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Contract Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Bethesda, Maryland
Closing date
Sep 17, 2019
Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health And Human Services, Program Support Center, Acquisition Management Services , located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Additional selections may be made across the Department of Health and Human Services through this vacancy announcement.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Develops strategic plans in conjunction with program officials and Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives (COTRs) to define requirements.
  • Prepares solicitation documents which incorporate required Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and HHS policies and provisions.
  • Independently performs all contract administration functions.


Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Registered or exempt from Selective Service (www.sss.gov)
  • If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Must meet time in grade requirements.
  • One year probationary period may be required
  • If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
  • You are required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment, if selected.
  • Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be paid: Maybe
  • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
  • Drug Screening Required: No
  • Recruitment incentives may be authorized: No
  • Student loan repayment incentive may be authorized: Maybe
  • Annual leave for non-federal service may be authorized: Maybe
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.


Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below.

Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A, B, or C):
(A) Possess a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field (Must Submit Transcript);

OR

(B) Possess at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, laws, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. (Must Submit Transcripts)

OR

(C) Currently occupy a GS-1102 position and have continuously occupied that position since January 1, 2000. (You must submit your SF-50.) This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met.(Must Submit SF-50)

AND

GS-11: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service that include the following:
  • Conducting negotiations in the pre-award and post-award phases of contracting;
  • Analyzing cost and pricing data; and
  • Preparing written materials including correspondences and contract documents.
OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level.(Must Submit Transcript)

OR

GS-12: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service that include the following:
  • Evaluating contractor proposals;
  • Analyzing cost and pricing data; and
  • Procuring contracts for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction.

Documenting experience: In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

NOTE: 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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

Time-in-Grade Requirement: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). You must include an SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one) that supports meeting this requirement with your application package.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ .

Additional information

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion consideration, the veteran must be: 1) a preference eligible; or 2) a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses and Family Members - http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx

People With Disabilities (Schedule A) - https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Individuals_with_Disabilities

Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov

Career Transition Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

Political Appointment: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Communication
  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Decision Making
  • Reading
  • Reasoning
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Applicants: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10558912

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:
  • Your Resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended as well as hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial .
  • A complete Assessment Questionnaire ( https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10558912 )
  • Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your SF-50, showing current tenure and competitive status.
    • You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate that you meet time-in-grade requirements. Recommended SF-50s include: promotions and step increases (within grade increases).
  • Other required supporting documents.
Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)
  • If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here .
  • College transcripts (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)
  • Veterans' Preference documentation:
    • Discharged Veterans: If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
    • Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
  • CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
    • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
    • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
    • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
    • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/
  • Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.)
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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