Duties

Summary

As a Contract Specialist, responsible for the full range of pre-award and post-award functions, e.g., price/cost analysis, negotiation, administration and termination in a a Federal Acquisition Service organization.

This position is located in the Office of the Regional Commissioner, in GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, Contracting Operations Division.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Performs acquisition planning tasks, including reviewing/analyzing procurement requests, researching market conditions, determining method of procurement and contract type, collaborating in the development of the acquisition plans, assisting in the preparation of source selection plans or technical evaluation criteria and plans, and preparing necessary justifications and documentation.
• Develops and prepares contract solicitations, modifications, terminations, and other contracting documents, incorporating appropriate language, specifications and clauses based on various factors (market conditions, customer requirements, quantities required, etc.).
• Evaluates technical submissions, bids or offers for responsiveness to the solicitation and responsibility. Coordinates the establishment of a technical evaluation committee or source selection evaluation board to determine acceptability of technical proposals; evaluates contractor proposals against selection criteria; and may serve as the Source Selection Authority/chair and as such make cost/technical trade-offs. Performs cost and/or price analysis and makes final determination on awards within delegated contracting officer authority.
• Develops negotiation plans and objectives; holds conferences; and conducts discussions and negotiations with contractors.
• Awards and administers a variety of contracts, to include those awarded under Section 8(a) and other socioeconomic programs including sole source procurements.
• Performs post-award duties including monitoring contractor's performance, ensuring contract compliance, ensuring payments are processed, negotiating modifications, and dealing with protests and/or terminations as needed.
• Conducts or facilitates various contracting meetings such as pre-proposal and post award meetings. Responds to inquiries from customers and vendors concerning contract issues and concerns; keeps customers/contractors apprised of procurement status; coordinates with other offices or stakeholders to resolve procurement-related problems.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel as needed

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
• Participate in Direct Deposit of Pay

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here .

The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,335. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

Basic Requirements for GS-1102-05 through 12 levels:

A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or 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.

Exception Provision : If you occupied a GS-1102 position at the GS-5 through GS-12 on January 1, 2000, you are considered to meet the basic requirement.

You must meet the Basic Requirements (or the exception) listed above and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service as described below.

Specialized experience is defined as experience procuring building services, professional and/or non-professional services, and/or construction using a wide range of contracting methods and contract vehicles (i.e. purchase orders, blanket purchase agreements, etc...). Procurements at this level include:

• Planning and carrying out routine pre- and post-award acquisition actions;
• Preparing solicitation documentation incorporating necessary specialized provisions, and drafting the final contract;
• Evaluating vendor offers for both technical and price/cost factors as well as evaluating bidders capacity to perform/comply with contract clauses and specifications;
• Planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract;
• Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues that require research to provide recommendations/responses;
• Analyzing contracting issues and identifying alternative courses of action.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Bargaining Unit status: 1213

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

· Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

· Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee

· Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement as needed; through other means; or not at all.

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 on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.

• Knowledge of the full range of contract types, laws, regulations, principles, and methods of contracting and selection factors to satisfy complex requirements.
  
• Knowledge of post-award procedures to administer contracts for a wide range of services, supplies and equipment.
  Skill in both written and oral communication to keep GSA management, customers, and contractors apprised of procurement issues.
  
• Skill in the use of contract negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.
  Knowledge of cost and price analysis and cost accounting standards sufficient to perform the full range of strategic, analytical, and technical procurement assignments.
  
• Knowledge of common source selection procedures as well as procurement integrity and ethics requirements.
  
• Knowledge of business practices sufficient to identify sources, recent developments and trends, economic factors affecting procurements and anticipated requirements of Federal agencies; to analyze cost and pricing data and contract proposals; and to evaluate the offers for responsibility.
  
• Ability to acquire and maintain a warrant, ensuring that all required training and FAC-C certifications are current and keeping apprised of changes to procurement regulations and policies.
  

Additional assessments may be used, and, if so, you will be provided with further instructions.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP) , you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.

To preview questions please click here .

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

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. Such document(s) must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50.

If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran, VEOA or VRA applicant or qualified spouse, widow/widower, or parent:

(a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows the dates of your active duty service. If selected, a DD-214 showing your type of discharge (member 4 copy) will be required prior to appointment.
(b) If you are a disabled veteran, or are applying under VRA or VEOA as a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).

If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).

If you are a current Federal employee or Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your latest SF-50.

If you are eligible under an Interchange Agreement: Submit your latest SF-50.

If you are a former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service.

If you are a current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b:

(a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.

(b) Copy of your agency's annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).

If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS's People With Disabilities page.

If you are applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS's Resource Center for more information.

If you are ICTAP / CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

If you are a current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.

College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a photocopy of your college transcript(s). If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

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.