TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Not required

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED:
Relocation expenses reimbursed No

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

As a Contract Specialist in the Office of Procurement, you will be responsible for acquisition planning, award, and administration of a variety of acquisition solutions involving highly specialized procurements of significant importance to the agency in support of USPTO’s mission. At the full performance level, duties typically performed include the following:

-Recommends and provides the best fit or alternative solutions when selecting contractual vehicles;

-Provides valid, supportable research analysis from Federal Acquisition Regulations and agency acquisition regulations;

-Increases use of performance based, strategic sourcing and other innovative contracting procedures and methods;

-Advertises, solicits and procures services and products;

-Examines/evaluates cost/price proposals utilizing cost/price analysis techniques to determine whether price and costs are allocable and reasonable;

-Develops and executes acquisition plans and strategic plans;

-Utilizes e-procurement and GSA strategies.

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You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.

Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.

Financial Disclosure (OGE 450) is required for this position.

Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.

Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)

Suitable for Federal employment.

You must meet the definition of specialized experience.

You must meet the following United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements for the advertised position. OPM's prescribed Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Contracting-1102 seriescan be found at Here.  You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the next lower level that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service.

IN ADDITION to meeting the basic requirements in paragraph A or B, in the education section of the announcement:  Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.  Specialized experience for the GS-11 must demonstrate the following skill sets:

1. Experience using Microsoft Excel to create a cost/price analysis to evaluate proposals or contract bids received in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) to determine the best value.;

2. Experience assisting with pre-award functions such as:

    Conducting market research, or

    Determining acquisition methods, or

    Negotiation of contract terms, or

    Communication of responsibilities to both parties involved in the contract;

3. Experience in assisting with contract administration for the acquisition of equipment, information technology, or maintenance and repair services such as:

    Reviewing invoices for discrepancies and reconciling with contract terms, or

    Reviewing deliverables for compliance with contract terms and monitoring delivery schedules, or

    Monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, or

    Addressing performance issues with Contracting Officer’s Representatives or the Contractor;

4. Experience maintaining contract files and ensuring all documentation is complete and signed in accordance with regulations and policies.

OR - Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR – Combination of experience and education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the GS-09 grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the grade GS-11. Therefore, only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, may be used to combine education and experience.

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.

IN ADDITION to meeting the basic requirements in paragraph A or B, in the education section of the announcement:  Candidates for the GS-12 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.  Specialized experience for the GS-12 must demonstrate the following skill sets:

Skill Set 1. Experience using Microsoft Excel to create a cost/price analysis to evaluate proposals or contract bids received in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) to determine the best value.

Skill Set 2. Experience in pre-award functions such as:

Conducting market research, or

Determining acquisition methods, or

Negotiation of contract terms, or

Communication of responsibilities to both parties involved in the contract.

Skill Set 3. Experience in contract administration for the acquisition of equipment, information technology, or maintenance and repair services such as:

Reviewing invoices for discrepancies and reconciling with contract terms, or

Reviewing deliverables for compliance with contract terms and monitoring delivery schedules, or

Monitoring compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, or

Addressing performance issues with Contracting Officer’s Representatives or the Contractor;

Skill Set 4. Experience maintaining contract files and ensuring all documentation is complete and signed in accordance with regulations and policies.

IN ADDITION to meeting the ALL basic requirements for the GS-13 grade level in the education section of the announcement:  Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service in the following skill sets:

Skill Set 1- Experience in executing all aspects of acquisition management in the planning, award and contract administration phases in the procurement process related to information technology or general services;

Skill Set 2- Experience in evaluating cost/price proposals utilizing cost/price analysis techniques, e.g. performing detailed analyses of all elements of cost in contractor proposals;

Skill Set 3- Experience in serving as a technical expert, advising lower level Contract Specialists on all phases of the acquisition process;

Skill Set 4- Experience in using Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items), Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation) to award moderately complex contracts and orders during the pre-award, and award phases of the acquisition lifecycle.

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.

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.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).  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.

CANDIDATES FOR GS-05-12 MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING BASIC REQUIREMENTS

(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. 

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.

CANDIDATES FOR GS-13 MUST MEET ALL OF THE EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS BELOW:

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

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.

AND

Training: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the Department of Commerce for progression to the GS-13 or higher level contracting positions or equivalent. Applicants currently holding a FAC-C/DAWIA Level II or III certification are considered to have met all mandatory training requirements for this announcement. You must submit your certification with your application package. Selectees holding a FAC-C/DAWIA Level II certification will be required to complete all prescribed mandatory training to become certified FAC-C Level III within 24 months of employment. For more information, please see the "Additional Information" section of the announcement.

Candidates who do not meet the mandatory training requirements may be considered for a waiver in accordance with the GS-1102 qualification standard. If approved for a waiver, candidates may be granted up to 24 months to complete the required training.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).  You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered.  Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Applicants applying for this position must be a United States Citizen. 

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

This is a Bargaining Unit position.

This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of moderate.

Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website.

Probationary Period- If selected, you may be required to complete an initial one-year probationary period.

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/ctap.  CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued.

All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.  If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act.  Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity via email (oeeod@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).

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You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This vacancy is using the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit for positions for which there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.  Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position.  Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply; therefore, your responses to the questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating.  All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

Applicants applying as CTAP or ICTAP candidates, and are determined CTAP or ICTAP eligible, must exceed the minimum qualification requirements to be referred under this selection priority placement program by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.  For those deemed eligible and who meet the minimum qualifications, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions).  Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.  CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who are not determined well-qualified by scoring at least 85 will not be referred under the CTAP/ICTAP selection priority placement program; however, will be referred for selection consideration with other minimally qualified applicants.  The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies, please do not provide a separate written response.   

If you are invited for an interview, you will be required to provide a writing sample.

If you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to bring a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.

The scored self assessment questions in the job announcement will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

KSA 1 - Knowledge of simplified acquisitions, fixed price and hybrid contracts.

KSA 2 - Knowledge of procurement law or regulations, policies and procedures related to procurement.

KSA 3 - Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods to perform analysis.

KSA 4- Ability to communicate techincal and legal concepts to convey contract terms or negotiations.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application.

To preview questions please click here.

Read more Security clearance Other

Drug test required No