Duties

The incumbent of this position performs generalized duties and responsibilities required for contracting goods and services for Superior Courts, Courts of Appeals and Courts Systems for goods and services by formal advertisement and negotiation for offices under the appointed authority.

Serves as Contract Specialist responsible for (1) soliciting, evaluating, negotiating, and awarding contracts with commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and state or local governments for furnishing products, services, construction or research; (2) administering contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties; (3) terminating contracts by analyzing, negotiating, and settling claims and proposals; (4) analyzing and evaluating cost or price proposals and accounting systems data; (5) planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, or procedures; (6) developing acquisition strategies and directing or managing procurements; and (7) providing staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation.

• Brief Description of Duties:
• Serves as advisor to procurement officials in procurement planning meetings. Advises program officials of the procurement objectives to be used, and assists in the preparation of statements of work.
• Serves as lead negotiator. Plans the negotiation strategy, coordinates strategy with negotiation team, and leads the negotiations which are conducted with contractors to develop the contract prices and terms. Awards the contract.
• Directs, assists and coordinates contract administration duties for facilities, construction, A/E, goods and services contracts for offices under the authority.
• Develops plans and contractual strategies for the acquisition program, including overall goals and methods to achieve them, identifies the level and type of services to be provided, particular groups or individuals to be contacted, acceptable results, and alternative courses of action.
• Conducts pre-proposal conference(s) with prospective contractor(s) to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract.
• Performs procurement plans. Develops procurement objectives for the program in terms of competition and price range, and constructs the contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangement, subcontracting policy, and similar considerations.
• Prepares and maintains current acquisition plans, appropriate milestone charts, and related schedules.

The DC Courts have employed many measures to keep employees and court users as safe as possible, including mandatory face coverings, social distancing, temperature checks, health screening questionnaire, enhanced air circulation, and intensified cleaning services. We encouraged employees to get vaccinated for their safety and the safety of their family, friends, colleagues, and others with whom they have contact. We also provided opportunities for employees to receive the vaccine. Such voluntary vaccination efforts have made significant progress in suppressing the spread of COVID-19, and yet the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant has caused a rapid increase in infection transmission rates in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, particularly among the unvaccinated.

Vaccinations, being readily available, provide the best protection from infection with COVID-19, and the requirement of vaccinations is consistent with maintaining a safe and secure workplace. Therefore, effective immediately and throughout the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency period, all DC Courts employees, interns, volunteers, and on-site contractors, who have received a vaccination as required by the COVID-19 vaccination protocols, must provide proof of vaccination to Human Resources on the first day of employment. You may seek an exemption from providing a proof of vaccination on the grounds of a specific medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief. All employees who have not received the required number of vaccination doses, regardless of the reason or whether the employee has sought or been granted an exemption, will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result on a weekly basis in order to report to work in person or remotely.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• A background and security investigation are required.
• A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed.

To qualify for this position, you must submit the following:
1. Resume
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree)
4. List of three (3) professional references

All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification: An Associate's degree with seven (7) years of contracting or procurement experience. Must have knowledge and application of skills in the following: acquisition planning, negotiating, contract administration techniques and Federal, state and local, public contracting procedures.

Education Substitution:

Bachelor's degree with five (5) years of contracting or procurement experience. Must have knowledge and application of skills in the following: acquisition planning, negotiating, contract administration techniques and Federal, state and local, public contracting procedures.

Master's degree with four (4) years of contracting or procurement experience. Must have knowledge and application of skills in the following: acquisition planning, negotiating, contract administration techniques and Federal state and local, public contracting procedures.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts' values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts are required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all non-judicial new employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

The safety of DC Court employees, contractors and the public is a top priority. In compliance with the guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Courts has maximized its telework flexibilities. The ability and readiness for employees to telework impacts operational requirements and capabilities. This includes having a personal computer, tablet or mobile device which is not shared with secure internet connectivity.

The DC Courts have employed many measures to keep employees and court users as safe as possible, including mandatory face coverings, social distancing, temperature checks, health screening questionnaire, enhanced air circulation, and intensified cleaning services. We encouraged employees to get vaccinated for their safety and the safety of their family, friends, colleagues, and others with whom they have contact. We also provided opportunities for employees to receive the vaccine. Such voluntary vaccination efforts have made significant progress in suppressing the spread of COVID-19, and yet the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant has caused a rapid increase in infection transmission rates in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, particularly among the unvaccinated.

Vaccinations, being readily available, provide the best protection from infection with COVID-19, and the requirement of vaccinations is consistent with maintaining a safe and secure workplace. Therefore, effective immediately and throughout the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency period, all DC Courts employees, interns, volunteers, and on-site contractors, who have received a vaccination as required by the COVID-19 vaccination protocols, must provide proof of vaccination to Human Resources on the first day of employment. You may seek an exemption from providing a proof of vaccination on the grounds of a specific medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief. All employees who have not received the required number of vaccination doses, regardless of the reason or whether the employee has sought or been granted an exemption, will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result on a weekly basis in order to report to work in person or remotely.

The safety of DC Court employees, contractors and the public is a top priority. In compliance with the guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Courts has maximized its telework flexibilities. The ability and readiness for employees to telework impacts operational requirements and capabilities. This includes having a personal computer, tablet or mobile device which is not shared with secure internet connectivity.