USPSC Technical Writer/Editor at US Agency for International Development

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA22R00005

ISSUANCE DATE: December 02, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: May 27, 2022, 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time

SUBJECT: Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC)

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Humanitarian and Management Operations (HBMO), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Technical Writer/Editor under a United States Personal Services Contract (USPSC), as described in the solicitation.

Submittals must be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified. Offerors interested in applying for this position MUST submit the following materials:

1. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:

(a) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. 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) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification.

(d) U.S. Citizenship

(e) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (beta.SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).

Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.

2. USPSC Offeror form AID 309-2. Offerors are required to complete sections A through I. This form must be physically signed. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. AID 309-2 is available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.

NOTE REGARDING ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS

The contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.

NOTE REGARDING DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBERS AND THE SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

**

All USPSCs with a place of performance in the United States are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to receiving an award. You will be disqualified if you either fail to comply with this requirement or if your name appears on the excluded parties list. The selectee will be provided with guidance regarding this registration.

NOTE: As of March 28, 2018, all new SAM.gov entity registrations will now require a signed notarized letter identifying the authorized Entity administrator for the entity associated with the DUNS number. Additional information on the format of the notarized letter and where to submit can be found via the below Federal Service Desk link:

https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/answer.do?sysparm_kbid=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257d321f96194b&

sysparm_search=kb0013183

Offerors can expect to receive a confirmation email when offer materials have been received. Offerors should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their offers. Your complete resume must be emailed to:

HBMO Recruitment Team

E-Mail Address: BHA.HBMORecruitment@usaid.gov

Website: www.BHAjobs.net

Any questions on this solicitation may be directed to the HMBO Recruitment Team via the information provided above.

Sincerely,

Sonja Stroud-Gooden

Contracting Officer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At the GS-12 level:

● In close collaboration with PGT and bureau subject matter experts write, edit, design, and provide support with oversight from Senior PGT staff members in the creation, publishing, disseminating, and archiving of acquisition and assistance award management documents and information products such as but not limited to policies, procedures, briefings and presentations, guidelines, policy papers, thematic briefs, talking points, jo aides, user manuals, newsletters, and other forms of documentation.

● Edit or rewrite content for clarity and accuracy, following Plain Language guidance.

● Conduct research and fact checking as required to ensure accuracy and use of proper technical terminology.

● Review standard documentation and information products for conformity with agency style requirements and standards of objectivity, style, and presentation.

● Ensure that documentation and information products clearly and concisely convey the appropriate information to their intended audiences with Senior PGT staff oversight.

● Prepare presentations, charts, and visual aids for use in meetings, briefings, conferences, trainings, and other forums with Senior PGT staff oversight.

● Organize and create technical documents from notes, meeting minutes, and brainstorming sessions.

● Post and manage documentation and information products on internal and external platforms.

● Sign up for and serve as needed on Washington-based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis for approximately one week every six months.

● As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.

● As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the office 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.

● Maintain regular contact and coordination with the BHA DC staff and when directed BHA Regional field staff and USAID contacts, including through written and formal and informal communications to create, update, and improve acquisition and assistance award management documents and information products.

● 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, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System (CPARS/APARS). 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 set forth in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.

At the GS-13 Equivalent Level (If the PSC is promoted during contract performance):

● In close collaboration with PGT and bureau subject matter experts independently with minimal to no errors write, edit, design, and provide support in the creation, publishing, disseminating, and archiving of acquisition and assistance award management documents and information products such as but not limited to policies, procedures, briefings and presentations, guidelines, policy papers, thematic briefs, talking points, job aides, user manuals, newsletters, and other forms of documentation.

● Edit or rewrite content for clarity and accuracy, following Plain Language guidance with minimal edits or revisions from PGT leadership.

● Review and provide technical feedback for improvements on complex documentation and information products for conformity with agency style requirements and standards of objectivity, style, and presentation with minimal errors.

● Independently ensure that documentation and information products clearly and concisely convey the appropriate information to their intended audiences.

● Independently prepare presentations, charts, and visual aids for use in meetings, briefings, conferences, trainings, and other forums.

● Serve as an advisor on the design, format, and content of reports, publications, directives, forms, and other documents and information products.

● Provide critical and intensive editorial review of multiple drafts and/or original writing for single compilation to ensure one-voice and consistency, clarity, cohesiveness, and comprehensibility.

● Train, mentor, and provide guidance to BHA staff and subject matter experts on effective writing techniques, best writing practices, and effective use of graphics in documents and information products.

● Implement and maintain quality assurance processes including making improvements, solving problems, and taking corrective action during internal clearance and approval processes.

● Create a knowledge management system to maintain existing documents and information products.

● Sign up for and serve as needed on Washington-based RMTs, which provide services and support to DARTs deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.

● Serve as the BHA after-hours duty officer on a rotational basis for approximately one week every six months.

● As needed, serve on DARTs which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time.

● A needed, may serve on temporary detail within the office 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.

● Contacts occur in a wide variety of planned and unplanned, form and informal settings, including open meetings and conferences, where the PGT team may be called upon to explain and represent BHA award making and management policies, processes, systems, and guidance. Contacts will be primarily within USAID, other teams within BHA, and representatives of international organizations and other agencies including non-governmental organizations. The role requires experienced diplomatic and communication skills to accurately represent BHA award making and management policies, processes, systems, and guidance.

● Become certified and serve as an 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, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in CPARS/APARS. 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

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.)

At the GS-12 equivalent level:

High School Diploma and at least nine (9) years of experience working in strategic communications or content design, production, or management; at least three (3) years of which are related to professional writing or editing.

OR

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field including but not limited to: communications, public outreach, media, or a related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in strategic communications or content design, production, or management; at least two (2) years of which are related to professional writing or editing.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field including but not limited to: communications, public outreach, media, international relations, political science, or a related field, plus four (4) years of progressively experience working in international humanitarian or development issues with strategic communications or content design, production, or management; at least two (2) years of which are related to professional writing or editing.

At the GS-13 equivalent level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field including but not limited to: communications, public outreach, media, international relations, political science, or a related field, plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in strategic communications or content design, production, or management; at least three (3) years of which are related to professional writing or editing.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field including but not limited to: communications, public outreach, media, international relations, political science or a related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in strategic communications or content design, production, or management; at least three (3) years of which are related to professional writing or editing.

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 cover page 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 will not be accepted.

● Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance as provided by USAID.

● 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 evaluation of writing tests will also take into consideration the quality of written responses. Aspects of written responses including, but not limited to typos, grammatical errors, spelling errors, and incomplete sentences will be factored into the evaluation process. The rating factors are as follows:

MATRIX (30 points)

Professional Experience (30 points)

● Demonstrated experience developing, writing, editing, and proofreading internal and external documents and information products such as procedures, policies, guidance, job aides, newsletters, presentations, and training materials on international humanitarian or development assistance issues for a variety of audiences.

● Demonstrated ability to present complex concepts in terms non-specialized and various audiences can understand.

● Demonstrated experience in working on multiple projects with competing deadlines and involving several stakeholders

Interview Performance (40 points)

Timed Writing Test (20 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (10 points)

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 future phase of the selection process.