Duties

Summary

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, Surface Forces Logistics Center, Contracting and Procurement Division, Norfolk, VA.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Serves as Contract Specialist responsible for all aspects of contracting transactions from initiation to recommendation of award to procurement of items or services.

Being a CG civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team. Typical work assignments include:

-Conducting advertised procurements: providing guidance to technical personnel; deciding contracting approach to be taken; preparing solicitation; determining sources to be solicited; conducting pre/post award conferences; determining proposal responsiveness based upon Policy and Regulation; and awarding or recommending award based on award criteria.

- Participating in the development of procurements, plans the procurement action, provides guidance for the statement of work; determining most suitable type of contract; develops special clauses; determining sources to be solicited; preparing determinations and findings.

- Drafting documents including contract modifications, cure or show-cause notices and other administrative documentation characteristic of the contract administration phase either independently or based on specific detailed information provided by senior contract specialists/supervisor.

- Interpreting and implementing the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and applicable agency directives.

- Creating and maintaining effective communications with customers.

- Responsible for pre-award and post-award activities to include contract closeout.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 1- 5 days of travel may be required per month

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
11

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• You MUST submit transcripts to receive consideration.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following basic requirements: Completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR Completed 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: Applicants who have been in a GS-1102 position at a GS-12 or lower grade level since January 1, 2000 without a break in service only need to meet the additional requirements in order to qualify. IN ADDITION to meeting the basic education requirements above,

Applicants for the GS-9 grade level must possess at least one full year of experience (equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal Service) serving as a contract specialist responsible for all aspects of contracting transactions from initiation to recommendation of award for off-the-shelf items or services; reviewing requisitions and determining the appropriate method of procurement; developing procurement plans reviewing previous history, market conditions, and specifications or technical data packages; recommending actions when the contractor is not in compliance with contract provisions; and conducting contract reviews to evaluate contractor performance. OR, or 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education, or a masters or equivalent graduate degree in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Applicants at the GS-11 level must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: performing the full range of acquisition functions (i.e., pre-award, award, post-award) to procure a variety of supplies, equipment and/or services. Duties include: analyzing procurement requests to determine requirements, recommending changes to statements of work or specifications, and determining appropriate type of contract and procurement plan; coordinating procurement plan and other contractual/procurement aspects with requestor(s), technical representative, and finance; developing procurement/contractual documents inclusive of determining terms and conditions; conducting pre-bid/proposal conferences and negotiations; analyzing bids/proposals, cost and pricing data and contractor responsibility, and recommending award; and, carrying out post-award functions (i.e., monitoring contract, evaluating performance, interpreting provisions, providing advice/guidance, negotiating contract modifications, processing terminations, conducting close-outs). Candidates at the GS-11 level may also meet the additional requirement through substitution of education for experience as follows: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D, or equivalent doctoral degree is required. Graduate education must be in one or a combination of the following fields: acquisition management, business administration, contracting or procurement, economics, finance, industrial management, law, management and organization, marketing, public administration, purchasing, quantitative methods, or other fields directly related to this position. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. NOTE: The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) does not grant Academic degrees; therefore courses completed at the DAU are not creditable towards meeting the 24 semester hour requirement, unless the coursework has been evaluated by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and appears on a college or university transcript. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. IN ADDITION to meeting the basic education requirements above.

NOTE: The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) does not grant Academic degrees; therefore courses completed at the DAU are not creditable towards meeting the 24 semester hour requirement, in the fields identified above, unless the coursework has been evaluated by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and appears on a college or university transcript." Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

Education

This position does have a positive education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts in order to receive consideration. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here

Additional information

Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 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, or imprisonment.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

If selection is made below the full performance level, the incumbent may be promoted up to the target grade without further competition, if all legal and regulatory requirements are met and when recommended by the supervisor. However, promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed and is dependent on successful performance at the lower grade level(s).

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.

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 persons 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 for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 410-636-3504. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation

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 résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using the on-line self assessment questions that are based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

We will review your résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be referred for consideration. The following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to perform this job:1. Knowledge of contracting principles, laws, statues, Executive Orders, regulations and procedures applicable to pre-award and/or post award actions.

2. Knowledge of price and cost analysis of contractor price/cost proposals for new procurements, changes, follow-up procurements, price redetermination, etc.

3. Ability to independently monitor contract performance on contract, regulatory, and statutory provisions.

4. Ability to conduct complex, multi-aspect negotiations on both technical and cost issues.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Q Access Authorization

Drug test required
No

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

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

1. Your resume
2. Your responses to the online questionnaire
3. If qualifying based on education, submit a legible copy of your unofficial college transcript from an accredited college/university. The transcript copy must reflect the college/university name and/or logo. Applicants are highly encouraged to proactively order a copy of their official transcripts to be delivered to their home address so transcripts will be readily available if selected. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts prior to establishing your start date. Foreign 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 institutions in the U.S. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here.
4. If you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), submit a copy of your agency notice, most recent performance rating and most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location. If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. To be considered eligible, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position. Please see ICTAP eligibility.
5. If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 and is claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters.
6. OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Please see here.

All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you are unable to submit your documents electronically, you may fax or mail the documents. A fax cover sheet will be provided to you from the system, with fax number and instructions to transmit the requested documents. The required documents will also be accepted by mail and must be received by the closing date of the announcement. The mailing address is United States Coast Guard, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Building 1, Mailstop 4, Baltimore, MD 21226.

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.