SummaryThis position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), Office of Selective Acquisitions.The primary purpose of this position is to perform contract specialist work related to the acquisition of the most complex and major Department-wide acquisitions for classified and sensitive products and services.View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Learn more about this agency ResponsibilitiesAs a Contract Specialist GS 1102 13, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:Serving as a primary contact and consultant regarding a variety of extensive acquisition functions that encompass planning, execution, administration, and termination of complex and sensitive contracts through the use of formal solicitation or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration, termination and close-out of contracts.Determining the contract methods to be used and develops the unique/complex terms and conditions of the solicitation. Obtaining required reviews/approvals, and issues solicitation.Providing guidance to program offices, field offices and user functions regarding all aspects of Departmental procurements.Evaluating proposals, negotiating costs/prices and terms and conditions with offerors/contractors, and ensuring that awards are within applicable laws and regulations.Participating in source selection through interface with evaluation teams, the evaluation of proposals, negotiation and or discussion of costs/prices and terms and conditions with offerors/contractors.Travel Required Not requiredSupervisory status No Promotion Potential 13 Job family (Series) 1102 Contracting Help Requirements Conditions of Employment U. S. Citizenship Required Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service You must successfully pass a background investigation You must be able to obtain a (TS/SCI) Security Clearance You must submit to a pre-employment drug test You may be required to serve a one (1) year probationary period Shared Certificates Statement: Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions Qualifications Basic Requirement for the GS-1102 Contracting Series up to the GS-13 grade level: To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements below: (You must submit a college transcript which verifies this information.)You must meet the following basic requirements to qualify for the position at the GS-13 level:(A) You must complete 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 of 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. You must have a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C Level II) or a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level II Certification in Contracting (DAWIA Level II) or equivalent certification. Must obtain FAC-C Level III Certification in Contracting within 18 months of entry on duty (EOD).AND(B) 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.(C) 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 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, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.(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 waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade level within that agency without additional waiver action.Specialized Experience:You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level performing duties such as:Performing a range of contract specializations such as negotiation, cost and price analysis, and contract administration;Demonstrated experience in contracting principles, techniques, and a knowledge of a variety of contract types;Experience in acquisition planning, soliciting, evaluating, awarding and administering contracts with multiple instancesSubstitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (eg, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (eg, 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.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.. Education Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the US Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: .If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a US private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional US education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the US Department of Education webpage. Additional informationDHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.This notice is issued under the direct-hire authority. Using Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved government-wide direct hire authorities, agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 USC 3309 through 3318, for which OPM determines that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under this Direct-Hire Authority (DHA).Selectee may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.Selectee will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will (NOT) be paid.Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.Promotion Potential: This position is being filled at the full performance level.Duty Location: Selectee(s) duty location may be at one of the following locations: 7th & D Streets, SW and/or Nebraska Avenue Complex, Washington, DC; or Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia.Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.Suitability Statement:If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.Read more How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements.Applicants will be evaluated on their total background including experience (paid and unpaid), education, awards, and training and self-development as it relates to the position based upon the information provided in the resume/application and any other supporting documents. If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position that you held. If your resume includes non-government service, including contractors, please include the salaries for each position held. All work experience should specify the length of time spent in the position. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that indicates hours per week "varies." List exact hours per week on each job experience.Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 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 Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance as a condition of placement in this Special-Sensitive 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.Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be placed in the well qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR | 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR | 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Read more Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance Sensitive Compartmented Information Drug test required Yes Position sensitivity and risk Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk Trust determination process National security Help Required DocumentsYour resume NOTE: For what to include in the resume, click on the link:Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11076170Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited US college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited US college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?Submit the following:- A copy of your agency notice,- A copy of your most recent performance rating, and- A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.5. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the US 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 US 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. Help BenefitsA career with the US Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.