#3505 Contracting Officer's Representative

Marketing Statement: THIS IS NON-STATUS, NON-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE A COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION. Duration of Appointment: 1 year renewable for up to 4 additional years. Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship is required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing. *Incumbent must be willing to relocate to TIRANA, ALBANIA. Candidate Selection: Offer will be made based upon application meeting the minimum requirements for the position. Salary: FS-02 Equivalent ($121,803 - $178,873). For award, NEA-SCA/EX will negotiate for this contract based on the following: - Entry-level salary is at Step 1 of the grade range assigned to solicitation. - Consideration given for experience relevant specifically to the solicitation requirements. - Level and extent of experience dictates the salary level within the grade range. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference is not applicable to this position. **The applicant’s resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight work experience and professional certifications related to this opportunity.** Personal Services Contract (PSC) Statement of Work (SOW) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) CARE Albania FS-02 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, more prosperous, and secure world. Mission of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE): CARE is under the Assistant Secretary for South Central Asian Affairs. The Department of State, Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE), has primary responsibility for identifying and relocating American citizens, Legal Permanent Residents (LPR), Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants, and eligible Afghans out of Afghanistan to safe, and secure locations. The goal of the operation is to process special immigrant visa (SIV) applicants as well as other qualified Afghans who have been relocated from Afghanistan to Tirana, Albania to be resettled into the United States. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision of the CARE Albania Deputy Coordinator for the SIV processing platform, the COR will perform the following duties: Provides the leadership and management oversight for all Platform Logistics Task Orders, and the Linguistic Task Orders, ensuring all contractual requirements are met. Does market research, prepares modifications and technical data for final CO approval. In concurrence with the CO negotiates with the contractor for additional services, manpower, increased funding requirements. Enables change management procedures: Coordinates requesting office needs, finds them either technically or not technically acceptable with in the contract, if not in accordance with the contract puts a modification(s) forward for CO approval. Reviews and documents contractors’ performance in relation to original contract awards and timelines. Assesses the effectiveness of contractors in meeting contract requirements. Monitors contractors’ progress and performance to assure compliance with all contract terms and conditions. Provides input to program/project officers to ensure that rigorous surveillance of contractor activities is being exercised. Reviews any claim documents or requests for deviations from original scopes of work, cost estimates, or schedules and provides recommendations to the CO for contractual approval or changes. Secures/recommends approval, for deviations from approved budgets, plans, schedules, scopes of work, and document the changes accordingly. Identifies areas for program cost savings and makes appropriate recommendations to the CO for contractual approval or changes. Reviews and approves contractor invoices for assigned contracts and task orders. Conducts analyses of spending trends to ensure compliance with spending plans and to anticipate potential funding issues. Initiates action to promptly resolve funding issues. Approves contractor procurement requests within the authority delegated by the CO. Serves as property administrator for the assigned contracts when delegated by the CO. Oversees the development and implementation of a series of contractor reports that ensure a regular flow of management information regarding contract activities among all concerned parties, including contractors, program offices/officers, and CARE’s senior management team. Serve as a technical advisor to CARE on contract terms and conditions and performance requirements. Provide assessments of contractor progress as requested. Participates in strategic discussions with CARE Leadership, the CARE Albania Platform Site Coordinator and the US Embassy, Tirana to assess program performance and to plan future program activities inclusive of contract requirements. Coordinates all contractor services to ensure seamless support for course delivery. Coordinates with program and contracting officers to ensure uninterrupted support on contracted activities, through timely execution of contract options or solicitations. Identifies any gaps in support of program requirements and make recommendations on solutions. Works closely with CARE Platform Coordinator to analyze program needs for contractor support, as well as to define, draft, and document scopes of work, plans, schedules, site-specific considerations, work requirements, milestones, and operational activities for a variety of support contracts. Advises program managers in developing clear, accurate, and detailed contractual requirements. Reviews, evaluates, and documents contractor performance in relation to contract requirements, including conducting progress reviews and providing appropriate approvals. Prepares progress reports in conjunction with contract milestones and update plans and schedules as needed. Develops, implements, and ensures compliance with contract administration processes, including invoice submission/review, payment authorization, verification of receiving reports, quality assurance/surveillance, deliverables receipt and acceptance, project file and COR contract document maintenance. In performance of this contract, the contractor shall be subject to the ethics rules applicable to Department of State employees under 5 CFR Part 2635 (Standards of ethical conduct for employees of the Executive Branch), 2 FAM 700 (Ethics), and 3 FAM 8610 (Domestic Staff Employment) and 4170 (Official Clearance of Speaking, Writing and Teaching). Contractor shall also be subject to 5 CFR Part 2637 (regulations concerning post-employment conflicts of interest). Identifies and recommends solutions or corrective action to resolve any problems that interfere with contract progress and with the completion of projects according to contract requirements. In those cases where problems cannot be resolved within the incumbent’s scope of authority, makes recommendations to CARE management and the CO on appropriate corrective actions and implements those actions upon approval. Ensures the Government meets its contractual obligations to the Contractor, e.g., providing Government furnished equipment and services and timely Government review and approval of documents if such reviews are required by the contract. Conducts site visits to check on the work of the contractor to ensure contract compliance. Monitors the Contractor’s use of key personnel and notify the CO of any changes in key personnel proposed by the contractor. Represents CARE interests and priorities when coordinating contract administration efforts. Facilitates the flow of accurate and timely information among stakeholders, including organizing, hosting, and documenting project meetings. Coordinates with program/project officers and designated contractor representatives on all technical matters that arise in the administration of the assigned contracts and task orders; providing clarifications regarding contract technical requirements, including inspection, testing, and acceptance procedures. Completes Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for all assigned contracts and task orders following completion of periods of performance. Maintains all contract and task order files in compliance with applicable policies and guidelines. Acts proactively to resolve any problems that may interfere with contract progress or with the completion of assigned projects. Identifies, investigates, and takes corrective actions on a wide range of contract problems. Makes recommendations to CARE leadership and CO on appropriate corrective action for problems that exceed the incumbent’s scope of authority and implements approved actions. Performs regular Trafficking In Persons (TIP) inspections and drafts TIP reports as required by Department of State regulations and per the terms of the contract. Maintains security awareness and properly handles classified and controlled items and information. Performs other related duties as assigned. TRAININGS & DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES This position requires FAC-COR Level III. The Department’s Procurement Information Bulletin 2012-15 provides the required training and experience requirements to obtain the FAC-COR III Certification. The PSC must have all the requisite experience for obtaining a FAC-COR Level III in accordance with PIB 2012-15 prior to coming on board but will be granted 30 days to take the Department of State specific online or in-person training to receive a DOS FAC-COR Level III Certificate. If applicable - Consultations with the CARE Program Office may be required. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS The primary physical work location is US Embassy, Tirana, Albania, and the Albania Platform location (Currently in Shengjin, Albania). The Domestic work location is the CARE Office located in SA-6, 1701 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209. Regular travel in Albania between Tirana and Shengjin (and other locations) will be required for this position to perform monitoring and oversight duties. RELATIONSHIP The COR will be based in Tirana, Albania. A key function of the COR will be to serve on both the Platform Logistics and Linguistics contracts. The COR carries out those duties on behalf of the Contracting Officer (CO) and reports to the CARE Albania Platform Deputy Coordinator. The COR will coordinate with various CARE and US Embassy Tirana staff, CARE partner and support agencies, and the CARE program office. The COR will also undertake a range of duties and responsibilities, further detailed below, to support implementation of the CARE programs. The incumbent’s actions, decisions and recommendations are reviewed on the basis of demonstrated professional judgment, results achieved and conformance with appropriate laws and regulations. COR AUTHORITIES AND LIMITATIONS After verification of or obtaining the required Department of State FAC-COR Certification, the Contracting Officer will designate in writing, the position of COR, to take certain actions under the contract(s) requiring oversight. The designation memorandum will specify the scope and limitations of the authority to be delegated. The COR is delegated the authority to act for the Contracting Officer in matters concerning technical clarification, inspection and, after concurrence by the Contracting Officer, acceptance of Contractor performance under the contract, including preparation of receiving reports, and the authorization of progress payments when appropriate. The COR will coordinate all work with the Contractor and review Contractor's performance at significant stages of its development and program support. The COR will be responsible for: Developing a strong working relationship with the Contracting Officer Prompt notification the Contracting Officer in writing of any noncompliance or deviation in performance or failure to meet contract or support requirements. Maintaining constant cognizance with respect to technical compliance with contract terms on part of the Contractor Knowing and understanding the terms and provisions of the contract Knowing the scope and limitations of the COR position’s authority Using good judgment, skill, and reasonable care in the exercise of the COR position’s authority Protecting privileged and sensitive procurement information As required, visiting the Contractor’s workplace If applicable, serving as the property administrator for the contract(s) assigned, when delegated this authority by the CO Establishing and maintaining adequate COR files Preparing performance assessments for input into the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) In no instance, however, shall the COR be authorized to alter or modify the specifications or the contract terms and the conditions or waive the government's requirement, price, delivery, or other terms and conditions. Such changes must be authorized, in writing, by the Contracting Officer. DELIVERABLES/REPORTS Deliverables are required under this PSC and shall include status reports, including evaluations of contractor performance, special reports when required and Contractor Performance and Assessment Reports (CPARS). These reports shall be provided to the CO as required and copied to the COR’s contract files. The Personal Service Contractor shall submit a copy of each report as required to the following: CARE Albania Platform Coordinator and; S. Department of State, Worldwide Division/Regional Support Branch Contracting Officer or designate. Per FAR Part 4, the above referenced documents shall be incorporated, and copies stored in the PSC’s hard file under Section V.; Tab E - Receiving Reports. When preparing reports, the Contractor shall refrain from using elaborate artwork, multicolor printing, and expensive paper/binding, unless it is specifically authorized in the Contract Schedule. Wherever possible, pages should be printed on both sides using single spaced type. COMPLEXITY The programs implemented by CARE are generally highly complex multi-year programs. The programs often require the ability to resolve critical problems and achieve difficult goals that may impact on multiple organizations and other programs. Programs are also characterized by large obligations of USG funds, a potentially high-risk security environment, a geographically broad operating platform, demanding program schedules, frequently changing requirements, politically sensitive outcomes, multiple interagency and international actors, multiple contractor and sub-contractor relationships, and intense audit/oversight scrutiny. Detailed plans, goals, objectives, and evaluation criteria are required for the long-range implementation and administration of the programs. Decisions concerning planning and organizing the programs are complicated by the intricacy of the contracts and the need to deal with multilayered concepts. Problems can arise that require intuition - the ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong; inductive reasoning - the ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events); and deductive reasoning - the ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. SCOPE AND EFFECTIVENESS The PSC performs broad and extensive assignments related to a complex administrative, logistical and humanitarian program support which is of significant interest to the public and to Congress. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain Department of State Secret security, Medical (if applicable) and Ethics clearances. (Security clearance upgrade to TS level may be required). A Bachelor’s Degree (Masters preferred) from an accredited institution, and ten (10) years of professional work experience, of which seven (7) years should be directly related to performing functions in program management and providing oversight of large, dollar volume USG contracts. Have or be in the process of renewing Federal Acquisition Certification - Contracting Officer’s Representative (FAC-COR) Level III Certification, with five (5) years of experience in overseeing contracts related to support programs. Demonstrated experience in contract management, including the drafting and modification of Statements of Work, contract modifications, Quality Assurance plans and compliance, verifying expenditures and exercising contract options. Demonstrated knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Demonstrated knowledge of negotiation techniques. Demonstrated knowledge of cost and pricing techniques ensure to implementation and administration of cost accounting standards. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Demonstrated superior writing and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage with senior government and industry officials. Preference will be given to candidates who have specialized experience the following:Contract oversight experience overseas Experience with logistics and transportation support Experience with the Afghan culture and community Familiarity with SIV and refugee processing requirements Experience with IOM Prior experience working with Department of State and/or U.S. Embassies preferred.