Duties

The first cutoff for receipt of applications under this announcement will be 11:59 p.m. EST on March 18, 2022.

This position could be located within any directorate within the Chief Operating Office.

This position serves as a Supervisory Contract Specialist within the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. This position will be utilized throughout the service unit. The incumbent will serve as a first line supervisor for a diverse contracts staff, and manage day-to-day operations of the award and administration of purchase orders and contracts for the Library of Congress. The incumbent will serve as a Contracting Officer and be responsible for the solicitation, award and administration of major contracts, and for the work of subordinate Contract Specialists.

Supervises employees performing work at the GS-13 and below level. Provides administrative and technical supervision needed for completing the unit's work. Works with a diverse group of client units, and evaluates the workload requirements of the Contracts Section. Manages the workload, and makes assignments in accord with the workforce's knowledge and skills.

Coordinates in-depth compliance review and analysis of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract actions. These complex types of acquisitions include mission-critical contracts such as preservation services, library integration systems, and critical building maintenance services. Reviews contracts and solicitations for appropriate contract type, pricing and other contract provisions, selection of source, acquisition method, determinations and findings, documentation, clarity of contract terms, and propriety of cited funds. Coordinates requirements for internal Library review and compliance prior to awards.

Negotiates contracts for procuring products and services for production of prototype equipment or systems or research and development where there is a lack of precedent and experience. Contract actions involve complex pricing arrangements and unique delivery methods. Plans, develops, and establishes the contractual strategy for the overall acquisition program. Determines the types of contracts to be utilized, and prepares justifications.

Serves as a Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority for significant projects characterized by large funding levels with a commitment period extending over a long period of time. Possesses complete authority for all contract actions and phases of the project including requirements definition, procurement planning, solicitation methodology, conduct of pre-proposal conferences, develops source selection plans and makes award recommendations.

Prepares complex contractual pricing arrangements and incentives such as developing pricing schedules that allow flexibility for the Program Office through the use of sophisticated contracting techniques; such as cost-plus-incentive-fee or fixed-price-incentive-fee or economic price adjustment clauses.

Serves as a Library-wide expert in a functional area of procurement, e.g., pre-award issues or price/cost analysis and post award issues, responsible for providing expert technical advice and guidance, staff coordination, and consultation.

This position is located in the Library of Congress Contracts Division, Contracts and Grants Directorate, for the Chief Operating Officer.

The position description number for this position is 237198.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment

Your resume is important to this application process. It will be reviewed to determine whether you possess the qualifications referenced above. All applicants are required to submit a resume that provides specific information (to include accomplishments, work experience and education/training) that clearly describes what you would bring to the position.

See requirements listed below Qualifications for more information.

Although the Library of Congress is not covered by the nationwide injunction against the federal government vaccine requirement, the Library of Congress has decided it will not enforce its vaccine requirement at this time. Therefore, to the extent a Library of Congress job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, that requirement does not currently apply. The Library of Congress continues to require information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Library employees who are not vaccinated will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 every seven days.

The Supervisor leads his/her staff toward meeting the Library's vision, mission, and goals by acting decisively, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrating flexibility and resilience, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, and fostering integrity and honesty. To view the Library's Supervisory Core Competencies click the following link: https://www.loc.gov/extranet/cld/development-programs/supervisor/supervisorcompetencies.html

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

To be eligible for this position, you must be either:

A former Library of Congress employee who successfully completed a probationary period and was appointed to a permanent Library position at the GS-14 or higher grade, or to a permanent Library position in a career ladder with GS-13 or higher promotion potential.

A current or former Federal employee who holds "Career" status from a permanent position in the competitive service and is or was appointed to a Federal position at the GS-14 or higher grade, or to a Federal position in a career ladder with GS-14 or higher promotion potential.

Under Library policy, to be eligible for noncompetitive transfer or reappointment, a current or former Federal employee must: (1) hold "Career" status from a permanent position in the competitive service, (2) be, or have been, appointed to a Federal position of the same or higher grade, or to a Federal position in a career ladder with the same or higher promotion potential, and (3) meet the minimum qualifications requirements of the position to which the transfer or reappointment is made.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Your resume should reflect any education, training, and experience that furnishes you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully meet the following competencies of this position:

Knowledge of Federal contracting laws, regulations, principles, policies, and procedures to develop and issue solicitations and contracts.** A successful candidate has applied knowledge of Federal contracting laws, regulations, and policies to complete all aspects of contracting transactions, from acquisition and source selection planning, solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, award, and contract administration to include oversight of delegated technical functions, contractor performance management, dispute resolution, and close-out.

Ability to supervise and manage a diverse workforce.** A successful candidate has supervised and managed a diverse workforce including: 1) establishing realistic yet challenging goals and standards; 2) supplying regular, constructive feedback, mentoring to assist staff in attaining their goals; 3) incorporating active participation of staff in planning, decision making and team building; 4) identifying skills and abilities of staff and any skill gaps in the workforce for current and future needs; 5) providing opportunities for training and career advancement; 6) hiring staff; 7) addressing performance and disciplinary matters; 8) communicating performance expectations; 9) conducting timely and periodic performance evaluations; 10) ensuring tasks are appropriately delegated and satisfactorily completed; and 11) creating and embracing an environment fostering diversity, integrity, and honesty focused on ongoing improvement to self and others and to customer service.

Ability to communicate and negotiate in writing.**A successful candidate has prepared concise, coherent and well-organized written text related to contracting work and supervisory responsibilities such as: 1) contract documents to include acquisition and source selections plans, negotiation objectives, trade-off analysis, determination and findings, 2) reports and formal correspondence to include responses to protests, claims, or litigation, freedom of information act requests, show cause, cure notices, and terminations for cause or convenience, and 3) performance management documents including employee performance plans and evaluations, incentive or award recommendations, and counseling or other disciplinary letters. Ensured accuracy of material by checking all aspects of the work product in a consistent manner, including identifying and correcting all errors, checking references and facts, and undergoing peer review.

Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop solutions in a Federal contracting operation. A successful candidate has analyzed and developed strategies needed to coordinate and resolve organizational and operational issues and problems in a Federal contracting operation.

Ability to develop and maintain effective client relationships. A successful candidate has delivers professional service to clients by anticipating and recognizing current and future needs, advocating for your clients' interest, and leading a professional and responsive organization. This includes understanding your clients' mission and fulfilling the clients' requirements.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. A successful candidate has communicated in both formal and informal settings such as communicating effectively with subordinates, peers, and vendors, consulting with colleagues both within and outside the agency, or formally presenting information at outside conferences and agency meetings.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

The selected applicant may be required to file a financial disclosure statement with the House of Representatives, U.S. Congress, in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 95-521, Ethics in Government Act of 1978.