Duties

This series includes positions that manage, supervise, perform, or develop policies and procedures for professional work involving the procurement of supplies, services, construction, or research and development using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration or termination and close out of contracts. The work requires knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and methods used in contracting; and knowledge of business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors, and requirements characteristics.

As a Contract Specialist you will:

• Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts with commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and State, local or foreign governments for furnishing products, services, construction or research and development to the Federal Government.
• Administer contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties.
• Terminate contracts by analyzing, negotiating, and settling claims and proposals.
• Analyze and evaluate cost or price proposals and accounting systems data.
• Plan, establish, or review contracts, programs, policies, or procedures.
• Formulate and administer policies and procedures to ensure achievement of Federal socioeconomic goals, such as those affecting small business, labor surplus areas, and disadvantaged business firms.
• Develop acquisition strategies and direct or manage procurement.
• Provide staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• This a remote position, the expected hours of work are covered by multiple time zones EST, CST, MST, and PST.
• The actual salary will be based on the geographic location of the individual(s) selected for this position.
• Selectee may be required to travel for limited visits to a Department of Energy office to attend trainings or meetings.
• This vacancy announcement will be used to fill STEM positions.
• The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret - DOE "Q" clearance.
• Appointments made with this authority may be processed as a new appointment into the Civil Service.
• All applications will expire every 120 days. In order to continue receiving consideration for these positions, it is necessary to ensure your application remains active by re-applying/updating every 120 days.
• Positions are located agency-wide and may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The specialized experience listed are the minimum requirements for the series, each particular vacancy may have additional experience necessary to meet the applicable grade level. A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for these positions are defined as:

GS-11: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Applying acquisition, contract and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms and conditions that communicate requirements to industry.
• Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition.
• Coordinating contract/financial assistance actions with appropriate program/project managers to ensure contract information and documentation is accurate, complete and timely.
• Ensuring acquisitions are compatible with overall mission, objectives, and projected program requirements and are consistent with mission requirements.

OR

• Successfully completed a 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

GS-12: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition.
• Applying acquisition, contract and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms and conditions that communicate requirements to industry.
• Administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations and claims disputes, and contract terminations.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

GS-13: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Analyzing, evaluating, approving, or redirecting the strategy, plans, and techniques of pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized acquisitions.
• Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition.
• Conducting acquisition planning and contract pre-award functions to include: determining method of procurement and contract type, documenting the acquisition strategy, and obtaining appropriate approvals; administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations and claims disputes, and contract terminations.
• Interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures to specific contracting issues.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level

GS-14: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, or procedures.
• Negotiations techniques to conduct contract negotiations and deal with high level business and industry.
• Evaluating or implementing contracting programs; leading or supervising contracting professionals providing contracting services for the acquisition of a wide range of supplies, services and/or construction.
• Contracting experience that demonstrated the ability to perform the full range of highly complex pre-award and post award activities utilizing a variety of types of contracts.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level

GS-15: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Developing acquisition strategies and directing or managing procurements.
• Providing staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation.
• Overseeing contractual actions and phases of the contract program.
• Reviewing and analyzing the effects of proposed legislation and other regulations on acquisition programs.
• Serving as an agency technical authority in the areas of acquisition and procurement.
• Developing policies, procedures, and guidelines pertaining to procurement.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Education

Basic Requirements for GS-11 through GS-12

A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field OR B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Education substitution for GS-11 positions: Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Qualifying education must have provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position being filled.

OR

A combination of specialized experience and education as described below.

Education may not be substituted for positions GS-12 and above.

Graduate Education: To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above

A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

And

B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

Federal Acquisition Institute Training

At all grade levels, the employee must meet the Federal Acquisition Institute Training Application System (FAITAS) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.

FAC-C Level II is required to be obtained within: (1) 24 months from the date of hire; or (2) the date the applicant will meet the FAC-C experience standard. For selection at the GS-11/12 level, certification must currently be held at Level I and obtained at Level II.

FAC-C Level III is required to be obtained within: (1) 24 months from the date of hire; or (2) the date the applicant will meet the FAC-C experience standard. For selection at the GS-13/15 level, certification must currently be held at Level II and obtained at Level III.

This position has a positive education requirement. Therefore, you MUST provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application. This documentation can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. For specific education requirements, please see the Education Requirements.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html If selected, official transcripts may be requested.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• Applications will expire 120 days after receipt.
• Applicants are limited to 4 geographic locations.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
• Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
• More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
• Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register . If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/