Skip to main content

This job has expired

Contract Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Wallops Island, Virginia
Closing date
Mar 27, 2023
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.
  • Vacancies filled under this public notice may have varying levels of promotion potential and supervisory level, if any.
  • Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule.

As a Contract Specialist you may:
  • 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.
  • Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
  • The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
  • These positions are to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58).
  • Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit. Bargaining unit will vary by departmental element, grade, and/or location.


Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-07: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Assisting in developing solicitation packages that meet all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements in response to the needs of the agency.; AND
  • Assisting with the evaluation of contractual agreements within a set timeframe in order to ensure technical protocol.
OR EDUCATION: 1 full academic year of graduate education or law school.
OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Based on a Bachelor's degree that is demonstrated through class standing (upper 1/3 of class); grade point average (3.0/4.0 overall or 3.5/4.0 in major), or election to membership in a qualifying national scholastic honor society.
OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-09: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Assisting in developing solicitation packages that meet all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements in response to the needs of the agency.; AND
  • Assisting with the evaluation of contractual agreements within a set timeframe in order to ensure technical protocol.; AND
  • Assisting in pre and post award contract negotiations.
OR EDUCATION: 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. Graduate Education.
OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Applying acquisition, contract, and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions.; AND
  • Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness and compliance with terms and conditions.; AND
  • Coordinating contract/financial assistance actions with appropriate program/project managers to ensure contract information and documentation is accurate, complete, and timely.
OR EDUCATION: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-12: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition.; AND
  • Applying acquisition, contract, and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions that communicate the requirements.; AND
  • Administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations, claims disputes, or contract terminations.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Analyzing, evaluating, approving, or redirecting the strategy, plans, and techniques of pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized acquisitions.; AND
  • Conducting acquisition planning and contract pre-award functions.; AND
  • Administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations, claims disputes, and contract terminations; AND
  • Interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures regarding contracting issues.
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-14: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility p to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, procedures, and negotiation techniques to conduct contract negotiations and deal with high level business and industry.; AND
  • Evaluating or implementing contracting programs.; AND
  • Leading or supervising contracting professionals providing contracting services for the acquisition of a wide range of supplies, services and/or construction.; AND
  • Contracting experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the full range of 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-15: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility p to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Developing acquisition strategies and directing or managing procurements.; AND
  • Overseeing contractual actions and all phases of the contract program.; AND
  • Reviewing and analyzing the effects of proposed legislation and other regulations on acquisition programs.; AND
  • Serving as an agency technical authority in the areas of acquisition and procurement.

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

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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-7 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.*Below describes how you can substitute your education for experience at the GS-11 level. At the GS-12 level, in addition to the basic requirements, you must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.*
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.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.
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.
For the GS-13 grade level, the employee must meet the Federal Acquisition Institute Cornerstone onDemand (FAI-CSOD) or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
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 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.

If selected, official transcripts may be requested.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

If qualifying solely based on education, transcripts must be provided.

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.
  • 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/


Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert