FBO: Federal Business Opportunities

Ladies/Gentlemen:



SOLICITATION NUMBER: 167-Pristina-PSC-FY09-01

ISSUED BY: Executive Office, USAID/Kosovo

SUBJECT: Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Senior Energy Advisor



The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (Optional Form 612 or Standard Form) from qualified individuals interested in providing USPSC services as described in the attached solicitation.



Submittals shall be in accordance with the attached information at the place and time specified.



Any questions regarding this solicitation may be directed to the Supervisory Executive Officer,

Ms. Lorraine Sherman, or the Human Resources Specialist, Ms. Mimoza Këpuska, at USAID/Kosovo’s Executive Office in Pristina by:

phone: (++381)(38)243673,

fax: (++381) (38) 249 493,

email: mkepuska@usaid.gov



Applicants should retain for their records copies of all enclosures which accompany their applications. All applications and the required documents should be submitted via fax or internet as email attachments or by DHL courier as follows:



BY EMAIL TO: Lorraine Sherman, Supervisory Executive Officer: lsherman@usaid.gov

Mimoza Këpuska, Human Resources Specialist: mkepuska@usaid.gov,





BY DHL, consign documents to:

Address: Attention Mimoza Këpuska, Executive Office

USAID/Pristina, Kosovo

Arbëria I, Ismail Qemali Street, House No.1

Pristina, Kosovo

Telephone 381 38 243 673



Sincerely,





Signed

Lorraine Sherman

Supervisory Executive Officer



Please ensure that your application form is signed, otherwise it will not be taken into consideration.



































1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 167-Pristina-PSC-FY09-01

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 31, 2008

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED

FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: November 28, 2008

4. POSITION TITLE: Senior Energy Advisor – USAID/Kosovo

5. MARKET VALUE: $ 95,390.00 - $ 124,010.00 per annum (GS 15 – equivalent)

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: January 2009 – January 2011

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Pristina, Kosovo

8. POSITION DESCRIPTION:



Based in Pristina, the Senior Energy Advisor will be assigned to the USAID/Kosovo Economic Growth (EG) Office and will be responsible for development and oversight of the Mission’s energy sector policies and activities. The Senior Energy Advisor will serve as the Mission’s principal technical resource on energy sector development and as the Mission’s primary point of contact on matters relating to energy programming. As a highly qualified professional, substantial reliance will be placed on the Senior Energy Advisor to independently plan and carry out the specific activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. Energy is one of the Mission’s most challenging, high-profile and important sectors, requiring constant interaction with Kosovo’s highest level officials. As the Mission’s senior level advisor on energy, the Senior Energy Advisor will exercise significant independent judgment on matters of policy and technical direction, and will be required to independently make decisions that ensure successful program implementation.



The Senior Energy Advisor will also be the Mission’s principal day-to-day liaison with other U.S. Government agencies, in particular the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, and international organizations and foreign donors engaged in providing assistance in Kosovo’s energy sector. He/she will report frequently to senior Mission management and will advise senior level U.S. Embassy and other senior officials from Department of State, donor organizations, and host government on energy policy and reform and USAID’s strategy to support the energy sector. He/she will meet regularly with heads of international organizations, including the International Civilian Office, EULEX, the World Bank, IMF, the European Commission and other bilateral donor agencies.



The Senior Energy Advisor will serve as the focal point for all USAID assistance relating to the energy sector. He/she will be responsible for formulating strategies for energy sector reform and development and managing energy activities. This will include ensuring that the design and implementation of all USAID energy activities are coordinated with the Kosovar Government, international organizations, and bilateral and multilateral donors active in the energy sector in Kosovo.



USAID/Kosovo’s energy-sector program is oriented first and foremost towards the pursuit of two high-level objectives: the realization “Kosovo C,” which envisages the construction of new lignite-mining and generation capacities; and the privatization of the distribution functions of the incumbent state-owned power utility, KEK. Both of these intermediate objectives are crucial to the achievement of the Mission’s overarching objective of creating a sustainable energy industry to serve the needs of Kosovo’s own economy, and the maximization of Kosovo’s inherent comparative advantage as an electric power producer in the southeast Europe region.



BACKGROUND:



Kosovo has large reserves of high-quality lignite which, if properly managed, can be used to transform Kosovo into a major energy exporter in Europe. However, 15 years of neglect, under-investment, and poor planning have resulted in a deteriorated energy infrastructure.



KEK (Korporata Energjetike e Kosovës) is Kosovo’s vertically integrated electric utility that includes lignite mining, generation, and distribution (comprised of network and supply divisions.) It is a publicly owned enterprise, governed under Kosovo’s legal framework by the provisions of the Law on Publicly Owned Enterprises.



Despite almost seven years of efforts by both Kosovars and the international community, there remain serious deficiencies in KEK’s ability to deliver electricity. A primary problem is that KEK collects only just over 50% of the value of electricity delivered to its distribution system, a result of high technical and commercial losses. While the situation has improved considerably over the past eighteen months since the mobilization of a team of USAID-funded management consultants to KEK, the company’s poor revenue performance hampers its ability to make required maintenance and capital investments.



KEK’s customers are subjected to frequent planned and unplanned power outages. The use of private generators is common at residences and business. Because unreliable energy is frequently cited as the primary impediment to business expansion, improving the delivery of electricity is critical for accelerating economic growth.



Kosovo C:

Kosovo’s existing lignite-fired generation capacities are ageing and unreliable. Additionally, Kosovo’s existing lignite mines are rapidly nearing depletion. Considerable investment is needed in both mining and generation in order to provide for Kosovo’s energy security, as well as to allow Kosovo to support its broader economic development.



The World Bank currently funds, under its Lignite Power Technical Assistance Project (LPTAP), a team of transaction advisors who are assisting the Government of Kosovo in the development of a tender package for the construction of new generation capacities and development of new lignite mines adjacent to KEK’s existing facilities on the outskirts of the capital, Pristina. This initiative is presided over by an inter-ministerial Project Steering Committee, chaired by the Kosovo Minister of Energy and Mining. It is anticipated that the outlines of a Request for Proposals (RFP) package will be released for circulation and comment among the four pre-qualified bidding consortia by the end of 2008, with the release of a formal RFP package at the beginning of 2009. It is anticipated that bidders will be invited to submit proposals for the development of a new lignite field of approximately 1 billion tons and the construction of approximately 2000 MW of new power-generation capacity. The selected developer will likely also assume operational control (if not full ownership) of Kosovo’s existing mining and generation facilities, Kosovo A and Kosovo B. The older (and heaviest-polluting) units at Kosovo A will be retired as new capacity at Kosovo C is brought on-line, but not later than the end of 2017. The total value of the Kosovo C development is estimated at in excess of €3 billion.



KEK Distribution Privatization:

In October 2008, the Government of Kosovo formally adopted a decision to proceed with the privatization of KEK’s distribution functions through an open, competitive international tender. The Government has appointed a Privatization Committee to steer the process, and preparations are now underway to appoint a transaction advisor (investment bank) to serve as the Government’s agent for the sale of KEK distribution. USAID’s advisors are working with the Privatization Committee to facilitate timely actions and decisions, as well as to ensure actions for KEK distribution privatization are consistent with the Government’s strategic priorities for the sector, including the parallel Kosovo C development.



Ongoing USAID Activities

USAID’s advisors embedded within the Ministry of Energy and Mining provide direct and frequent counsel to the Minister and her staff on important sector development issues, first and foremost on establishing the Government’s agenda vis-à-vis continuation of Kosovo C’s development and the adoption of the objective of privatizing KEK’s distribution functions. USAID’s advisors also work closely as advisors to the Ministry on energy sector legislation development, and as technical and management advisors to the Kosovo C project office that oversees the management of inputs provided by the World Bank-funded transaction advisors to the Government.



USAID’s advisors have been instrumental in persuading the Government of the need to rapidly resume the Kosovo C process and achieve completion as soon as possible. Likewise, USAID’s advisors have guided the adoption of the Government’s current position on the need to move forward with a KEK distribution privatization alongside the Kosovo C process. Both of these processes are now on-track to be concluded by the end of 2009 or early 2010.



Since project inception in January 2007, USAID’s advisors to KEK’s management have identified pervasive systemic managerial weaknesses throughout the entire organization that are the root of KEK’s poor financial performance and abysmal service reliability. USAID determined that for performance to improve, and to ensure the objective of a timely and successful privatization of KEK’s distribution functions, USAID’s advisors to KEK needed expanded authorities to guide management decisions affecting company strategy, operational matters, and preparation of KEK’s distribution function for privatization. This enhanced role for USAID’s advisors within KEK has been agreed with the Kosovo Government as a condition for continued USAID support to Kosovo’s energy sector.



USAID’s support to KEK and the privatization of its distribution functions will benefit Kosovo’s end-users through an increase in service quality, while paving the way for the sector’s sustainability through private-sector investment, including in new generation capacities (i.e., the Kosovo C power plant.)



In addition USAID/Kosovo’s energy-sector program is bolstered through participation in several regional energy reform initiatives, managed by USAID/Washington, implemented by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the United States Energy Association (USEA), and the Higher Education for Development (HED) program.



MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:



As an overarching requirement, the Senior Energy Advisor must understand and analyze all of the complex interdependent pre-conditions, requirements and approaches for development of the energy sector in Kosovo. The complexity and difficulty of the preconditions and needs cannot be overstated.



It will be the task of the Senior Energy Advisor to ensure that USAID assistance is well-placed and well-implemented to support USAID’s dual high-level objectives of a successful and timely completion of a Kosovo C transaction and the privatization of KEK’s distribution functions. This will entail significant attention to the development of Kosovo’s legal and regulatory framework in the energy sector that affects both objectives.



The Senior Energy Advisor's major duties and responsibilities will include:



Strategy Development



a) Providing analysis, advice, and recommendations to senior Mission management and staff regarding the formulation of mission strategy for assistance to develop the energy sector and on the management and implementation of energy activities in the Mission’s portfolio;



b) Participating, as required, in the development of Mission strategic plans, performance monitoring plans, budgets and proposals for funding as well as reporting documentation;



c) Determining additional analyses, assessments, or reviews required for the development of the Mission’s strategy or activities in the area of energy sector development; designing and overseeing the implementation of such analyses or assessments; and following-up as necessary.



Program Management



a) Day-to-day management of energy activities within the Mission EG portfolio, including determination of work priorities, making decisions on activity implementation matters, identifying and resolving energy program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, assigning responsibility for program management and implementation matters to subordinates, and assuring that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. He/she may also be called upon, from time to time, to manage other activities in the EG portfolio either as an activity manager or the Cognizant Technical Officer for contract-related matters;



b) Monitoring energy program progress and results, and preparing reports as required for regular or special Mission reporting;



c) Planning, implementing, participating in, commenting upon, or preparing Mission views on evaluations, assessments or audits of mission energy activities;



d) Planning and developing new program or activity initiatives in the energy sector.



Coordination, Technical Advice, and Policy Dialogue



a) Participating in, coordinating, or managing USAID inputs into energy sector assessments conducted in conjunction with host government institutions, other USG agencies, international organizations, and other donors;



b) Maintaining close contact, providing technical advice, and engaging in policy dialogue as appropriate with staff and senior representatives of host government institutions, international organizations and missions, the Kosovar legal community, foreign donors active in the energy sector;



c) Organizing and attending donor coordination meetings relating to the energy sector.



General Management



a) Continuously keeping current on developments affecting the energy sector in Kosovo and reporting such developments to Mission management and staff;



b) Working within the USAID Mission, in line with Agency regulations and procedures to rapidly shift resources in response to changed circumstances/needs and requirements of sector transition;



c) Supervising the work of up to three Foreign Service National (FSN) Program Assistants who will support the Senior Energy Advisor in carrying out the tasks described above;



d) Identifying opportunities for publicity of USAID energy activities and coordinating press releases or other information with the Mission Development Outreach and Communications Specialist;



e) Carrying out such other tasks related to Mission energy programming and other EG activities as may be assigned from time-to-time by the EG Office Director.



The Senior Energy Advisor will handle all assigned work either independently or as part of the teams identified above, according to established Mission policies, practices and programmatic guidance, and in accordance with all applicable USAID regulations and guidance as provided in the USAID ADS and elsewhere. The Senior Energy Advisor is expected to make independent judgments that can be defended as necessary. The Senior Energy Advisor will resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches to be taken and methodologies to be used. The Senior Energy Advisor will develop, coordinate, and clear proposed solutions with all necessary parties and then take appropriate actions necessary to resolve the problem.



Travel within and outside of Kosovo will be required.



REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:



The Senior Energy Advisor will be required to prepare and provide reports as required to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities described above. The Senior Energy Advisor will also provide, orally or in writing, such reports on work progress as may be required from time-to-time by the EG Office Director or senior Mission management. The Senior Energy Advisor may also be required to submit a work plan covering all or part of the contract period for review and approval of the EG Office Director. The Senior Energy Advisor will also submit a trip report on all travel performed outside of Kosovo during the contract period.



SUPERVISION AND RELATIONSHIPS:



The Senior Energy Advisor will work under the direct supervision of the USAID/Kosovo Economic Growth Office (EGO) Director, or, in his/her absence, of the acting EGO Director or Deputy Director. All work will be carried out under the general guidance and direction of the Mission Director and Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Kosovo. The Senior Energy Advisor will supervise and work closely with up to three FSN Advisor/Program Assistants and may assign technical and administrative tasks to the FSN staff.



The Senior Energy Advisor will maintain contact and interact technically and professionally in a highly collaborative manner with a wide range of parties, including high level officials in the Government of Kosovo, International Civilian Office, the World Bank, other donors active in the energy sector (in particular European Commission and Kreditanstald fuer Wiederaufbau).



The Senior Energy Advisor will also collaboratively interact with senior officials of the U.S. Embassy Pristina (USEP). The Senior Energy Advisor will also coordinate as necessary with the Mission’s Democracy and Governance Office.



REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:



Education (10 pts): A graduate degree is required. Points will be awarded for the relevance of the degree to the required work. Relevant fields include engineering, law, economics, business, public administration and potentially other fields.

Work Experience (60 pts): A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible and successful relevant work experience. This must include some combination of first-hand experience in the fields of energy program management, regulatory administration, commercial law and/or privatization. In addition, it must include management experience of large, complex projects as well as experience in managing human resources. Experience in the Balkan countries is preferred.

Interpersonal and communication skills (30 pts): Excellent interpersonal skills are required; in particular, the candidate should have demonstrated skills in establishing relationships with counterparts and international actors. The candidate should have excellent English verbal and written communication skill.



LENGTH OF CONTRACT



The initial period of service is two years, with the possibility of extension, subject to program needs and availability of funds and provided that performance has been satisfactory.



LOGISTICAL SUPPORT



Assignments of U.S. personnel to Kosovo are accompanied. Spouses and dependents over 21 years of age are authorized to accompany the contractor to post. Current post danger pay for Pristina is 20%. Current post differential pay is 20% and cost of living allowance is 10 %. Please note that all allowances are subject to change. FICA and federal income tax will be withheld by USAID. In addition, employees will be authorized the standard household effects (HHE) limited shipment allowance for furnished post (7, 200lb), standard airfreight (250 lb. for the employee; 200 lb. for an accompanying spouse or other EFM) and shipment of POV.



USAID/Kosovo will provide the contractor with suitable housing and office space and equipment, consistent with mission standards and requirements. The Contractor will have post privileges, such as check cashing, medical care, and in-coming and out-going personal mail service in accordance with USEP rules and regulations.



PERIOD OF SERVICE



The target start date for this position is January 2009. Within 15 days after written notice from the Contracting Officer that all clearances have been received or, unless another date is specified by the Contracting Officer in writing, the Contractor shall proceed to Pristina to perform the above services.



9. OTHER REQUIREMENTS:



This position is opened only to U.S. Citizens. The selected candidate must obtain a security clearance (Secret) and all required medical clearances.



10. BENEFITS:



AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AND AS APPROPRIATE, A PSC IS NORMALLY AUTHORIZED THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:



10-1. BENEFITS



Employee's FICA Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance

Pay Comparability Adjustment

Annual Increase

Eligibility for Worker's Compensation

Annual & Sick Leave

Access to medical facilities

Pouch mail service as per post policy



10-2. ALLOWANCES (if Applicable). *



(A) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120)

(B) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130)

(C) Post Allowance (Section 220)

(D) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230)

(E) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260)

(F) Education Allowance (Section 270)

(G) Education Travel (Section 280)

(H) Post Differential (Chapter 500)

(I) Payments during Evacuation/Authorized Departure (Section 600)

(J) Danger Pay (Section 650)



* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).



C. FEDERAL TAXES: PSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion.



11. APPLYING



Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Optional Form 612 or SF 171. This form is available at the USAID website, http://www.info.usaid.gov/procurement_bus_opp/procurement/forms

or http://fillform.gsa.gov, or at local US Federal offices.



OF 612 shall be submitted by fax, e-mail, DHL air courier by the closing date.



To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter.



12. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs and AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs



AAPD 06-12 Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) Implementation (2006)

AAPD 06-11 Home Leave and Revised General Provision 5, Leave and Holidays (August 2006)

AAPD 06-10 PSC Updated Medical Expense Payment Responsibility (October 2006)

AAPD 06-07 AIDAR, Appendix D: Contract budget, salary determination and salary increase

AAPD 06-03 Updated Contractor Salary Approval Threshold Policy/Procedures

AAPD 06-01 Medical Evacuation Update

AAPD 05-10 Calculation of Vacation Leave for U.S. Personal Services Contractor’s (USPSC)

AAPD 05-08 Personal Service Contracts (PSCs) Annual Health Insurance Costs

AAPD 05-02 Clarification of Policy for Personal Services Contracts with Anticipated Contract Performance periods Exceeding Five (5) Years

AAPD 04-15 Cash Awards for USPSCs and TCNPSCs

CIB 01-07 Clarification of the Extension/Renewal Policy Regarding Personal Services Contracts

CIB 01-10 Revision of Medical Clearance Process - Personal Services Contracts ("PSC") with U.S.

Citizens

CIB 00-08 Revision of Competitive Process - Personal Services Services Contracts ("PSCs") with U.S. Citizen

CIB 00-3 FICA & Medicare Tax Rates for Personal Services Contracts (PSCs)

CIB 99-7 Contractual Coverage for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services

CIB 98-25 Defense Base Act (DBA) Coverage and DBA Waiver List

CIB 98-24 Use of Compensatory (Comp) Time by PSCs

CIB 98-23 Guidance Regarding Classified Contract Security and Contractor Personnel Security Requirements

CIB 98-16 Annual Salary Increase for USPSCs

CIB 98-14 Change in Required Application Form for USPSCs

CIB 97-16 Class Justification for Use of Other Than Full & Open Competition for Personal Services Contracts with U.S. Citizens Contracted with Locally with CCNs and TCNs Subject to the Local Compensation Plan, and for Overseas Contracts of $250,000 or Less

CIB 97-3 New USAID Contractor Employee Physical Examination

CIB 96-23 Unauthorized Provision in Personal Services Contract

CIB 96-19 U. S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC) - Leave

CIB 96-8 Determining a Market Value for PSCs Hired Under Appendix D, Handbook 14

CIB 94-9 Sunday Pay for U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs)

CIB 93-17 Financial Disclosure Requirements Under a Personal Services Contract (PSC)



13. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs



For initial consideration:

1. Optional Form 612 or SF 171. Resume or CV may be attached.

Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is successful the following forms will be needed:

2. Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17)

3. Contractor Physical Examination ( Form DS 1843)

4. Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86)

5. Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington).

* Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians Foreign Areas).

** Forms 2 through 5 shall be completed only upon the advice of the Contracting Officer that an applicant is the successful candidate for the job.





SUBJECT TO FUNDS AVAILABILITY