Capital Procurement Specialist

Overview
Are you looking for an opportunity to procure services for some of Alexandria’s most exciting Capital Improvement Projects? If so, the City of Alexandria’s Department of Project Implementation (DPI) is seeking a Capital Procurement Specialist to manage the capital procurement process for design and construction services. The Capital Procurement Specialist serves as the primary procurement official in support of the City’s Capital Improvement Program and the expert in the acquisition of Architectural and Engineering (A&E) and other professional services. The position supports DPI’s mission to deliver infrastructure improvement projects efficiently and effectively. While reporting to DPI staff, the position is accountable to the City’s Purchasing Agent and all work will be performed in accordance with City governing rules and regulations. The position performs advanced professional procurements for a variety of departmental needs to ensure tasks, solicitation assignments and workload issues are handled properly at the department level.

What You Should Bring
The candidate is expected to have detailed knowledge of best procurement and contract practices following the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA), City and federal procurement regulations. As the lead expert in solicitation and management of construction contracts, the candidate should have knowledge of complex procurement methods for construction projects including experience in traditional and alternative delivery procurements. The Capital Procurement Specialist should have proven time management and follow-through skills with the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy on multiple tasks with tight deadlines. Strong communications skills are necessary to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

The Opportunity and Key Responsibilities

• Helps develop and refine construction contract terms and conditions and front-end specifications to include best practices for management of construction;
• Coordinates with Project Managers to understand needs, advise on procurement best practices, and develop solicitations;
• Directs, performs, and participates in or advises on the acquisition process, including requirements determination, documentation preparation, proposal evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract administration;
• Develops and prepares complex solicitations (RFQu, ITB, and RFP), requests for interest, amendments, modifications, determinations and findings, contracts, and various related correspondence for high profile projects;
• Develops and prepares solicitations for alternative delivery procurement methods;
• Manages the solicitation process by soliciting responses, analyzing bids/proposals to ensure compliance and effectiveness;
• Supports RFP/RFQu evaluation committees throughout the procurement process using procedures, meetings and documenting evaluation and committee findings;
• Reviews bid documents for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with Federal, State (VPPA) and City guidelines; as well as meeting ethical standards;
• Recommends award of City contracts; assuring and monitoring compliance with terms of contracts and compliance with purchasing regulations;
• Advises on cost/price analysis techniques to obtain the best value for the City. Tabulates and analyzes bids and proposals, to determine lowest responsible/responsive bidder;
• Develops various Engineer of Record contracts designed to efficiently meet rapidly changing department/City needs. Supports best practices for fair, efficient, and effective distribution of task orders;
• Manages contract administration from award through final closeout.

About the Department
The Department of Project Implementation (DPI) is responsible for the implementation of capital infrastructure projects including intersection improvements, stormwater and water quality improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, flood mitigation and park improvements. DPI staff promote excellence in project management and sound stewardship of public trust. The Department is currently managing 57 active infrastructure projects with a total capital improvement program value of approximately $876 million. The Department coordinates and plans complex, multi-departmental projects such as the Waterfront Small Area Plan Implementation and the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station. DPI is dedicated to continuous improvement and industry best practices and is committed to the continued professional development of staff members. Employees are encouraged to seek out training opportunities and certifications to support the mutual success of the employee and the department.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, finance, contract law, business law or a related field of study; five years of progressively responsible experience in procurement and contract management and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO) or other related certification*; or a combination of education, experience and training which are equivalent to the minimum requirements.

*The candidate must be able to meet all requirements and obtain one of the above certifications within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

To be considered an ideal candidate, the candidate should have significant professional procurement experience (more than five years) that requires negotiating with professional service providers, working knowledge of Federal, State, and local public procurement regulations, rules, policies, and procedures, working knowledge of Capital Improvement Procurement process for construction and architect/engineering design services, and experience with various methods of alternative delivery procurement.

Notes

This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.