security plans for adherence to USAID/BHA Emergency Application Guidelines.
● Lead coordination and liaison activities with various elements of USAID, primarily the Office of Security, in both Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and Response Management Team (RMT) situations and on relevant USAID security policy, and with Mission Executive Officers as needed in the field.
● Liaise with other USG agencies in the field and in Washington, D.C., as appropriate, especially with the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Regional Security Officers at post.
● Liaise with the various elements of the humanitarian community in the field and at the headquarters level, including United Nations (UN) Department of Safety & Security, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, local and international non-governmental organizations, and members of the International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement.
● Administer or oversee (and remain informed about) BHA’s safety and security information distribution and related lists.
● Develop and deliver deployment-specific safety and security plans.

● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.
● Demonstrate an understanding of the value of differing perspectives, cultural norms, and gender in the work environment.
● Demonstrate consistent accountability for adherence to and knowledge of laws, executive orders, and USAID’s policies which prohibit Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-EEO infringements as well as the Agency’s policy that strictly prohibits sexual misconduct, including harassment; exploitation or abuse of any kind among staff or implementing partners; and gender-based discrimination.

● May be requested to be on-call/sign up for and serve on Washington-based RMTs, which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
● May serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. 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). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. 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.
● May serve on temporary details within the bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.
● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, monthly status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in the Contract Performance Assessment Review System (CPARS). They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
● The SRG Senior Safety and Security 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.

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.
Bachelor’s degree in any field plus a minimum of nine (9) years of experience working in humanitarian assistance, emergency management, safety and security operations, or crisis management. At least four (4) years should be international field work in humanitarian safety and security.
OR
Master’s degree in any field plus a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian assistance, emergency management, safety and security operations, or crisis management. At least four (4) years should be international field work in humanitarian safety and security.

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.
Bachelor’s degree in any field plus a minimum of nine (9) years of experience working in humanitarian assistance, emergency management, safety and security operations, or crisis management. At least four (4) years should be international field work in humanitarian safety and security.
OR
Master’s degree in any field plus a minimum of seven (7) years of experience working in humanitarian assistance, emergency management, safety and security operations, or crisis management. At least four (4) years should be international field work in humanitarian safety and security.
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.
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 Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.
● Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance throughout the contract.
● Must not appear as an excluded party in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
● Satisfactory verification of academic credentials.
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: MATRIX (30 points)
Professional Experience
• Experience managing and leading humanitarian safety and security projects or portfolios for civilian-based international humanitarian assistance on behalf of a humanitarian donor organization, grantee, or grantmaking organization. (10 points)
• Experience designing, or collaborating on, or monitoring highly complex safety and security interventions for civilian-based international humanitarian assistance teams and leadership. (10 points)
• Experience exhibiting exemplary access negotiation and de-escalation skills in the safety and security sector critical to the delivery of civilian-based international humanitarian assistance (10 points)
Interview Performance (50 points)
Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (20 points)
Offerors must provide their references to BHA upon request no later than seven (7) days from initial request. Failure to meet this requirement will lead to a score of zero (0) in this portion of the Offeror Rating System.

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.