What is a Personal Services Contract?
To respond quickly and effectively and meet its program objectives and mandate, OTI retains a group of high level professionals and experts under U.S. Personal Services Contracts (USPSCs). These knowledgeable and skilled professionals make up the vast majority of the OTI workforce and are at its forefront implementing and achieving the office's programmatic goals and objectives. USPSCs are considered employees of USAID for all purposes except programs administered by the Office of Personnel Management.
USPSCs are US citizens contracted to the Agency, and establish an employer-employee relationship between USAID and the contractor. USPSCs make up a large percentage of the total workforce for several USAID offices and serve in the Washington, DC headquarters as well as positions worldwide.
USPSCs have the same salary scale and allowances as a direct-hire employee, but have a more limited range of benefits. USPSCs have income taxes withheld by USAID and receive W-2s from the Agency. USPSCs are not eligible to participate in the Federal government's health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits provided to members of the Civil Service and Foreign Service (i.e., direct-hire personnel). However, there are similar benefits that USPSCs may participate in, such as reimbursement for health and life insurance costs and generous paid annual, sick, and parental leave. See our summary of USPSC benefits for more information.
For additional information about USPSCs please visit the USPSC Association Page for useful links and additional resources.