SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72066321R10018

ISSUANCE DATE: December 12, 2021

CLOSING DATE/TIME: December 27, 2021

SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor

(CCNPSC) to serve as Computer Management Assistant in the Executive Office.

Dear Prospective Candidates:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as
described in this solicitation.

Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Incomplete or unsigned

offers will not be considered. Candidates should retain copies of all offer materials for their
records.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit
USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attachment.

Sincerely,

Alula Abera
Contracting/Agreement Officer

U.S. Agency for International Development

US Embassy
Entoto Road Tel. : 251-11-306002 USA Address:
P. O. Box 1014 Fax : 251-11-242438 2030 Addis Ababa Place
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Website: www.usaidethiopia.org Washington, DC 20521-2030
1
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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066321R10018

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 12, 2021

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 27,2021 no later
than 5:00 p.m (EAT) (close of business).

4. POINT OF CONTACTS: Linda Gregory, Supervisory EXO, and Fekadu Tamirate, HR

Specialist, e-mail at [email protected].

5. POSITION TITLE: Computer Management Assistant

6. MARKET VALUE: FSN -08, $12,133 to $21,829 yearly i.e., equivalent to FSN - 08. In
accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Ethiopia.
Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. Salary will be paid in
local currency at the exchange rate in effect when the payroll is processed.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years. The services provided under this contract
are expected to be of a continuing nature through a series of sequential contracts, subject to
continued need, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funds.

The expected period of performance will be from 04/27/2022 – 04/26/2027.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: US Embassy, Entoto Road, Addis Ababa, with possible

travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs). “Cooperating country

national” means an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating
country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

Within the Executive Office of USAID/Ethiopia, and two associated offices of

USAID/USAU and USAID/Djibouti, the Executive Office’s Information Technology
(IT) team is responsible for providing computer network operations and support for
Mission’s approximately 250 staff. The position assists with the oversight and daily
customer support of 250 staff using 20 network multi-function printers, 20 desktop
printers, over 250 personal computers, mobile devices, including, but not limited to,
iPhones, iPads, temporary duty phones, laptops, personal recovery devices, a server room
with 10 servers, network switches, firewalls, a tape backup system, routers and 200+
72066321R10018

Server-Based Computing (SBC) hard and soft tokens. Equipment is managed in the
Embassy compound with several kilometers of fiber optic and unshielded twisted pair
cabling covering multiple floors and buildings connecting to AIDNet through a local
internet service provider and a backup link through a State Department managed satellite.
The IT Assistant will ensure EXO/IT support for the full life cycle of the Mission’s
information technology needs. The IT Assistant will identify concerns and
inconsistencies, support analysis and problem solving to resolve IT issues to improve IT
practices, ensure improved consistency support for all offices, escalating any unresolved
issues to the Supervisory Systems Manager, as appropriate. As a partner in the IT
function, the IT Assistant will provide guidance and interpretation to all offices and
ensure best practices within the EXO/IT team. The IT Assistant will both develop and
maintain in-depth knowledge of Agency and Mission requirements, ensure personal
organization and time management at work, collaborate with team and offices in all IT
areas, and the efficiently track and maintain assigned work processes from start to
completion. The IT Assistant will ensure that information technology issues within
team(s)/offices are facilitated to resolution and will maintain accurate and complete IT
documentation and tracking records, providing regularly audits to both paper and
electronic files, as appropriate.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

IT Customer Support, Assistance, and Evaluation (40%):

• Responsible for first level problem determination, problem/incident recording, problem

resolution and problem escalation to other IT personnel as necessary;
• Assists in the setup of desktop applications and mobile devices, e.g. iPhones, iPads,
TDY phones, laptops, and personnel recovery devices;
• Monitors use of shared peripherals and installs new equipment, such as multifunction
printers;
• Obtains and conveys concise problem information to other IT personnel;
• Manages the usage and disposal of RSA Server Based Computing (SBC) of hard and
soft tokens;
• Assists in setup of projector presentation and or VTC equipment for teleconferences;
and
• Works with the Supervisory Systems Manager to develop user-friendly tips based on
most common problem areas reported in the problem tickets.
• Demonstrate organization in work activities and time management in order to ensure
customer inquiries are responded to in a timely, knowledgeable, and professional manner
and, where requests and/or questions must be passed to another team or department for
action or inquiry, provide follow up, as needed, until the action has been completed.
• Demonstrate excellence in customer service (i.e. active listening, patience, attentiveness
to customer needs, responsiveness, timeliness, and tracking until issues are fully resolved.
• Ensure proactive and complete communication when working with team members and
customers/clients in response to inquiries, ensuring professional communication in all
requests.
• Ensure attention to detail in maintaining customer databases, information, intranet, etc.
72066321R10018

and ensure adequate documentation and communications are maintained for tracking
purposes.
• Take initiative to regularly track, assess, and conduct regular audits of data and
activities in order to ensure that process areas are followed, maximized in efficiency, and
that responses meet or exceed customer service standards.

User Account Management (30%):

• Sets up users accounts and ensures users have access to Agency resources;
• Performs new user orientation and periodically provides training to Mission staff on
new innovations and correct usage of IT equipment, resources and software;
• Provides users with network IDs, creates user directories on the network, and sets up the
correct access rights to network files and directories;
• Designs and supports all USAID corporate applications including, but not limited to,
WinTA, e2, applications, forms, templates, maps, databases for specific desired purposes;
• Provides input to the USAID/Ethiopia intranet site, and updates as needed or requested;
• Ensures only authorized software is installed on computers; and
• Sets up access rights for users, sets file and directory attributes to protect shared files.

Local Area Network (LAN) Operations, Installation, Modification and Maintenance

(30%):

• Monitors LAN activity to determine adequacy of disk space on the file servers;
• Performs diagnostic checks and troubleshoots LAN hardware and software;
• Installs and maintains off-the-shelf and local PC applications on both the file server and
local hard disks;
• Regularly analyses circle vulnerability scans and implements recommended mitigation;
• Monitors network telecommunications circuitry and resolves problems;
• Performs required incremental periodic system backup procedures with a minimum
disruption to users;
• Assigns logical user groups and queue priorities, and monitors print servers and user
queues for effectiveness;
• Uses network applications to track file server resources (memory and disk space) and
data packet activity;
• Monitors use of network applications to determine need for additional hardware and
software;
• Advises users about virtual security or "virus" problems and their prevention;
• Ensures adherence to system security procedures, including password protection and
physical security;
• Maintains directory trustee assignments, log-on identifiers, and file and directory
attributes to protect privacy and data integrity on a shared system; and
• Creates network user groups and develops systems and user log-on scripts as well as
user-friendly menus.

The contractor is eligible for travel to the U.S., or to other locations abroad, for
72066321R10018

training, for temporary duty, or to participate in the "Foreign Service National"

Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

3. Supervisory Relationship
The Computer Management Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the
Supervisory Systems Manager.

4. Supervisory Controls
No supervision responsibility

12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education: Two years of full-time post-secondary study (or the equivalent hours spread
across a part-time study period) at a college or university, in Computer Science,
Information Science, Computer/Electronics Engineering, or other related areas.

b. Prior Experience: Three years of work experience in providing application and hardware
support in Networked Computer systems environment that includes maintaining and
troubleshooting of Windows 2003 based servers, desktop computers, printers, UPSs,
telephone systems as well LAN and Wan systems.

c. Language: Level IV English and Amharic Language skill.

III.EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with candidates in accordance
with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to
establish a competitive range of candidates with whom negotiations will be conducted
pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the
number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at
which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of candidates
in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition
among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at
https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Rating 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:

EVALUATION FACTORS
72066321R10018

EDUCATION (10 points): Points will be given for (1) education above the minimum level
and/or (2) specialized education pertinent to the position

WORK EXPERIENCE (40 points): Additional points will be given for experience above the
minimum level.

KNOWLEDGE (30 points): The incumbent must have knowledge of computer systems
management sufficient to assure the continued effective operation of a computer installation
designed to provide automation support to a large organization.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES (20 points): Ability to relate proposed projects and priorities to the
capabilities and limitations of the computer system and components to determine capability to
meet support requirements. Ability to articulate system requirements to managers in order to
secure support of computer and automation program and to maximize opportunities for
automation. Ability to balance workload demands between the central system and individual user
requirements.
INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE (60 POINTS)

WRITTEN TEST (40 POINTS)

BASIS OF RATING: Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be evaluated in
accordance with the Evaluation and Selection Factors.

Candidates should address these factors in the offer package, describing specifically and
accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to
the factors. Failure to address the Evaluation and Selection Factors may result in not receiving
credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview and written test. Interviews
may be conducted either in person or by telephone/video call at USAID’s discretion. Final rating
and ranking for the candidates will be based on the initial evaluation of the applications and
interview performance with a total possible score of 200 points.

USAID/Ethiopia will not pay for any expenses associated with interviews.

Note: Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Reference checks will be conducted for the highest-ranking candidates. Please be

advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to
the ones provided by an offeror. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current
employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the candidate’s cover letter, and
USAID will not contact those references without contacting the candidate.

IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER

72066321R10018

Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit

1. the offer form DS-174 (Application for U.S. Federal employment) along with a cover
letter The DS-174 Application form can be found in the U.S. embassy website
https://et.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/; or https://www.usaid.gov/ethiopia/work-with-
us/careers/ds-form-174-ccn-application.
2. a resume in English
3. a written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Section III:
Evaluation and Selection Factors), and
4. contact information for a minimum of three and a maximum of five references, including
at least two references with direct knowledge of the offeror’s past performance.

Further Guidance:

Offers must be submitted to the Point of Contact identified in Section I, item 3, by the closing
date and time specified in the same section.

To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, offerors must prominently
reference the Solicitation Number in the offer submission.

Application must be submitted ONLY via [email protected] and the email subject must
say– solicitation 72066321R10018, Computer Management Assistant. Be sure to include your
name and the solicitation number at the top of each page.

Please do not submit more than one application: and

Late and incomplete applications will not be considered; the application must be submitted
before or on the closing date at local Ethiopia time 5 p.m. (Local Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Time, or EAT).

V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The Contracting Candidates will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the
following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
3. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits
and allowances:
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1. BENEFITS:
Group life insurance, medical coverage, annual leave and sick leave.

2. ALLOWANCES (as applicable):

Meal allowance and miscellaneous benefit allowance.

VII. TAXES

Cooperating Country Nationals are expected to comply with all relevant Ethiopian laws and
regulations.

VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING

TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these
sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a

Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services
Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at
https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by

line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS
ITEM NO SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) QUANTIT UNIT UNIT AMOUNT
(A) (B) Y (D) PRICE (F)
(C) (E)
0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits 1 LOT $ $_TBD at
and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) _TBD__ Award after
- Award Type: Cost negotiation
- Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] s with
- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) Contractor_
from Phoenix/GLAAS]

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs)

for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-
usaid/aapds-cibs
4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual,
the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for
Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics,
in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See
https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.
72066321R10018

5. PSC Ombudsman
The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has
entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is
available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page
for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-
ombudsman.
The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal

opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status,
or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment
opportunity in all personnel operations.
The EEO complaint procedure is available to individuals who believe they have been
denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with
such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures,
remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.