XLA Wins $25 Million IDIQ to Support USAID’s Middle East and North Africa Region

XLA Wins $25 Million IDIQ to Support USAID’s Middle East and North Africa Region

 

XLA has won a significant contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract has a ceiling value of $25 million, a one-year base, and four 12-month option years.

 

USAID requires responsive, efficient, and reliable support services for the Middle East Regional Platform (MERP) and Missions and offices in the MENA region, including Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yemen. For economies to become resilient and prosper, the MENA region depends upon organizations like USAID to provide support and resolve such issues as slow economic growth, high unemployment, and scarce resources including water. XLA will directly support USAID’s mission to “end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity.”

 

Services XLA will provide to USAID through task orders issued under the MENA Support Services IDIQ contract include support for:

  • Acquisitions and assistance (A&A)

    View of mosque minaret and dome in Damascus, Syria

    View of mosque minaret and dome in Damascus, Syria

  • Administrative management
  • Financial management
  • Technical sector support
  • Program office

XLA has built a strong relationship with USAID over the last 20 years and are thrilled to extend this longstanding partnership through this important initiative.

 

“Our team has a proven track record of executing successful projects in similar environments, and our qualified expert staff are at the heart of the success.”,  XLA Chief Executive Officer and President Gary Slack said.

 

If you are interested in opportunities supporting USAID and its mission refer to XLA’s www.globalcorps.com website for job openings.

 

Young Foreign Policy Leaders Revealed: XLA’s “Karina Plascencia” Chosen as one of the 40 under 40 Latinos in Foreign Policy

Young Foreign Policy Leaders Revealed: XLA’s “Karina Plascencia” Chosen as one of the 40 under 40 Latinos in Foreign Policy

karina-plascencia

XLA is proud to announce that along with pop singer Selena Gomez, multiple CEO’s, and foreign policy advisors to U.S. Congressmen, our very own Juana “Karina” Plascencia from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Bureau was selected as one of the 40 Under 40 Latino’s to watch for in Foreign Policy and International Affairs (The Huffington Post). In our interview with Karina, she discusses what it means to her to be selected as a rising star in foreign policy and what made her get into the field of work.

 

Growing up the daughter of migrant farm workers in rural Oregon, when Karina would visit her parent’s hometown in Mexico, she noticed that the children in Mexico were amazed that she knew how to spell her name and how to read.

 

“It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that the children I played with along with so many people in the world did not have the same access to education and other important services we sometimes take for granted.”

 

From that experience and growing up in a bilingual household, Karina was inspired to pursue a career where she could learn about different cultures and languages, while also being able to help people in developing countries get better access to basic needs.

 

That desire eventually led her to pursue a degree in International Politics and International Development from Georgetown University.  During her undergraduate studies, she interned for USAID.  After graduation, she found a way to come back to USAID with the help of XLA.

 

Karina feels honored to have been nominated and selected to the ‘40 under 40’ list that includes many rising leaders from other government agencies.

 

“I go to work every day excited to learn something new and be able to help prepare my leadership as best I can to enable them to make decisions that will not only be in the best interest of the U.S. but also help the most vulnerable populations in the developing countries we work with.” “It is a great honor to know that my little grain of salt is being noticed and is helping make an impact.”

 

Karina added,  “It is a pleasure to work with so many men and women, both USAID and XLA employees, who are dedicated and passionate about helping people in Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua and all the other countries they work.” “Every day is like a new episode of CNN forcing you to stay up to date on current events and making you break out of your comfort zone.

 

Karina’s recognition shows the professional and personal achievement of an outstanding individual, and we at XLA are honored to have her as an employee. She works diligently day in and day out to accomplish a noteworthy mission and her contributions to USAID have not gone unnoticed.

 

XLA Program Manager Gary Weinfeld and Family, Hosts 12th Annual Julian Weinfeld Memorial Golf Tournament

XLA Program Manager Gary Weinfeld and Family, Hosts 12th Annual Julian Weinfeld Memorial Golf Tournament

 

Thursday, September 8th

XLA’s DCMA Program Manager Gary Weinfeld, alongside his brother, hosted the 12th Annual Julian Weinfeld Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament is held in loving memory of Gary’s father, who passed away in October 1998 from cancer. This year’s tournament drew about 35 golfers of varying skill levels to the University of Maryland Golf Course in College Park, MD. All proceeds from the event benefited Montgomery Hospice of Rockville, MD, who cared for Gary’s father and supported his family during his illness.

 

“My father loved playing the University of Maryland course, his alma mater, making it an ideal location for the event held in his memory. The tournament continues to be a meaningful way for family and friends to honor and remember him, while raising funds for an outstanding organization.” – Gary Weinfeld

 

gary-golf

XLA was a Gold Sponsor of this year’s event and sent four players to participate. Although “Team Awesome” did not win, they did have a great time competing.  Congrats to Nelson McClung who won the Longest Drive competition.  The Weinfeld’s were very appreciative of XLA’s continued support of the tournament. Thanks to a select group of dedicated companies like XLA, and extremely supportive families and individuals, the event has raised significant funds for Montgomery Hospice since the first outing in 2005.

 

In addition to the 18-hole Captain’s Choice Scramble, golfers were treated to some fun contests on the course. Various prizes were given for Closest to the Pin contests on the front and back nine, Longest Drive men’s and ladies, and there was a Longest Putt contest on the practice putting green. The winner of this contest received a brand new mattress courtesy of Serta. Once all teams finished their rounds, there was an awards banquet and dinner in the clubhouse.

 

The next event will be held in June 2017. If you are interested in participating please contact Gary at gweinfeld@verizon.net.