Duties

As a Contract Specialist, you will:

• Be responsible for a variety of firm fixed price and costs contracts which frequently require special handling provisions or other specialized terms and conditions and serves as a contract specialist for pre-award and/or post-award functions for a variety of contracts within the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division.
• Provide guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the statement of work and formulate the contracting approach to be taken that will best satisfy the requirements.
• Perform and/or ensure that the bid schedule is properly structured; prepare solicitations, obtaining necessary approvals; and determine responsiveness and responsibility.
• Conduct pre-award surveys; recommend or determine sources to be solicited; conduct or oversee pre-bid conferences; and recommend and prepare contracts for award.
• Monitor contractor performance, cost controls, funds management, and adherence to contract completion schedules; expedite delivery or performance when required by mission changes; and prepare and issue change orders occasioned by changes in mission requirements or defective specifications.
• Negotiate settlements for changes and approve or recommend approval processes contract payments including fee payments and assessment of liquidated or actual damages for nonperformance; prepare or take action on requests for consideration; issue show cause or cure notices; recommend and prepare contracts for terminations of default or convenience and negotiate the final settlements; and prepare correspondence and replies to the customer and other agencies.

The ideal candidate for this position has the ability to communicate orally and in writing regarding acquisition issues. Must be able to work well in a team environment and perform searches on acquisition issues and concerns to develop best / worst case scenarios so that the best acquisition strategy could be used. This candidate also has the ability to work without close supervision, but also has the foresight to ask for advice in a tough acquisition situation.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
• FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience using procurement regulations and a variety of contracting procedures for pre-award or post-award phases, such as in the procurement of supplies, services or equipment; and
• Experience providing technical assistance to staff and management.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience providing guidance to technical personnel in the development and formulation of contracting approaches; and
• Experience with a range of contracting methods and contract types, including formally advertised acquisitions and negotiated acquisitions; and
• Experience procuring specialized services, such as architectural and engineering services.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Contracting/Procurement - Knowledge of various types of contracts, techniques, or requirements (for example, Federal Acquisitions Regulations) for contracting or procurement, and contract negotiation and administration

2. Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.

3. Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.

4. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

BASIC MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11-12:

A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR

B. 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.

Graduate Education: To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Note: For positions at GS-07 through GS-12, applicants who are qualifying based on experience must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position, in addition to meeting the basic requirements in paragraph A or B, above.

Additional information

PLEASE NOTE:

• This is not a Bargaining unit position.

COVID VACCINATION: As required by 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 only to exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the agency. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will referred to the hiring manager.