CONTRACT SPECIALIST
: Job Details :

Summary This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense, dated October 15, 2021. Responsibilities As a CONTRACT SPECIALIST at the GS-1102-14 some of your typical work assignments may include: Serves as Contracting Officer with unlimited signatory authority for a significant system or program. The programs require a diverse type of contract support, distinguished by all contract types, the aggregate value of which is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Serves as Team Lead with full responsibility for the technical management of the work of a team of Contract Specialists. Acts as a technical expert on contractual and business matters for the team and provides advice relative to developing and executing acquisition strategy, including using appropriate contract types, source selection advisory information, cost and pricing issues and use of appropriate contract clauses. Reviews completed work to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory guidance and the quality of work products. Distributes and balances workload among employees of the team. Reports on the performance, progress, training needs, and behavioral problems of team members, relaying information and recommending action regarding the personnel needs to the supervisor. Directs the full range of contract administration actions required for the acquisition program, including the issuance of contract modifications, negotiation changes, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance, disposition of claims, and similar matters. Plans, develops, implements, maintains, and administers all contractual aspects of the acquisition program to develop innovative contractual language, terms and conditions. Conducts negotiations for the acquisition of a system or programs. Directs and performs post-award negotiations involving contract changes or modifications. Meets with customers on a regular basis to ensure customer needs are recognized and sufficient acquisition planning takes place. Strives to improve productivity and the quality of work products, exercises oversight in order to preclude instances of fraud, waste, and abuse, taking appropriate action should any be found. Promotes competition under the Competition in Contracting Act and endeavors to meet all socioeconomic goals assigned. Provides broad administrative policy direction as it relates to overall accomplishment of DTRA, Federal, and DoD contracting laws and regulations. Develops alternatives to produce best value supplies and services, as well as manages all aspects of the life-cycle of a contract or other vehicle (such as orders, basic ordering agreements). Develops and/or applies statutory and policy procurement-related requirements, supports attainment of government socioeconomic objectives, conducts market research, acquisition planning, cost and price analysis, solicitation and selection of sources, preparation, negotiation, and award of contracts through various methods. Responsible for the procurement of supplies, services, construction or research and development using formal advertising or negotiation procedures, the evaluation of contract price proposals, and the administration or termination and close out of contracts. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service: Developing alternatives and executing procurement instruments for acquiring supplies and services, as well as, manage all aspects of the life cycle of a contract or other vehicle ( e.g. orders, basic ordering agreements, etc.) Applying statutory and policy procurement-related requirements; support attainment of government socio-economic objectives; conduct market research; acquisition planning; cost and price analysis; solicitation and selection of sources; preparation, negotiation, and award of contracts through various methods to include negotiation; and perform all phases of contract administration to include property management, and terminate or close out of contracts Applied knowledge of contracting methods, negotiation techniques and contract types sufficient to perform pre-award, post-award, and price/cost analysis functions to procure complex and/or diversified supplies and services. Knowledge of post award procedures sufficient to administer complex cost type contracts which may require day-to-day negotiations of significant contract changes and monitoring special provisions. Experience in directing contract management and oversight for all acquisition strategies, plans, procedures, and contracts from development through final closeout. Providing expert consultation services to Management concerning acquisition planning, development, and progress. Experience in developing local policies and procedures for a wide range of contracting actions. 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. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the series as listed below: 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 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 in order 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 on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action. Education Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education Additional Information ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Contracting functional area. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Professional tier within 3 years. The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years. Incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually and upon termination of employment in accordance with DoD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993. Note: May be required to travel in the performance of temporary duty assignments. Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package. Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.