JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
(J&A) FOR USAID/SRI LANKA & MALDIVES' ECONOMIC GROWTH ADVISOR U.S.
PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT (USPSC) POSITION
1. This document sets forth the facts and rationale justifying the use of other than full and open
competition for the procurement of a short-term, Offshore U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC)
position of Senior Financial Management Advisor, in accordance with USAID's Acquisition
Regulation (AIDAR) 706.302-70(b)(1). This document was prepared by USAID/Sri Lanka & Maldives'
Office of Economic Growth (OEG) for the procurement of a personal services contract.
2. Nature and Description of Action to be Approved:
This is a request to approve the award of a short-term USPSC, without full and open competition, to Brent
Edelman. Under this action, Mr. Edelman will serve as the Economic Growth Advisor in USAID/Sri Lanka &
The Maldives for a three-month period.
3. Description of Supplies or Services Required (including the estimated value):
The purpose of the position is to bridge a staffing gap between an outgoing employee and the recruitment
of a long-term Offshore USPSC. Therefore, the Economic Growth Advisor will cover the following major
duties and responsibilities:
- Mentor employees in a variety of areas such as project design and management, monitoring and evaluation, the USAID program cycle, and other relevant topics.
- Lead a team comprised of Mission staff and Agency experts to design new activities for OEG in line with U.S. Government strategic objectives and USAID/Washington priorities. Draft Scopes of Work and/or Program Descriptions as well as related supporting documents.
- Coordinate with Mission support offices to ensure new activities comply with all Agency design guidance as well as legal, policy, and regulatory requirements. Lead technical evaluation committees.
- Manage or serve as an alternate for OEG activities. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: activity oversight (including monitoring and evaluation and reviewing/approving deliverables); analyzing programmatic issues (both financial and technical) as well as recommending appropriate remedial measures; preparing activity and reporting documents, and communicating programmatic achievements to the U.S. Embassy and USAID/Washington counterparts.
- Coordinate with the Mission's Governance and Vulnerable Populations Office, U.S. Embassy counterparts, USAID/Washington, USAID/India, and USAID/RDMA on programming.
- Represent USAID at official functions and meetings with the host country government, donor counterparts, interagency, and the private sector. Represent OEG in mission-wide committees. Chair or participate in sectoral donor working groups.
- Respond to ad-hoc assignments from the Mission Director, the U.S. Embassy, and USAID/Washington.
- Conduct ad hoc analysis, synthesize data and serve as an advisor to the OEG Director. Draft or contribute to cables relevant to OEG's portfolio.
- Compile, review, and coordinate OEG reporting documents, including the Operational Plan and
- Performance Plan and Report. Draft OEG memorandums and ensure documents adhere to policy guidelines.
The estimated cost of the three-month contract is up to $36,073
4. Identification of Statutory Authority Permitting Other than Full and Open Competition:
Paragraph (a)(2) of AIDAR 706.302-70, Impairment of foreign aid programs, provides that [f]ull and
open competition need not be obtained when it would impair or otherwise have an adverse effect on
programs conducted for the purposes of foreign aid, relief, and rehabilitation.
AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(1) provides that this authority may be used for an award under section 636(a)(3) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, involving a personal services contractor serving
abroad. AIDAR 706.302-70(c) provides the following conditions on use of this authority: "(1) A contract
awarded using the authority in paragraph (a) of this section must be supported by the written justification
and approval (J&As) described in (48 CFR) FAR 6.303 and 6.304 . . . (2) Proposals must be requested
from as many potential offerors as is practicable under the circumstances (3) . . . when the authorities at
706.302-70(b)(1) through 706.302-70(b)(3) are used advanced notice of the proposed contract action is
not required in accordance with (48 CFR) AIDAR 705.202.
5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the
acquisition requires the use of the authority cited:
The Mission requires highly specialized services from a Senior Economic Growth Advisor who has a
strong economics background and previous experience working on highly technical, innovative financing
solutions to support private sector growth. The current political environment and need to get host country
government buy-in for current programs also requires an astute understanding of the Sri Lankan context.
Lastly, in-depth knowledge of USAID processes is required, given that there is a strong mentoring
component required of the Advisor. Given the limited duration of the contract, the Senior Economic Growth
The advisor must have these skills upon entering the position. Due to the highly specialized nature of the skills
and experience required for someone that can serve as a Senior Economic Growth Advisor, there are only
a limited number of individuals capable of meeting the minimum qualifications and successfully providing
the required services on short notice. The Mission has identified two highly qualified candidates, who have
specialized education and background working in international development as well as substantial
experience in working in Sri Lanka.
6. Description of efforts made to ensure offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is
practicable, and whether or not a notice was or will be publicized as required by the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.202 (If not, which exception to FAR 5.202 applies):
Only a limited number of individuals are capable of successfully providing the services, due to the highly
specialized nature of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. The Economic Growth Office identified
two individuals who are known or believed to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, and an
understanding of the Sri Lankan context. The Mission solicited offers from these individuals. After detailed
reviews of candidates' CVs, applications, and references, Mr. Brent Edelman was considered qualified and
available. The other candidate was determined to have strong knowledge of the Sri Lankan context and
Economic Growth expertise, but did not have the specialized expertise in economics that Mr. Edelman
possessed.
In accordance with FAR 5.202(b) and AIDAR 705.202, advanced notice of the proposed contract
action is not required and was not publicized.
7. A determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable:
The estimated cost is considered to be fair and reasonable and is based on the position level and GS-14
(equivalent) market value, established in accordance with Agency regulation.
8. Description of the market research conducted, and the results or a statement of the reasons
market research was not conducted:
EG reached out to two individuals known to be highly qualified and capable of successfully providing the
required services.
