Senior Counternarcotics (CN) and Civilian-Military (CM) Advisor

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBUREAU 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 Counternarcotics (CN) and Civilian-Military (CM) AdvisorLocation: Washington, DCSalary Level:    $144,128 - $172,500 (GS-15 Equivalent) 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: July 9, 2021Closing date:    July 23, 2021Closing Time: 3:00 PM ETSolicitation Number:     PSC-21-069-INLJob

description:  See belowDear 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. CitizenshipNote: 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.govSincerely,Katelynn BarhamContracting OfficerU.S. Department of StateSUBJECTA 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 APPLYOfferors 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 Responses4.    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 RECOMMENDEDVETERAN’S PREFERENCEVeteran’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.Submit proposal via e-mail to the attention of:INL/Dominique ChittumE-mail: ChittumDA@state.govDirect questions regarding this solicitation to:INL/Dominique ChittumE-mail: ChittumDA@state.govINL 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):  INL is under the Under Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights (J) and works to keep Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. In Afghanistan and throughout South-Central Asia, INL supports effective CN programs as well as training, technical, and materiel support to police, prosecutors, judges, and corrections officials.  INL has a wide array of partners in this effort, including the U.S. Military, the militaries of the 36 countries making up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Resolute Support Mission (RS) in Afghanistan, Afghanistan’s ministries of Interior (MOI), Public Health, and Agriculture, other U.S. agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and commercial providers.The Advisor will serve as a subject-matter expert in the field of CN policy and programs, particularly as they relate to Afghanistan.  This position will coordinate U.S. Government (USG) CN policy between INL and its domestic, multilateral, and international partners, including foreign governments and international organizations.  The Advisor will develop and manage a major INL program to support MOI’s Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), in close coordination with the INL office in Kabul.  In addition, the Advisor will play a central role in guiding and strengthening INL’s Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Program’s (INL/AP) relationship with the Department of Defense (DoD), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of National Drug Control Policy, and agencies of the Intelligence Community on both policy and operational matters relating to Afghanistan. The Advisor may perform TDY work in Afghanistan on an as-needed basis.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESUnder the direct supervision of the Washington-based INL/AP CN Team Lead or his/her designee, the Advisor will perform the following duties:1.    As the Senior CN and CM Advisor for Afghanistan within INL/AP in Washington, D.C., provide overall policy development guidance and foreign training and technical. assistance implementation in furtherance of DEA training and technical assistance to the elite units of the CNPA.2.    Ensure coordination and cooperation between the various USG agencies and their international partners operating on counternarcotics policy in Afghanistan.3.    Provide critical high-level strategic and operational advice within INL on wide-ranging policy and technical matters relative to  USG CN efforts in Afghanistan to INL/AP, the INL Front Office, other Department of State (DOS) principals, and other USG agencies or departments.  This will include advising those parties on changes to CN policy, USG priorities, and interdiction programming based on daily changes to the security situation in Afghanistan and DOD retrograde.  4.    Liaise and coordinate with key working- and executive-level personnel within the DOS, DOD, DEA, and relevant agencies of the Intelligence Community, including the Crime and Narcotics Center and the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Counter Narcotics Trafficking Office (DIA/CNT), as well as military and intelligence field personnel focused on INL’s interdiction program in Afghanistan, with a view toward establishing strong working relationships and developing common solutions, policies, and programs to joint CN problems.5.    Work with INL to develop and implement a measurable set of metrics to track the effectiveness of U.S. Government interdiction efforts in Afghanistan.6.    Identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities with the Afghan government’s ability to counter the illicit narcotics trade and propose achievable solutions to strengthen the CNPA to address those weaknesses, in coordination with DOD, DEA, multilateral partners, and foreign partners where appropriate.7.    Serve as INL’s lead on joint security sector policies in Afghanistan, including representing the USG at meetings with international partners and briefing deputy assistant secretary level USG officials. 8.    Anticipate procurement needs for complicated interdiction projects operating in a difficult environment.  Coordinate procurement activities for INL’s interdiction program associated with the CNPA’s multi-million dollar capacity-building program and work with the contractor(s) to maintain appropriate oversight and prevent disruptions to supply lines.9.    Coordinate INL-funded foreign assistance with and other foreign assistance implemented by the U.S. interagency, multilateral partners, and foreign donors.10.    Provide policy analysis and program guidance to INL/AP, Embassy Kabul, and other USG entities on effective mechanisms for, progress in, and impediments to, pursuing the National Drug Control Strategy for Afghanistan. Create and maintain partnerships with implementers and donors in the international community to determine sources that can augment U.S. efforts to support capacity-building efforts within the CNPA, including NATO, RS, and United States Forces (USFOR) - Afghanistan.11.    Foster high level relationships with partner governments, such as the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.  Establish contacts with DEA and DOD counterparts related to counternarcotics.12.    Provide guidance and advice to relevant executive branch agencies, stakeholders in Congress, and inspectors general on how developments within the CNPA will affect and change USG policy.13.    Provide contract oversight and guidance to third party contractors working on USG interdiction projects, particularly as it relates to the operation and maintence of CNPA and their facilities and equipment.  14.    Exercise independent judgment and leadership to plan and direct specialized CN programs of national significance; independently plan, design, and carry out interdiction projects and budgets.  15.    As appropriate, provide technical assistance as a CN and interdiction subject matter expert. 16.    Maintains security awareness and properly handles classified and controlled items and information.  17.    When required, perform the role of Duty Officer.18.    Perform other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work.19.    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. 20.    Analyze programing needs, development potential, and strategic plans of great magnitude due to difficulties and complexities in Afghanistan.21.    Prepare justifications, analyses, and reports on CN programs that answer to a wide range of audiences on the both the interagency and international levels.TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES1.    Complete the Grants Officer’s Representative (PY220 and PY222) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 120 days of contract start date.  2.    Complete the following contracting classes through the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) within 120 days of contract start date:a.    FCR 110 - Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) Level 1 (8 hrs - self-paced online)b.    FCR 201 - Contracting Officer's Representative Level 2 (40 hrs - Instructor Led)PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTSThe Advisor position is based in Washington, D.C., but will require frequent TDYs to Afghanistan for program development, oversight, and monitoring.     RELATIONSHIPSThe Advisor reports to the INL/AP CN Team Lead and carries out duties on behalf of the CN Team Lead in conjunction with INL-Kabul.  The Advisor shall report to and maintain open, timely, and effective communications with the various Department Bureaus and Offices as required, resulting in a relationship that proactively addresses potential problems with flexible, workable solutions.The CN Team Lead 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.COMPLEXITYThis position involves planning, organizing, and completing financial and organizational analysis of enormous complexity.  Due to the high visibility and political sensitivity of the issues in which INL is involved, there is extreme difficulty in identifying the nature of the issues and planning, organizing, and determining the scope and depth of studies/audits to be undertaken.  The PSC is expected to address difficult scenarios by separating the substantive nature of the programs or issues into their components and determining the nature and magnitude of programs or issues, as well as in discerning the intent of the legislation and policy statements and determining how to translate the intent into program actions.SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESSThe PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative/financial program spanning the full-range of citizen safety, law enforcement, rule of law, and counternarcotics programs in Afghanistan, which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress.PERIOD OF PERFORMANCEThe period of performance for this contract is twelve (12) months from the date of award with four (4) optional one-year extensions.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS1.    U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access (TS/SCI) level security clearance. Department of State Ethics clearance (if applicable). 2.    Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution.3.    A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in the fields of law enforcement, counternarcotics, and/or anti-money laundering.4.    Demonstrated professional-level work in the field of counterdrug policy matters with the U.S. interagency, including a minimum of ten (10) years serving on a multidisciplinary CN task force or engaging in capacity building efforts in a post-conflict stabilization environment and five (5) years working directly with field intelligence elements of the United States military and Intelligence Community.5.    A minimum of five (5) years of experience abroad managing bilateral or multilateral criminal justice, counternarcotics, and/or security assistance programs, in a conflict or post-conflict setting, serving a minimum of three (3) years of this field experience in Afghanistan.6.    Minimum of five (5) years working on foreign assistance grants, contracts, and agreements, including at least (3) years of experience serving as a Contract Officer’s Representative.7.    Demonstrated experience developing and managing long-term counternarcotics, rule of law, and/or law enforcement programs, including assessment, monitoring, and evaluation.8.    Demonstrated experience drafting reports/documents, annual budgets, and strategic plan submissions related to U.S. counternarcotics programs and policies for high level government officials and Congress.9.    Demonstrated experience planning, strategizing, implementing, and reporting on counternarcotics projects.  10.    Demonstrated experience drafting analytical briefing papers, memoranda, letters, and reports related to U.S. counternarcotics policy for signature by senior-level officials and Congress.11.    Demonstrated experience coordinating and working closely with the Department of Defense, United Nations, and/or international community on security sector development and counternarcotics programs. 12.    Proven ability to work effectively with host-nation counterparts, departments, and ministries to further program objectives, in a timely and concise manner.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:    Work and Program Experience                    (30 Points)Demonstrated experience working within the USG CN interagency at senior levels and direct experience working with the U.S. military and foreign nationals. Experience with assessing complex programs and assisting in developing and implementing plans for improving U.S. capacities to manage CN programs. Demonstrates initiative, well-developed problem-solving skills, flexibility,  receptivity, and creativity when dealing with problems and conflicts.Factor 2:    Counternarcotics Program/Policy Knowledge                  (10 points)Demonstrated knowledge of all phases of USG CN programs and policies for Afghanistan, including the field, institutional, line, and management operations, organizational development, planning, and training.  Experience managing program implementation and budgets and working with U.S. and foreign national personnel at all levels.Factor 3:    Managementand  Experience                    (30 points)Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a timely and concise manner; interact effectively with members of Team in Kabul and Washington, relevant USG agencies, foreign representatives, and the international community to develop,analyzie, and coordinate CN programs with respect to conformance to applicable laws, policies, and other regulatory guidelinesBASIS 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 – 30 Factor #2 – 10 Factor #3 – 30 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: 100The 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-15 equivalent level ($144,128 - $172,500 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 & ALLOWANCESAS 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