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: Counternarcotics Justice Coordinator (CJC)
Location: U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru
Salary Level: FS-02 - $99,700 - $146,413 (Equivalent GS-14)
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: Tuesday, September 17,2024
Closing date: Tuesday, October 01, 2024
Closing Time: 3:00 PM ET
Solicitation Number: PSC-24-065-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:
- Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
- Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer your resume must include:
- 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.
- Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
- Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
- Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments.
- 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:
Janette Dull, U.S. Department of State, INL/EX/GAPP, DullJR@state.gov
Sincerely,
Margaret Renee Gaudreau
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):
- Form SF 171 (Completed and signed)
- Resume
- Evaluation Factor Responses
- 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/Janette Dull
E-mail: DullJR@state.gov
Direct questions regarding this solicitation to:
INL/Janette Dull
E-mail: DullJR@state.gov
INL will not accept proposals beyond the closing time/date; unless it can be determined DOS mishandled the proposal.
Personal Services Contract (PSC)
Statement of Work (SOW)
U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru
Counternarcotics Justice Coordinator (CJC)
FS-02 (GS-14 Equivalent)
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 Lima’s country program complements the Peruvian government’s counternarcotics activities designed to deter, detect, and disrupt transnational organized crime groups in Peru and throughout the region. It also complements the Peruvian government’s even larger investment in promoting the rule of law, providing for citizen security, and reforming state institutions to foster greater transparency, responsiveness, and respect for human rights. INL Lima aims to improve and institutionalize Peruvian counternarcotics and law enforcement capabilities through targeted, sustainable projects.
The purpose of this Personal Services Contract is to fill the position of Counternarcotics Justice Coordinator to support ongoing and future projects aimed at strengthening Peru's ability to investigate, prosecute, and convict TCOs involved in drug trafficking. The designated PSC will work closely with Peruvian authorities, providing technical assistance, developing and managing training programs, and establishing capacity-building projects with the goal of equipping Peruvian institutions with the necessary tools and expertise to effectively dismantle major narcotics trafficking organizations.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Lima INL Counternarcotics Senior Advisor or his/her designee, the Counternarcotics Justice Coordinator will perform the following duties:
- In coordination with Peruvian counterparts, the PSC develops, implements, and oversees projects to increase Peru’s capacity to investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations involved in national and international drug trafficking and related crimes.
- Collaborates with Peruvian officials to support the development and institutionalization of such projects.
- Conducts field assessments, evaluations, and special studies on drug trafficking investigations, prosecutions, and convictions to inform project design.
- Utilizes data-driven research to formulate new strategies and policy proposals related to CN investigations and prosecutions, such as strategies for Peruvian authorities to leverage prosecutions of lower-level drug traffickers to dismantle the criminal organizations behind drug trafficking throughout Peru.
- Works with Peruvian authorities to increase their cooperation with other countries’ law enforcement agencies on CN cases.
- Monitors and evaluates U.S. government assistance, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, in coordination with INL Lima policies and procedures.
- Coordinates with DEA, HSI, FBI, and other U.S. partners at Embassy Lima to prevent duplication of efforts and identify opportunities for future USG CN efforts.
- Engages with other international donors, implementing partners, and stakeholders to deconflict and coordinate INL programs.
- Provides policy recommendations to INL Lima leadership on issues related to CN investigations, prosecutions, and convictions.
- Prepares reports on the status of ongoing activities and accomplishments related to augmenting Peru’s CN investigations, prosecutions, and convictions.
- Plans and oversees the entire life cycle of intricate projects, integrating them into the overarching strategic framework of the Narcotics Control Program and INL Lima. This encompasses initiatives involving letters of agreement with international organizations (IO-LOA), grants/cooperative agreements, etc.
- When required, performs the role of Duty Officer.
- Performs other duties as requested and assigned that are directly related to this Statement of Work.
TRAINING AND DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
- Completes mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter-Threat (FACT) Course (OT610) before deployment to Post.
- Completes the INL Program & Project Management I (PP420) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 60 days of arriving at Post.
- Completes the INL Financial Management (PP421) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 60 days of arriving at Post.
- Completes the Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first 60 days of arriving at the Post.
- Complete the Leahy Policy and Diplomacy (PP410) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within the first 60 days of arriving at the Post.
- Completes Managing Foreign Assistance Awards Overseas (PP223) distance-learning (DL) course through the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) within 365 days of arriving at Post.
- Completes any internal or external training deemed necessary by the Narcotics Control Advisor.
- Consultations with INL program officers may be required.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
The place of performance for this position is Lima, Peru. Frequent travel throughout Peru is required, including to high-risk areas.
RELATIONSHIPS
The CJC works under the direct supervision of the Senior Narcotics Control Advisor (SNCA). The jobholder will have wide latitude for initiating and executing approved new projects. The CJC coordinates directly with Peruvian authorities. The CJC will provide technical assistance to relevant Peruvian partners’ senior leadership, manage ongoing and new projects, and provide training and mentorship to criminal justice partners as requested. The CJC will report the progress of project goals to the SNCA, and, when appropriate, to other interagency partners at U.S. Mission Peru. The CJC may also provide information to INL program officers in Washington, D.C. as requested. The SNCA will supervise the implementation of the CJC’s projects to ensure they are consistent with accepted INL practices and regulations. The CJC must use good judgment, creativity, and independence in planning work to achieve specific goals and objectives. The CJC will inform the SNCA of possible issues and recommend solutions. The CJC’s actions, decisions, and recommendations will be reviewed on results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations. Completed work will be reviewed for timeliness and effectiveness.
The Contract Administrator shall be the INL Contracting Officer in Washington. In no instance shall the Senior Counternarcotics Advisor 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 Senior Counternarcotics Advisor 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.
COMPLEXITY
The CJC PSC, develops detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the implementation, administration, and evaluation of new projects. This position, coordinates projects in conjunction with other groups, including international donors, U.S. government agencies, and the Government of Peru, which can be complex.
The CJC PSC position, analyzes and evaluates complex development issues across projects, demonstrating sound judgment, ingenuity, and ability in program design and evaluation, strategic planning, and program coordination/implementation.
The CJC PSC, displays strong interpersonal and team-building skills; an ability to work with tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness cross-culturally with diverse teams; excellent strategic, analytical, written, and oral communication skills; and capability to work with minimal supervision.
SCOPE & EFFECTIVENESS
The 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 Peru, which is 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
- U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret level security clearance, medical clearance, and ethics clearance (if applicable).
- Graduated from an accredited institution with a degree in law, international criminal justice, criminology, criminal investigations, or related field.
- A minimum of ten (10) years of USG experience in counternarcotics program management and in investigating and prosecuting major drug traffickers.
- A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience, preferably in the federal government, working in legal or justice matters, including as a criminal prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, senior criminal investigator, or supervisory special agent.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare and recommend long-range plans, development of specific proposals for action, and experience in preparing and administrating an annual budget.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and able to prepare various reports or presentations.
- Three (3) years of experience working with U.S. Embassy organizations and complex interrelated activities, as well as familiarity with programs, organization, and operations of other USG elements involved in counternarcotics programs, is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to read and speak English and Spanish at the professionally proficient level.
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 criminal investigations, prosecutions, and convictions as related to CN in an international setting. Knowledge of justice sector reform efforts implemented by INL or other relevant U.S. government agencies. 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: Strategic Planning and Implementation (20 points)
Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex projects through their entire life cycle, including analysis, planning, budgeting, drafting technical requirements for procurement, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, reporting results clearly and effectively, and project closeout. Applicant’s relevant experience planning and developing counternarcotics strategies programs; ability to coordinate with host-country civilians, police, prosecutors, judicial officials, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the donor community; ability to effectively work in a multi-cultural and overseas environment; and experience deploying techniques for improved Specialized Prosecutorial Units, special investigative techniques, case mentoring and management, intelligence-driven prosecution model, inter-agency collaboration and modern prosecutorial philosophies.
Factor 3: Program Management (20 points)
Demonstrated knowledge of concepts, practices, and principles, including prioritizing requests, developing, and tracking project plans and implementation timelines (including budgets), and analyzing results (including M&E) to manage projects that meet United States government objectives effectively. Prior work experience managing USG contracts, grants, interagency agreements, and donations to international organizations or foreign governments. Experience supervising personnel.
Factor 4: Communication (10 points)
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner, both orally and in writing. Demonstrated independent experience in preparing and writing reports, audits, memoranda, etc. in the subject area related to the position’s duties and responsibilities.
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 – 20
Factor #3 – 20
Factor #4 – 10
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 FS-02 equivalent level ($99,700 - $146,413 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
