USAID Direct Contracts for Personal Services, 6812-6833 [E7-2311]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 13, 2007 / Proposed Rules
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
48 CFR Chapter 7
RIN 0412-AA49
USAID Direct Contracts for Personal
Services
United States Agency for
International Development.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) is
proposing to consolidate its regulations
on USAID Direct Contracts for all types
of Personal Services into one Appendix.
This will clarify and consolidate all
regulations for personal services
contracts and will eliminate the need for
having to refer to multiple sources. This
new Appendix A will replace Appendix
D—Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S.
Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for
Personal Services Abroad, and
Appendix J—Direct USAID Contracts
with a Cooperative Country National
and with a Third Country National for
Personal Services Abroad. Appendix A
will also incorporate all the regulations
and policies currently contained in
Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs)
and Acquisition and Assistance
Directives (AAPDs). This will eliminate
the need to refer to two different
appendices and other sources for
regulations and policies on personal
services contracting.
This Appendix will be divided into
four parts—one part containing
provisions for all types of Personal
Services Contracts (PSCs), the second
part for U.S. PSCs only, the third part
for Third-Country National (TCN) PSCs
only, and the fourth part for Cooperating
Country National (CCN) PSCs, also
known as Foreign Service National
(FSN) PSCs only. The USPSC part will
identify the provisions for U.S.
nationals working in AID/W and those
posted overseas. In addition, all nonregulatory information such as
procedures and guidance currently
contained in Appendices D and J will be
removed and incorporated into USAID’s
internal policy manual—the automated
directives system (ADS). We believe this
separation of regulations and policies
from the procedures and guidance on
personal services contracting will clarify
and consolidate the regulatory
requirements.
Submit comments on or before
April 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments,
identified by Title: ‘‘USAID Direct
Contracts for Personal Services’’ and
DATES:
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Regulatory Information Number ‘‘RIN
0412–AA49’’ for this rulemaking. Please
include your name, title, organization,
postal address, telephone number, and
e-mail address in the text of the
message. Comments can be submitted
using any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail:
federalregistercomments@usaid.gov.
Include title of the proposed action
‘‘USAID Direct Contracts for Personal
Services’’ and ‘‘RIN 0412–AA49’’ in the
subject line of the message.
• Fax: (202) 216–3395.
• Mail: USAID, Office of Acquisition
& Assistance, Policy Division, RRB
Room No. 7.9–18, 1300 Pennsylvania
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20523–
0001.
all Personal Services Contracts awarded
by the Agency.
Under this proposed rule, the Agency
establishes a mechanism intended to be
applicable to all types of Personal
Services Contracts. This proposed rule
identifies provisions applicable to all
personal services contracts,
distinguishes the differences, and
organizes and identifies the Agency’s
applicable rules and regulations to more
clearly understand what is considered
regulatory in nature and what is
considered policy.
Tom
Henson, Telephone 202–712–5448, Email: thenson@usaid.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public
Participation: Because security
screening precautions have slowed the
delivery and dependability of surface
mail to USAID/Washington, USAID
recommends sending all comments to
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, e-mail
address, or fax number listed above (all
comments must be in writing to be
reviewed). You may submit comments
by electronic mail as a Microsoft Word
file, avoiding the use of any special
characters and any form of encryption.
All comments will be made available
for public review without change,
including any personal information
provided, from three days after receipt
to finalization of rule at https://
www.regulations.gov.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Pursuant to requirements set forth in
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), USAID has
considered the economic impact of the
rule and has determined that its
provisions would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
A. Background
Since the late 1990s, the Agency’s
regulations regarding personal services
contracts—Appendices D and J—have
not been updated to include changes in
the processes and interpretations of the
Appendices. Further, given the
changing roles and responsibilities of
the Agency, it is necessary to clarify and
update USAID’s policy and regulation
for personal services contracts. The
Proposed Rule consolidates Appendices
D and J of the USAID Acquisition
Regulations (the ‘‘AIDAR’’) into
Appendix A, which was previously
reserved. Appendix A standardizes the
Agency’s policies, rules, and regulations
regarding personal services contracts,
eliminates repetition between the two
Appendices, updates the Agency’s
general provisions, and clarifies the
Agency’s processes and authorities for
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B. Regulatory Planning and Review
This is not a significant regulatory
action and, therefore, is not subject to
review under Section 6(b) of Executive
Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and
Review, dated September 30, 1993. This
rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C.
804.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does
not apply because the proposed changes
to the AIDAR do not impose
information collection requirements that
require the approval of the Office of
Management and Budget under 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Chapter 7
Government procurement.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, under the authority of Sec.
621, Pub. L. 87–195, 75 Stat. 445 (22
U.S.C. 2381) as amended; E.O. 12163,
Sept. 29, 1979, 44 FR 56673; 3 CFR 1979
Comp., p. 435, the U.S. Agency for
International Development proposes to
amend 48 CFR Chapter 7 as follows:
1. Add Appendix A to Chapter 7 to
read as follows:
Appendix A to Chapter 7—USAID Direct
Contracts for Personal Services
1. General
(a) Purpose. This appendix sets forth the
process for competition of personal services
contracts, and provides the General
Provisions to be included in each type of
contract. There are three main types of
personal services contracts:
(1) Contracts with U.S. citizens or U.S.
resident aliens, referred to as U.S. Personal
Services Contractor (USPSC);
(2) Contracts with citizens of the
cooperating country or non-citizens who
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reside legally within the cooperating country,
referred to as Foreign Service National
Personal Services Contractor (FSNPSC) 1; and
(3) Contracts with individuals who are
neither U.S. citizens/U.S. resident aliens nor
citizens of the cooperating country and who
have repatriation rights at the end of the
contract, referred to as Third Country
National Personal Services Contractor
(TCNPSC).
(b) Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
and U.S. Agency for International
Development Acquisition Regulations
(AIDAR). Contracts for personal services are
subject to the FAR and the AIDAR. Other
than the limited exceptions described below,
Contracting Officers must provide for full
and open competition in soliciting offers and
awarding Government contracts.
(c) Definitions (See Part I, General
Provision I of this Appendix).
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2. Publicizing Solicitations
(a) Contracting Officers must publicize
solicitations for U.S. citizen/U.S. Resident
Alien PSCs (USPSCs) who will be based in
Washington and in USAID Missions, in
FedBizOpps (FBO) at https://www.fbo.gov for
a minimum of ten (10) working days. Specific
exceptions for advertising locally recruited
USPSCs (also known as resident hires),
Foreign Service National PSCs (FSNs), and
Third Country National PSCs (TCNs) are
outlined in paragraph 3 below. In addition,
other exceptions to advertising federal
opportunities are contained in FAR Part 5
and AIDAR Part 705. If the publicizing
procedures set out above are not followed,
the Contracting Officer must prepare a
deviation and a separate justification as
required under AIDAR 706.302–70(c)(2).
(b) In addition to advertising in
FedBizOpps, the M/OAA Director, acting as
head of the Agency under the authority of
AIDAR 701.601(a)(1), has authorized USAID
Contracting Officers to place paid
advertisements and notices in newspapers
and periodicals. This specific authorization
is found in AIDAR 705.502. Contracting
Officers must document the contract file to
reflect consideration of the requirements of
(48 CFR) FAR 5.101(b)(4). Any advertising in
addition to FedBizOpps must be approved by
the cognizant CO. When using two sources of
advertising, publishing dates and deadlines
must be taken into consideration as the FBO
posting must occur first. Other means of
advertising a solicitation prior to publication
in FedBizOpps is a violation of Federal
procurement regulations and statutes (FAR
5.101 and FAR 5.102).
3. Exceptions to Publicizing in FedBizOpps
(a) Locally Recruited PSCs. For locally
recruited PSCs, advertising requirements
have been met by soliciting offers from as
many potential offerors as is practicable
under the circumstances and by meeting the
following conditions for use of the Class
Justification (See Attachment 1):
(1) Personal services contracts with United
States Citizens Recruited Locally. If recruited
locally, the position is publicized in the same
1 Also referred to/known as Cooperating Country
National Personal Services Contractor (CCNPSC).
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way that the Mission announces direct-hire
U.S. citizen positions. Renewals or
extensions with the same individual for the
same services do not need to be publicized.
(2) Personal services contracts with FSNs
and TCNs subject to the Local Compensation
Plan. New solicitations are publicized
consistent with Mission practice on
announcement of FSN positions. Renewals or
extensions with the same individual for the
same services do not need to be publicized.
(b) Extensions and Renewals. Publicizing is
not required for extensions or renewals with
the same individual for the same services.
(c) Personal services contracts for six
months or less. The Head of USAID’s
Contracting Activity has determined that
publicizing in FedBizOpps is not required for
personal services contracts for six months or
less. However, as required in FAR 37.104 and
FAR 37.105, the CO is responsible for
soliciting offers from the maximum number
of offerors as is practicable under the
circumstances. The CO always reserves the
right to use the procedures in paragraph 2—
Publicizing Solicitations. These personal
services contracts must not be extended or
renewed.
4. Competition
(a) Full and Open Competition. Contracts
for personal services are subject to the
Competition in Contracting Act (CICA).
(b) Exceptions to Full and Open
Competition. USAID has special authority
under the Foreign Assistance Act to waive
the requirement for full and open
competition when foreign aid programs
would be impaired (AIDAR 706.302–70).
(1) USAID’s Procurement Executive has
used this special authority and approved a
class justification for exception to full and
open competition for USPSCs recruited
locally, and for FSNs, and TCNs subject to
the local compensation plan, awarded
pursuant to AIDAR 706.302–70(b)(1)—‘‘An
award under Section 636(a)(3) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended,
involving a personal services contractor
serving abroad.’’ The term ‘‘Locally
Recruited’’ does not apply to those
individuals recruited for work in the United
States. It also does not apply to those
individuals who are recruited from the U.S.
to work in a mission outside the U.S.
The conditions for use of this class
justification are listed in 3.A above—‘‘Locally
Recruited PSCs’’, and the limitations,
certification and file documentation below
must be satisfied. This class justification does
not apply to hiring offshore-PSCs and must
not be used for hiring a PSC under a sole
source procurement.
(i) Limitations
When using the Class Justification, offers
must be requested from as many potential
offerors as is practicable under the
circumstances and the advertising
requirements in 3.A above—‘‘Locally
Recruited PSCs’’ must be followed.
(ii) Certification and File Documentation
A copy of the class justification must be
included in the contract file, together with a
written statement, signed by the Contracting
Officer, that: The contract is being awarded
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pursuant to AIDAR 706.302–70(b)(1)—‘‘An
award under Section 636(a)(3) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended,
involving a personal services contractor
serving abroad’’; the conditions for use of the
class justification have been met; and the cost
of the contract is fair and reasonable.
(2) Extensions and Renewals. This
exception applies to extensions or renewals
with the same individual for the same or
similar services. This applies to all personal
services contracts except those contracts
described in 3C above—‘‘Personal services
contracts for six months or less.’’ For
extensions and renewals, the contracting
officer must make the determination that the
incumbent is the only practicable, potential
offeror.
Regardless of the intent to continue
obtaining the same services from the same
individual, a new contract (as opposed to a
contract modification) must be issued to that
individual after a 5-year period of
performance. This allows the requiring office
and the CO to ensure the terms and
conditions and the statement of duties are
current. In all cases, the CO has the final
determination as to the need for any
revisions. If the changes to the statement of
duties expand it beyond the scope of ‘‘same
or similar services,’’ the CO must ensure that
the appropriate competitive procedures are
followed for a new procurement.
(3) Other non-competitive procedures. The
class justification only covers circumstances
outlined above in paragraph 1 of 4.B.—
‘‘Exceptions to full and open competition.’’
To use any other exception in FAR 6.302 or
AIDAR 706.302.70, the Contracting Officer
must adhere to the limitations in AIDAR
706.302.70(c) and must prepare a separate
justification as required under FAR 6.303.
The class justification is not valid in these
instances.
5. Issuance of the Solicitation and Receipt of
Applications
Once the solicitation is issued, USPSCs
must submit an OF–612 or SF–171 form,
completed and signed, to the individual
designated for the receipt of applications in
the solicitation. FSN and TCN PSCs must
submit an AID Form 1420–17—Contractor
Employee Biographical Data Sheet along with
any other required documentation requested
in the solicitation to the individual
designated for the receipt of application in
the solicitation. Individuals responding to
the solicitation may use any transmission
method authorized by the solicitation (i.e.
regular mail, electronic commerce, or
facsimile). See FAR Part 15.207 for handling
proposals and information.
6. General Provisions
This section contains the General
Provisions, which are to be used as specified
in contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a Resident
Alien (USPSC), Foreign Service National
(FSNPSC) or a Third Country National
(TCNPSC)
The General Provisions are divided into
four parts as follows:
PART I: For inclusion in all types of Personal
Service Contracts (USPSCs, TCNs and
FSNs)
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PART II: For inclusion in U.S. Personal
Service Contracts (USPSCs) only
PART III: For inclusion in Third Country
National Personal Service Contracts
(TCNPSCs) only
PART IV: For inclusion in Foreign Service
National Personal Service Contracts
(FSNPSCs) only
PART I: For Inclusion in All Types of
Personal Service Contracts (USPSCs,
TCNPSCs and FSNPSCs)
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1. Definitions
(a) USAID means the United States Agency
for International Development offices,
bureaus, and divisions, in both Washington
and field missions, and its predecessor
agencies, including the International
Cooperation Administration (ICA).
(b) Administrator means the Administrator
of USAID or representative delegated
administrator’s authority.
(c) Class Justification means a document
signed by the Procurement Executive that
describes specific circumstances in which
full and open competition is not required.
(d) Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO)
means the individual who performs
functions that are designated by the
Contracting Officer, or is specifically
designated by policy or regulation as part of
contract administration. The CTO has no
warrant and has no authority other than
those noted above. In other parts of the U.S.
Government, the synonymous term is usually
Contracting Officer’s Technical
Representative (COTR).
(e) Contracting Officer (CO) means a person
representing the U.S. Government through
the exercise of his/her delegated authority to
enter into, administer, and/or terminate
contracts and make related determinations
and findings. This authority is delegated by
one of two methods: to the individual by
means of a ‘‘Certificate of Appointment’’, SF
1402, as prescribed in FAR 1.603–3,
including any limitations on the scope of
authority to be exercised, or to the head of
each contracting activity (as defined in
AIDAR 702.170), as specified in AIDAR
701.601. (ADS 302).
(f) Contractor means a non-direct hire
individual acting as an agent of USAID and
carrying out a scope of work specified by
USAID (ADS 102).
(g) Cooperating Country or Host Country
means the country receiving the USAID
assistance. Cooperating Country means the
same as ‘‘host country.’’
(h) Cooperating Country Government
means the government of the Cooperating
Country.
(i) Dependent(s) means:
(1) A spouse;
(2) Children who are under 21 years of age
and unmarried or, regardless of age, are
incapable of self-support (children include
step—and adopted—children and those who
are under legal custody of the employee or
spouse and are dependent upon and
normally reside with the employee and are
expected to be under guardianship of the
employee until 21 years of age);
(3) Parents (including step—and legally
adoptive—parents) who are at least 51
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percent dependent on the employee for
support; and
(4) Brothers and/or sisters (including
step—and adoptive—brothers and/or sisters)
who are 51 percent or more dependent on the
employee, unmarried and under 21 years of
age. However, there is no age limit if they are
physically or mentally incapable of selfsupport.
(j) Economy Class means a class of air
travel that is less than business or first class.
(k) Employer-employee relationship means
an employment relationship under a service
contract with an individual, which occurs
when, as a result of the contract’s terms or
the manner of its administration during
performance, the PSC is subject to the
relatively continuous supervision and control
of a Government officer or employee.
(l) Foreign Service National (FSN) means
the individual who is a Cooperating Country
citizen or a non-Cooperating Country citizen
lawfully admitted for permanent residence in
the Cooperating Country. For the purpose of
this Appendix, FSN employees are the same
as CCN employees and are used
interchangeably. Note that FSN is the most
widely used terminology to describe nonU.S. citizen employees.
(m) Government means the United States
Government.
(n) Local currency means the currency of
the Cooperating Country.
(o) Locally Recruited means recruitment of
individuals residing in the cooperating
country. Locally recruited does not apply to
those individuals recruited for work in the
United States. It also does not apply to those
individuals who are recruited from the U.S.
to work in a mission outside the U.S.
(p) Mission means the USAID Mission or
the principal USAID office or representative
(including an embassy designated to so act)
in a Cooperating Country in which there is
a program or activity administered by
USAID.
(q) Mission Director means the principal
officer in the Mission in the Cooperating
Country, or the designated representative of
the Mission Director.
(r) Offshore PSCs 2 means an individual
who is brought into the host country at
Government expense and has repatriation
rights.
(s) Period of Performance means the PSC’s
period of service as defined under the
contract. Time spent initially traveling to
post and final travel when departing from
post is not included in the period of
performance and is not subject to salary even
though travel expenses may be allowable.
(t) Personal services contract means a
contract that, by its express terms or as
administered, makes the contractor personnel
appear, in effect, Government employees (see
FAR 37.104) (FAR 2.101) The acronym
‘‘PSC’’ is used to describe a personal services
contractor.
(u) Resident Hire (also referred to as
Locally Recruited USPSCs) means
individuals who are U.S. citizens who at the
time of hiring as a PSC, reside in the
cooperating country:
2 Also referred to/known as ‘‘Internationally
Recruited PSCs’’
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(1) As a spouse or dependent of a U.S.
citizen employed by a U.S. Government
Agency or under any U.S. Governmentfinanced contract or agreement, or under any
other contract or agreement that provides for
repatriation to the United States; or
(2) For reasons other than for employment
with a U.S. Government Agency or under any
U.S. Government-financed contract or
agreement, or under any other contract or
agreement that provides for repatriation to
the United States.
(3) A U.S. citizen for purposes of this
definition also includes a person who at the
time of contracting, is a lawfully admitted
permanent resident of the United States.
(v) Short-term personal services contract
means a contract for less than one year.
(w) Third Country National (TCN) means
an individual who is neither a citizen of the
United States nor a citizen of the country to
which assigned for duty, AND who is eligible
for return travel to their home country or
country from which recruited at U.S.
Government expenses, AND who is on a
limited assignment for a specific period of
time.
(x) Traveler means:
(1) The PSC when in authorized travel
status, and/or
(2) Dependent(s) of the PSC who are in
authorized travel status.
(y) U.S. Resident Alien means a non-U.S.
citizen lawfully admitted for permanent
residence in the United States.
2. Compliance With Laws and Regulations
(a) Standards of Conduct.
(1) The PSC will be required to comply
with the same ethics laws, rules, and
regulations as required of USAID direct hire
employees. However, if the PSC’s period of
performance is less than 130 days during any
period of 360 days, the PSC will be subject
to the same laws, rules, and regulations as a
‘‘special Government employee’’ and subject
to the provisions of Title 18—Crimes and
Criminal Procedure, Part I—Crimes, Chapter
11—Bribery, Graft, and Conflict of Interest, as
set forth in 18 U.S.C. 202(a).
(2) By signing this contract, the PSC agrees
to comply with all ethics laws, rules, and
regulations that are applicable to other
USAID direct hire employees, including 18
U.S.C. 202, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, and 219,
the USAID General Notice entitled
‘‘Employee Review of the New Standards of
Conduct,’’ and 5 CFR part 2635.
(3) If, however, the PSC’s period of
performance is less than 130 days during any
period of 360 days, by signing this contract,
the PSC agrees to comply with the same laws,
rules, and regulations as a ‘‘special
Government employee’’ and subject to the
provisions as set forth in 18 U.S.C. 202(a), the
USAID General Notice entitled ‘‘Employee
Review of the New Standards of Conduct,’’
and the portions of 5 C.F.R. Part 2635 that
are applicable to ‘‘Special Government
Employees.’’
(b) Conformity to Laws and Regulations of
the Cooperating Country. PSC agrees that,
while in the cooperating country, the PSC as
well as dependents, must abide by all
applicable laws and regulations of the
cooperating country and its political
subdivisions.
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3. Contractor—USAID Relationships
(a) The PSC acknowledges that this
contract is an important part of the U.S.
Foreign Assistance Program and agrees that
the duties will be carried out in such a
manner as to be fully commensurate with the
responsibilities which this entails.
(b) The PSC is expected to show respect for
the conventions, customs, and institutions of
the Cooperating Country and not interfere in
its political affairs.
(c) If the PSC’s conduct is not in
accordance with paragraph (b) of this
provision, the contract may be terminated
under the General Provision of this contract,
entitled ‘‘Termination’’. In addition, the U.S.
Ambassador may direct the immediate
removal of a USPSC or a TCNPSC from any
country when, in the discretion of the
Ambassador, the interests of the United
States so require.
(d) The Mission Director is the chief
representative of USAID in the Cooperating
Country. In this capacity, s/he is responsible
for the total USAID Program in the
Cooperating Country including certain
administrative responsibilities set forth in
this contract and for advising USAID
regarding the performance of the work under
the contract and its effect on the U.S. Foreign
Assistance Program. The PSC will be
responsible for performing duties in
accordance with the statement of duties
called for by the contract, and as required
and necessary, report on the progress of the
work under the contract.
4. Workweek
The PSC’s workweek must not be less than
40 hours, unless otherwise provided in the
Contract Schedule, and must coincide with
the workweek as defined by the Mission. If
the contract is for less than full time (40
hours weekly), the annual and sick leave
earned must be prorated (see the General
Provision of this contract entitled Leave and
Holidays).
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5. Insurance
Worker’s Compensation Benefits. USAID
will provide the PSC with worker’s
compensation benefits in accordance with
the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.
6. Termination
(This is an approved deviation to be used
in place of the clause specified in FAR
52.249–12.)
(a) The Government may terminate
performance of work under this contract in
whole or, from time to time, in part:
(1)(i) For cause, which may be effected
immediately after establishing the facts
warranting the termination, by giving written
notice and a statement of reasons to the PSC
in the event of:
(A) A breach or violation of any obligations
contained in this contract; or
(B) Fraud being committed in obtaining the
contract; or
(C) Misconduct by the PSC (as determined
by the USAID Mission Director or
Contracting Officer) in or affecting the
Cooperating Country.
(ii) Upon such a termination, the PSC’s
right to compensation stops when the period
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specified in the written notice expires or the
last day on which the PSC performs services
in support of this contract, whichever is
earlier. No costs of any kind incurred by the
PSC after the effective date in this notice may
be reimbursed except the cost of return
transportation (not including travel
allowances), if approved by the Contracting
Officer. If any costs relating to the period
subsequent to such date have been paid by
USAID, the PSC must promptly refund to
USAID any such prepayment as directed by
the Contracting Officer.
(2) For the convenience of USAID, by
giving not less than 15 calendar days advance
written notice to the PSC. Upon such a
termination, PSC’s right to compensation
stops when the period specified in the
written notice expires except that the PSC is
entitled to any unused vacation leave, return
transportation costs and travel allowances
and transportation of unaccompanied
baggage costs at the rate specified in the
contract and subject to the limitations that
apply to authorized travel status.
(3) For the convenience of USAID, when
the PSC is unable to complete performance
of the services under the contract by reason
of sickness or physical or emotional
incapacity based upon a certification of such
circumstances by a duly qualified doctor of
medicine approved by the Mission. The
contract will be deemed terminated upon
delivery to the PSC of a written termination
notice. Upon such a termination, the PSC
will not be entitled to compensation except
to the extent of any unused vacation or sick
leave, but will be entitled to return
transportation, travel allowances, and
unaccompanied baggage costs at rates
specified in the contract and subject to the
limitations that apply to authorized travel
status.
(4) For convenience, when a final security
clearance is denied. The contract will be
deemed terminated upon issuance to the PSC
of a written termination notice. Upon such a
termination, the PSC’s right to compensation
stops when the period specified in the
written notice expires or the last day on
which the PSC performs services in support
of this contract, whichever is earlier. The
PSC will be entitled to any unused vacation
leave, and will be entitled to return
transportation, travel allowances, and
unaccompanied baggage costs at rates
specified in the contract and subject to the
limitations that apply to authorized travel
status.
(b) The PSC, with the written consent of
the Contracting Officer, may terminate this
contract upon at least 15 days’ written notice
to the Contracting Officer.
7. Termination of PSCs Hired Under the
Local Compensation Plan
For those PSCs hired under the local
compensation plan, termination will be in
accordance with the local compensation
plan.
8. Release of Information
All rights in data and reports required by
or developed under this contract become the
property of the U.S. Government. All
information gathered under this contract by
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the PSC and all reports and
recommendations hereunder must be treated
as confidential by the PSC and must not,
without the prior written approval of the
Contracting Officer, be made available to any
person, party, or government, other than
USAID, except as otherwise expressly
provided in this contract. All data and
reports, including copies, will remain the
property of USAID.
9. Training
The PSC may be provided job related
training to expand capabilities and increase
knowledge and skills.
10. Reports
(a) The PSC must prepare and submit two
copies of each technical report required by
the schedule of this contract to the
Development Experience Clearinghouse, Via
E-mail: docsubmit@dec.cdie.org; Via U.S.
Postal Service: Development Experience
Clearinghouse, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite
210 Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; 3c) Via
Fax: (301) 588–7787; or Online: https://
www.dec.org/
index.cfm?fuseaction=docSubmit.home.
(b) The title page of all reports forwarded
to the Development Experience
Clearinghouse under this paragraph must
include a descriptive title, the author’s
Name(s), contract number, project number
and title, PSC’s name, name of the USAID
project office, and the publication or issuance
date of the report.
(c) When preparing reports, the PSC must
refrain from using elaborate art work,
multicolor printing, and expensive paper/
binding, unless it is specifically authorized
in the Contract Schedule. Wherever possible,
pages must be printed on both sides using
single spaced type.
11. Prohibition on the Use of Federal Funds
To Promote, Support, or Advocate for the
Legalization or Practice of Prostitution—
Acquisition
(a) The U.S. Government is opposed to
prostitution and related activities, which are
inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking
in persons. None of the funds made available
under this contract may be used to promote,
support, or advocate the legalization or
practice of prostitution. Nothing in the
preceding sentence will be construed to
preclude assistance designed to ameliorate
the suffering of, or health risks to, victims
while they are being trafficked or after they
are out of the situation that resulted from
such victims being trafficked.
(b) The contractor shall insert this
provision in all sub-awards under this award.
(c) This provision includes express terms
and conditions of the contract and any
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral
termination, in whole or in part, of the
contract by USAID prior to the end of its
term.
12. Homeland Security Presidential
Directive–12 (HSPD–12)
(a) In response to the general threat of
unauthorized access to federal facilities and
information systems, the President issued
Homeland Security Presidential Directive–
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12. HSPD–12 requires all Federal agencies to
use a common Personal Identity Verification
(PIV) standard when identifying and issuing
access rights to users of Federally-controlled
facilities and/or Federal Information
Systems. USAID will begin issuing HSPD–12
‘‘smart card’’ IDs to applicable contracts,
using a phased approach. Effective October
27, 2006, USAID will begin issuing new
‘‘smart card’’ IDs to new contractors (and
new contractor employees) requiring routine
access to USAID controlled facilities and/or
access to USAID’s information systems.
USAID will begin issuance of the new smart
card IDs to existing contractors (and existing
contractor employees) on October 27, 2007.
(Exceptions would include those situations
where an existing contractor (or contractor
employee) loses or damages his/her existing
ID and would need a replacement ID prior to
Oct 27, 2007. In those situations, the existing
contractor (or contractor employee) would
need to follow the PIV processes described
below, and be issued one of the new smart
cards.)
(b) Accordingly, before a contractor
(including a PSC* or a contractor employee)
may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement)
authorizing him/her routine access to USAID
facilities, or logical access to USAID’s
information systems, the individual must
provide two forms of identity source
documents in original form and a passport
size photo. One identity source document
must be a valid Federal or state governmentissued picture ID. (Overseas foreign nationals
must comply with the requirements of the
Regional Security Office.) USAID/W
contractors must contact the USAID Security
Office to obtain the list of acceptable forms
of documentation, and contractors working
in overseas Missions must obtain the
acceptable documentation list from the
Regional Security Officer. Submission of
these documents, and related background
checks, are mandatory in order for the
contractor to receive a building access ID,
and before access will be granted to any of
USAID’s information systems. All contractors
must physically present these two source
documents for identity proofing at their
USAID/W or Mission Security Briefing. The
contractor or his/her Facilities Security
Officer must return any issued building
access ID and remote authentication token to
USAID custody upon termination of the
individual’s employment with the contractor
or completion of the contract, whichever
occurs first.
(c) The contractor must comply with all
applicable HSPD–12 and PIV procedures, as
described above, and any subsequent USAID
or government-wide HSPD–12 and PIV
procedures/policies, including any
subsequent related USAID General Notices,
Office of Security Directives and/or
Automated Directives System (ADS) policy
directives and required procedures. This
includes HSPD–12 procedures established in
USAID/Washington and those procedures
established by the overseas Regional Security
Office.
(d) In the event of inconsistencies between
this clause and later issued Agency or
government-wide HSPD–12 guidance, the
most recent issued guidance should take
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precedence, unless otherwise instructed by
the Contracting Officer.
(e) The contractor is required to include
this clause in any subcontracts that require
the subcontractor or subcontractor employee
to have routine physical access to USAID
space or logical access to USAID’s
information systems.
13. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Clauses To Be Incorporated in Full Text in
All Personal Services Contracts
The following FAR Clauses are always to
be used along with the General Provisions.
They are required in full text.
(a) Covenant Against Contingent Fees
52.203–5
(b) Payment by Electronic Funds
Transfer—Other than Central Contractor
Registration 52.232–34
(c) Disputes 52.233–1 (Alternate 1)
(d) Preference for U.S. Flag Air Carriers
52.247–63
14. FAR Clauses To Be Incorporated by
Reference in All Personal Services Contracts
The following FAR Clauses are to be used
along with the General Provisions, and when
appropriate, be incorporated in each personal
services contract by reference:
(a) Anti-Kickback Procedures 52.203–7
(b) Limitation on Payments to Influence
Certain Federal Transactions 52.203–12
(c) Audit and Records—Negotiation
52.215–2
(d) Privacy Act Notification 52.224–1
(e) Privacy Act 52.224–2
(f) Taxes—Foreign Cost Reimbursement
Contracts 52.229–8
(g) Interest 52.232–17
(h) Limitation of Cost 52.232–20
(i) Limitation of Funds 52.232–22
(j) Assignment of Claims 52.232–23
(k) Protection of Government Buildings,
Equipment, and Vegetation 52.237–2
(l) Notice of Intent to Disallow Costs
52.242–1
(m) Inspection of Services—CostReimbursement 52.246–5
(n) Limitation of Liability—Services
52.246–25
PART II: For Inclusion in U.S. Personal
Service Contracts (USPSCs) Only
1. Purchase or Sale of Personal Property or
Automobiles (August 2006). (Only for
inclusion in offshore USPSCs)
(a) To the extent permitted by the
cooperating country, the purchase, sale,
import, or export of personal property or
automobiles in the cooperating country by
the PSC is subject to the same limitations and
prohibitions that apply to Mission U.S.citizen direct-hire employees.
(b) Insurance on Private Automobiles. If
the PSC or the dependents transport, or have
transported, privately owned automobile(s)
to the Cooperating Country or purchase an
automobile within the Cooperating Country,
the PSC agrees to cover such automobile(s)
(during such ownership within the
Cooperating Country) by a current, i.e., not in
arrears, insurance policy. The insurance
policy must be issued by a reliable company
providing the following minimum coverage,
or such other minimum coverage as may be
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set by the Mission Director, payable in U.S.
dollars or their equivalent in the currency of
the Cooperating Country: injury to persons,
$10,000/$20,000; and property damage,
$5,000. The PSC further agrees to deliver, or
have delivered, to the Mission Director, the
insurance policies required by this provision
or satisfactory proof of their existence, before
the automobile(s) is operated within the
Cooperating Country. The premium costs for
such insurance are not reimbursable under
this contract.
2. Physical Exams (for Inclusion in
Washington-Based USPSCs)
(a) Physical Fitness. Washington-based
USPSCs are not required to obtain a physical
exam unless their work schedule calls for
overseas TDY assignments of 60 days or more
in the aggregate during a 12-month period.
(b) For Washington based USPSCs whose
contracts require TDYs, which in the
aggregate amount to 60 days or more in a
calendar year, the PSC must obtain a medical
clearance from State M/MED prior to any
travel overseas. The Contracting Officer will
provide the USPSC with a medical clearance
packet for this purpose.
3. Physical Exams and Health Room
Privileges (for Inclusion in Offshore USPSCs)
(a) Physical Fitness.
(1) For contracts performed outside the
United States for less than 60 days in a
calendar year, the PSC is required to be
examined by a licensed doctor of medicine
and obtain from the doctor a statement of
medical opinion that, in the doctor’s opinion,
the contractor is physically able to engage in
the type of activity for which the PSC is
being employed under the contract. A copy
of the statement(s) shall be provided to the
Contracting Officer prior to the contractor’s
departure overseas, or for a U.S. resident
hire, before the PSC starts work under the
contract. As an example, the doctor may
choose to use the language of the doctor’s
statement of medical opinion at the end of
the form AID 1420–62 which identifies the
contractor by name, to meet this requirement.
However, form AID 1420–62 is not required
to be completed for contracts less than 60
days.
(2) For all contracts performed outside of
the United States in excess of 60 days, the
PSC and any authorized dependents must be
examined by a licensed doctor of medicine
and must obtain a medical clearance from the
U.S. Department of State, Office of Medical
Services, Medical Clearance Unit (M/MED).
A copy of the M/MED Medical Clearance
abstract must be provided to the Contracting
Officer before the contract is signed.
(3) The PSC and the dependents are
authorized physical examinations within 60
days after completion of the PSC’s period of
performance. The PSC is subject to the same
re-imbursement restrictions as the initial
exam.
(b) Reimbursement.
(1) As a contribution to the cost of medical
examinations required by paragraph (a)(1) of
this provision, USAID shall reimburse the
contractor not to exceed $250 for each
physical examination, plus reimbursement of
charges for immunizations.
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(2) (i) As a contribution to the cost of
medical examinations required by paragraph
(a)(2) and (3) of this provision, USAID will
reimburse the PSC in an amount not to
exceed half of the cost of the examination up
to a maximum of $700 per examination plus
reimbursement of charges for immunizations
for the PSC and for each authorized
dependent 12 years of age or over. The
USAID contribution for dependents under 12
years of age will not exceed half of the cost
of the examination up to a maximum of $350
per individual plus reimbursement of charges
for immunizations. The PSC must obtain the
prior written approval of the Contracting
Officer to receive any USAID obligations
higher than these limits.
(ii) If M/MED requires the proposed PSC
and/or dependents to have additional tests
done before providing medical clearance, the
proposed PSC shall notify the Contracting
Officer and the responsible individual in the
requiring office. These additional tests shall
be reimbursed to the proposed PSC at 100%
of incurred costs, minus any payments by the
proposed PSC’s insurance company.
(c) Health Unit Privileges. After the PSC
and dependents receive M/MED clearance,
routine medical services shall be available in
their overseas location. Procedures at the
Health Room shall be in accordance with
post policy at the post of duty. These services
do not include hospitalization or
predeparture examinations. The services
normally include such medications as may
be available, immunizations and preventive
health measures, diagnostic examinations
and advice, and home visits as medically
indicated. Emergency medical treatment is
provided to U.S. citizen PSCs and
dependents, whether or not they may have
been granted access to routine health room
services, on the same basis as would be to
any U.S. citizen in an emergency medical
situation in the country, including post
support for medevac (although medevac
service will be paid for by the PSC’s medevac
insurer) and post support for hospitalizations
per the terms of the personal services
contract.
4. Medical Expense Payment Responsibility
Include the following provision in all
USPSCs (excluding resident hire USPSCs):
(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General
Provision are defined in 16 FAM 116
(available at https://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/
fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note:
personal services contractors are not eligible
to participate in the Federal Employees
Health Programs.
(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs
Manual, Volume 16, Chapter 520 (16 FAM
520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical
Expenses, apply to this contract, except as
stated below. The contractor and each
dependent are strongly encouraged to obtain
health insurance that covers this assignment.
Nothing in this provision supersedes or
contradicts any other term or provision in
this contract that pertains to insurance or
medical costs, except that section (e)
supplements General Provision entitled
‘‘MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC)
SERVICES.’’
(c)(1) When the contractor or dependent is
covered by health insurance, that insurance
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is the primary payer for medical services
provided to that contractor or dependent(s)
both in the United States and abroad. The
primary insurer’s liability is determined by
the terms, conditions, limitations, and
exclusions of the insurance policy.
(2) When the contractor or dependent is
not covered by health insurance, the
contractor is the primary payer for the total
amount of medical costs incurred and the
U.S. Government has no payment obligation
(see paragraph (f) of this provision).
(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for
medical expenses of the contractor and
dependents who are covered by health
insurance, where the following conditions
are met:
(1) The illness, injury, or medical
condition giving rise to the expense is
incurred, caused, or materially aggravated
while the eligible individual is stationed or
assigned abroad;
(2) The illness, injury, or medical
condition giving rise to the expense required
or requires hospitalization and the expense is
directly related to the treatment of such
illness, injury, or medical condition,
including obstetrical care; and
(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/
MED) or a Foreign Service medical provider
(FSMP) determines that the treatment is
appropriate for, and directly related to, the
illness, injury, or medical condition.
(e) The Mission Director may, on the
advice of M/MED or an FSMP at post,
authorize medical travel for the contractor or
a dependent in accordance with the Travel
and Transportation Expenses General
Provision section entitled ‘‘Emergency and
Irregular Travel and Transportation.’’ In the
event of a medical emergency, when time
does not permit consultation, the Mission
Director may issue a Travel Authorization
Form or Medical Services Authorization
Form DS–3067, provided that the FSMP or
Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is notified as
soon as possible following such an issuance.
The contractor must promptly file a claim
with his or her MEDEVAC insurance
provider and repay to USAID any amount the
MEDEVAC insurer pays for medical travel,
up to the amount USAID paid under this
section. The contractor must repay USAID for
medical costs paid by the MEDEVAC insurer
in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below.
In order for medical travel to be an allowable
cost under General Provision entitled Travel
and Transportation Expenses, the contractor
must provide USAID written evidence that
MEDEVAC insurance does not cover these
medical travel costs.
(f) If the contractor or dependent is not
covered by primary health insurance, the
contractor is the primary payer for the total
amount of medical costs incurred. In the
event of a medical emergency, the Medical
and Health Program may authorize issuance
of Form DS–3067, Authorization for Medical
Services for Employees and/or Dependents,
to secure admission to a hospital located
abroad for the uninsured contractor or
dependent. In that case, the contractor will
be required to reimburse USAID in full for
funds advanced by USAID pursuant to the
issuance of the authorization. The contractor
may reimburse USAID directly or USAID
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6817
may offset the cost from the contractor’s
invoice payments under this contract, any
other contract the individual has with the
U.S. Government, or through any other
available debt collection mechanism.
(g) When USAID pays medical expenses
(e.g., pursuant to Form DS–3067,
Authorization for Medical Services for
Employees and/or Dependents), repayment
must be made to USAID either by insurance
payment or directly by the contractor, except
for the amount of such expenses USAID is
obligated to pay under this provision. The
Contracting Officer will determine the
repayment amount in accordance with the
terms of this provision and the policies and
procedures for employees contained in 16
FAM 521. When USAID pays the medical
expenses, including medical travel costs (see
section (e) above), of an individual (either the
contractor or a dependent) who is covered by
insurance, that individual promptly must
claim his or her benefits under any
applicable insurance policy or policies. As
soon as the individual receives the insurance
payment, the contractor must reimburse
USAID for the full amount that USAID paid
on the individual’s behalf or the repayment
amount determined by the Contracting
Officer in accordance with this paragraph,
whichever is less. If an individual is not
covered by insurance, the contractor must
reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all
medical expenses and any travel costs the
contractor receives from his/her MEDEVAC
provider.
(h) In the event that the contractor or
dependent fails to recover insurance
payments or transfer the amount of such
payments to USAID within 90 days, USAID
will take appropriate action to collect the
payments due, unless such failure is for
reasons beyond the control of the USPSC/
dependent.
(i) Before departing post or terminating the
contract, the contractor must settle all
medical expense and medical travel costs. If
the contractor is insured, he or she must
provide proof to the Contracting Officer that
those insurance claims have been submitted
to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a
repayment agreement to repay to USAID any
amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).
5. Compensation Adjustments
(a) Annual Salary Increase.
(1) All U.S. PSC positions are classified
based on the General Service (GS) schedule
at the grade USAID considers to be the
market value and salary range of the position.
When the salary is negotiated and agreed
upon, the salary must be fixed at a specific
step within the salary range, as classified at
the GS-equivalent grade, for the specified
position (e.g., GS–13, step 5).
(2) Future salary increases based on written
evaluation of satisfactory performance or
better must be consistent with U. S. directhire employee salary increases in accordance
with OMB policy in 5 CFR Section 531.405—
‘‘Waiting periods for within-grade increases.’’
(3) For extensions and renewals, when a
PSC’s current salary is between steps (for
example between a step 5 and a step 6), the
base for extension or renewal will be
established at the higher step (for example,
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step 6), and the ‘‘step increase’’ will be to
step 7.
(4) When an individual reaches the upper
limit of a position’s market value, i.e., the top
of the GS-equivalent grade, the individual’s
salary must be ‘‘capped’’ in the same way as
that of a USDH salary. This does not affect
the annual pay comparability adjustment.
(b) Annual Pay Comparability Adjustment.
The PSC’s compensation shall be adjusted to
reflect the pay comparability adjustments
that are granted from time to time to U.S.
direct-hire employees by Executive Order for
the statutory pay systems (usually in
January). Any adjustments authorized are
subject to the availability of funds and must
not exceed that percentage stated in the
Executive Order granting the adjustment.
Further, the adjusted compensation may not
exceed the annual ‘‘USAID Contractor Salary
Threshold (USAID CST)’’ which is equivalent
to the maximum rate for agencies without a
certified SES performance appraisal system
(or the equivalent hourly rate).
6. Leave and Holidays
(a) Vacation Leave.
(1) The PSC shall earn vacation leave at the
rate of 13 workdays per annum or 4 hours
every 2 weeks. However, no vacation shall be
earned if the tour of duty is less than 90 days.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1) above,
if the PSC has had previous: USAID PSC
service (i.e., has served under other personal
services contracts (PSCs) covered by Sec.
636(a)(3) of the FAA or other statutory
provision applicable to USAID); and/or
former U.S. Government (USG) direct hire
service—civilian and/or military), the PSC
will earn vacation leave based on time in
service as follows:
Time in service
Calculated vacation time
Up to 3 years of service ...........................................................................
over 3 years and up to 15 years of service .............................................
Four hours of vacation leave for each two week period.
Six hours of vacation leave for each two week period (including 10
hours vacation leave for the final pay period of a calendar year).
Eight hours of vacation leave for each two week period.
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15+ years of service .................................................................................
(3) (i) Vacation leave is provided under this
contract for the purposes of affording
necessary rest and recreation during the
period of performance. The PSC in
consultation with the USAID Mission or
USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall
develop a vacation leave schedule early in
the PSC’s period of performance taking into
consideration project requirements, PSC
preference and other factors. All vacation
leave earned by the PSC must be used during
the PSC’s period of performance. All vacation
leave earned by the PSC, but not taken by the
end of the PSC’s contract, will be forfeited.
However, to prevent forfeiture of vacation
leave, the Contracting Officer may approve
the PSC taking vacation leave during the
concluding weeks of the PSC’s contract.
(ii) As an exception to 3(i) above, the PSC
may receive lump-sum payment for leave not
taken. To approve this exception, the PSC’s
supervisor must provide the Contracting
Officer with a signed, written Determination
and Findings. The Determination and
Findings must set out the facts and
circumstances that prevented the PSC from
taking vacation leave and the Contracting
Officer must find that these facts and
circumstances were not caused by and were
beyond the control of the contractor. This
leave payment must not exceed the number
of days which could be earned by the PSC
during a twelve month period.
(4) With the approval of the Mission
Director or the cognizant AA, as appropriate,
and if the circumstances warrant, a
Contracting Officer may grant the PSC
advance vacation leave in excess of that
earned, but in no case may the Contracting
Officer grant advance vacation leave in
excess of that earned in one year or over the
life of the contract, whichever is less. The
PSC agrees to reimburse USAID for any
outstanding balance of advance vacation
leave provided during the PSC’s assignment
under the contract.
(5) Applicants for PSC positions will
provide evidence of their PSC and/or USG
direct hire service—civilian and/or military
experience, as applicable, on their signed and
dated SF–171 or OF–612. By signing the
appropriate form, the applicant attests to the
accuracy of the information provided. Any
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applicant providing incorrect information is
subject to the penalty provisions in the form.
If required to satisfy due diligence
requirements on behalf of the Contracting
Officer, PSCs may be required to furnish
evidence that verifies length of service, e.g.,
SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or signed contracts.
(b) Sick Leave. Sick leave is earned at a rate
not to exceed 13 work-days per annum or 4
hours every 2 weeks. Unused sick leave may
be carried over under an extension/renewal
of this contract. Otherwise, sick leave will
not be carried over from one post to another
or from one contract to another. The PSC will
not be compensated for unused sick leave
upon completion of this contract.
(c) Military Leave. Military leave of not
more than 15 calendar days in any calendar
year may be granted to a PSC who is a
reservist of the Armed Forces. The PSC must
provide advance notice of the pending
military leave to the Contracting Officer or
the Mission Director as soon as known. A
copy of any such notice must be part of the
contract file.
(d) Leave Without Pay. Leave without pay
may be granted only with the written
approval of the Contracting Officer or
Mission Director.
(e) Compensatory Time. Compensatory
leave may be granted only with the written
approval of the Contracting Officer or
Mission Director in rare instances when it
has been determined absolutely essential and
used under those guidelines which apply to
direct-hire employees.
(f) Sunday Pay (if applicable). Each
Mission has the option whether or not to
authorize Sunday pay for U.S. PSCs, with
two stipulations: the decision whether or not
to pay must be administered consistently
throughout the Mission; and if Sunday pay
is authorized, it must be paid under the same
terms and conditions that Foreign Service
direct-hire employees would receive in
accordance with 3 FAM 3136.
(g) Leave Records. The PSC shall maintain
current leave records and make them
available, as requested by the Mission
Director or the Contracting Officer.
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FOR INCLUSION IN USPSCS Posted
Overseas
(h) Home Leave.
(1) Home leave is leave earned for service
abroad for use only in the United States, its
commonwealths and territories.
(2) A USPSC who is a U.S. citizen or U.S.
resident alien and has served at least two
years overseas at the same USAID Mission,
under the same contract, as defined in
paragraph (c)(4) below, and has not taken
more than 30 work days leave (vacation, sick
or leave without pay) in the United States
may be granted home leave in accordance
with the following:
(i) If the PSC returns to the same overseas
post upon completion of home leave for an
additional 2 years under the same contract,
or for such shorter period of not less than one
year, as approved in writing by the Mission
Director prior to the USPSC’s departure on
home leave, the PSC will receive home leave,
to be taken at one time, for a period of not
more than 30 work days, provided advance
approval is obtained from the Mission
Director;
(ii) If the contractor is returning to a
different USAID Mission under a USAID
personal services contract immediately
following completion of the USPSC’s home
leave, for an additional 2 years under
contract, or for such shorter period of not less
than one year, as approved by the Mission
Directors of the ‘‘losing’’ and ‘‘gaining’’
Missions, the PSC will receive home leave,
to be taken at one time, for a period of not
more than 20 work days. When the PSC is
returning to a different USAID Mission, the
former Mission will pay for the home leave
regardless of what country the PSC will be
working in following the home leave;
(iii) If home leave eligibility is based on
paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this provision, the PSC
must submit written verification to the losing
Mission at the time home leave is requested
that the PSC has accepted a USAID personal
services contract at another USAID Mission
following completion of the home leave;
(iv) Travel time by the most direct route is
authorized in addition to the number of work
days authorized for home leave;
(v) Home leave must be taken in the United
States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or
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the possessions of the United States, and any
days spent elsewhere will be charged to
vacation leave. If the PSC does not have
accrued vacation leave, the PSC will be
placed on leave without pay.
(vi) If the PSC does not complete the
additional service required under (c)(2)(i) or
(ii) (that the Contracting Officer finds are
other than for reasons beyond the PSC’s
control), the cost of home leave, travel and
transportation and any other related costs
must be repaid by the PSC to the
Government.
(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in
paragraph (c)(2) above that the contractor
must have served 2 years overseas under
personal services contract with the same
Mission to be eligible for home leave, the
PSC may be granted advance home leave
subject to all of the following conditions:
(i) Granting of advanced home leave would
in each case serve to advance the attainment
of the objectives of this contract; and
(ii) The PSC has served a minimum of 18
months in the Cooperating Country under
this contract; and
(iii) The contractor agrees to return to the
Cooperating Country to serve out the
remainder of the current contract, plus an
additional 2 years under the current contract
or under a new contract for the same or
similar services at the same Mission. If
approved in advance by the Mission Director,
the contractor may return to serve out the
remainder of the current contract, and an
additional period of not less than 1 year
under the current contract or under a new
contract for the same or similar services at
the same Mission.
(4) The period of service overseas required
under paragraph (c)(2), or paragraph (c)(3)
above, will include the actual days in
orientation in the United States (less
language training). The actual days overseas
begin on the date of arrival in the
Cooperating Country inclusive of authorized
delays enroute. Allowable vacation and sick
leave taken while overseas, but not leave
without pay, shall be included in the
required period of service overseas. An
amount equal to the number of days of
vacation and sick leave taken in the United
States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or
the possessions of the United States will be
added to the required period of service
overseas.
(5) Salary during the travel to and from the
United States for home leave will be limited
to the time required for travel by the most
expeditious air route. Except for reasons
beyond the PSC’s control as determined by
the Contracting Officer, the PSC must return
to duty after home leave and complete the
additional required service or be responsible
for reimbursing USAID for payments made
during home leave. Unused home leave is not
reimbursable under this contract, nor can it
be taken incrementally in separate time
periods.
(6) Home leave must be taken at one time,
and to the extent deemed necessary by the
Contracting Officer, a contractor in the
United States on home leave may be
authorized to spend not more than 5 days in
work status for consultation at USAID/
Washington before returning to post.
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Consultation at locations other than USAID/
Washington as well as any time in excess of
5 days spent for consultation must be
approved by the Mission Director or the
Contracting Officer.
(i) Home Leave Policy for Qualifying Posts.
(1) On June 15, 2006, the Congress passed
and the President signed an amendment to
the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended,
that allows home leave for direct-hire
employees following completion of 12-month
overseas assignments at qualifying posts.
(2) USAID is extending this new home
leave policy to its USPSCs who ordinarily
qualify for home leave, and is effective as of
July 20, 2006. This new home leave policy
is in addition to the home leave a USPSC
would earn under the contract. USAID
USPSCs who complete their 12-month
assignment at one of the qualifying posts on
or after July 20, 2006, may be eligible for
home leave under this new provision. For
USAID, a list of qualifying posts can be
obtained from the Human Resources Office in
USAID/W.
(3) If an eligible USPSC elects to take this
new home leave, the USPSC must take a
minimum of ten workdays of home leave.
There is no requirement that an eligible
USPSC take home leave after serving 12
months at a designated post; it is only an
option. If a USPSC is returning to the United
States, and not returning overseas to the same
or different USAID Mission, this new home
leave policy will not apply.
(j) Holidays. The contractor, while serving
abroad, shall be entitled to all holidays
granted by the Mission to U.S.-citizen directhire employees.
7. Differential and Allowances (for Inclusion
IN USPSCs, Excluding Resident Hires)
(a) By definition, a PSC is different from a
direct-hire employee. Differentials and
allowances are not entitlements. Not all
differentials and allowances available to
direct-hire employees are available to a PSC.
As a result, differences in entitlements may
result between USDH and USPSCs. While
USAID strives for equity between USDH and
USPSCs, it is recognized that the differences
in the systems do not entirely allow for such
equity.
(b) USPSCs (excluding resident hire) are
granted applicable differentials and
allowances to the same extent and on the
same basis as they are granted to U.S. citizen
direct-hire employees at the Mission by the
Department of State Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas)(DSSR), as from time to time amended.
The rate or percentage of the allowance/
differential is not negotiable. U.S. residenthire PSCs are not eligible for any fringe
benefits (except contributions for FICA,
health insurance, and life insurance),
including differentials and allowances.
Neither the Contracting Officer nor the
Mission Director has the discretion to
provide any additional benefits and
allowances without M/OAA/P’s clearance of
a request for deviation.
(c) An explanation for each of the
differentials and allowances can be found on
the U.S. Department of State website at
www.state.gov. If an allowance or differential
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is not addressed in the DSSR, USAID
reserves the right to apply any other guidance
that is also used for USDH.
(d) The following differential and
allowances may be granted to the PSC in
accordance with governing regulations:
Applicable Reference to Standardized
Regulations
(1) Post Differential Chapter 500 and
Tables in Chapter 900.
(2) Living Quarters Allowance Section 130.
(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance Section
120.
(4) Post Allowance Section 220.
(5) Supplemental Post Allowance Section
230.
(6) Payments During Evacuation Section
600.
(7) Education Allowance Section 270.
(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance
Section 260.
(9) Danger Pay Allowance Section 650.
(10) Education Travel Section 280.
(1) Post Differential. Post differential is an
additional compensation for service at places
in foreign areas where conditions of
environment differ substantially from
conditions of environment in the continental
United States and warrant additional
compensation as a recruitment and retention
incentive. In areas where post differential is
paid to USAID direct-hire employees, post
differential not to exceed the percentage of
salary as is provided such USAID direct-hire
employees in accordance with the
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas) Chapter 500 (except
the limitation contained in Section 552,
‘‘Ceiling on Payment’’) Tables—Chapter 900,
as from time to time amended, will be
reimbursable hereunder for PSCs in respect
to amounts earned during the time such PSCs
actually spend overseas on work under this
contract. When such post differential is
provided to the PSC, it must be payable
beginning on the date of arrival at the post
of assignment and continue, including
periods away from post on official business,
until the close of business on the day of
departure from post of assignment enroute to
the United States. Sick or vacation leave
taken at or away from the post of assignment
will not interrupt the continuity of the
assignment or require a discontinuance of
such post differential payments, provided
such leave is not taken within the United
States or the territories of the United States.
Post differential will not be payable while the
employee is away from the post of
assignment for purposes of home leave.
Short-term employees will be entitled to post
differential beginning with the forty-third
(43rd) day at post.
(2) Living Quarters Allowance. Living
quarters allowance is an allowance granted to
reimburse an employee for substantially all
of the cost for either temporary or residence
quarters whenever Government-owned or
Government-rented quarters are not provided
to the PSC at the post without charge. Such
costs are those incurred for temporary
lodging (temporary lodging allowance) or one
unit of residence quarters (living quarters
allowance) and include rent, plus any costs
not included therein for heat, light, fuel, gas,
electricity and water. The temporary lodging
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allowance and the living quarters allowance
are never both payable to an employee for the
same period of time. The PSC will receive
living quarters allowance for payment of rent
and utilities if such facilities are not
supplied. Such allowance must not exceed
the amount paid USAID employees of
equivalent rank in the Cooperating Country,
in accordance with either, the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 130, as from time to time
amended; or other rates approved by the
Mission Director. Subject to the written
approval of the Mission Director, short-term
employees may be paid per diem (in lieu of
living quarters allowance) at rates prescribed
by the Federal Travel Regulations, as from
time to time amended, during the time such
short-term employees spend at posts of duty
in the Cooperating Country under this
contract. In authorizing such per diem rates,
the Mission Director must consider the
particular circumstances involved with
respect to each such short-term employee
including the extent to which meals and/or
lodging may be made available without
charge or at nominal cost by an agency of the
United States Government or of the
Cooperating Government and similar factors.
(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance.
Temporary lodging allowance is a quarters
allowance granted to an employee for the
reasonable cost of temporary quarters
incurred by the employee and the family for
a period not in excess of three months after
first arrival at a new post in a foreign area
or a period ending with the occupation of
residence (permanent) quarters, if earlier, and
one month immediately preceding final
departure from the post subsequent to the
necessary vacating of residence quarters. The
PSC and authorized dependents will receive
temporary lodging allowance in lieu of living
quarters allowance, not to exceed the amount
set forth in the Standardized Regulations
(Government Civilians, Foreign Areas),
Chapter 120, as from time to time amended.
(4) Post Allowance. Post allowance is a
cost-of-living allowance granted to an
employee officially stationed at a post where
the cost of living, exclusive of quarters cost,
is substantially higher than in Washington,
D.C. The PSC will receive post allowance
payments not to exceed those paid USAID
employees in the Cooperating Country, in
accordance with the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 220, as from time to time
amended.
(5) Supplemental Post Allowance.
Supplemental post allowance is a form of
post allowance granted to an employee at the
post when it is determined that assistance is
necessary to defray extraordinary subsistence
costs. The PSC will receive supplemental
post allowance payments not to exceed the
amount set forth in the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 230, as from time to time
amended.
(6) Payments during Evacuation. The
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas) provide the
authority for efficient, orderly, and equitable
procedure for the payment of compensation,
post differential and allowances in the event
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of an emergency evacuation of employees or
their dependents, or both, from duty stations
for military or other reasons or because of
imminent danger to their lives. If evacuation
has been authorized by the Mission Director,
the PSC and authorized dependents will
receive payments during evacuation from
their post of assignment in accordance with
the Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 600, and
the Federal Travel Regulations, as from time
to time amended.
(7) Educational Allowance. Educational
allowance is an allowance to assist the PSC
in meeting the extraordinary and necessary
expenses, not otherwise compensated for,
incurred by reason of the service in a foreign
area in providing adequate elementary and
secondary education for the children. The
PSC will receive educational allowance
payments for the dependent children in
amounts not to exceed those set forth in
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 270, as
from time to time amended.
(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance.
Separate maintenance allowance is an
allowance to assist an employee who is
compelled by reason of dangerous, notably
unhealthful, or excessively adverse living
conditions at the post of assignment in a
foreign area, or for the convenience of the
Government, to meet the additional expense
of maintaining the dependents elsewhere
than at such post. The PSC will receive
separate maintenance allowance payments
not to exceed that made to USAID employees
in accordance with the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 260, as from time to time
amended.
(9) Danger Pay Allowance. Danger pay
allowance is an allowance to provide
additional compensation above basic
compensation to employees in foreign areas
where civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism
or wartime conditions threaten physical
harm or imminent danger to the health or
well-being of the employee. The danger pay
allowance is in lieu of that part of the post
differential, which is attributable to political
violence. Consequently, the post differential
may be reduced while danger pay is in effect
to avoid dual crediting for political violence.
The PSC will be allowed danger pay
allowance not to exceed that paid USAID
employees in the Cooperating Country, in
accordance with the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 650, as from time to time
amended.
(10) Educational Travel. Educational travel
is travel to and from a school in the United
States for secondary education (in lieu of an
educational allowance) and for college
education. The PSC will receive educational
travel payments for the dependent children
provided such payment does not exceed that
which would be payable in accordance with
the Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 280, as
from time to time amended. Educational
travel must not be authorized for PSCs whose
assignment is less than two years.
(e) The allowances provided in paragraphs
(a)(1) through (10) of this provision must be
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paid to the PSC in accordance with practice
prevailing at the Mission, or the Mission
Director may direct that the PSC be paid a
per diem in lieu thereof as prescribed by the
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), as from time to
time amended.
8. Social Security and Income Tax
(a) F.I.C.A. and Medicare contributions at
the prevailing rate, and U.S. Federal Income
Tax withholding are deducted in accordance
with regulations and rulings of the Social
Security Administration and the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service, respectively.
(b) The PSC is not eligible for the ‘‘foreign
earned income’’ exclusion under the IRS
Regulations (see 26 CFR 1.911–3(c)(3)).
9. Advance of Dollar Funds
If requested by the PSC and authorized in
writing by the Contracting Officer, USAID
will arrange for an advance of funds to defray
the initial cost of travel, travel allowances,
authorized pre-contract expenses, and
shipment of personal property. The advance
is granted on the same basis as to a USAID
U.S.-citizen direct-hire employee in
accordance with ADS 633.
10. Health and Life Insurance
(a) USAID will provide the PSC a
maximum contribution of up to 50% against
the actual costs of the PSC’s annual health
insurance costs, provided that such costs do
not exceed the maximum U.S. Government
contribution for direct-hire personnel as
announced annually by the Office of
Personnel Management.
(b) USAID will provide the PSC with a
contribution of up to 50% against the actual
costs of annual life insurance not to exceed
$500.00 per year.
(c) Retired U.S. Government employees
must not be paid additional contributions for
health or life insurance under their contracts.
The Government will normally have already
paid its contribution for the retiree unless the
former employee can prove to the satisfaction
of the Contracting Officer that the health and
life insurance does not provide or
specifically excludes coverage overseas. In
such case, the PSC would be eligible for
contributions under paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this provision, as appropriate.
(d) The PSC must submit proof of health
and life insurance coverage to the
Contracting Officer before any contribution is
paid. On assignments of less than one year,
costs for health and life insurance are
prorated and paid accordingly.
(e) A PSC who is a spouse of a current or
retired Civil Service, Foreign Service, or
Military Service member and who is covered
by their spouse’s Government health or life
insurance policy is ineligible for the
contribution under paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this provision.
(f) If the PSC is covered under a spouse’s
health insurance plan, where the spouse’s
employer pays some or all of the health
insurance costs for the spouse and the PSC,
the PSC is ineligible for the contribution
under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
provision.
(g) If the PSC is covered under a spouse’s
health insurance plan, where the spouse’s
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employer pays only for the spouse’s share of
the insurance cost and the employer does not
pay for any portion of the premium for the
PSC, the PSC is eligible for the contributions
in (a) and (b) of this provision. The PSC must
provide to the Contracting Officer proof of
this coverage and premiums paid.
11. Travel and Transportation Expenses
(a) General.
(1) Generally a travel authorization (TA)
will be provided to the PSC for transportation
authorized by this contract originating in the
United States. The executive officer at the
Mission will provide a TA for authorized
transportation which is payable in local
currency or is to originate overseas. When
transportation is not provided by the
Government-issued TA, the PSC must
procure transportation, the costs of which
will be reimbursed in accordance with the
terms of this contract.
(2) The PSC will be reimbursed for
reasonable, allocable and allowable travel
and transportation expenses incurred under
and for the performance of this contract.
Determination of reasonableness, allocability
and allowability will be made by the
Contracting Officer in accordance with
USAID’s established policies and procedures
and the particular needs of the activity being
implemented by this contract. Salary will not
be paid during initial travel to the Mission
and return at the end of the contract, unless
specifically authorized in the contract. The
following paragraphs provide specific
guidance and limitations on particular items
of cost.
(b) U.S. Travel and Transportation. The
PSC will be reimbursed for actual
transportation costs and travel allowances in
the United States as authorized in the
Contract Schedule or approved in advance by
the Contracting Officer or the Mission
Director. Transportation costs and travel
allowances must not be reimbursed in any
amount greater than the cost of, and time
required for, Economy-class commercially
scheduled air travel by the most expeditious
route except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (g) of this provision. Any travel
other than by economy class must be
approved in advance by the CO and the PSC
must certify to the unavailability of economy
class in the voucher or other documents
submitted for reimbursement.
(c) International Travel. For travel to and
from post of assignment, the PSC will be
reimbursed for travel costs and travel
allowances from place of residence in the
United States (or other location provided that
the cost of such travel does not exceed the
cost of the travel from the PSC’s residence in
the United States) to the post of duty in the
Cooperating Country and return to place of
residence in the United States (or other
location provided that the cost of such travel
does not exceed the cost of travel from the
post of duty in the Cooperating Country to
the PSC’s residence) upon completion of
services by the individual. Reimbursement
for travel must be in accordance with
USAID’s established policies and procedures
for its direct-hire employees and the
provisions of this contract, and must be
limited to the cost of travel by the most direct
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and expeditious route. If the contract is for
longer than one year and the PSC does not
complete one full year at post of duty (except
for reasons beyond the PSC’s control as
determined by the CO), the costs of going to
and from the post of duty for the PSC and
dependents are not reimbursable hereunder.
If the PSC serves more than one year but less
than the required service in the Cooperating
Country (except for reasons beyond the PSC’s
control as determined by the CO) the costs
of going to the post of duty are reimbursable
hereunder but the costs of going from post of
duty to the PSC’s permanent, legal place of
residence at the time he or she was employed
for work under this contract, or other
location as approved by the Contracting
Officer, are not reimbursable under this
contract for the PSC and dependents. When
travel is by economy class accommodations,
the PSC will be reimbursed for the cost of
transporting up to 10 kilograms/22 pounds of
accompanied personal baggage per traveler in
addition to that regularly allowed with the
economy ticket provided that the total
number of pounds of baggage does not
exceed that regularly allowed for first class
travelers. Travel allowances for travelers
must not be in excess of the rates authorized
in the Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign areas)—hereinafter referred
to as the Standardized Regulations—as from
time to time amended, for not more than the
travel time required by scheduled
commercial air carrier using the most
expeditious route. One stopover enroute for
a period of not to exceed 24 hours is
allowable when the traveler uses economy
class accommodations for a trip of 14 hours
or more of scheduled duration. Such
stopover must not be authorized when travel
is by indirect route or is delayed for the
convenience of the traveler. Per-diem during
such stopover must be paid in accordance
with the Federal Travel Regulations as from
time to time amended.
(d) Local Travel. Reimbursement for local
travel in connection with duties directly
referable to the contract must not be in excess
of the rates established by the Mission
Director for the travel costs of travelers in the
Cooperating Country. In the absence of such
established rates the PSC will be reimbursed
for actual travel costs in the Cooperating
Country or the Mission, including travel
allowances at rates not in excess of those
prescribed by the Standardized Regulations.
(e) Indirect Travel for Personal
Convenience. When travel is performed by an
indirect route for the personal convenience of
the traveler, the allowable costs of such travel
will be computed on the basis of the cost of
allowable air fare via the direct usually
traveled route. If such costs include fares for
air or ocean travel by foreign flag carriers,
approval for indirect travel by such foreign
flag carriers must be obtained from the
Contracting Officer or the Mission Director
before such travel is undertaken, otherwise
only that portion of travel accomplished by
the United States-flag carriers will be
reimbursable within the above limitation of
allowable costs.
(f) Limitation on Travel by Dependents.
Travel costs and allowances will be allowed
for authorized dependents of the PSC and
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such costs will be reimbursed for travel from
place of abode to assigned station in the
Cooperating Country and returned, only if
the dependent remains in the Cooperating
Country for at least 9 months or one-half of
the required tour of duty of the PSC,
whichever is greater, except as otherwise
authorized hereunder for education, medical
or emergency visitation travel. If the
dependent is eligible for educational travel
pursuant to the ‘‘Differential and
Allowances’’ provision of this contract, time
spent away from post resulting from
educational travel will be counted as time at
post.
(g) Delays Enroute. The PSC may be
granted reasonable delays enroute while in
travel status when such delays are caused by
events beyond the control of the PSC and are
not due to circuitous routing. It is understood
that if delay is caused by physical
incapacitation, the PSC will be eligible for
such sick leave as provided under the ‘‘Leave
and Holidays’’ provision of this contract.
(h) Travel by Privately Owned Automobile
(POV). If travel by POV is authorized in the
contract schedule or approved by the
Contracting Officer, the PSC will be
reimbursed for the cost of travel performed
in the POV at a rate not to exceed that
authorized in the Federal Travel Regulations
plus authorized per diem for the employee
and for each of the authorized dependents
traveling in the POV, if the POV is being
driven to or from the Cooperating Country as
authorized under the contract, provided that
the total cost of the mileage and the per diem
paid to all authorized travelers must not
exceed the total constructive cost of fare and
normal per diem by all authorized travelers
by surface common carrier or authorized air
fare, whichever is less.
(i) Emergency and Irregular Travel and
Transportation. Emergency transportation
costs and travel allowances while enroute, as
provided in this section, will be reimbursed
not to exceed amounts authorized by the
Foreign Service Travel Regulations for
USAID direct hire employees in like
circumstances under the following
conditions:
(1) The costs of going from post of duty in
the Cooperating Country to the employee’s
permanent, legal place of residence at the
time the PSC was employed for work under
this contract or other location for contractor
employees and dependents and returning to
the post of duty, subject to the prior written
approval of the Mission Director that such
travel is necessary for one of the following
reasons.
(i) Need for medical care beyond that
available within the area to which the
employee is assigned, or serious effect on
physical or mental health if residence is
continued at assigned post of duty. The
Mission Director may authorize a medical
attendant to accompany the employee at
contract expense if, based on medical
opinion, such an attendant is necessary.
(ii) Death, or serious illness or injury of a
member of the immediate family of the
employee or the immediate family of the
employee’s spouse.
(2) When, for any reason, the Mission
Director determines it is necessary to
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evacuate the PSC or PSC’s dependents, the
PSC will be reimbursed for travel and
transportation expenses and travel allowance
while enroute, for the cost of the individuals
going from post of duty in the Cooperating
Country to the employee’s permanent, legal
place of residence at the time the PSC was
employed for work under this contract or
other approved location. The Mission
Director will determine when such
employees and dependents can return to the
Mission.
(3) The Mission Director may also
authorize emergency or irregular travel and
transportation in other situations, when in
the Mission Director’s opinion, the
circumstances warrant such action. The
authorization must include the kind of leave
to be used and appropriate restrictions as to
time away from post, transportation of
personal and household effects, etc.
(j) Home Leave Travel. To the extent that
home leave has been authorized as provided
in the ‘‘Leave and Holidays’’ provision of this
contract, the cost of travel for home leave is
reimbursable for travel costs and travel
allowances of travelers from the post of duty
in the Cooperating Country to place of
residence in the United States (or other
location provided that the cost of such travel
does not exceed the cost of travel to the PSC’s
residence in the United States) and return to
the post of duty in the Cooperating Country.
Reimbursement for travel must be in
accordance with the Department of State
Standardized Regulations, as from time to
time amended, and must be limited to the
cost of travel by the most direct and
expeditious route. Travel allowances for
travelers must be in accordance with the
rates authorized in the Standardized
Regulations as from time to time amended,
for not more than the travel time required by
scheduled commercial air carrier using the
most expeditious route using economy class.
One stopover enroute for a period of not to
exceed 24 hours is allowable when the
traveler uses economy class accommodations
for a trip of 14 hours or more of scheduled
duration. Such stopover must not be
authorized when travel is by indirect route or
is delayed for the convenience of the traveler
or the traveler uses other than economy class.
Per-diem during such stopover must be paid
in accordance with the Standardized
Regulations.
(k) Rest and Recuperation Travel. If
approved in writing by the Mission Director,
the PSC and dependents will be allowed rest
and recuperation travel on the same basis as
authorized USAID direct-hire Mission
employees and their dependents.
(l) Transportation of Motor Vehicles,
Personal Effects and Household Goods.
(1) Transportation costs must be paid on
the same basis as for USAID direct-hire
employees serving the same length tour of
duty, as authorized in the schedule.
Transportation, including packing and
crating costs, will be paid for shipping from
the point of origin in the United States (or
other location as approved by the Contracting
Officer) to post of duty in the Cooperating
Country and return to point of origin in the
United States (or other location as approved
by the Contracting Officer) of one privately-
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owned vehicle for the PSC, personal effects
of the PSC and authorized dependents, and
household goods of the PSC not to exceed the
limitations in effect for such shipments for
USAID direct-hire employees in accordance
with the Foreign Service Travel Regulations
in effect at the time shipment is made. These
limitations may be obtained from the
Contracting Officer.
(2) The cost of transporting motor vehicles
and household goods must not exceed the
cost of packing, crating, and transportation
by surface common carrier. In the event that
the carrier does not require boxing or crating
of motor vehicles for shipment to the
Cooperating Country, the cost of boxing or
crating is not reimbursable. The
transportation of a privately owned motor
vehicle for a PSC may be authorized as a
replacement of the last such motor vehicle
shipped under this contract for such PSC
when the Mission Director determines, in
advance, and so notifies the PSC in writing,
that the replacement is necessary for reasons
not due to the negligence or malfeasance of
the PSC. The determination must be made
under the same rules and regulations that
apply to authorized Mission U.S. citizen
direct-hire employees.
(m) Unaccompanied Baggage.
Unaccompanied baggage is considered to be
those personal belongings needed by the
traveler immediately upon arrival of the PSC
and dependents, and consideration should be
given to advance shipments of
unaccompanied baggage. The PSC will be
reimbursed for costs of shipment of
unaccompanied baggage (in addition to the
weight allowance for household effects) not
to exceed the limitations in effect for USAID
direct-hire employees in accordance with the
Foreign Service Travel Regulations as in
effect when shipment is made. These
limitations are available from the Contracting
Officer. This unaccompanied baggage may be
shipped as air freight by the most direct route
between authorized points of origin and
destination regardless of the modes of travel
used. This provision is applicable to home
leave travel when authorized by the terms of
this contract.
(n) International Ocean Transportation.
(1) (i) Transportation of goods. Where U.S.
flag vessels are not available, or their use
would result in a significant delay, the PSC
may obtain a release from the requirement to
use U.S.-flag vessels from the Transportation
Division, Office of Acquisition and
Assistance, U.S. Agency for International
Development, Washington, DC 20523–1419,
or the Mission Director, as appropriate,
giving the basis for the request.
(ii) Transportation of persons. Where U.S.
flag vessels are not available, or their use
would result in a significant delay, the PSC
may obtain a release from the requirement to
use U.S.-flag vessels from the Contracting
Officer or the Mission Director, as
appropriate.
(2) Transportation of foreign-made
vehicles. Reimbursement of the costs of
transporting a foreign-made motor vehicle
will be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Foreign Service Travel
Regulations.
(3) Reduced rates on U.S.-flag carriers are
in effect for shipments of household goods
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and personal effects of USAID contractors
between certain locations. These reduced
rates are available provided the shipper
furnishes to the carrier at the time of the
issuance of the Bill of Lading documentary
evidence that the shipment is for the account
of USAID. The Contracting Officer will, on
request, furnish to the PSC current
information concerning the availability of a
reduced rate with respect to any proposed
shipment. The PSC must not be reimbursed
for shipments of household goods or personal
effects in amounts in excess of the reduced
rates, which are available in accordance with
the foregoing.
(o) Storage of household effects. The cost
of storage charges (including packing,
crating, and drayage costs) in the U.S. of
household goods of the PSC will be
permitted in lieu of transportation of all or
any part of such goods to the Cooperating
Country under paragraph (l) above provided
that the total amount of effects shipped to the
Cooperating Country or stored in the U.S.
must not exceed the amount authorized for
USAID direct-hire employees under the
Department of State Standardized
Regulations. These amounts are available
from the Contracting Officer.
(p) Repatriation Travel. A PSC must return
to the U.S. within 30 days after termination
or completion of employment or forfeit all
right to reimbursement for repatriation travel.
12. Payment
(a) As approved and directed by the paying
office, time and attendance will be submitted
for PSCs in the same manner as is approved
for direct-hire personnel.
(b) Once each month, or at more frequent
intervals, if approved by the paying office
indicated on the Cover Page, the PSC may be
required to submit to such office form SF
1034 ‘‘Public Voucher for Purchases and
Services Other Than Personal’’ (original) and
SF 1034–A (three copies), or whatever other
form is locally required or accepted. Each
voucher must be identified by the USAID
contract number and properly executed in
the amount of dollars claimed during the
period covered. The voucher forms must be
supported by:
(1) The PSC’s detailed invoice, in original
and two copies, indicating for each amount
claimed the paragraph of the contract under
which payment is to be made, supported
when applicable as follows:
(i) For compensation—a statement showing
period covered, days worked, and days when
PSC was in authorized travel, leave, or
stopover status for which compensation is
claimed. All claims for compensation must
be accompanied by, or must incorporate, a
certification signed by the PSC’s supervisor
covering days or hours worked, or authorized
travel or leave time for which compensation
is claimed.
(ii) For travel and transportation—a
statement of itinerary with attached carrier’s
receipt and/or passenger’s coupons, as
appropriate.
(iii) For reimbursable expenses—an
itemized statement supported by original
receipts.
(2) The first voucher submitted must
account for and liquidate the unexpended
balance of any funds advanced to the PSC.
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(c) A final voucher and release of claims
certification must be submitted by the PSC
promptly following completion of the duties
under this contract but in no event later than
120 days (or such longer period as the
Contracting Officer may approve in writing)
from the date of contract completion. The
PSC’s claim, which includes the final
settlement of compensation, must not be paid
until after the performance of the duties
required under the terms of this contract has
been approved by USAID. Following this
approval by USAID, the PSC will submit the
Release of Claims Certification and the
voucher designated by the PSC as the ‘‘final
voucher’’. This final voucher must be
submitted on Form SF 1034 (original) and SF
1034–A (three copies). This final voucher
must include a refund check for the balance
remaining on hand of any funds which may
have been advanced to the PSC, or the
Government must pay any amounts due and
owing to the PSC.
(d) Release of Claims Certification. The
following Release of Claims Certification
must be included on the final voucher,
signed and dated by the PSC.
‘‘WHERE AS, by the terms of the contract
between the PSC, (insert name) and the
United States, it is provided that after
completion of all the work, and prior to final
payment, the PSC shall furnish the United
States with a release of all claims.
‘‘NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the above premises and the payment (by the
United States to the PSC, or by the PSC to
the United States, as applicable) of the
amount now due under the contract, to wit,
the sum of llll dollars ($llll), the
PSC hereby remises, releases, and forever
discharges the United States, its officers,
agents, and employees, of and from all
manner of liabilities, obligations, accounts,
claims, and demands whatsoever, in law and
in equity, under or arising from the contract,
except: (if there are no exceptions, state
‘‘None’’ on the line below).
lllllllllllllllllllll
I, lllll certify that I am the PSC in
the foregoing release, and who signed this
release.
Signed: llllll
Date:llllll’’
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13. Conversion of U.S. Dollars to Local
Currency
The PSC will be provided the policy to be
followed in the conversion of U.S. dollars to
local currency. This may include, but not be
limited to the conversion of said currency
through the cognizant U.S. Disbursing
Officer, or Mission Controller, as appropriate.
14. Post of Assignment Privileges
Privileges such as the use of APO, PX’s,
commissaries, and officers clubs are
established at posts abroad under agreements
between the U.S. and host governments.
These facilities are intended for and usually
limited to members of the official U.S.
establishment including the Embassy, USAID
Mission, U.S. Information Service and the
Military. Off-shore USPSCs are entitled to
use the pouch and/or APO on the same basis
as U.S. Direct-hire employees. Off-shore
USPSCs are also entitled to the privileges and
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immunities enjoyed by U.S. direct-hire
employees. Normally, the agreements do not
permit these facilities to be made available to
non-official Americans.
15. Security
(a) Security Requirements
(1) This entire provision applies to the
extent that this contract involves access to
information classified as ‘‘Confidential’’,
‘‘Secret’’, or ‘‘Top Secret’’ or access to
administratively controlled information
‘‘Sensitive But Unclassified’’ (SBU). PSCs
that are not U.S. citizens must not have
access to classified or administratively
controlled information.
(2) Security provisions apply to this
contract where no individual is to be
awarded a contract until a personnel security
investigation is completed at the level
appropriate for the position and a temporary
clearance or Facility Access Authorization is
issued by SEC. If the PSC does not receive
a final security clearance, the contract will be
terminated in accordance with the
termination provision of this contract.
(3) The PSC
(i) Will be responsible for safeguarding all
classified or administratively controlled
information in accordance with all applicable
security rules, regulations, policies and
procedures and must not supply, disclose, or
otherwise permit access to classified
information or administratively controlled
information to any unauthorized person;
(ii) Must not make or permit to be made
any reproductions of classified information
or administratively controlled information
except with the prior written authorization of
the Contracting Officer or Mission Director;
(iii) Must submit to the Contracting Officer,
at such times as the Contracting Officer may
direct, an accounting of all reproductions of
classified or administratively controlled
information; and
(iv) Must not incorporate in any other
project any matter which will disclose
classified and/or administratively controlled
information except with the prior written
authorization of the Contracting Officer.
(4) The PSC must follow the procedures for
classifying, marking, handling, transmitting,
disseminating, storing, and destroying
official material in accordance with all
applicable security rules, regulations,
policies and procedures.
(5) The PSC agrees to submit immediately
to the Mission Director or Contracting Officer
a complete detailed report, appropriately
classified, of any information which the PSC
may have concerning existing or threatened
espionage, sabotage, or subversive activity.
(6) The Government agrees that, when
necessary, it will indicate by security
classification or administratively controlled
designation, the degree of importance to the
national defense of information to be
furnished by the PSC to the Government or
by the Government to the PSC, and the
Government will give written notice of such
security classification or administratively
controlled designation to the PSC and of any
subsequent changes. The PSC is authorized
to rely on any letter or other written
instrument signed by the Contracting Officer
changing a security classification or
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6823
administratively controlled designation of
information.
(7) The PSC agrees to certify after
completion of the assignment under this
contract that s/he has surrendered or
disposed of all classified and/or
administratively controlled information in
the custody in accordance with applicable
security instructions.
(b) Conditions for Contracting Before Receipt
of Security Clearance
(1) U.S. Resident Hire PSC. The PSC may
begin work before receiving final security
clearance. However, until such time as the
final clearance is received, the PSC will have
no access to classified or administratively
controlled materials. Further, failure to
obtain clearance will constitute cause for
contract termination in accordance with the
termination provision of this contract.
(2) Off-shore/Washington based U.S. PSC.
If the Contracting Officer so authorizes, the
PSC may begin travel to post to start work,
or if Washington based may begin work,
before receipt of the final security clearance.
However, until such time as the final security
clearance is received, the PSC will:
(i) Have no access to classified or
administratively controlled materials;
(ii) Be authorized to travel to post but
without any dependents; and
(iii) Be authorized no entitlements other
than those normally authorized for short term
(less than a year) USDH employees at post.
(iv) Even if the contract is for one year or
more, dependents may not accompany the
PSC, and transportation/storage of
household/personal effects and motor vehicle
will not be authorized by USAID before the
receipt of the final security clearance. If
appropriate, after receipt of the final
clearance and given the length of time
remaining, the Contracting Officer may
authorize dependent travel and shipment/
storage of motor vehicle and effects.
Allowances and benefits which are
subsequently authorized by the Contracting
Officer will be paid to or on behalf of the
PSC. The Contracting Officer will determine
the effective date of such allowances and
benefits, subject to the availability of funds.
Failure to obtain the final security clearance
will constitute cause for contract termination
in accordance with the termination provision
of this contract.
16. Notices
(a) Any notice, given by any of the parties
involved in this contract, will be sufficient
only if in writing and delivered in person or
sent by telegraph, telegram, registered, or
regular mail as follows:
(1) To: Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance
and USAID Administrator, U.S. Agency for
International Development, Washington, DC
20523–0001, Attention: Contracting Officer
(name of the cognizant Contracting Officer
with a copy to the appropriate Mission
Director).
(2) To PSC: [Name], [Address].
(b) At the post of duty while in the
Cooperating Country and at the PSC’s
address shown on the Cover Page of this
contract or to another address as either party
designates by notice given as required here.
Notices must be effective in accordance with
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this provision or on the effective date of the
notice that changes this provision, whichever
is later.
17. Use of Pouch
(a) Use of diplomatic pouch is controlled
by the Department of State. The Department
of State has authorized the use of pouch
facilities for USAID off-shore USPSCs on the
same basis as USDH employees. In
consideration of the use of pouch facilities,
the PSC agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Department of State and USAID
for loss or damage occurring in pouch
transmission.
(1) Official and personal mail, sent by
pouch, must be addressed in accordance with
Mission instructions.
(2) Mail sent via the diplomatic pouch
must not be in violation of U.S. Postal laws
and must not contain material ineligible for
pouch transmission.
(3) Use of military postal facilities (APO/
FPO) is authorized for off-shore USPSCs on
the same basis as approved for direct-hire
employees at the USAID Mission. Posts
having access to APO/FPO facilities and
using them for diplomatic pouch dispatch,
may, however, accept official and personal
mail for the pouch provided, of course,
adequate postage is affixed when onward
transmission (mail to other than USAID/W)
through U.S. postal channels is required.
(b) The PSC is responsible for compliance
with the guidelines and limitations on use of
pouch facilities and military postal facilities.
(c) Specific additional guidance on use of
mail facilities in accordance with this
provision is available from the Post
Communication Center at the Embassy or
USAID Mission.
18. Biographical Data
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(a) The PSC agrees to furnish biographical
information to the Contracting Officer on the
required application forms.
(b) The PSC agrees to provide the following
information to the Mission Administrative
Officer on arrival in the host country
regarding the PSC and dependents:
(1) PSC’s full name, home address, and
telephone number including any after-hours
emergency number(s).
(2) The name and number of the contract,
and whether the individual is the PSC or the
PSC’s dependent.
(3) The name, address, and home and
office telephone number(s) of each
individual’s next of kin.
(4) Any special instructions pertaining to
emergency situations such as power of
attorney designees or alternate contact
persons.
19. U.S. Resident Hire Personal Services
Contractor (for Inclusion in U.S. Resident
Hire Personal Services Contracts)
A PSC meeting the definition of a U.S.
Resident Hire PSC, is subject to U.S. Federal
Income Tax, but is not eligible for any
allowances, differentials or fringe benefits
(except contributions for FICA, health
insurance, life insurance and MEDEVAC).
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20. Orientation and Language Training
Orientation and language training will not
be provided unless specifically required for
the position and included in the contract.
21. Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)
Insurance (Pursuant to class deviation OAA–
DEV–2006–1c)
(a) The PSC must obtain MEDEVAC service
coverage including coverage for authorized
dependents while performing personal
services abroad. USAID will reimburse the
total cost of MEDEVAC insurance to the PSC.
The PSC must provide proof of coverage to
the CO in order to receive reimbursement.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) A PSC and authorized dependents with
a health insurance program that includes
sufficient MEDEVAC coverage as approved
by the Contracting Officer are not required to
obtain MEDEVAC service coverage.
(2) The Mission Director at the post of
assignment may make a written
determination to waive the requirement for
such coverage. The determination must be
based on findings that the quality of local
medical services or other circumstances
obviate the need for such coverage for PSCs
and their dependents located at post.
22. Governing Law
This contract is established under the
procurement authorities of the United States
Government and is governed by the laws of
the United States including the procurement
laws of the United States. This contract
contains the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
no representations, inducements, promises or
agreements, oral or written between the
parties not embodied herein shall have any
force or effect. This contract is a complete
statement of the duties, compensation,
benefits, leave, and all terms and conditions;
therefore, the laws of the country of
performance with respect to labor and
contract matters will not apply to carrying
out of the obligations of the parties under this
contract, to the interpretation of this contract
or to disputes arising under or relating to this
contract. Any such disputes shall be resolved
by the courts or administrative tribunals of
the United States.
23. Incentive Awards
USPSCs may receive certain monetary and
non-monetary awards. The monetary awards
are limited solely to:
(a) On-the-Spot Cash Awards. This cash
award is given to encourage and reward
superior accomplishments, beyond the
minimum satisfactory performance required
under the contract, that contribute to the
quality, efficiency, and/or economy of
Government operations, or for special and
specific nonrecurring commendable acts or
contributions during the contract
performance period. The Parameters/
Limitations are as follows:
(1) (A USPSC may receive one or more OnThe-Spot Award not to exceed a total of $500
in any one year period from the individual’s
employing Bureau/Mission/Independent
Office. A USPSC may receive additional OnThe-Spot Cash Awards up to $500 combined
total from USAID organizations outside of the
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individual’s Bureau/Independent Office/
Mission, in the same one year period.
(2) The minimum dollar value for an
individual On-The-Spot Cash Award is $25.
The maximum dollar value of an individual
On-The-Spot Award is $500. An award may
be provided in any amount between $25 and
$500, ensuring compliance with the
limitation noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this
provision.
These awards are considered income for
U.S. citizens/resident aliens by the Internal
Revenue Service, and are subject to
withholding and other taxes.
(b) Special Act Awards. This cash award
recognizes a specific nonrecurring superior
act or contribution to the public interest that
is beyond or outside normal job
responsibilities as covered by the
individual’s job description. The specific act
or contribution must be beyond the standard
for minimum satisfactory performance
required by the contract. Unlike other cash
awards, this award may not be given for
general superior performance of the work
required by the contract. The Parameters/
Limitations are as follows:
(1) No more than one Special Act Award
may be granted to a USPSC in any one year
period.
(2) Special Act Awards are considered
income by the Internal Revenue Service, and
are subject to withholding and other taxes for
U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens.
(c) Time-Off Awards. This award is given
in the form of excused absence from official
duty time, without loss of pay or charge to
the individual’s leave balance. This award is
given to encourage and reward superior
accomplishments, beyond minimum
satisfactory performance required under the
contract, that contribute to the quality,
efficiency, and/or economy of Government
operations, or for special and specific
nonrecurring commendable acts or
contributions during the contract
performance period.
A Time Off award is granted based on the
same criteria as an On-the-Spot Cash award,
and there is no general preference for one or
the other, as a matter of agency policy.
Conditions within the operating unit and
circumstances of the individual being
nominated will dictate the most appropriate
choice. A Time-Off Award is categorized as
a ‘‘cash’’ award because it represents paid
time away from official duty. The
Parameters/Limitations are as follows:
(1) A full-time USPSC (i.e., 2087 work
hours/year) may be granted up to a total of
27 hours in awards during any one-year
period of the contract.
(2) The minimum amount of time for
which a full-time USPSC may be granted
time off is one (1) hour. The maximum
amount of time for which an individual
Time-Off Award may be granted is 27 hours.
An award may be granted in any one-hour
time increment between 1–27 hours for a
full-time USPSC.
(3) The maximum amount of time for
which any part-time USPSC may be granted
a Time-Off Award is to be calculated by
prorating the maximum available to a fulltime USPSC (27 hours/year) commensurate
with the number of work hours in the part-
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time USPSC’s work year. As an example, if
the individual works approximately 1044
hours/year the maximum amount of time in
a year for which he/she may be granted a
time-off award is 14 hours.
(4) The following scale is provided as a
general guide in determining the appropriate
amount of time to grant for a Time-Off
Award. The scale is based on an individual
working under a full-time (2087 hours/year)
Contribution above and beyond satisfactory performance
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Up to One Work Day, (not to exceed 9 hours).
Up to Two Work Days, (not to exceed 18 hours).
Up to Three Work Days, (not to exceed 27 hours).
(2) Cash Awards are separate and distinct
from the pay comparability increase, and the
annual increase for satisfactory performance
available within the personal services
contract.
PART III: For Inclusion in Third Country
National Personal Service Contracts
(TCNPSCs) Only
1. Purchase or Sale of Personal Property or
Automobiles
(a) To the extent permitted by the
cooperating country, the purchase, sale,
import, or export of personal property or
automobiles in the cooperating country by
the PSC is subject to the same limitations and
prohibitions that apply to Mission U.S.citizen direct-hire employees.
(b) Insurance on Private Automobiles. If
the PSC or the dependents transport, or have
transported, privately owned automobile(s)
to the Cooperating Country or purchase an
automobile within the Cooperating Country,
the PSC agrees to cover such automobile(s)
(during such ownership within the
Cooperating Country) by a current, i.e., not in
arrears, insurance policy. The insurance
policy must be issued by a reliable company
providing the following minimum coverage,
or such other minimum coverage as may be
set by the Mission Director, payable in U.S.
dollars or their equivalent in the currency of
the Cooperating Country: injury to persons,
$10,000/$20,000; and property damage,
$5,000. The PSC further agrees to deliver, or
have delivered, to the Mission Director, the
insurance policies required by this provision
or satisfactory proof of their existence, before
the automobile(s) is operated within the
Cooperating Country. The premium costs for
such insurance are not reimbursable under
this contract.
2. Physical Exams and Health Room
Privileges
(a) Physical Fitness.
(1) The PSC must obtain a physical
examination including for any accompanying
dependents by a licensed doctor of medicine.
The PSC must obtain a statement of medical
opinion from the doctor that, in the doctor’s
opinion, the PSC is physically qualified to
engage in the type of activity under the
contract, and the PSC’s dependents are
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contract. The figures are to be prorated as
noted above for individuals working under a
part-time contract:
Recommended time off award
A contribution that is of sufficient value to merit recognition. Beneficial
change or modification to policies/procedures. Contribution benefits
immediate unit or staff.
An important contribution to the value of an activity program, or service. Significant change to policies/procedures. Contribution benefits
several units or an entire Mission/Bureau/Office.
A highly significant contribution to the value of an activity, program, or
service. A complete revision of policies/procedures with considerable
impact. Contribution benefits an entire Mission/Bureau/Office or is of
a cross-cutting nature impacting several organizations within the
Agency.
(5) The scheduling of Time-Off Awards
must be approved by the individual’s
supervisor because this award type
represents time away from official duty,
which has the potential to impact the
operating unit’s operations.
(6) A PSC who becomes physically
incapacitated while using a Time-Off Award
may be granted sick leave for the period of
incapacitation. The employee is responsible
for notifying the supervisor immediately to
report the illness during the period of
excused absence.
(7) A Time-Off Award is granted to
recognize a superior achievement and may
not be used as a substitute for compensatory
time off.
(8) In deciding whether a Time-Off Award
is the appropriate award type, the supervisor
must consider the individual’s leave balance.
If the individual has an excessive leave
balance, a cash award may be more
appropriate, so as not to adversely affect the
PSC who may have annual leave subject to
forfeiture at the end of the contract.
(9) Time-Off Awards must be used within
6 months of approval and may not be
transferred to a new or follow-on contract
with either the same or new work unit under
any circumstances. In cases where the time
off is not used within six months after the
date of approval, the time-off must be
forfeited.
(10) Under no circumstances may a TimeOff Award be converted to a lump-sum
payment or transferred to any other contract.
A Time-Off Award not used by the end of the
contract period must be forfeited, even if less
than 6 months from the date of approval.
USPSCs are not eligible for nomination for
any other types of cash awards other than the
specific awards outlined above.
(d) Multiple Award Nominations:
(1) A USPSC may be nominated for more
than one award within the period of contract
performance, or other benchmark period
stated in the contract. Each award
nomination will be reviewed on its own
merit, and decisions to approve it will be
based on whether the employee’s
performance meets the criteria for that
particular award. However, a USPSC may not
receive multiple cash or time-off awards for
the same act or service.
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physically qualified to reside in the
cooperating country. A copy of that medical
opinion must be provided to the Contracting
Officer before the PSC and the dependent’s
departure for the cooperating country.
Neither the TCN nor the dependents will
have access to the Embassy Health Unit.
(2) The PSC is reimbursed for the cost of
the physical examinations mentioned in
paragraph (a)(1) of this provision not to
exceed $700 per examination for the PSC and
the PSC’s dependents of 12 years of age and
over; and not to exceed $350 per examination
for PSC’s dependents under 12 years of age.
The PSC will also be reimbursed by USAID
for the cost of all immunizations normally
authorized for USPSCs.
3. Leave and Holidays
(a) Vacation Leave. The PSC may accrue,
accumulate, use, and be paid for vacation in
accordance with the Local Compensation
Plan (LCP). No vacation leave is earned if the
contract is for less than 90 days. Unused
vacation leave may be carried over under an
extension or renewal of the contract as long
as it conforms to Mission policy, practice and
the LCP. With the approval of the PSC’s
supervisor and concurrence by the CO and if
the circumstances warrant, a PSC may be
granted advance vacation leave in excess of
that earned, but in no case will a PSC be
granted advance vacation leave in excess of
that which the PSC will earn in one year of
the contract. The PSC agrees to reimburse
USAID for leave used in excess of the amount
earned during the PSC’s assignment under
the contract.
(b) Sick Leave. The PSC may accrue,
accumulate, and use sick leave in accordance
with the LCP. Unused sick leave may be
carried over under an extension or renewal
of the contract. Leave earned but unused at
the completion of this contract will be
disposed of in accordance with the LCP.
(c) Leave Without Pay. Leave without pay
may be granted only with the written
approval of the PSC’s supervisor and
concurrence by the Contracting Officer.
(d) Holidays. The PSC is entitled to all
holidays granted by the Mission in
accordance with the LCP.
(e) Compensatory Time. Comp time or
overtime for TCNPSCs is governed by the
local compensation plans. If the LCP does not
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include procedures for comp time or
overtime, the prevailing practice of each
respective Mission must be followed. Comp
time is not transferable from one contract to
another and is not reimbursable.
3A. Leave and Holidays for TcNPSCs Paid
Under the General Schedule
(a) Vacation Leave.
(1) The PSC shall earn vacation leave at the
rate of 13 workdays per annum or 4 hours
every 2 weeks. However, no vacation shall be
earned if the tour of duty is less than 90 days.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1) of this
provision, if the PSC has had previous:
USAID PSC service (i.e., has served under
other personal services contracts (PSCs)
covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or other
statutory provision applicable to USAID);
and/or former U.S. Government (USG) direct
hire service—civilian and/or military), the
PSC will earn vacation leave based on time
in service as follows:
Time in service
Calculated vacation time
Up to 3 years of service ...........................................................................
over 3 years and up to 15 years of service .............................................
Four hours of vacation leave for each two week period.
Six hours of vacation leave for each two week period (including 10
hours vacation leave for the final pay period of a calendar year).
Eight hours of vacation leave for each two week period.
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15+ years of service .................................................................................
(3)(i) Vacation leave is provided under this
contract for the purposes of affording
necessary rest and recreation during the
period of performance. The PSC in
consultation with the USAID Mission or
USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall
develop a vacation leave schedule early in
the PSC’s period of performance taking into
consideration project requirements,
employee preference and other factors. All
vacation leave earned by the PSC must be
used during the PSC’s period of performance.
All vacation leave earned by the PSC, but not
taken by the end of the PSC’s contract, will
be forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of
vacation leave, the Contracting Officer may
approve the PSC taking vacation leave during
the concluding weeks of the PSC’s contract.
(ii) As an exception to paragraph 3(i) of
this provision, the PSC may receive lumpsum payment for leave not taken. To approve
this exception, the PSC’s supervisor must
provide the Contracting Officer with a
signed, written Determination and Findings.
The Determination and Findings must set out
the facts and circumstances that prevented
the contractor from taking vacation leave and
the Contracting Officer must find that these
facts and circumstances were not caused by
and were beyond the control of the PSC. This
leave payment must not exceed the number
of days which could be earned by the PSC
during a twelve month period.
(4) With the approval of the Mission
Director or the cognizant AA, as appropriate,
and if the circumstances warrant, a
Contracting Officer may grant the PSC
advance vacation leave in excess of that
earned, but in no case may the Contracting
Officer grant advance vacation leave in
excess of that earned in one year or over the
life of the contract, whichever is less. The
PSC agrees to reimburse USAID for any
outstanding balance of advance vacation
leave provided during the PSC’s assignment
under the contract.
(5) Applicants for PSC positions will
provide evidence of their PSC and/or USG
direct hire service—civilian and/or military
experience, as applicable, on their signed and
dated SF–171 or OF–612. By signing the
appropriate form, the applicant attests to the
accuracy of the information provided. Any
applicant providing incorrect information is
subject to the penalty provisions in the form.
If required to satisfy due diligence
requirements on behalf of the Contracting
Officer, PSCs may be required to furnish
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evidence that verifies length of service, e.g.,
SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or signed contracts.
(b) Sick Leave. Sick leave is earned at a rate
not to exceed 13 work-days per annum or 4
hours every 2 weeks. Unused sick leave may
be carried over under an extension/renewal
of this contract. Otherwise, sick leave will
not be carried over from one post to another
or from one contract to another. The PSC will
not be compensated for unused sick leave
upon completion of this contract.
(c) Leave Without Pay. Leave without pay
may be granted only with the written
approval of the Contracting Officer or
Mission Director.
(d) Compensatory Time. Compensatory
leave may be granted only with the written
approval of the Contracting Officer or
Mission Director in rare instances when it
has been determined absolutely essential and
used under those guidelines which apply to
direct-hire employees.
(e) Sunday Pay (if applicable). Each
Mission has the option whether or not to
authorize Sunday pay for PSCs, with two
stipulations: the decision whether or not to
pay must be administered consistently
throughout the Mission; and if Sunday pay
is authorized, it must be paid under the same
terms and conditions that Foreign Service
direct-hire employees would receive in
accordance with 3 FAM 3136.
(f) Leave Records. The PSC shall maintain
current leave records and make them
available, as requested by the Mission
Director or the Contracting Officer.
[FOR INCLUSION IN TCNPSCs, if granted
country leave]
(g) Country Leave.
(1) Country leave is leave earned for
service abroad for use only in the TCN’s
home country or country of recruitment.
(2) A TCNPSC who has been authorized
country leave must have served at least two
years at the same USAID Mission, under the
same contract, and must not have taken more
than 30 work days leave (vacation, sick or
leave without pay) in the home country or
country of recruitment, to be granted country
leave of not more than 30 work days. This
applies only if the PSC agrees to return to
post upon completion of country leave under
an additional two year contract, or for such
shorter period of not less than one year of
service under the contract as the Mission
Director may approve in advance in writing.
Country leave must be taken in the TCN’s
home country or country of recruitment, and
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any days spent elsewhere are charged to
vacation leave or leave without pay.
(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in
paragraph (g)(2) of this provision that the
PSC must have served 2 years overseas under
personal services contract with the same
Mission to be eligible for country leave, the
PSC may be granted advance country leave
subject to all of the following conditions:
(i) Granting of advanced country leave
would in each case serve to advance the
attainment of the objectives of this contract;
and
(ii) The PSC has served a minimum of 18
months in the Cooperating Country under
this contract; and
(iii) The PSC agrees to return to the
Cooperating Country to serve out the
remainder of the current contract, plus an
additional 2 years under the current contract
or under a new contract for the same or
similar services at the same Mission. If
approved in advance by the Mission Director,
the PSC may return to serve out the
remainder of the current contract, and an
additional period of not less than 1 year
under the current contract or under a new
contract for the same or similar services at
the same Mission.
(4) Salary during the travel to and from the
home country or country of recruitment for
country leave will be limited to the time
required for travel by the most expeditious
air route. Except for reasons beyond the
PSC’s control as determined by the
Contracting Officer, the PSC must return to
duty after country leave and complete the
additional required service or be responsible
for reimbursing USAID for payments made
during home leave. Unused country leave is
not reimbursable under this contract, nor can
it be taken incrementally in separate time
periods, or transferred to another contract,
regardless of the location.
(i) Country Leave Policy for Qualifying
Posts.
(1) On June 15, 2006, the Congress passed
and the President signed an amendment to
the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended,
that allows home leave for direct-hire
employees following completion of 12-month
overseas assignments at qualifying posts.
(2) USAID is extending this new home
leave policy to its TCNPSCs who ordinarily
qualify for country leave, and is effective as
of July 20, 2006. This new country leave
policy is in addition to the country leave a
TCNPSC would earn under the contract.
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USAID TCNPSCs who complete their 12month assignment at one of the qualifying
posts on or after July 20, 2006, may be
eligible for country leave under this new
provision. For USAID, a list of qualifying
posts can be obtained from the Human
Resources Office in USAID/W.
(3) If an eligible TCNPSC elects to take this
new country leave, the TCNPSC must take a
minimum of ten workdays of country leave.
There is no requirement that an eligible
TCNPSC take country leave after serving 12
months at a designated post; it is only an
option. If a TCNPSC is returning to the home
country or country of recruitment, and not
returning overseas to the same or different
USAID Mission, this new country leave
policy will not apply.
(j) Holidays. The contractor, while serving
abroad, shall be entitled to all holidays
granted by the Mission to U.S.-citizen directhire employees.
4. Allowances
[FOR INCLUSION IN TCNPSCs, paid under
the local compensation plan]
Allowances are granted to the PSC and
dependents on the same basis as FSNs under
the local compensation plan. The allowances
provided are paid to the PSC in the currency
of the cooperating country or in accordance
with the practice prevailing at the mission.
[FOR INCLUSIONS IN TCNPSCs, paid under
the General Schedule (GS)]
The following allowances may be granted
to the PSC and dependents on the same basis
and to the same extent as off-shore USPSCs
at the same Mission:
(a) By definition, a PSC is different from a
direct-hire employee. Differentials and
allowances are not entitlements. Not all
differentials and allowances available to
direct-hire employees are available to a PSC.
As a result, differences in entitlements may
result between USDH and USPSCs. While
USAID strives for equity between USDH and
USPSCs, it is recognized that the differences
in the systems do not entirely allow for such
equity.
(b) USPSCs (excluding resident hire) are
granted applicable differentials and
allowances to the same extent and on the
same basis as they are granted to U.S. citizen
direct-hire employees at the Mission by the
Department of State Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas)(DSSR), as from time to time amended.
The rate or percentage of the allowance/
differential is not negotiable. U.S. residenthire PSCs are not eligible for any fringe
benefits (except contributions for FICA,
health insurance, and life insurance),
including differentials and allowances.
Neither the Contracting Officer nor the
Mission Director has the discretion to
provide any additional benefits and
allowances without M/OAA/P’s clearance of
a request for deviation.
(c) An explanation for each of the
differentials and allowances can be found on
the U.S. Department of State Web site at
www.state.gov. If an allowance or differential
is not addressed in the DSSR, USAID
reserves the right to apply any other guidance
that is also used for USDH.
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(d) The following differential and
allowances may be granted to the PSC in
accordance with governing regulations:
Applicable Reference to Standardized
Regulations
(1) Post Differential Chapter 500 and
Tables in Chapter 900.
(2) Living Quarters Allowance Section 130.
(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance Section
120.
(4) Post Allowance Section 220.
(5) Supplemental Post Allowance Section
230.
(6) Payments During Evacuation Section
600.
(7) Education Allowance Section 270.
(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance
Section 260.
(9) Danger Pay Allowance Section 650.
(10) Education Travel Section 280.
(1) Post Differential. Post differential is an
additional compensation for service at places
in foreign areas where conditions of
environment differ substantially from
conditions of environment in the continental
United States and warrant additional
compensation as a recruitment and retention
incentive. In areas where post differential is
paid to USAID direct-hire employees, post
differential not to exceed the percentage of
salary as is provided such USAID direct-hire
employees in accordance with the
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas) Chapter 500 (except
the limitation contained in Section 552,
‘‘Ceiling on Payment’’) Tables—Chapter 900,
as from time to time amended, will be
reimbursable hereunder for employees in
respect to amounts earned during the time
such employees actually spend overseas on
work under this contract. When such post
differential is provided to the PSC, it must be
payable beginning on the date of arrival at
the post of assignment and continue,
including periods away from post on official
business, until the close of business on the
day of departure from post of assignment
enroute to the United States. Sick or vacation
leave taken at or away from the post of
assignment will not interrupt the continuity
of the assignment or require a discontinuance
of such post differential payments, provided
such leave is not taken within the United
States or the territories of the United States.
Post differential will not be payable while the
employee is away from the post of
assignment for purposes of home leave.
Short-term employees will be entitled to post
differential beginning with the forty-third
(43rd) day at post.
(2) Living Quarters Allowance. Living
quarters allowance is an allowance granted to
reimburse an employee for substantially all
of the cost for either temporary or residence
quarters whenever Government-owned or
Government-rented quarters are not provided
to the PSC at the post without charge. Such
costs are those incurred for temporary
lodging (temporary lodging allowance) or one
unit of residence quarters (living quarters
allowance) and include rent, plus any costs
not included therein for heat, light, fuel, gas,
electricity and water. The temporary lodging
allowance and the living quarters allowance
are never both payable to an employee for the
same period of time. The PSC will receive
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6827
living quarters allowance for payment of rent
and utilities if such facilities are not
supplied. Such allowance must not exceed
the amount paid USAID employees of
equivalent rank in the Cooperating Country,
in accordance with either, the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 130, as from time to time
amended; or other rates approved by the
Mission Director. Subject to the written
approval of the Mission Director, short-term
employees may be paid per diem (in lieu of
living quarters allowance) at rates prescribed
by the Federal Travel Regulations, as from
time to time amended, during the time such
short-term employees spend at posts of duty
in the Cooperating Country under this
contract. In authorizing such per diem rates,
the Mission Director must consider the
particular circumstances involved with
respect to each such short-term employee
including the extent to which meals and/or
lodging may be made available without
charge or at nominal cost by an agency of the
United States Government or of the
Cooperating Government and similar factors.
(3) Temporary Lodging Allowance.
Temporary lodging allowance is a quarters
allowance granted to an employee for the
reasonable cost of temporary quarters
incurred by the employee and the family for
a period not in excess of three months after
first arrival at a new post in a foreign area
or a period ending with the occupation of
residence (permanent) quarters, if earlier, and
one month immediately preceding final
departure from the post subsequent to the
necessary vacating of residence quarters. The
PSC and authorized dependents will receive
temporary lodging allowance in lieu of living
quarters allowance, not to exceed the amount
set forth in the Standardized Regulations
(Government Civilians, Foreign Areas),
Chapter 120, as from time to time amended.
(4) Post Allowance. Post allowance is a
cost-of-living allowance granted to an
employee officially stationed at a post where
the cost of living, exclusive of quarters cost,
is substantially higher than in Washington,
DC. The PSC will receive post allowance
payments not to exceed those paid USAID
employees in the Cooperating Country, in
accordance with the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 220, as from time to time
amended.
(5) Supplemental Post Allowance.
Supplemental post allowance is a form of
post allowance granted to an employee at the
post when it is determined that assistance is
necessary to defray extraordinary subsistence
costs. The PSC will receive supplemental
post allowance payments not to exceed the
amount set forth in the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 230, as from time to time
amended.
(6) Payments during Evacuation. The
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas) provide the
authority for efficient, orderly, and equitable
procedure for the payment of compensation,
post differential and allowances in the event
of an emergency evacuation of employees or
their dependents, or both, from duty stations
for military or other reasons or because of
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imminent danger to their lives. If evacuation
has been authorized by the Mission Director,
the PSC and authorized dependents will
receive payments during evacuation from
their post of assignment in accordance with
the Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 600, and
the Federal Travel Regulations, as from time
to time amended.
(7) Educational Allowance. Educational
allowance is an allowance to assist the PSC
in meeting the extraordinary and necessary
expenses, not otherwise compensated for,
incurred by reason of the service in a foreign
area in providing adequate elementary and
secondary education for the children. The
PSC will receive educational allowance
payments for the dependent children in
amounts not to exceed those set forth in
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 270, as
from time to time amended.
(8) Separate Maintenance Allowance.
Separate maintenance allowance is an
allowance to assist an employee who is
compelled by reason of dangerous, notably
unhealthful, or excessively adverse living
conditions at the post of assignment in a
foreign area, or for the convenience of the
Government, to meet the additional expense
of maintaining the dependents elsewhere
than at such post. The PSC will receive
separate maintenance allowance payments
not to exceed that made to USAID employees
in accordance with the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 260, as from time to time
amended.
(9) Danger Pay Allowance. Danger pay
allowance is an allowance to provide
additional compensation above basic
compensation to employees in foreign areas
where civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism
or wartime conditions threaten physical
harm or imminent danger to the health or
well-being of the employee. The danger pay
allowance is in lieu of that part of the post
differential, which is attributable to political
violence. Consequently, the post differential
may be reduced while danger pay is in effect
to avoid dual crediting for political violence.
The PSC will be allowed danger pay
allowance not to exceed that paid USAID
employees in the Cooperating Country, in
accordance with the Standardized
Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas), Chapter 650, as from time to time
amended.
(10) Educational Travel. Educational travel
is travel to and from a school in the United
States for secondary education (in lieu of an
educational allowance) and for college
education. The PSC will receive educational
travel payments for the dependent children
provided such payment does not exceed that
which would be payable in accordance with
the Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), Chapter 280, as
from time to time amended. Educational
travel must not be authorized for PSCs whose
assignment is less than two years.
(e) The allowances provided in paragraphs
(a) (1) through (10) of this provision must be
paid to the PSC in accordance with practice
prevailing at the Mission, or the Mission
Director may direct that the PSC be paid a
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per diem in lieu thereof as prescribed by the
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas), as from time to
time amended.
5. Cooperating Country Taxes and Social
Security
Funds for the Cooperating Country’s Social
Security, retirement, pension, vacation or
other cooperating country programs as
required by local law are deducted and
withheld in accordance with laws and
regulations and rulings of the cooperating
country or any agreement concerning such
withholding entered into between the
cooperating government and the United
States Government.
6. Advance of Funds
If requested by the PSC and authorized in
writing by the Contracting Officer, USAID
will arrange for an advance of funds to defray
the initial cost of travel, authorized precontract expenses, and shipment of personal
property. The advance is granted on the same
basis as to a USAID U.S.-citizen direct-hire
employee.
7. Health and Life Insurance
Health and Life Insurance. The PSC is
provided personal health and life insurance
benefits in accordance with the LCP.
8. Travel and Transportation
(a) General.
The PSC will be reimbursed in currency
consistent with the prevailing practice at post
and at the rates established by the Mission
Director for authorized travel in the
cooperating country in connection with
duties directly referable to work under this
contract. In the absence of such established
rates, the PSC will be reimbursed for actual
costs of authorized travel in the cooperating
country if not provided by the cooperating
government or the Mission in connection
with duties directly referable to work
hereunder, including travel allowances at
rates prescribed by the Department of State
Standardized Regulations (DSSR) as from
time to time amended. The Executive Officer
at the Mission may furnish Travel
Authorizations (TAs) for transportation
authorized by this contract which is payable
in local currency or is to originate outside the
United States. When transportation is not
provided by the Government-issued TA, the
PSC must procure transportation, the costs of
which will be reimbursed in accordance with
the terms of this contract.
(b) International Travel. For travel to and
from post of assignment the TCN PSC will be
reimbursed for travel costs and travel
allowances from place of residence in the
country of recruitment (or other location
provided that the cost of such travel does not
exceed the cost of the travel from the place
of residence) to the post of duty in the
cooperating country and return to place of
residence in the country of recruitment (or
other location provided that the cost of such
travel does not exceed the cost of travel from
the post of duty in the cooperating country
to the PSC’s residence) upon completion of
services by the individual. Reimbursement
for travel must be in accordance with
USAID’s established policies and procedures
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and the provisions of this contract, and must
be limited to the cost of travel by the most
direct and expeditious route. If the contract
is for longer than one year and the PSC does
not complete one full year at post of duty
(except for reasons beyond the PSC’s
control), the cost of going to and from the
post of duty for the PSC and dependents are
not reimbursable hereunder. If the PSC serves
more than one year but less than the required
service in the cooperating country (except for
reasons beyond the PSC’s control) costs of
going to the post of duty are reimbursable
hereunder but the cost of going from post of
duty to the PSC’s permanent, legal place of
residence at the time the PSC was employed
for work under this contract are not
reimbursable under this contract for the PSC
and dependents. When travel is by economy
class accommodations, the PSC will be
reimbursed for the cost of transporting up to
10 kilograms/22 pounds of accompanied
personal baggage per traveler in addition to
that regularly allowed with the economy
ticket provided that the total number of
pounds of baggage does not exceed that
regularly allowed for first class travelers.
Travel allowances for travelers must not be
in excess of the rates authorized in the
Standardized Regulations (Government
Civilians, Foreign Areas) hereinafter referred
to as the Standardized Regulations—as from
time to time amended, for not more than the
travel time required by scheduled
commercial air carrier using the most
expeditious route. One stopover enroute for
a period of not to exceed 24 hours is
allowable when the traveler uses economy
class accommodations for a trip of 14 hours
or more of scheduled duration. Such
stopover must not be authorized when travel
is by indirect route or is delayed for the
convenience of the traveler. Per-diem during
such stopover must be paid in accordance
with the Federal Travel Regulations as from
time to time amended.
(c) Local Travel. Reimbursement for local
travel in connection with duties directly
referable to the contract must not be in excess
of the rates established by the Mission
Director for the travel costs of travelers in the
Cooperating Country. In the absence of such
established rates the PSC will be reimbursed
for actual travel costs in the Cooperating
Country by the Mission, including travel
allowances at rates not in excess of those
prescribed by the Standardized Regulations.
(d) Indirect Travel for Personal
Convenience of a TCN. When travel is
performed by an indirect route for the
personal convenience of the traveler, the
allowable costs of such travel will be
computed on the basis of the cost of
allowable air fare via the direct usually
traveled route. If such costs include fares for
air or ocean travel by foreign flag carriers,
approval for indirect travel by such foreign
flag carriers must be obtained from the
Contracting Officer or the Mission Director
before such travel is undertaken, otherwise
only that portion of travel accomplished by
the United States-flag carriers will be
reimbursable within the above limitation of
allowable costs.
(e) Limitation on Travel by TCN
Dependents. Travel costs and allowances will
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be allowed for authorized dependents of the
PSC and such costs will be reimbursed for
travel from place of abode in the country of
recruitment to the assigned station in the
Cooperating Country and return, only if the
dependent remains in the Cooperating
Country for at least 9 months or one-half of
the required tour of duty of the contract,
whichever is greater, except as otherwise
authorized hereunder for education, medical,
or emergency visitation travel. Dependents of
the TCN PSC must return to the country of
recruitment or home country within thirty
days of the termination or completion of the
PSC’s employment, otherwise such travel
will not be reimbursed under this contract.
(f) Delays Enroute. The PSC may be granted
reasonable delays enroute while in travel
status when such delays are caused by events
beyond the control of the PSC and are not
due to circuitous routing. It is understood
that if delay is caused by physical
incapacitation, the PSC will be eligible for
such sick leave as provided under the ‘‘Leave
and Holidays’’ provision of this contract.
(g) Travel by Privately Owned Automobile
(POV). If travel by POV is authorized in the
contract schedule or approved by the
Contracting Officer, the PSC will be
reimbursed for the cost of travel performed
in the POV at a rate not to exceed that
authorized in the Federal Travel Regulations
plus authorized per diem for the employee
and, if the POV is being driven to or from the
cooperating country as authorized under the
contract, for each of the authorized
dependents traveling in the POV, provided
that the total cost of the mileage and per
diem paid to all authorized travelers must
not exceed the total constructive cost of fare
and normal per diem by all authorized
travelers by surface common carrier or
authorized air fare, whichever is less.
(h) Emergency and Irregular Travel and
Transportation. Emergency transportation
costs and travel allowances while enroute, as
provided in this section, will be reimbursed
not to exceed amounts authorized by the
DSSR in like circumstances under the
following conditions:
(1) The costs of going from post of duty in
the cooperating country to another approved
location for the PSC and authorized
dependents and returning to post of duty,
subject to the prior written approval of the
Mission Director, when such travel is
necessary for one of the following reasons:
(i) Need for medical care beyond that
available within the area to which PSC is
assigned.
(ii) Serious effect on physical or mental
health if residence is continued at assigned
post of duty.
(iii) Serious illness, injury, or death of a
member of the PSC’s immediate family or a
dependent, including preparation and return
of the remains of a deceased PSC or
dependents.
(2) Emergency evacuation when ordered by
the principal U.S. Diplomatic Officer in the
cooperating country. Transportation and
travel allowances at safe haven and the
transportation of household effects and
automobile or storage thereof when
authorized by the Mission Director, must be
payable in accordance with established
Government regulations.
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(3) The Mission Director may also
authorize emergency or irregular travel and
transportation in other situations when in the
Mission Director’s opinion the circumstances
warrant such action. The authorization must
include the kind of leave to be used and
appropriate restrictions as to time away from
post, transportation of personal and
household effects, etc.
(i) Country of Recruitment Travel and
Transportation. The PSC will be reimbursed
for actual transportation costs and travel
allowances in the country of recruitment as
authorized in the Schedule or approved in
advance by the Contracting Officer or the
Mission Director. Transportation costs and
travel allowances must not be reimbursed in
any amount greater than the cost of, and time
required for, economy-class commercialscheduled air travel by the most expeditious
route except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (h) of this provision, unless
economy air travel is not available and the
PSC adequately documents this to the
satisfaction of the Contracting Officer in
documents submitted with the voucher.
(j) Rest and Recuperation Travel. If a TCN
is being compensated under the LCP, the
TCN is not entitled to R&R unless specified
in the LCP, and only then as specified and
applied to Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs).
If however, a TCN is compensated outside of
the LCP, the TCN is entitled to the R&R in
the same way as applied to offshore USPSCs
and USDH, provided that the post is
classified an ‘‘R&R Post’’ by the Department
of State and the Mission Director approves in
writing the R&R travel for the TCN and the
TCN’s dependents at Post.
(k) Transportation of Personal Effects
(Excluding Automobiles and Household
Goods).
(1) General. Transportation costs must be
paid on the same basis as for direct-hire
employees at post serving the same length
tour of duty, as authorized in the schedule.
Transportation, including packing and
crating costs, will be paid for shipping from
PSC’s residence in the country of recruitment
or other location, as approved by the
Contracting Officer (provided that the cost of
transportation does not exceed the cost from
the PSC’s residence) to post of duty in the
cooperating country and return to the
country of recruitment or other location
provided the cost of transportation of the
personal effects of the PSC not to exceed the
limitations in effect for such shipments for
USAID direct-hire employees in accordance
with the DSSR in effect at the time shipment
is made. These limitations may be obtained
from the Contracting Officer. The cost of
transporting household goods must not
exceed the cost of packing, crating, and
transportation by surface common carrier.
(2) Unaccompanied Baggage.
Unaccompanied baggage is considered to be
those personal belongings needed by the
traveler immediately upon arrival of the PSC
and dependents. To permit the arrival of
effects to coincide with the arrival of the PSC
and dependents, consideration should be
given to advance shipments of
unaccompanied baggage. The PSC will be
reimbursed for costs of shipment of
unaccompanied baggage (in addition to the
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weight allowance for household effects) not
to exceed the limitations in effect for USAID
direct-hire employees in accordance with the
DSSR in effect when shipment is made.
These limitations are available from the
Contracting Officer. This unaccompanied
baggage may be shipped as air freight by the
most direct route between authorized points
of origin and destination regardless of the
modes of travel used.
(l) Reduced Rates on U.S.-Flag Carriers.
Reduced rates on U.S.-flag carriers are in
effect for shipments of household goods and
personal effects of USAID contractors
between certain locations. These reduced
rates are available provided the shipper
furnishes to the carrier at the time of the
issuance of the Bill of Lading documentary
evidence that the shipment is for the account
of USAID. The Contracting Officer will, on
request, furnish to the PSC current
information concerning the availability of a
reduced rate with respect to any proposed
shipment. The PSC must not be reimbursed
for shipments of household goods or personal
effects in amounts in excess of the reduced
rates which are available in accordance with
the foregoing.
(m) Transportation of Goods. Where U.S.
flag vessels are not available, or their use
would result in a significant delay, the PSC
may obtain a release from the requirement to
use U.S. flag vessels from the Transportation
Division, Office of Acquisition and
Assistance, U.S. Agency for International
Development, Washington, DC 20523–1419,
or the Mission Director, as appropriate,
giving the basis for the request.
(n) Repatriation Travel. Notwithstanding
other provisions of this provision, a TCN
must return to the country of recruitment or
to the TCN’s home country within 30 days
after termination or completion of
employment or forfeit all right to
reimbursement for repatriation travel. The
return travel obligation [repatriation travel]
assumed by the U.S. Government may have
been the obligation of another employer in
the area of assignment if the employee has
been in substantially continuous
employment which provided for the TCN’s
return to home country or country from
which recruited.
(o) Storage of household effects. Storage
charges for household goods (including
packing, crating, and drayage costs), in the
home country or the country of recruitment,
will be permitted in lieu of transportation of
all or any part of such goods to the
Cooperating Country under paragraph (k)
above provided that the total amount of
effects shipped to the Cooperating Country or
stored in the home country or country of
recruitment must not exceed the amount
authorized for USAID direct-hire employees
under the DSSR. These amounts are available
from the Contracting Officer.
9. Payment
(a) Payment of compensation is based on
written documentation supporting time and
attendance. Such written documentation
must be in accordance with Mission policy
and practice.
(b) Any other payments due under this
contract are as prescribed by Mission policy.
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(c) A final voucher and release of claims
certification must be submitted by the PSC
promptly following completion of the duties
under this contract but in no event later than
120 days (or such longer period as the
Contracting Officer may approve in writing)
from the date of contract completion. The
PSC’s claim, which includes the final
settlement of compensation, must not be paid
until after the performance of the duties
required under the terms of this contract has
been approved by USAID. Following this
approval by USAID, the PSC will submit the
Release of Claims Certification and the
voucher designated by the PSC as the ‘‘final
voucher’’. This final voucher must be
submitted on Form SF 1034 (original) and SF
1034–A (three copies). This final voucher
must include a refund check for the balance
remaining on hand of any funds which may
have been advanced to the PSC, or the
Government must pay any amounts due and
owing to the PSC.
(d) Release of Claims Certification. The
following Release of Claims Certification
must be included on the final voucher,
signed and dated by the PSC:
‘‘WHERE AS, by the terms of the contract
between the PSC, (insert name) and the
United States, it is provided that after
completion of all the work, and prior to final
payment, the PSC shall furnish the United
States with a release of all claims.
‘‘NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the above premises and the payment (by the
United States to the PSC, or by the PSC to
the United States, as applicable) of the
amount now due under the contract, to wit,
the sum ofllll dollars ($llll), the
PSC hereby remises, releases, and forever
discharges the United States, its officers,
agents, and employees, of and from all
manner of liabilities, obligations, accounts,
claims, and demands whatsoever, in law and
in equity, under or arising from the contract,
except: (if there are no exceptions, state
‘‘None’’ on the line below).
lllllllllllllllllllll
I, llllll, certify that I am the PSC
in the foregoing release, and who signed this
release.
Signed:llllll
Date:llllll’’
10. Conversion of Currency
Conversion of one currency to another
currency at the Mission must be in
accordance with Mission policy. This may
include the conversion of currency through
the cognizant U.S. Disbursing Officer, or
Mission Controller, as appropriate.
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11. Post of Assignment Privileges
Privileges such as the use of APO, PX’s,
commissaries, and officers clubs are
established at posts abroad under agreements
between the U.S. and host governments.
These facilities are intended for and usually
limited to U.S. citizens who are officials of
the U.S. Government. Normally, these
facilities are not available to non U.S.
citizens. However, in those cases where
facilities are open to non U.S. citizens, they
may be used by the PSC.
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12. Security
(a) The PSC is obligated to immediately
notify the Contracting Officer if the PSC is
arrested or charged with any offense during
the term of this contract.
(b) The PSC will not normally have access
to classified or administratively controlled
information and must take conscious steps to
avoid receiving or learning of such
information. However, based on PSC’s need
to know, the Mission may authorize access to
administratively controlled information for
performance of assigned scope of work on a
case-by-case basis in accordance with
security policies and procedures.
(c) The PSC agrees to immediately submit
to the Mission Director or Contracting Officer
a complete detailed report, marked
‘‘Privileged Information’’ of any information
which the PSC may have concerning existing
or threatened espionage, sabotage, or
subversive activity against the United States
of America or the USAID Mission or the
cooperating country government.
13. Notices
(a) Any notice, given by any of the parties
involved in this contract, will be sufficient
only if in writing and delivered in person or
sent by telegraph, telegram, registered, or
regular mail as follows:
(1) TO USAID: To the Mission Director of
the Mission in the Cooperating Country with
a copy to the cognizant Contracting Officer.
(2) TO THE PSC: At the post of duty while
in the Cooperating Country and at the PSC’s
address shown on the Cover Page of this
contract or to another address as either party
designates by notice given as required here.
(b) Notices must be effective when
delivered in accordance with this provision
or on the effective date of the notice that
changes this provision, whichever is later.
14. Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Services
(Pursuant to class deviation OAA–DEV–
2006–1c)
(a) The PSC must obtain MEDEVAC service
coverage including coverage for authorized
dependents while performing personal
services abroad.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) A PSC and authorized dependents with
a health insurance program that includes
sufficient MEDEVAC coverage as approved
by the Contracting Officer are not required to
obtain MEDEVAC service coverage.
(2) The Mission Director at the post of
assignment may make a written
determination to waive the requirement for
such coverage. The determination must be
based on findings that the quality of local
medical services or other circumstances
obviate the need for such coverage for PSCs
and their dependents located at post.
15. Incentive Awards
(a) TCNs paid under the local
compensation plan are eligible to participate
in the Joint Embassy Incentive Awards
Program. The program is administered by an
Embassy Joint Country Awards Committee.
(b) Meritorious step increases may be
granted to TCNs paid under the local
compensation plan provided the granting of
such increases is the general practice locally.
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(c) TCNPSCs whose compensation is based
on the General Schedule for U.S. direct-hires
may receive certain monetary and nonmonetary awards. The monetary awards are
limited solely to:
(1) On-the-Spot Cash Awards. This cash
award is given to encourage and reward
superior accomplishments, beyond the
minimum satisfactory performance required
under the contract, that contribute to the
quality, efficiency, and/or economy of
Government operations, or for special and
specific nonrecurring commendable acts or
contributions during the contract
performance period. The Parameters/
Limitations are as follows:
(i) A TCNPSC may receive one or more OnThe-Spot Award not to exceed a total of $500
in any one year period from the individual’s
employing Bureau/Mission/Independent
Office. A TCNPSC may receive additional
On-The-Spot Cash Awards up to $500
combined total from USAID organizations
outside of the individual’s Bureau/
Independent Office/Mission, in the same one
year period.
(ii) The minimum dollar value for an
individual On-The-Spot Cash Award is $25.
The maximum dollar value of an individual
On-The-Spot Award is $500. An award may
be provided in any amount between $25 and
$500, ensuring compliance with the
limitation noted in paragraph (c)(1) of this
provision.
(2) Special Act Awards. This cash award
recognizes a specific nonrecurring superior
act or contribution to the public interest that
is beyond or outside normal job
responsibilities as covered by the
individual’s job description. The specific act
or contribution must be beyond the standard
for minimum satisfactory performance
required by the contract. Unlike other cash
awards, this award may not be given for
general superior performance of the work
required by the contract. No more than one
Special Act Award may be granted to a
TCNPSC in any one year period.
(3) Time-Off Awards.
(i) This award is given in the form of
excused absence from official duty time,
without loss of pay or charge to the
individual’s leave balance. This award is
given to encourage and reward superior
accomplishments, beyond minimum
satisfactory performance required under the
contract, that contribute to the quality,
efficiency, and/or economy of Government
operations, or for special and specific
nonrecurring commendable acts or
contributions during the contract
performance period.
(ii) A Time Off award is granted based on
the same criteria as an On-the-Spot Cash
award, and there is no general preference for
one or the other, as a matter of agency policy.
Conditions within the operating unit and
circumstances of the individual being
nominated will dictate the most appropriate
choice. A Time-Off Award is categorized as
a ‘‘cash’’ award because it represents paid
time away from official duty. The
Parameters/Limitations are as follows:
(A) A full-time TCNPSC (i.e., 2087 work
hours/year) may be granted up to a total of
27 hours in awards during any one-year
period of the contract.
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(B) The minimum amount of time for
which a full-time TCNPSC may be granted
time off is one (1) hour. The maximum
amount of time for which an individual
Time-Off Award may be granted is 27 hours.
An award may be granted in any one-hour
time increment between 1–27 hours for a
full-time TCNPSC.
(C) The maximum amount of time for
which any part-time TCNPSC may be granted
a Time-Off Award is to be calculated by
prorating the maximum available to a fulltime TCNPSC (27 hours/year) commensurate
with the number of work hours in the parttime TCNPSC’s work year. As an example, if
the individual works approximately 1044
hours/year the maximum amount of time in
a year for which he/she may be granted a
time-off award is 14 hours.
Contribution above and beyond satisfactory performance
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Up to One Work Day, (not to exceed 9 hours).
Up to Two Work Days, (not to exceed 18 hours).
Up to Three Work Days, (not to exceed 27 hours).
performance meets the criteria for that
particular award. However, a TCNPSC may
not receive multiple cash or time-off awards
for the same act or service.
(ii) Cash Awards are separate and distinct
from the pay comparability increase, and the
annual increase for satisfactory performance
available within the personal services
contract.
16. Governing Law
This contract is established under the
procurement authority of the United States
Government and is governed by the laws of
the United States including the procurement
laws of the United States. This contract
contains the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter thereof,
and no representations, inducements,
promises or arrangements, oral or written
between the parties not embodied here shall
have any force or effect. This contract is a
complete statement of duties, compensation,
benefits, leave, and all terms and conditions.
Any disputes shall be resolved by the courts
or administrative tribunals of the United
States.
PART IV: For Inclusion in Foreign Service
National Personal Service Contracts
(FSNPSCs)
1. Physical Exams
Physical Fitness. The PSC must be
examined by a licensed doctor of medicine,
and must obtain a statement of medical
opinion that, in the doctor’s opinion, the PSC
is physically qualified to engage in the type
of activity for which s/he is to be employed
under the contract. A copy of the medical
opinion is provided to the Contracting
Officer before the PSC starts work under the
contract. USAID will pay for the cost of the
physical examination based on current
Mission practice.
2. Leave and Holidays
(a) Vacation Leave. The PSC may accrue,
accumulate, use, and be paid for vacation in
accordance with the Local Compensation
Plan (LCP). No vacation leave is earned if the
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(D) The following scale is provided as a
general guide in determining the appropriate
amount of time to grant for a Time-Off
Award. The scale is based on an individual
working under a full-time (2087 hours/year)
contract. The figures are to be prorated as
noted above for individuals working under a
part-time contract:
Recommended time off award
A contribution that is of sufficient value to merit recognition. Beneficial
change or modification to policies/procedures. Contribution benefits
immediate unit or staff.
An important contribution to the value of an activity program, or service. Significant change to policies/procedures. Contribution benefits
several units or an entire Mission/Bureau/Office.
A highly significant contribution to the value of an activity, program, or
service. A complete revision of policies/procedures with considerable
impact. Contribution benefits an entire Mission/Bureau/Office or is of
a cross-cutting nature impacting several organizations within the
Agency.
(E) The scheduling of Time-Off Awards
must be approved by the individual’s
supervisor because this award type
represents time away from official duty,
which has the potential to impact the
operating unit’s operations.
(F) A PSC who becomes physically
incapacitated while using a Time-Off Award
may be granted sick leave for the period of
incapacitation. The employee is responsible
for notifying the supervisor immediately to
report the illness during the period of
excused absence.
(G) A Time-Off Award is granted to
recognize a superior achievement and may
not be used as a substitute for compensatory
time off.
(H) In deciding whether a Time-Off award
is the appropriate award type, the supervisor
must consider the individual’s leave balance.
If the individual has an excessive leave
balance, a cash award may be more
appropriate, so as not to adversely affect the
PSC who may have annual leave subject to
forfeiture at the end of the contract.
(I) Time-Off Awards must be used within
6 months of approval and may not be
transferred to a new or follow-on contract
with either the same or new work unit under
any circumstances. In cases where the time
off is not used within six months after the
date of approval, the time-off must be
forfeited.
(J) Under no circumstances may a Time-Off
Award be converted to a lump-sum payment
or transferred to any other contract. A TimeOff Award not used by the end of the
contract period must be forfeited, even if less
than 6 months from the date of approval.
TCNPSCs are not eligible for nomination
for any other types of cash awards other than
the specific awards outlined above.
(4) Multiple Award Nominations:
(i) A TCNPSC may be nominated for more
than one award within the period of contract
performance, or other benchmark period
stated in the contract. Each award
nomination will be reviewed on its own
merit, and decisions to approve it will be
based on whether the employee’s
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contract is for less than 90 days. Unused
vacation leave may be carried over under an
extension or renewal of the contract as long
as it conforms to Mission policy, practice and
the LCP. With the approval of the
individual’s supervisor and concurrence by
the CO and if the circumstances warrant, a
PSC may be granted advance vacation leave
in excess of that earned, but in no case will
a PSC be granted advance vacation leave in
excess of that which the PSC will earn in one
year of the contract. At the end of the
contract, the PSC agrees to reimburse USAID
for leave used in excess of the amount earned
during the period of performance under the
contract.
(b) Sick Leave. The PSC may accrue,
accumulate, and use sick leave in accordance
with the LCP. Unused sick leave may be
carried over under an extension or renewal
of the contract. Leave earned but unused at
the completion of this contract will be
disposed of in accordance with the LCP.
(c) Leave Without Pay. Leave without pay
may be granted only with the written
approval of the PSC’s supervisor and
concurrence by the Contracting Officer.
(d) Holidays. The PSC is entitled to all
holidays granted by the Mission in
accordance with the LCP.
(e) Compensatory Time. Comp time or
overtime for FSNPSCs is governed by the
local compensation plan. If the LCP does not
address compensatory time, then the
prevailing practice of the Mission must be
followed. Comp time is not transferable from
one contract to another.
3. Cooperating Country Taxes and Social
Security
Funds for the Cooperating Country’s Social
Security, retirement, pension, vacation or
other cooperating country programs as
required by local law are deducted and
withheld in accordance with laws and
regulations and rulings of the cooperating
country or any agreement concerning such
withholding entered into between the
cooperating government and the United
States Government.
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4. Insurance
Health and Life Insurance. The PSC is
provided personal health and life insurance
benefits in accordance with the Local
Compensation Plan.
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5. Travel and Transportation
(a) General. The Executive Officer at the
Mission may furnish Travel Authorization
(TAs) for travel authorized by this contract.
When travel is not provided by Government
issued TA, the PSC will procure the travel,
and the costs are reimbursed. The following
paragraphs provide specific guidance and
limitations on particular items of cost.
(b) Travel by Privately Owned Automobile
(POV). If travel by POV is authorized, USAID
will reimburse the PSC for the cost of travel
performed in the POV, provided that
(1) The POV is being driven within the
cooperating country as authorized under the
contract,
(2) The total cost of the mileage and per
diem, if any, will be paid in accordance with
Mission policy and procedures and Federal
Travel Regulations.
6. Payment
(a) Payment of compensation is based on
written documentation supporting time and
attendance in accordance with Mission
policies and procedures.
(b) Any other payments due under this
contract are as prescribed by Mission policy
for the type of payment being made.
(c) A final voucher and release of claims
certification must be submitted by the PSC
promptly following completion of the duties
under this contract but in no event later than
120 days (or such longer period as the
Contracting Officer may approve in writing)
from the date of contract completion. The
PSC’s claim, which includes the final
settlement of compensation, must not be paid
until after the performance of the duties
required under the terms of this contract has
been approved by USAID. Following this
approval by USAID, the PSC will submit the
Release of Claims Certification and the
voucher designated by the PSC as the ‘‘final
voucher’’. This final voucher must be
submitted on Form SF 1034 (original) and SF
1034–A (three copies). This final voucher
must include a refund check for the balance
remaining on hand of any funds which may
have been advanced to the PSC, or the
Government must pay any amounts due and
owing to the PSC.
(d) Release of Claims Certification. The
following Release of Claims Certification
must be included on the final voucher,
signed and dated by the PSC.
‘‘WHERE AS, by the terms of the contract
between the PSC, (insert name) and the
United States, it is provided that after
completion of all the work, and prior to final
payment, the PSC shall furnish the United
States with a release of all claims.
‘‘NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the above premises and the payment (by the
United States to the PSC, or by the PSC to
the United States, as applicable) of the
amount now due under the contract, to wit,
the sum of llll dollars ($llll), the
PSC hereby remises, releases, and forever
discharges the United States, its officers,
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agents, and employees, of and from all
manner of liabilities, obligations, accounts,
claims, and demands whatsoever, in law and
in equity, under or arising from the contract,
except: (if there are no exceptions, state
‘‘None’’ on the line below).
I, llllll, certify that I am the PSC
in the foregoing release, and who signed this
release.
lllllllllllllllllllll
Signed: llllll Date: llllll’’
7. Security
(a) The PSC is obligated to immediately
notify the Contracting Officer if the PSC is
arrested or charged with any offense during
the term of this contract.
(b) The PSC will not normally have access
to classified or administratively controlled
information and must take conscious steps to
avoid receiving or learning of such
information. However, based on PSC’s need
to know, the Mission may authorize access to
administratively controlled information for
performance of assigned scope of work on a
case-by-case basis in accordance with current
security policies and procedures.
(c) The PSC agrees to submit immediately
to the Mission Director or Contracting Officer
a complete detailed report, marked
‘‘Privileged Information’’ of any information
which the PSC may have concerning existing
or threatened espionage, sabotage, or
subversive activity against the United States
of America or the USAID Mission or the
cooperating country government.
8. Notices
(a) Any notice, given by any of the parties
involved in this contract, will be sufficient
only if in writing and delivered in person or
sent by telegraph, telegram, registered, or
regular mail as follows:
(1) TO USAID: To the Mission Director of
the Mission in the Cooperating Country with
a copy to the appropriate Contracting Officer.
(2) TO THE PSC: At the post of duty while
in the Cooperating Country and at the PSC’s
address shown on the Cover Page of this
contract or to another address as either party
designates by notice given as required here.
(b) Notices must be effective when
delivered in accordance with this provision
or on the effective date of the notice that
changes this provision, whichever is later.
9. Incentive Awards
(a) The PSC is eligible to participate in the
Joint Embassy Incentive Awards Program.
The program is administered by each post’s
Embassy Joint Country Awards Committee.
(b) Meritorious step increases may be
granted to FSNs paid under the local
compensation plan provided the granting of
such increases is the general practice locally.
10. Governing Law
This contract is established under the
procurement authority of the United States
Government and is governed by the laws of
the United States including the procurement
laws of the United States. This contract
contains the entire agreement of the parties
with respect to the subject matter thereof,
and no representations, inducements,
promises or arrangements, oral or written
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4702
between the parties not embodied here shall
have any force or effect. This contract is a
complete statement of duties, compensation,
benefits, leave, and all terms and conditions.
Any disputes shall be resolved by the courts
or administrative tribunals of the United
States.
Attachment 1 to Appendix A—Class
Justification for Other Than Full and 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
I. General
This document is a class justification for
other than full and open competition as
authorized by Section 6.303–1(c) of the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This
class justification may be used in accordance
with its terms by any USAID Contracting
Officer acting within the scope of his/her
delegated authority. This class justification is
applicable to locally recruited U.S. personal
services contracts and CCN and TCN
personal services contracts, subject to the
local compensation plan awarded pursuant
to AID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR)
706.302–70(b)(1), and to any contract of
$250,000 or less awarded by an overseas
contracting activity pursuant to AIDAR
706.302–70(b)(2), as authorized by 40 U.S.C.
474, provided the appropriate requirements
for competition in Section II of this class
justification are followed.
It has been determined that requiring full
and open competition for procurement of
U.S. locally recruited personal services
contracts and CCN and TCN personal
services (subject to the local compensation
plan) or for procurement of $250,000 or less
by overseas contracting activities would
impair USAID’s ability to meet the objectives
of the foreign assistance program. Thus,
Section 706.302–70 of the AIDAR provides
that such procurements may be exempted
from the full and open competition
requirements. This class justification may be
used to satisfy the requirements of AIDAR
706.302–70(c)(2) regarding preparation of
justifications pursuant to FAR 6.303. It
applies only to procurements specified
above.
II. Conditions for Use
A. PSCs With United States Citizens
Recruited Locally
If recruited locally, the position was
publicized in the same way that the Mission
announces direct-hire U.S. citizen positions.
Renewals or extensions with the same
individual for continuing service 3 do not
need to be publicized.
B. PSCs With Cooperating Country Nationals
and Third Country Nationals Subject to the
Local Compensation Plan
New contracts were publicized consistent
with Mission/Embassy practice on
announcement of direct-hire FSN positions.4
Renewals or extensions with the same
3 ‘‘continuing
service’’ means ‘‘same services.’’
reference to direct-hire means all FSN
positions including FSN/CCN PSCs.
4 The
E:\FR\FM\13FEP2.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 13, 2007 / Proposed Rules
individual for continuing service 5 do not
need to be publicized.
C. Local Procurements for Supplies and
Services 6 Up to $250,000
This applies to procurements where the
aggregate amount of the contract does not
exceed the limits stated below:
(1) Procurements up to $100,000 were
competed as provided in FAR 13.106, except
that synopsis in the Commerce Business
Daily 7 is not required in any case.
(2) Procurements between $100,001 and
$250,000 were publicized locally sufficiently
to ensure that a reasonable number of
5 ‘‘continuing
services’’ means ‘‘same services.’’
term ‘‘services’’ in this part of the class
justification does not include ‘‘personal services.’’
7 ‘‘Commerce Business Daily’’ has been replaced
with ‘‘FedBizOpps.’’
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS2
6 The
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:28 Feb 12, 2007
Jkt 211001
contractors were notified. This class
justification may not be used if only one
source was considered.
D. Certification, File Documentation
A copy of this class justification must be
included in the contract file, together with a
written statement, signed by the Contracting
Officer, that: the contract is being awarded
pursuant to AIDAR 706.302–70(b)(1) or (2),
as applicable; that the conditions in Section
II of this class justification have been met;
and that the cost of the contract is fair and
reasonable.
III. Effective Date
This class justification is effective on the
date of signature below.
Date: July 22, 1997
/s/ Marcus L. Stevenson
USAID Procurement Executive
PO 00000
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6833
Appendix D [Removed and Reserved]
2. Remove and Reserve Appendix D—
‘‘Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S.
Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for
Personal Services Abroad’’ in its
entirety.
Appendix J [Removed and Reserved]
3. Remove and Reserve Appendix J—
‘‘Direct USAID Contracts with a
Cooperating Country National and with
a Third Country National for Personal
Services Abroad’’ in its entirety.
Michael F. Walsh,
Procurement Executive.
[FR Doc. E7–2311 Filed 2–12–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6116–01–P
E:\FR\FM\13FEP2.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 13, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6812-6833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2311]
[[Page 6811]]
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Part II
Agency for International Development
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48 CFR Chapter 7
USAID Direct Contracts for Personal Services; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 13, 2007 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 6812]]
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AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
48 CFR Chapter 7
RIN 0412-AA49
USAID Direct Contracts for Personal Services
AGENCY: United States Agency for International Development.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is
proposing to consolidate its regulations on USAID Direct Contracts for
all types of Personal Services into one Appendix. This will clarify and
consolidate all regulations for personal services contracts and will
eliminate the need for having to refer to multiple sources. This new
Appendix A will replace Appendix D--Direct USAID Contracts with a U.S.
Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for Personal Services Abroad, and
Appendix J--Direct USAID Contracts with a Cooperative Country National
and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad.
Appendix A will also incorporate all the regulations and policies
currently contained in Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs) and
Acquisition and Assistance Directives (AAPDs). This will eliminate the
need to refer to two different appendices and other sources for
regulations and policies on personal services contracting.
This Appendix will be divided into four parts--one part containing
provisions for all types of Personal Services Contracts (PSCs), the
second part for U.S. PSCs only, the third part for Third-Country
National (TCN) PSCs only, and the fourth part for Cooperating Country
National (CCN) PSCs, also known as Foreign Service National (FSN) PSCs
only. The USPSC part will identify the provisions for U.S. nationals
working in AID/W and those posted overseas. In addition, all non-
regulatory information such as procedures and guidance currently
contained in Appendices D and J will be removed and incorporated into
USAID's internal policy manual--the automated directives system (ADS).
We believe this separation of regulations and policies from the
procedures and guidance on personal services contracting will clarify
and consolidate the regulatory requirements.
DATES: Submit comments on or before April 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by Title: ``USAID Direct
Contracts for Personal Services'' and Regulatory Information Number
``RIN 0412-AA49'' for this rulemaking. Please include your name, title,
organization, postal address, telephone number, and e-mail address in
the text of the message. Comments can be submitted using any of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: federalregistercomments@usaid.gov. Include title
of the proposed action ``USAID Direct Contracts for Personal Services''
and ``RIN 0412-AA49'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: (202) 216-3395.
Mail: USAID, Office of Acquisition & Assistance, Policy
Division, RRB Room No. 7.9-18, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20523-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Henson, Telephone 202-712-5448, E-
mail: thenson@usaid.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation: Because security
screening precautions have slowed the delivery and dependability of
surface mail to USAID/Washington, USAID recommends sending all comments
to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, e-mail address, or fax number
listed above (all comments must be in writing to be reviewed). You may
submit comments by electronic mail as a Microsoft Word file, avoiding
the use of any special characters and any form of encryption.
All comments will be made available for public review without
change, including any personal information provided, from three days
after receipt to finalization of rule at https://www.regulations.gov.
A. Background
Since the late 1990s, the Agency's regulations regarding personal
services contracts--Appendices D and J--have not been updated to
include changes in the processes and interpretations of the Appendices.
Further, given the changing roles and responsibilities of the Agency,
it is necessary to clarify and update USAID's policy and regulation for
personal services contracts. The Proposed Rule consolidates Appendices
D and J of the USAID Acquisition Regulations (the ``AIDAR'') into
Appendix A, which was previously reserved. Appendix A standardizes the
Agency's policies, rules, and regulations regarding personal services
contracts, eliminates repetition between the two Appendices, updates
the Agency's general provisions, and clarifies the Agency's processes
and authorities for all Personal Services Contracts awarded by the
Agency.
Under this proposed rule, the Agency establishes a mechanism
intended to be applicable to all types of Personal Services Contracts.
This proposed rule identifies provisions applicable to all personal
services contracts, distinguishes the differences, and organizes and
identifies the Agency's applicable rules and regulations to more
clearly understand what is considered regulatory in nature and what is
considered policy.
B. Regulatory Planning and Review
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, is not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Pursuant to requirements set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), USAID has considered the economic
impact of the rule and has determined that its provisions would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed
changes to the AIDAR do not impose information collection requirements
that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under
44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Chapter 7
Government procurement.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under the authority of
Sec. 621, Pub. L. 87-195, 75 Stat. 445 (22 U.S.C. 2381) as amended;
E.O. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 FR 56673; 3 CFR 1979 Comp., p. 435, the
U.S. Agency for International Development proposes to amend 48 CFR
Chapter 7 as follows:
1. Add Appendix A to Chapter 7 to read as follows:
Appendix A to Chapter 7--USAID Direct Contracts for Personal Services
1. General
(a) Purpose. This appendix sets forth the process for
competition of personal services contracts, and provides the General
Provisions to be included in each type of contract. There are three
main types of personal services contracts:
(1) Contracts with U.S. citizens or U.S. resident aliens,
referred to as U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC);
(2) Contracts with citizens of the cooperating country or non-
citizens who
[[Page 6813]]
reside legally within the cooperating country, referred to as
Foreign Service National Personal Services Contractor (FSNPSC) \1\;
and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Also referred to/known as Cooperating Country National
Personal Services Contractor (CCNPSC).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Contracts with individuals who are neither U.S. citizens/
U.S. resident aliens nor citizens of the cooperating country and who
have repatriation rights at the end of the contract, referred to as
Third Country National Personal Services Contractor (TCNPSC).
(b) Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and U.S. Agency for
International Development Acquisition Regulations (AIDAR). Contracts
for personal services are subject to the FAR and the AIDAR. Other
than the limited exceptions described below, Contracting Officers
must provide for full and open competition in soliciting offers and
awarding Government contracts.
(c) Definitions (See Part I, General Provision I of this
Appendix).
2. Publicizing Solicitations
(a) Contracting Officers must publicize solicitations for U.S.
citizen/U.S. Resident Alien PSCs (USPSCs) who will be based in
Washington and in USAID Missions, in FedBizOpps (FBO) at https://
www.fbo.gov for a minimum of ten (10) working days. Specific
exceptions for advertising locally recruited USPSCs (also known as
resident hires), Foreign Service National PSCs (FSNs), and Third
Country National PSCs (TCNs) are outlined in paragraph 3 below. In
addition, other exceptions to advertising federal opportunities are
contained in FAR Part 5 and AIDAR Part 705. If the publicizing
procedures set out above are not followed, the Contracting Officer
must prepare a deviation and a separate justification as required
under AIDAR 706.302-70(c)(2).
(b) In addition to advertising in FedBizOpps, the M/OAA
Director, acting as head of the Agency under the authority of AIDAR
701.601(a)(1), has authorized USAID Contracting Officers to place
paid advertisements and notices in newspapers and periodicals. This
specific authorization is found in AIDAR 705.502. Contracting
Officers must document the contract file to reflect consideration of
the requirements of (48 CFR) FAR 5.101(b)(4). Any advertising in
addition to FedBizOpps must be approved by the cognizant CO. When
using two sources of advertising, publishing dates and deadlines
must be taken into consideration as the FBO posting must occur
first. Other means of advertising a solicitation prior to
publication in FedBizOpps is a violation of Federal procurement
regulations and statutes (FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.102).
3. Exceptions to Publicizing in FedBizOpps
(a) Locally Recruited PSCs. For locally recruited PSCs,
advertising requirements have been met by soliciting offers from as
many potential offerors as is practicable under the circumstances
and by meeting the following conditions for use of the Class
Justification (See Attachment 1):
(1) Personal services contracts with United States Citizens
Recruited Locally. If recruited locally, the position is publicized
in the same way that the Mission announces direct-hire U.S. citizen
positions. Renewals or extensions with the same individual for the
same services do not need to be publicized.
(2) Personal services contracts with FSNs and TCNs subject to
the Local Compensation Plan. New solicitations are publicized
consistent with Mission practice on announcement of FSN positions.
Renewals or extensions with the same individual for the same
services do not need to be publicized.
(b) Extensions and Renewals. Publicizing is not required for
extensions or renewals with the same individual for the same
services.
(c) Personal services contracts for six months or less. The Head
of USAID's Contracting Activity has determined that publicizing in
FedBizOpps is not required for personal services contracts for six
months or less. However, as required in FAR 37.104 and FAR 37.105,
the CO is responsible for soliciting offers from the maximum number
of offerors as is practicable under the circumstances. The CO always
reserves the right to use the procedures in paragraph 2--Publicizing
Solicitations. These personal services contracts must not be
extended or renewed.
4. Competition
(a) Full and Open Competition. Contracts for personal services
are subject to the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA).
(b) Exceptions to Full and Open Competition. USAID has special
authority under the Foreign Assistance Act to waive the requirement
for full and open competition when foreign aid programs would be
impaired (AIDAR 706.302-70).
(1) USAID's Procurement Executive has used this special
authority and approved a class justification for exception to full
and open competition for USPSCs recruited locally, and for FSNs, and
TCNs subject to the local compensation plan, awarded pursuant to
AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(1)--``An award under Section 636(a)(3) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, involving a personal
services contractor serving abroad.'' The term ``Locally Recruited''
does not apply to those individuals recruited for work in the United
States. It also does not apply to those individuals who are
recruited from the U.S. to work in a mission outside the U.S.
The conditions for use of this class justification are listed in
3.A above--``Locally Recruited PSCs'', and the limitations,
certification and file documentation below must be satisfied. This
class justification does not apply to hiring offshore-PSCs and must
not be used for hiring a PSC under a sole source procurement.
(i) Limitations
When using the Class Justification, offers must be requested
from as many potential offerors as is practicable under the
circumstances and the advertising requirements in 3.A above--
``Locally Recruited PSCs'' must be followed.
(ii) Certification and File Documentation
A copy of the class justification must be included in the
contract file, together with a written statement, signed by the
Contracting Officer, that: The contract is being awarded pursuant to
AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(1)--``An award under Section 636(a)(3) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, involving a personal
services contractor serving abroad''; the conditions for use of the
class justification have been met; and the cost of the contract is
fair and reasonable.
(2) Extensions and Renewals. This exception applies to
extensions or renewals with the same individual for the same or
similar services. This applies to all personal services contracts
except those contracts described in 3C above--``Personal services
contracts for six months or less.'' For extensions and renewals, the
contracting officer must make the determination that the incumbent
is the only practicable, potential offeror.
Regardless of the intent to continue obtaining the same services
from the same individual, a new contract (as opposed to a contract
modification) must be issued to that individual after a 5-year
period of performance. This allows the requiring office and the CO
to ensure the terms and conditions and the statement of duties are
current. In all cases, the CO has the final determination as to the
need for any revisions. If the changes to the statement of duties
expand it beyond the scope of ``same or similar services,'' the CO
must ensure that the appropriate competitive procedures are followed
for a new procurement.
(3) Other non-competitive procedures. The class justification
only covers circumstances outlined above in paragraph 1 of 4.B.--
``Exceptions to full and open competition.'' To use any other
exception in FAR 6.302 or AIDAR 706.302.70, the Contracting Officer
must adhere to the limitations in AIDAR 706.302.70(c) and must
prepare a separate justification as required under FAR 6.303. The
class justification is not valid in these instances.
5. Issuance of the Solicitation and Receipt of Applications
Once the solicitation is issued, USPSCs must submit an OF-612 or
SF-171 form, completed and signed, to the individual designated for
the receipt of applications in the solicitation. FSN and TCN PSCs
must submit an AID Form 1420-17--Contractor Employee Biographical
Data Sheet along with any other required documentation requested in
the solicitation to the individual designated for the receipt of
application in the solicitation. Individuals responding to the
solicitation may use any transmission method authorized by the
solicitation (i.e. regular mail, electronic commerce, or facsimile).
See FAR Part 15.207 for handling proposals and information.
6. General Provisions
This section contains the General Provisions, which are to be
used as specified in contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a Resident
Alien (USPSC), Foreign Service National (FSNPSC) or a Third Country
National (TCNPSC)
The General Provisions are divided into four parts as follows:
PART I: For inclusion in all types of Personal Service Contracts
(USPSCs, TCNs and FSNs)
[[Page 6814]]
PART II: For inclusion in U.S. Personal Service Contracts (USPSCs)
only
PART III: For inclusion in Third Country National Personal Service
Contracts (TCNPSCs) only
PART IV: For inclusion in Foreign Service National Personal Service
Contracts (FSNPSCs) only
PART I: For Inclusion in All Types of Personal Service Contracts
(USPSCs, TCNPSCs and FSNPSCs)
1. Definitions
(a) USAID means the United States Agency for International
Development offices, bureaus, and divisions, in both Washington and
field missions, and its predecessor agencies, including the
International Cooperation Administration (ICA).
(b) Administrator means the Administrator of USAID or
representative delegated administrator's authority.
(c) Class Justification means a document signed by the
Procurement Executive that describes specific circumstances in which
full and open competition is not required.
(d) Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) means the individual who
performs functions that are designated by the Contracting Officer,
or is specifically designated by policy or regulation as part of
contract administration. The CTO has no warrant and has no authority
other than those noted above. In other parts of the U.S. Government,
the synonymous term is usually Contracting Officer's Technical
Representative (COTR).
(e) Contracting Officer (CO) means a person representing the
U.S. Government through the exercise of his/her delegated authority
to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make
related determinations and findings. This authority is delegated by
one of two methods: to the individual by means of a ``Certificate of
Appointment'', SF 1402, as prescribed in FAR 1.603-3, including any
limitations on the scope of authority to be exercised, or to the
head of each contracting activity (as defined in AIDAR 702.170), as
specified in AIDAR 701.601. (ADS 302).
(f) Contractor means a non-direct hire individual acting as an
agent of USAID and carrying out a scope of work specified by USAID
(ADS 102).
(g) Cooperating Country or Host Country means the country
receiving the USAID assistance. Cooperating Country means the same
as ``host country.''
(h) Cooperating Country Government means the government of the
Cooperating Country.
(i) Dependent(s) means:
(1) A spouse;
(2) Children who are under 21 years of age and unmarried or,
regardless of age, are incapable of self-support (children include
step--and adopted--children and those who are under legal custody of
the employee or spouse and are dependent upon and normally reside
with the employee and are expected to be under guardianship of the
employee until 21 years of age);
(3) Parents (including step--and legally adoptive--parents) who
are at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; and
(4) Brothers and/or sisters (including step--and adoptive--
brothers and/or sisters) who are 51 percent or more dependent on the
employee, unmarried and under 21 years of age. However, there is no
age limit if they are physically or mentally incapable of self-
support.
(j) Economy Class means a class of air travel that is less than
business or first class.
(k) Employer-employee relationship means an employment
relationship under a service contract with an individual, which
occurs when, as a result of the contract's terms or the manner of
its administration during performance, the PSC is subject to the
relatively continuous supervision and control of a Government
officer or employee.
(l) Foreign Service National (FSN) means the individual who is a
Cooperating Country citizen or a non-Cooperating Country citizen
lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the Cooperating
Country. For the purpose of this Appendix, FSN employees are the
same as CCN employees and are used interchangeably. Note that FSN is
the most widely used terminology to describe non-U.S. citizen
employees.
(m) Government means the United States Government.
(n) Local currency means the currency of the Cooperating
Country.
(o) Locally Recruited means recruitment of individuals residing
in the cooperating country. Locally recruited does not apply to
those individuals recruited for work in the United States. It also
does not apply to those individuals who are recruited from the U.S.
to work in a mission outside the U.S.
(p) Mission means the USAID Mission or the principal USAID
office or representative (including an embassy designated to so act)
in a Cooperating Country in which there is a program or activity
administered by USAID.
(q) Mission Director means the principal officer in the Mission
in the Cooperating Country, or the designated representative of the
Mission Director.
(r) Offshore PSCs \2\ means an individual who is brought into
the host country at Government expense and has repatriation rights.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Also referred to/known as ``Internationally Recruited PSCs''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(s) Period of Performance means the PSC's period of service as
defined under the contract. Time spent initially traveling to post
and final travel when departing from post is not included in the
period of performance and is not subject to salary even though
travel expenses may be allowable.
(t) Personal services contract means a contract that, by its
express terms or as administered, makes the contractor personnel
appear, in effect, Government employees (see FAR 37.104) (FAR 2.101)
The acronym ``PSC'' is used to describe a personal services
contractor.
(u) Resident Hire (also referred to as Locally Recruited USPSCs)
means individuals who are U.S. citizens who at the time of hiring as
a PSC, reside in the cooperating country:
(1) As a spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen employed by a
U.S. Government Agency or under any U.S. Government-financed
contract or agreement, or under any other contract or agreement that
provides for repatriation to the United States; or
(2) For reasons other than for employment with a U.S. Government
Agency or under any U.S. Government-financed contract or agreement,
or under any other contract or agreement that provides for
repatriation to the United States.
(3) A U.S. citizen for purposes of this definition also includes
a person who at the time of contracting, is a lawfully admitted
permanent resident of the United States.
(v) Short-term personal services contract means a contract for
less than one year.
(w) Third Country National (TCN) means an individual who is
neither a citizen of the United States nor a citizen of the country
to which assigned for duty, AND who is eligible for return travel to
their home country or country from which recruited at U.S.
Government expenses, AND who is on a limited assignment for a
specific period of time.
(x) Traveler means:
(1) The PSC when in authorized travel status, and/or
(2) Dependent(s) of the PSC who are in authorized travel status.
(y) U.S. Resident Alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully
admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
2. Compliance With Laws and Regulations
(a) Standards of Conduct.
(1) The PSC will be required to comply with the same ethics
laws, rules, and regulations as required of USAID direct hire
employees. However, if the PSC's period of performance is less than
130 days during any period of 360 days, the PSC will be subject to
the same laws, rules, and regulations as a ``special Government
employee'' and subject to the provisions of Title 18--Crimes and
Criminal Procedure, Part I--Crimes, Chapter 11--Bribery, Graft, and
Conflict of Interest, as set forth in 18 U.S.C. 202(a).
(2) By signing this contract, the PSC agrees to comply with all
ethics laws, rules, and regulations that are applicable to other
USAID direct hire employees, including 18 U.S.C. 202, 203, 205, 207,
208, 209, and 219, the USAID General Notice entitled ``Employee
Review of the New Standards of Conduct,'' and 5 CFR part 2635.
(3) If, however, the PSC's period of performance is less than
130 days during any period of 360 days, by signing this contract,
the PSC agrees to comply with the same laws, rules, and regulations
as a ``special Government employee'' and subject to the provisions
as set forth in 18 U.S.C. 202(a), the USAID General Notice entitled
``Employee Review of the New Standards of Conduct,'' and the
portions of 5 C.F.R. Part 2635 that are applicable to ``Special
Government Employees.''
(b) Conformity to Laws and Regulations of the Cooperating
Country. PSC agrees that, while in the cooperating country, the PSC
as well as dependents, must abide by all applicable laws and
regulations of the cooperating country and its political
subdivisions.
[[Page 6815]]
3. Contractor--USAID Relationships
(a) The PSC acknowledges that this contract is an important part
of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Program and agrees that the duties
will be carried out in such a manner as to be fully commensurate
with the responsibilities which this entails.
(b) The PSC is expected to show respect for the conventions,
customs, and institutions of the Cooperating Country and not
interfere in its political affairs.
(c) If the PSC's conduct is not in accordance with paragraph (b)
of this provision, the contract may be terminated under the General
Provision of this contract, entitled ``Termination''. In addition,
the U.S. Ambassador may direct the immediate removal of a USPSC or a
TCNPSC from any country when, in the discretion of the Ambassador,
the interests of the United States so require.
(d) The Mission Director is the chief representative of USAID in
the Cooperating Country. In this capacity, s/he is responsible for
the total USAID Program in the Cooperating Country including certain
administrative responsibilities set forth in this contract and for
advising USAID regarding the performance of the work under the
contract and its effect on the U.S. Foreign Assistance Program. The
PSC will be responsible for performing duties in accordance with the
statement of duties called for by the contract, and as required and
necessary, report on the progress of the work under the contract.
4. Workweek
The PSC's workweek must not be less than 40 hours, unless
otherwise provided in the Contract Schedule, and must coincide with
the workweek as defined by the Mission. If the contract is for less
than full time (40 hours weekly), the annual and sick leave earned
must be prorated (see the General Provision of this contract
entitled Leave and Holidays).
5. Insurance
Worker's Compensation Benefits. USAID will provide the PSC with
worker's compensation benefits in accordance with the Federal
Employees' Compensation Act.
6. Termination
(This is an approved deviation to be used in place of the clause
specified in FAR 52.249-12.)
(a) The Government may terminate performance of work under this
contract in whole or, from time to time, in part:
(1)(i) For cause, which may be effected immediately after
establishing the facts warranting the termination, by giving written
notice and a statement of reasons to the PSC in the event of:
(A) A breach or violation of any obligations contained in this
contract; or
(B) Fraud being committed in obtaining the contract; or
(C) Misconduct by the PSC (as determined by the USAID Mission
Director or Contracting Officer) in or affecting the Cooperating
Country.
(ii) Upon such a termination, the PSC's right to compensation
stops when the period specified in the written notice expires or the
last day on which the PSC performs services in support of this
contract, whichever is earlier. No costs of any kind incurred by the
PSC after the effective date in this notice may be reimbursed except
the cost of return transportation (not including travel allowances),
if approved by the Contracting Officer. If any costs relating to the
period subsequent to such date have been paid by USAID, the PSC must
promptly refund to USAID any such prepayment as directed by the
Contracting Officer.
(2) For the convenience of USAID, by giving not less than 15
calendar days advance written notice to the PSC. Upon such a
termination, PSC's right to compensation stops when the period
specified in the written notice expires except that the PSC is
entitled to any unused vacation leave, return transportation costs
and travel allowances and transportation of unaccompanied baggage
costs at the rate specified in the contract and subject to the
limitations that apply to authorized travel status.
(3) For the convenience of USAID, when the PSC is unable to
complete performance of the services under the contract by reason of
sickness or physical or emotional incapacity based upon a
certification of such circumstances by a duly qualified doctor of
medicine approved by the Mission. The contract will be deemed
terminated upon delivery to the PSC of a written termination notice.
Upon such a termination, the PSC will not be entitled to
compensation except to the extent of any unused vacation or sick
leave, but will be entitled to return transportation, travel
allowances, and unaccompanied baggage costs at rates specified in
the contract and subject to the limitations that apply to authorized
travel status.
(4) For convenience, when a final security clearance is denied.
The contract will be deemed terminated upon issuance to the PSC of a
written termination notice. Upon such a termination, the PSC's right
to compensation stops when the period specified in the written
notice expires or the last day on which the PSC performs services in
support of this contract, whichever is earlier. The PSC will be
entitled to any unused vacation leave, and will be entitled to
return transportation, travel allowances, and unaccompanied baggage
costs at rates specified in the contract and subject to the
limitations that apply to authorized travel status.
(b) The PSC, with the written consent of the Contracting
Officer, may terminate this contract upon at least 15 days' written
notice to the Contracting Officer.
7. Termination of PSCs Hired Under the Local Compensation Plan
For those PSCs hired under the local compensation plan,
termination will be in accordance with the local compensation plan.
8. Release of Information
All rights in data and reports required by or developed under
this contract become the property of the U.S. Government. All
information gathered under this contract by the PSC and all reports
and recommendations hereunder must be treated as confidential by the
PSC and must not, without the prior written approval of the
Contracting Officer, be made available to any person, party, or
government, other than USAID, except as otherwise expressly provided
in this contract. All data and reports, including copies, will
remain the property of USAID.
9. Training
The PSC may be provided job related training to expand
capabilities and increase knowledge and skills.
10. Reports
(a) The PSC must prepare and submit two copies of each technical
report required by the schedule of this contract to the Development
Experience Clearinghouse, Via E-mail: docsubmit@dec.cdie.org; Via
U.S. Postal Service: Development Experience Clearinghouse, 8403
Colesville Road, Suite 210 Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; 3c) Via
Fax: (301) 588-7787; or Online: https://www.dec.org/
index.cfm?fuseaction=docSubmit.home.
(b) The title page of all reports forwarded to the Development
Experience Clearinghouse under this paragraph must include a
descriptive title, the author's Name(s), contract number, project
number and title, PSC's name, name of the USAID project office, and
the publication or issuance date of the report.
(c) When preparing reports, the PSC must refrain from using
elaborate art work, multicolor printing, and expensive paper/
binding, unless it is specifically authorized in the Contract
Schedule. Wherever possible, pages must be printed on both sides
using single spaced type.
11. Prohibition on the Use of Federal Funds To Promote, Support, or
Advocate for the Legalization or Practice of Prostitution--
Acquisition
(a) The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. None of the
funds made available under this contract may be used to promote,
support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution.
Nothing in the preceding sentence will be construed to preclude
assistance designed to ameliorate the suffering of, or health risks
to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of
the situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked.
(b) The contractor shall insert this provision in all sub-awards
under this award.
(c) This provision includes express terms and conditions of the
contract and any violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral
termination, in whole or in part, of the contract by USAID prior to
the end of its term.
12. Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12)
(a) In response to the general threat of unauthorized access to
federal facilities and information systems, the President issued
Homeland Security Presidential Directive-
[[Page 6816]]
12. HSPD-12 requires all Federal agencies to use a common Personal
Identity Verification (PIV) standard when identifying and issuing
access rights to users of Federally-controlled facilities and/or
Federal Information Systems. USAID will begin issuing HSPD-12
``smart card'' IDs to applicable contracts, using a phased approach.
Effective October 27, 2006, USAID will begin issuing new ``smart
card'' IDs to new contractors (and new contractor employees)
requiring routine access to USAID controlled facilities and/or
access to USAID's information systems. USAID will begin issuance of
the new smart card IDs to existing contractors (and existing
contractor employees) on October 27, 2007. (Exceptions would include
those situations where an existing contractor (or contractor
employee) loses or damages his/her existing ID and would need a
replacement ID prior to Oct 27, 2007. In those situations, the
existing contractor (or contractor employee) would need to follow
the PIV processes described below, and be issued one of the new
smart cards.)
(b) Accordingly, before a contractor (including a PSC* or a
contractor employee) may obtain a USAID ID (new or replacement)
authorizing him/her routine access to USAID facilities, or logical
access to USAID's information systems, the individual must provide
two forms of identity source documents in original form and a
passport size photo. One identity source document must be a valid
Federal or state government-issued picture ID. (Overseas foreign
nationals must comply with the requirements of the Regional Security
Office.) USAID/W contractors must contact the USAID Security Office
to obtain the list of acceptable forms of documentation, and
contractors working in overseas Missions must obtain the acceptable
documentation list from the Regional Security Officer. Submission of
these documents, and related background checks, are mandatory in
order for the contractor to receive a building access ID, and before
access will be granted to any of USAID's information systems. All
contractors must physically present these two source documents for
identity proofing at their USAID/W or Mission Security Briefing. The
contractor or his/her Facilities Security Officer must return any
issued building access ID and remote authentication token to USAID
custody upon termination of the individual's employment with the
contractor or completion of the contract, whichever occurs first.
(c) The contractor must comply with all applicable HSPD-12 and
PIV procedures, as described above, and any subsequent USAID or
government-wide HSPD-12 and PIV procedures/policies, including any
subsequent related USAID General Notices, Office of Security
Directives and/or Automated Directives System (ADS) policy
directives and required procedures. This includes HSPD-12 procedures
established in USAID/Washington and those procedures established by
the overseas Regional Security Office.
(d) In the event of inconsistencies between this clause and
later issued Agency or government-wide HSPD-12 guidance, the most
recent issued guidance should take precedence, unless otherwise
instructed by the Contracting Officer.
(e) The contractor is required to include this clause in any
subcontracts that require the subcontractor or subcontractor
employee to have routine physical access to USAID space or logical
access to USAID's information systems.
13. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses To Be Incorporated
in Full Text in All Personal Services Contracts
The following FAR Clauses are always to be used along with the
General Provisions. They are required in full text.
(a) Covenant Against Contingent Fees 52.203-5
(b) Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--Other than Central
Contractor Registration 52.232-34
(c) Disputes 52.233-1 (Alternate 1)
(d) Preference for U.S. Flag Air Carriers 52.247-63
14. FAR Clauses To Be Incorporated by Reference in All Personal
Services Contracts
The following FAR Clauses are to be used along with the General
Provisions, and when appropriate, be incorporated in each personal
services contract by reference:
(a) Anti-Kickback Procedures 52.203-7
(b) Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal
Transactions 52.203-12
(c) Audit and Records--Negotiation 52.215-2
(d) Privacy Act Notification 52.224-1
(e) Privacy Act 52.224-2
(f) Taxes--Foreign Cost Reimbursement Contracts 52.229-8
(g) Interest 52.232-17
(h) Limitation of Cost 52.232-20
(i) Limitation of Funds 52.232-22
(j) Assignment of Claims 52.232-23
(k) Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and
Vegetation 52.237-2
(l) Notice of Intent to Disallow Costs 52.242-1
(m) Inspection of Services--Cost-Reimbursement 52.246-5
(n) Limitation of Liability--Services 52.246-25
PART II: For Inclusion in U.S. Personal Service Contracts (USPSCs) Only
1. Purchase or Sale of Personal Property or Automobiles (August
2006). (Only for inclusion in offshore USPSCs)
(a) To the extent permitted by the cooperating country, the
purchase, sale, import, or export of personal property or
automobiles in the cooperating country by the PSC is subject to the
same limitations and prohibitions that apply to Mission U.S.-citizen
direct-hire employees.
(b) Insurance on Private Automobiles. If the PSC or the
dependents transport, or have transported, privately owned
automobile(s) to the Cooperating Country or purchase an automobile
within the Cooperating Country, the PSC agrees to cover such
automobile(s) (during such ownership within the Cooperating Country)
by a current, i.e., not in arrears, insurance policy. The insurance
policy must be issued by a reliable company providing the following
minimum coverage, or such other minimum coverage as may be set by
the Mission Director, payable in U.S. dollars or their equivalent in
the currency of the Cooperating Country: injury to persons, $10,000/
$20,000; and property damage, $5,000. The PSC further agrees to
deliver, or have delivered, to the Mission Director, the insurance
policies required by this provision or satisfactory proof of their
existence, before the automobile(s) is operated within the
Cooperating Country. The premium costs for such insurance are not
reimbursable under this contract.
2. Physical Exams (for Inclusion in Washington-Based USPSCs)
(a) Physical Fitness. Washington-based USPSCs are not required
to obtain a physical exam unless their work schedule calls for
overseas TDY assignments of 60 days or more in the aggregate during
a 12-month period.
(b) For Washington based USPSCs whose contracts require TDYs,
which in the aggregate amount to 60 days or more in a calendar year,
the PSC must obtain a medical clearance from State M/MED prior to
any travel overseas. The Contracting Officer will provide the USPSC
with a medical clearance packet for this purpose.
3. Physical Exams and Health Room Privileges (for Inclusion in
Offshore USPSCs)
(a) Physical Fitness.
(1) For contracts performed outside the United States for less
than 60 days in a calendar year, the PSC is required to be examined
by a licensed doctor of medicine and obtain from the doctor a
statement of medical opinion that, in the doctor's opinion, the
contractor is physically able to engage in the type of activity for
which the PSC is being employed under the contract. A copy of the
statement(s) shall be provided to the Contracting Officer prior to
the contractor's departure overseas, or for a U.S. resident hire,
before the PSC starts work under the contract. As an example, the
doctor may choose to use the language of the doctor's statement of
medical opinion at the end of the form AID 1420-62 which identifies
the contractor by name, to meet this requirement. However, form AID
1420-62 is not required to be completed for contracts less than 60
days.
(2) For all contracts performed outside of the United States in
excess of 60 days, the PSC and any authorized dependents must be
examined by a licensed doctor of medicine and must obtain a medical
clearance from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Medical
Services, Medical Clearance Unit (M/MED). A copy of the M/MED
Medical Clearance abstract must be provided to the Contracting
Officer before the contract is signed.
(3) The PSC and the dependents are authorized physical
examinations within 60 days after completion of the PSC's period of
performance. The PSC is subject to the same re-imbursement
restrictions as the initial exam.
(b) Reimbursement.
(1) As a contribution to the cost of medical examinations
required by paragraph (a)(1) of this provision, USAID shall
reimburse the contractor not to exceed $250 for each physical
examination, plus reimbursement of charges for immunizations.
[[Page 6817]]
(2) (i) As a contribution to the cost of medical examinations
required by paragraph (a)(2) and (3) of this provision, USAID will
reimburse the PSC in an amount not to exceed half of the cost of the
examination up to a maximum of $700 per examination plus
reimbursement of charges for immunizations for the PSC and for each
authorized dependent 12 years of age or over. The USAID contribution
for dependents under 12 years of age will not exceed half of the
cost of the examination up to a maximum of $350 per individual plus
reimbursement of charges for immunizations. The PSC must obtain the
prior written approval of the Contracting Officer to receive any
USAID obligations higher than these limits.
(ii) If M/MED requires the proposed PSC and/or dependents to
have additional tests done before providing medical clearance, the
proposed PSC shall notify the Contracting Officer and the
responsible individual in the requiring office. These additional
tests shall be reimbursed to the proposed PSC at 100% of incurred
costs, minus any payments by the proposed PSC's insurance company.
(c) Health Unit Privileges. After the PSC and dependents receive
M/MED clearance, routine medical services shall be available in
their overseas location. Procedures at the Health Room shall be in
accordance with post policy at the post of duty. These services do
not include hospitalization or predeparture examinations. The
services normally include such medications as may be available,
immunizations and preventive health measures, diagnostic
examinations and advice, and home visits as medically indicated.
Emergency medical treatment is provided to U.S. citizen PSCs and
dependents, whether or not they may have been granted access to
routine health room services, on the same basis as would be to any
U.S. citizen in an emergency medical situation in the country,
including post support for medevac (although medevac service will be
paid for by the PSC's medevac insurer) and post support for
hospitalizations per the terms of the personal services contract.
4. Medical Expense Payment Responsibility
Include the following provision in all USPSCs (excluding
resident hire USPSCs):
(a) Definitions. Terms used in this General Provision are
defined in 16 FAM 116 (available at https://www.foia.state.gov/REGS/
fams.asp?level=2&id=59&fam=0). Note: personal services contractors
are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health
Programs.
(b) The regulations in the Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 16,
Chapter 520 (16 FAM 520), Responsibility for Payment of Medical
Expenses, apply to this contract, except as stated below. The
contractor and each dependent are strongly encouraged to obtain
health insurance that covers this assignment. Nothing in this
provision supersedes or contradicts any other term or provision in
this contract that pertains to insurance or medical costs, except
that section (e) supplements General Provision entitled ``MEDICAL
EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES.''
(c)(1) When the contractor or dependent is covered by health
insurance, that insurance is the primary payer for medical services
provided to that contractor or dependent(s) both in the United
States and abroad. The primary insurer's liability is determined by
the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the insurance
policy.
(2) When the contractor or dependent is not covered by health
insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total amount
of medical costs incurred and the U.S. Government has no payment
obligation (see paragraph (f) of this provision).
(d) USAID serves as a secondary payer for medical expenses of
the contractor and dependents who are covered by health insurance,
where the following conditions are met:
(1) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the
expense is incurred, caused, or materially aggravated while the
eligible individual is stationed or assigned abroad;
(2) The illness, injury, or medical condition giving rise to the
expense required or requires hospitalization and the expense is
directly related to the treatment of such illness, injury, or
medical condition, including obstetrical care; and
(3) The Office of Medical Services (M/MED) or a Foreign Service
medical provider (FSMP) determines that the treatment is appropriate
for, and directly related to, the illness, injury, or medical
condition.
(e) The Mission Director may, on the advice of M/MED or an FSMP
at post, authorize medical travel for the contractor or a dependent
in accordance with the Travel and Transportation Expenses General
Provision section entitled ``Emergency and Irregular Travel and
Transportation.'' In the event of a medical emergency, when time
does not permit consultation, the Mission Director may issue a
Travel Authorization Form or Medical Services Authorization Form DS-
3067, provided that the FSMP or Post Medical Advisor (PMA) is
notified as soon as possible following such an issuance. The
contractor must promptly file a claim with his or her MEDEVAC
insurance provider and repay to USAID any amount the MEDEVAC insurer
pays for medical travel, up to the amount USAID paid under this
section. The contractor must repay USAID for medical costs paid by
the MEDEVAC insurer in accordance with sections (f) and (g) below.
In order for medical travel to be an allowable cost under General
Provision entitled Travel and Transportation Expenses, the
contractor must provide USAID written evidence that MEDEVAC
insurance does not cover these medical travel costs.
(f) If the contractor or dependent is not covered by primary
health insurance, the contractor is the primary payer for the total
amount of medical costs incurred. In the event of a medical
emergency, the Medical and Health Program may authorize issuance of
Form DS-3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/
or Dependents, to secure admission to a hospital located abroad for
the uninsured contractor or dependent. In that case, the contractor
will be required to reimburse USAID in full for funds advanced by
USAID pursuant to the issuance of the authorization. The contractor
may reimburse USAID directly or USAID may offset the cost from the
contractor's invoice payments under this contract, any other
contract the individual has with the U.S. Government, or through any
other available debt collection mechanism.
(g) When USAID pays medical expenses (e.g., pursuant to Form DS-
3067, Authorization for Medical Services for Employees and/or
Dependents), repayment must be made to USAID either by insurance
payment or directly by the contractor, except for the amount of such
expenses USAID is obligated to pay under this provision. The
Contracting Officer will determine the repayment amount in
accordance with the terms of this provision and the policies and
procedures for employees contained in 16 FAM 521. When USAID pays
the medical expenses, including medical travel costs (see section
(e) above), of an individual (either the contractor or a dependent)
who is covered by insurance, that individual promptly must claim his
or her benefits under any applicable insurance policy or policies.
As soon as the individual receives the insurance payment, the
contractor must reimburse USAID for the full amount that USAID paid
on the individual's behalf or the repayment amount determined by the
Contracting Officer in accordance with this paragraph, whichever is
less. If an individual is not covered by insurance, the contractor
must reimburse USAID for the entire amount of all medical expenses
and any travel costs the contractor receives from his/her MEDEVAC
provider.
(h) In the event that the contractor or dependent fails to
recover insurance payments or transfer the amount of such payments
to USAID within 90 days, USAID will take appropriate action to
collect the payments due, unless such failure is for reasons beyond
the control of the USPSC/dependent.
(i) Before departing post or terminating the contract, the
contractor must settle all medical expense and medical travel costs.
If the contractor is insured, he or she must provide proof to the
Contracting Officer that those insurance claims have been submitted
to the insurance carrier(s) and sign a repayment agreement to repay
to USAID any amounts paid by the insurance carrier(s).
5. Compensation Adjustments
(a) Annual Salary Increase.
(1) All U.S. PSC positions are classified based on the General
Service (GS) schedule at the grade USAID considers to be the market
value and salary range of the position. When the salary is
negotiated and agreed upon, the salary must be fixed at a specific
step within the salary range, as classified at the GS-equivalent
grade, for the specified position (e.g., GS-13, step 5).
(2) Future salary increases based on written evaluation of
satisfactory performance or better must be consistent with U. S.
direct-hire employee salary increases in accordance with OMB policy
in 5 CFR Section 531.405--``Waiting periods for within-grade
increases.''
(3) For extensions and renewals, when a PSC's current salary is
between steps (for example between a step 5 and a step 6), the base
for extension or renewal will be established at the higher step (for
example,
[[Page 6818]]
step 6), and the ``step increase'' will be to step 7.
(4) When an individual reaches the upper limit of a position's
market value, i.e., the top of the GS-equivalent grade, the
individual's salary must be ``capped'' in the same way as that of a
USDH salary. This does not affect the annual pay comparability
adjustment.
(b) Annual Pay Comparability Adjustment. The PSC's compensation
shall be adjusted to reflect the pay comparability adjustments that
are granted from time to time to U.S. direct-hire employees by
Executive Order for the statutory pay systems (usually in January).
Any adjustments authorized are subject to the availability of funds
and must not exceed that percentage stated in the Executive Order
granting the adjustment. Further, the adjusted compensation may not
exceed the annual ``USAID Contractor Salary Threshold (USAID CST)''
which is equivalent to the maximum rate for agencies without a
certified SES performance appraisal system (or the equivalent hourly
rate).
6. Leave and Holidays
(a) Vacation Leave.
(1) The PSC shall earn vacation leave at the rate of 13 workdays
per annum or 4 hours every 2 weeks. However, no vacation shall be
earned if the tour of duty is less than 90 days.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1) above, if the PSC has had
previous: USAID PSC service (i.e., has served under other personal
services contracts (PSCs) covered by Sec. 636(a)(3) of the FAA or
other statutory provision applicable to USAID); and/or former U.S.
Government (USG) direct hire service--civilian and/or military), the
PSC will earn vacation leave based on time in service as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time in service Calculated vacation time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 3 years of service............... Four hours of vacation leave
for each two week period.
over 3 years and up to 15 years of Six hours of vacation leave for
service. each two week period
(including 10 hours vacation
leave for the final pay period
of a calendar year).
15+ years of service................... Eight hours of vacation leave
for each two week period.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) (i) Vacation leave is provided under this contract for the
purposes of affording necessary rest and recreation during the
period of performance. The PSC in consultation with the USAID
Mission or USAID/Washington, as appropriate, shall develop a
vacation leave schedule early in the PSC's period of performance
taking into consideration project requirements, PSC preference and
other factors. All vacation leave earned by the PSC must be used
during the PSC's period of performance. All vacation leave earned by
the PSC, but not taken by the end of the PSC's contract, will be
forfeited. However, to prevent forfeiture of vacation leave, the
Contracting Officer may approve the PSC taking vacation leave during
the concluding weeks of the PSC's contract.
(ii) As an exception to 3(i) above, the PSC may receive lump-sum
payment for leave not taken. To approve this exception, the PSC's
supervisor must provide the Contracting Officer with a signed,
written Determination and Findings. The Determination and Findings
must set out the facts and circumstances that prevented the PSC from
taking vacation leave and the Contracting Officer must find that
these facts and circumstances were not caused by and were beyond the
control of the contractor. This leave payment must not exceed the
number of days which could be earned by the PSC during a twelve
month period.
(4) With the approval of the Mission Director or the cognizant
AA, as appropriate, and if the circumstances warrant, a Contracting
Officer may grant the PSC advance vacation leave in excess of that
earned, but in no case may the Contracting Officer grant advance
vacation leave in excess of that earned in one year or over the life
of the contract, whichever is less. The PSC agrees to reimburse
USAID for any outstanding balance of advance vacation leave provided
during the PSC's assignment under the contract.
(5) Applicants for PSC positions will provide evidence of their
PSC and/or USG direct hire service--civilian and/or military
experience, as applicable, on their signed and dated SF-171 or OF-
612. By signing the appropriate form, the applicant attests to the
accuracy of the information provided. Any applicant providing
incorrect information is subject to the penalty provisions in the
form. If required to satisfy due diligence requirements on behalf of
the Contracting Officer, PSCs may be required to furnish evidence
that verifies length of service, e.g., SF 50, DD Form 214, and/or
signed contracts.
(b) Sick Leave. Sick leave is earned at a rate not to exceed 13
work-days per annum or 4 hours every 2 weeks. Unused sick leave may
be carried over under an extension/renewal of this contract.
Otherwise, sick leave will not be carried over from one post to
another or from one contract to another. The PSC will not be
compensated for unused sick leave upon completion of this contract.
(c) Military Leave. Military leave of not more than 15 calendar
days in any calendar year may be granted to a PSC who is a reservist
of the Armed Forces. The PSC must provide advance notice of the
pending military leave to the Contracting Officer or the Mission
Director as soon as known. A copy of any such notice must be part of
the contract file.
(d) Leave Without Pay. Leave without pay may be granted only
with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission
Director.
(e) Compensatory Time. Compensatory leave may be granted only
with the written approval of the Contracting Officer or Mission
Director in rare instances when it has been determined absolutely
essential and used under those guidelines which apply to direct-hire
employees.
(f) Sunday Pay (if applicable). Each Mission has the option
whether or not to authorize Sunday pay for U.S. PSCs, with two
stipulations: the decision whether or not to pay must be
administered consistently throughout the Mission; and if Sunday pay
is authorized, it must be paid under the same terms and conditions
that Foreign Service direct-hire employees would receive in
accordance with 3 FAM 3136.
(g) Leave Records. The PSC shall maintain current leave records
and make them available, as requested by the Mission Director or the
Contracting Officer.
FOR INCLUSION IN USPSCS Posted Overseas
(h) Home Leave.
(1) Home leave is leave earned for service abroad for use only
in the United States, its commonwealths and territories.
(2) A USPSC who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien and has
served at least two years overseas at the same USAID Mission, under
the same contract, as defined in paragraph (c)(4) below, and has not
taken more than 30 work days leave (vacation, sick or leave without
pay) in the United States may be granted home leave in accordance
with the following:
(i) If the PSC returns to the same overseas post upon completion
of home leave for an additional 2 years under the same contract, or
for such shorter period of not less than one year, as approved in
writing by the Mission Director prior to the USPSC's departure on
home leave, the PSC will receive home leave, to be taken at one
time, for a period of not more than 30 work days, provided advance
approval is obtained from the Mission Director;
(ii) If the contractor is returning to a different USAID Mission
under a USAID personal services contract immediately following
completion of the USPSC's home leave, for an additional 2 years
under contract, or for such shorter period of not less than one
year, as approved by the Mission Directors of the ``losing'' and
``gaining'' Missions, the PSC will receive home leave, to be taken
at one time, for a period of not more than 20 work days. When the
PSC is returning to a different USAID Mission, the former Mission
will pay for the home leave regardless of what country the PSC will
be working in following the home leave;
(iii) If home leave eligibility is based on paragraph (c)(2)(ii)
of this provision, the PSC must submit written verification to the
losing Mission at the time home leave is requested that the PSC has
accepted a USAID personal services contract at another USAID Mission
following completion of the home leave;
(iv) Travel time by the most direct route is authorized in
addition to the number of work days authorized for home leave;
(v) Home leave must be taken in the United States, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or
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the possessions of the United States, and any days spent elsewhere
will be charged to vacation leave. If the PSC does not have accrued
vacation leave, the PSC will be placed on leave without pay.
(vi) If the PSC does not complete the additional service
required under (c)(2)(i) or (ii) (that the Contracting Officer finds
are other than for reasons beyond the PSC's control), the cost of
home leave, travel and transportation and any other related costs
must be repaid by the PSC to the Government.
(3) Notwithstanding the requirement in paragraph (c)(2) above
that the contractor must have served 2 years overseas under personal
services contract with the same Mission to be eligible for home
leave, the PSC may be granted advance home leave subject to all of
the following conditions:
(i) Granting of advanced home leave would in each case serve to
advance the attainment of the objectives of this contract; and
(ii) The PSC has served a minimum of 18 months in the
Cooperating Country under this contract; and
(iii) The contractor agrees to return to the Cooperating Country
to serve out the remainder of the current contract, plus an
additional 2 years under the current contract or under a new
contract for the same or similar services at the same Mission. If
approved in advance by the Mission Director, the contractor may
return to serve out the remainder of the current contract, and an
additional period of not less than 1 year under the current contract
or under a new contract for the same or similar services at the same
Mission.
(4) The period of service overseas required under paragraph
(c)(2), or paragraph (c)(3) above, will include the actual days in
orientation in the United States (less language training). The
actual days overseas begin on the date of arrival in the Cooperating
Country inclusive of authorized delays enroute. Allowable vacation
and sick leave taken while overseas, but not leave without pay,
shall be included in the required period of service overseas. An
amount equal to the number of days of vacation and sick leave taken
in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the
possessions of the United States will be added to the required
period of service overseas.
(5) Salary during the travel to and from the United States for
home leave will be limited to the time required for travel by the
most expeditious air route. Except for reasons beyond the PSC's
control as determined by the Contracting Officer, the PSC must
return to duty after home leave and complete the additional required
service or be responsible for reimbursing USAID for payments made
during home leave. Unused home leave is not reimbursable under this
contract, nor can it be taken incrementally in separate time
periods.
(6) Home leave must be taken at one time, and to the extent
deemed necessary by the Contracting Officer, a contractor in the
United States on home leave may be authorized to spend not more than
5 days in work status for consultation at USAID/Washington before
returning to post. Cons