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Contract Specialist

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Bethesda, Maryland
Closing date
Dec 3, 2021
Duties

  • Serves as a senior Contract Specialist with substantial Contracting Officer (CO) authority.
  • Responsible for all pre-ward and post-award functions on assigned contracts, most which are characterized by their complexity and significant dollar amounts.
  • Ensures the Request for Contract (RFC) contains all applicable clearances, a certification of funds and is otherwise complete and compliant with applicable regulations, policies, and law.
  • Prepares solicitation documents which incorporate required Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and HHS policies and provisions.
  • Coordinates the establishment of the technical evaluation panel to review and score the technical proposals.
  • Establishes negotiation strategies and leads negotiations to obtain the most favorable terms and conditions for the government.
  • Performs all contract administration functions ensuring contractor compliance with contract provisions.
  • Provides authoritative advice and guidance to Agency management in addressing complex issues affecting the procurement program.


Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Registered or exempt from Selective Service (www.sss.gov)
  • If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Must meet time in grade requirements.
  • One year probationary period may be required
  • If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
  • Drug Screening Required: No
  • Research Position: No
  • At the GS-13 grade level the only way to receive the necessary training and/or get FAC-C certification is as a Federal employee
  • THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 14043 MANDATING COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES


Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below for the GS-1102-11 and GS-1102-12 positions.

Basic Requirement: You must meet one of the items listed below (A or B):

A. Possess 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. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR

B. Exception: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. (Must submit SF-50 or multiple SF-50 to meet the exception from 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

GS-11: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (2) of the (3) following duties:
  • Procuring and/or administering contracts for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction;
  • Conducting negotiations in the pre-award and post-award phases of contracting;
  • Preparing a variety of written materials such as correspondence and contract documents.

OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree; or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level.

OR

GS-12: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (2) of the (3) following duties:
  • Procuring and/or administering contracts for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction;
  • Developing standard methods and/or operating procedures;
  • Analyzing cost, pricing data, and/or contract proposals.
OR

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic AND Specialized Experience requirements as noted below for the GS-1102-13 position.

Basic Requirement: You must meet A or B requirements as listed below:

A. 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 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 Possess 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 provide transcript.)

OR

B. Exception: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. (Must submit SF-50 or multiple SF-50 to meet the exception from 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.

AND

Specialized Experience:

GS-13: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (3) of the (4) following duties:
  • Providing a range of contracting services that enhance an organizations ability to acquire essential systems, supplies and/or technical services;
  • Participating in the planning, solicitation, award and/or administration of acquisitions;
  • Preparing procurement documents and/or correspondences for stakeholders;
  • Negotiating with vendors, recipients, and/or organizational personnel.

Documenting Experience:

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

Time-in-Grade Requirement: 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 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). You must include an SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one) that supports meeting this requirement with your application package.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website
www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app

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

Education

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.

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.

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

In accordance with Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to exceptions that may be required by law. If selected, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before your entrance on duty if you are selected after the compliance date. Your HR Consultant will provide a list of documents acceptable as proof of vaccination and instructions for how to submit a request for a legally required exception, if needed, to comply with vaccination requirement.

INCENTIVES
Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx

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

Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses and Family Members - http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx

People With Disabilities (Schedule A) - https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Individuals_with_Disabilities

Reasonable Accommodation: 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 see Agency Contact Information for whom to contact for more info. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. You must contact the HR contact on the vacancy announcement at least three business days before the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance.
For more information on disability employment, please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/

Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov

If you are unable to apply online, please go to https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information for more information on our alternate application method.

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