Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Supplies, Services and Material Management Division, Supplies and Services Branch. The incumbent is an Associate Supervisory Contract Specialist, sharing responsibility equally with the Supervisory Contract Specialist who performs a variety of duties in connection with the functions and responsibilities of the branch.

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Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible for inviting competitive bids and negotiated proposals and entering into contractual agreements between the Architect of the Capitol and private concerns for the acquisition of supplies and services for major systems, operation and maintenance services, utility and telecommunication services and electrical and electronic systems under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol.

FAC-C, Level III and/or DAWIA, Level III Certification is desired but not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to a staff of approximately seven (7) positions.

Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for assigned staff and clearly communicates them through the performance evaluation system.

Responsible for furthering the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to ensure the accomplishment of EEO objectives and by adhering to non-discriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

Responsible for directly managing or supervising those who directly manage $250 million in contracts and executing between $100 and $200 million in new contracts or modifications to existing contracts annually.

Responsible for communication, collaboration and liaison with jurisdiction heads and other senior leadership. Incumbent is responsible for strategic planning towards achieving the objectives of the strategic plan and is the lead for establishing requirement-level collaboration across the jurisdictions.

Acquisition of Supplies and Services, Preaward

Performs and/or supervises all aspects of the acquisition process for the procurement of supplies and services, systems and research and development. Develops custom (non-standard) terms and conditions to support politically sensitive requirements subject to continual or intense Congressional and media scrutiny or controversy. Plans, develops and establishes the procurement strategy for the overall acquisition program.

Serves as a contracting officer with a $25 million signature authority. Ensures adherence to the Architect of the Capitol procurement regulations and policies.

Serves as an expert on federal procurement matters. Develops pre-negotiation positions and conducts contract negotiations as a lead negotiator.

Awards contracts for major, long-term, politically sensitive and highly complex procurement actions involving multiple contractors and subcontractors.

Negotiation of Contract Modifications, Post-Award

Negotiates modifications as lead negotiator.

Negotiates contract changes requiring the monitoring of special provisions, coordination of subcontracting involvement and the observance of rigid timeframes.

Provides signature authority up to $25 million for GS-1102-05 through 13 employees.

Contractor Performance Monitoring, Contract Administration

Directs the full range of contractor performance monitoring and contract administration actions required for the success of the requirement, including the issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of scope changes, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance, disposition of claims and similar matters.

Reviews and approves required contractor insurance submissions. Implements redirection of contractor efforts and coordinates contract extensions.

Leads staff in performing review of complex requests for equitable adjustment and contract claims as well as Contracting Officer's Final decisions that could end up in court before a board of contract appeals.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• FAC-C Level 3 and/or DAWIA Level 3 is preferred.

Basic Requirements:

1. 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 one (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

2. 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.

3. 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.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications .

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.

Candidates for the GS-14 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Serving as a contract negotiator (leading negotiations with contractors);
• Serving as a high-level expert and advisor on acquisition regulations and contracting procedures;
• Developing acquisition strategies and analyzing overall short and long range plans;
• Performing cost and price analysis;
• Directing or managing procurement activities; and
• Providing guidance and performance expectations to encourage employees career growth and advancement.

FAC-C, Level III and/or DAWIA Level III Certification is preferred.

Education

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.

NOTE: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. However, to be creditable, foreign education must have been evaluated by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

You must provide a copy of your college transcript and the letter containing results of the course by course work and degree equivalency evaluation. Transcripts are required upon selection.

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

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.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide, and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Probationary Period- Selectee(s) is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

1. Ability to supervise people in the performance of contract administration.

2. Knowledge of the rules, policies and regulations regarding contract administration.

3. Knowledge of contract negotiation techniques and practices.

4. Communication Skills

Your responses to the self assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self assessment questions.

Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or disqualification for further consideration.
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 .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information. No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.

Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates, duties and accomplishments.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC's Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process. At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.

If Veterans' preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).

Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.

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.