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Contract Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Reston, Virginia
Closing date
Jan 19, 2021
Duties

Summary

Serve as contracting specialist in the Procurement Operations Division (POD), within the FirstNet Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO). Support contracting officers and specialists in the daily management
of the Procurement operations. Provide authoritative advice and policy guidance on the procurement of goods and services. Participate in contract administration and suggests methods for improving FirstNet's contracting program in support of the FirstNet mission.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Serves as the primary point of contact for program officials on all acquisition and administrative matters affecting procurement of supplies, services, telecommunication, Information Technology , or research and development using formal procedures.
  • Assists customers in developing statements of work, acquisition plans to include the procurement strategy and market research to identify applicable small businesses.
  • Performs the pre- and post-award duties to include negotiating and administering a variety of contracts.
  • Performs contract administration function, such as verifying evidence of contractor progress, negotiating modifications, preparing and issuing termination notices, reviewing and preparing contract claims for review, and conducting contract closeouts.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
4

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
  • You must be suitable for Federal employment.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service (www.sss.gov), if applicable.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
  • A probationary period may be required.
  • Time in grade requirements must be met.
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • License required: FAC-C III or DAWIA III (Must provide proof of certification)
  • Pre-employment physical required: No
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No
  • Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment.
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.


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 or B):
A. Possess at least 4 years of contracting experience 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. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR

B. Qualify as an exception. 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. Note: SF-50(s) must be submitted to support claim.

AND

Specialized Experience: ZA-IV: You qualify for the ZA-IV grade level if you possess year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 or ZA-III grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:
  • Serving as a contract specialist or warranted contracting officer with authority for all contractual actions and phases of a contracting program including initial planning, requirements definition, development, and/or testing;
  • Providing technical guidance to management or high level officials on acquisition or contracting laws, regulations or directives;
  • Developing required contract documents by analyzing elements of cost, making competitive range determinations, conducting pre-proposal conferences, coordinating with technical experts, negotiating contract details, and awarding contracts;
  • Applying current acquisition policies and/or guidance to the procuring of supplies and services.
  • (The contents of your resume MUST support your claim of specialize experience)

    All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

    Time-in-Grade Requirements:
    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 a 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). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

    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; 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.

    Applicants must meet ALL application requirements, to include a complete online resume, by 11:59 p.m. EASTERN TIME ZONE (ETZ) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at www.opm.gov/qualifications

    Education

    This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

    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

    Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.

    Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Commerce requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a clearance as a condition of placement in this High Risk/MBI position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

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

    Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

    CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a 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: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

    The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.

    If you are unable to apply online or are having problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please visit our Alternate Application help page at https://help.stage.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, 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). However, your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

    The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
    • Contracting/Procurement
    • Planning and Evaluating
    • Written Communication


    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    No

    Position sensitivity and risk
    High Risk (HR)

    Trust determination process
    Suitability/Fitness

    Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. FOR WORK IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE, INCLUDE THE GRADE LEVEL FOR THE POSITION(S).2. Other supporting documents ( only submit if applicable to you) :
    • Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed.
    • Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide 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. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
    • Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
      • 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.
    • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
      • Position title;
      • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
      • Agency; and
      • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
    • Are you a current or former federal employee?
      • A copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'' documenting tenure, position occupied & highest grade/step is needed. 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).
    You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

    AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

    Philadelphia Services Branch
    philadelphia@opm.gov
    215-861-3074

    Agency Information:
    First Responder Network Authority
    National Telecommunications and Information Administration
    Department of Commerce
    12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
    RestonVirginia20192

    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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