USPSC Security Specialist (Multiple Positions) at US Agency for International Development

SOLICITATION NUMBER: 720BHA21R00046 **

ISSUANCE DATE: May 4, 2021

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 26, 2021, 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 Business and Management Operations (HBMO), is seeking offers from qualified U.S. citizens to provide personal service as a Security Specialist 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 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=d2e67885db0d5f00b3257…

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 Equivalent level:

● Assist the primary liaison between BHA and SEC, maintain regular communication with BHA and serve as a point of contact for security clearances, revalidations, and security clearance upgrades.

● Assist with troubleshooting for security related matters with SEC, such as badging, access, clearance transfers, and other issues as they arise.

● Ensure the expedient processing of security clearances which will ensure that BHA is fully staffed and able to respond and deploy their employees in the event of a disaster or humanitarian crisis. Pending approval of supervisor, work with BHA to determine areas of priority, and work to ensure security actions get processed efficiently.

● Assist with the processing of security file requests, investigation reporting, processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, clearance verification, quality assurance, and/ or data gathering or entry into multiple electronic databases.

● Review and evaluate reports of investigation and other records to determine whether to grant, deny, revoke, or suspend security clearances consistent with National Security Adjudicative Guidelines. Results of analysis are subject to review by the supervisor.

● Plan, organize, and carry out his/her own work with diverse and competing priorities; monitor and report on the status of in-progress assignments, and adhere to supervisory guidance on work priorities. Participate in a recurring meeting with BHA to discuss areas of concentration for SEC, and coordinate with the supervisor on all outstanding issues of concern in a timely manner, to the extent possible. Identify trends and brainstorm solutions to resolve processing or communication challenges and escalate to management as appropriate.

● Clarify BHA action requests for SEC to ensure appropriateness and manage processing timeliness expectations by facilitating in-progress investigations.

● Become knowledgeable of the divisions within SEC to provide BHA appropriate points of contact to facilitate their requests.

● Become knowledgeable of SEC’s policies and procedures to advise BHA and avoid unnecessary request rejections or processing delays.

● Provide guidance and under supervision, appropriately apply related executive orders, Agency Directives, and other internal procedure, requirements, regulations and policies related to personnel security, and maintain credibility with others on technical issues.

● Specify goals and obstacles to achieving those goals, generate alternatives, and consider risks. Identify and analyze problems; carry out assigned solutions to various problems. Recognize and use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicate information in a succinct and organized manner; produce written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

● Attend BHA trainings as necessary to better understand staffing needs of the office and how this translates into security requirements; engage in appropriate training either as a participant and/or trainer.

● Conduct or coordinate brown bags and other informational sessions to educate BHA staff on changes in security policy or other relevant subject matter.

● Update the shared BHA spreadsheet tracking the current and expected BHA personnel and provide routine updates on whether cases received by SEC, and the related status.

● As directed, assist with streamlining the BHA candidate’s background investigation by obtaining any additional information on behalf of SEC directly.

● Resend any Interim and Final clearance notifications to Administrative Management Services (AMS) and/or selecting officials if not notified.

● Notifies the responsible SEC branch for BHA candidates that need or will be in need of a periodic reinvestigation.

● 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.**

● 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 in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.**

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

● As a primary liaison between BHA and SEC, maintain regular communication with BHA and serve as the primary point of contact for security clearances, revalidations and security clearance upgrades.

● Serve as BHA’s primary contact for troubleshooting security related matters with SEC, such as badging, access, clearance transfers and other issues as they arise.

● Troubleshoot with BHA and SEC, working to ensure the expedient processing of security clearances which will ensure that BHA is fully staffed and able to respond and deploy their employees in the event of a disaster or humanitarian crisis. Exercising independent judgment, work with BHA to determine areas of priority, and work to ensure security actions get processed efficiently.

● Assist with the processing of security file requests, investigation reporting, processing FOIA requests, clearance verification, quality assurance and/ or data gathering or entry into multiple electronic databases.

● Review and evaluate reports of investigation and other records to determine whether to grant, deny, revoke, or suspend security clearances consistent with National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.

● Identify the need for, and recommend Special Investigations for complex and extremely sensitive and critical national security issues requiring issue resolution to facilitate a clearance determination.

● Compose correspondence and prepare written reports highlighting potential security concerns and the related resolution, if applicable.

● Plan, organize, and carry out his/her own work with diverse and competing priorities; monitor and report on the status of in-progress assignments; ensure all deadlines, and quality standards are met and use initiative and resourcefulness to develop new methods.

● Knowledgeable of the divisions within SEC to provide BHA appropriate points of contact to facilitate their requests.

● Knowledgeable of SEC’s policies and procedures to advise BHA and avoid unnecessary request rejections or processing delays.

● Prepare analytical summaries with corresponding recommendations for related courses of action; and provide a clear basis for the course of action when potentially disqualifying information is identified and adverse actions are recommended.

● Participate in a recurring meeting with BHA to discuss areas of concentration for SEC, and coordinate all outstanding issues of concern in a timely manner, to the extent possible. Identify trends and propose solutions to resolve processing or communication challenges.

● Clarify BHA action requests for SEC to ensure appropriateness, and manage processing timeliness expectations by facilitating in-progress investigations.

● Provide guidance and appropriately apply related executive orders, Agency Directives, and other internal procedure, requirements, regulations and policies related to personnel security, and maintain credibility with others on technical issues.

● Specify goals and obstacles to achieving those goals, generate alternatives, consider risks, and evaluate and choose the best alternative in order to make a determination, draw conclusions or solve a problem. Identify and analyze problems; use sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; find alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgments.

● Recognize and use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicate information in a succinct and organized manner; produce written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

● Attend BHA trainings as necessary to better understand staffing needs of the office and how this translates into security requirements; engage in appropriate training either as a participant and/or trainer.

● Conduct brown bags and other informational sessions to educate BHA staff on changes in security policy or other relevant subject matter.

● Responsible forto updating the shared BHA spreadsheet tracking the current and expected BHA personnel, and providing routine updates on whether cases received by SEC, and the related status.

● As directed, the assist with streamlining the BHA candidate’s background investigation by obtaining any additional information on behalf of SEC directly.

● Resend any Interim and Final clearance notifications to AMS and/or selecting officials if not notified.

● Notifies the responsible SEC branch for BHA candidates that need or will be in need of a periodic reinvestigation.

● 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.

● 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.

Become certified and serve as a 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. 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.)

For GS-12 Equivalent Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in personnel security, background investigations, and/or clearance determinations, and analyzing security policies.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience working in personnel security, background investigations, and/or clearance determinations, and analyzing security policies.

For GS-13 Equivalent Level:

Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in personnel security, background investigations, and/or clearance determinations, and analyzing security policies.

OR

Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in personnel security, background investigations, and/or clearance determinations, and analyzing security policies.

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 rating factors are as follows:

Professional Experience (55 points)

● Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and to exercise efficiency in planning, prioritizing, and accomplishing assigned tasks relating to processing routine requests for security clearances.

● Demonstrated experience in processing revalidations and reciprocity requests for personnel security investigations and clearances.

● Demonstrated knowledge of determining level of clearance, required scope of investigative coverage, and initiating the appropriate security action.

● Experience using Security related Executive Orders and Public Law.

● Personnel Security experience working in the USG environment with Delegated Authority (which includes conducting investigations from beginning to end).

● Completion of Basic Adjudications Course

● Completion of Advanced Adjudications Course

Interview Performance (30 points)

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks (15 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.

**