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Contract Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Closing date
Apr 25, 2021
Duties

Summary

Tour of Duty: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Position Description Title/PD#:Contract Specialist/ PD# 44019-A/44020-A/44021-A/44132-A/44172-A/44189-A/44190-A
Compressed/Flexible Schedules: Yes
Telework: Yes
Virtual Position: No

This recruitment is for ten vacancies with the Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics - Strategic Acquisition Center.
Two positions are located in Fredrick, MD and Eight positions are in Fredericksburg, VA.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Contract Specialist PD# 44019-A/44020-A/44021-A/44132-A/44172-A/44189-A/44190-A

The role of Contract Specialist, must participate in requiring activities to perform market research, reviewing specifications and statements of work, and approving acquisition milestone plans, while serving as a member of the acquisition team. This role will also ensure, that specifications and statements of work are prepared in a manner, which adequately describes the Government's requirements without restricting competition. This role will also advise technical personnel to inadequate, ambiguous or vague specifications to avoid Government liability. Performs a complete review of recommended sole source requirements and conducts necessary market analyses, to test the noncompetitive assumptions of requisitions. Prepares required findings and sufficiently documents determinations in this regard. The Contract Specialist is solely responsible for selecting the appropriate method of procurement i.e. simplified acquisition procedures, sealed-bidding and negotiations. The role of Contract Specialist will also be responsible for advertising all applicable requirements and preparing the solicitation document using agency contract writing systems for Issuance, insuring regulatory and legal sufficiency, and promoting maximum competition. Coordinates with the relevant to all aspects of socio-economic goal requirements. In regards to negotiated procurements, must determine the selected offeror(s) represent the best value (price and other factors considered) and meets regulatory requirements to be considered a responsible contractor. Resolves protest, mistakes in bids, late bid situations and coordinates with the Small Business Administration for Certificate of Competencies (COC's). Serves as the Source Selection Authority (SSA) and establishes Technical Evaluation Boards (TEB) to determine acceptability and ranking of technical proposals. Identifies appropriate negotiation team members; formulates pre-negotiation objectives; and facilitates the negotiation as the team leader and chief negotiator. Eliminates unacceptable proposals and notifies offerors concerning further negotiation or elimination from the competitive range. Conducts negotiations for competitive and noncompetitive procurements.

Must meet all eligibility requirements to receive and maintain the Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC-C) Level II, within 12 months upon appointment into position for grade GS-12. Level III FAC-C certification within 12 months of assignment for grade GS-13.

QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Financial Disclosure Required
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Physical Requirements: The subject position is primarily of an administrative nature in an office setting.


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time application is submitted.

Basic Requirements (GS-12):

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.

Basic Requirement for (GS-13) and Above:

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-year's 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.

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 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 based on a waiver, the agency may later reassign.

Specialized Experience (GS-12):
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time application is submitted.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization: Examples of specialized experience would include:
  • Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations, Acquisition Regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration including change orders, supplemental agreements, terminations, claims, and close out of contracts.
  • Advanced Knowledge of cost/price analysis techniques used in evaluation of contractor proposals, change order proposals and to conduct negotiations.
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
  • Knowledge and experience with various types of contracts, including firm-fixed price, firm-fixed price with economic price adjustments, and cost reimbursement; and contract methods to include simplified acquisitions, sealed bidding, negotiations, cost sharing, multiple awards, commercial items and special provisions.
  • Knowledge of negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.
  • Knowledge of commercial and industrial business practices.
  • Advanced knowledge of contract administration principles and practices sufficient to monitor contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract.
  • Knowledge of the Agency's electronic Contract Writing and Management System (i.e. e-CMS) and ability to fully solicit, award, and administer contracts.
There is no Education Substitute for the GS-12.

NOTE:
Placement at lower level does not guarantee career ladder promotion without satisfactory work performance AND completion of additional basic requirements for the GS-13.

(GS-13):
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time application is submitted.

Time-in-grade: Applicants who are current Federal employees or who have held a GS grade anytime in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. Example for a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.

Specialized Experience (GS-13):

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
- Mastery knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration including change orders, supplemental agreements, terminations, claims, and close out of contracts.
- Expert knowledge of cost/price analysis techniques used in evaluation of contractor proposals, change order proposals and to conduct negotiations.
- Mastery knowledge and experience with of various types of contracts, including firm-fixed price, firm-fixed price with economic price adjustments, and cost reimbursement; and contract methods to include simplified acquisitions, negotiations, cost sharing, multiple awards, commercial items and special provisions. modifications and settlements.
- In depth knowledge of negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.
- Advanced knowledge of commercial and industrial business practices.
- Expert knowledge and experience with contract administration principles and practices sufficient to monitor contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract.
- In depth knowledge of the Agency's electronic Contract Writing and Management System (i.e. e-CMS) and ability to fully solicit, award, and administer contracts.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-13 level.

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; religions; 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. Additional information on the qualification requirements are outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-general-schedule-positions/

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ .

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.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/ .

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in alphabetical order.

You will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:
Competency 1. Pre-Solicitation
Competency 2. Price/Cost Estimation and Analysis
Competency 3. Contract Administration
Competency 4. Acquisition Strategy
Competency 5. Writing
Competency 6. Influencing/Negotiating

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • OF-306
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Reasonable Accommodation Documentation
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume
  • Transcript

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

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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