This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/482350000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking a Contract Specialist to join its Office of Administrative Operations (OPS). The selectee will be responsible for performing all aspects of contracting transactions, from pre-award to post-award, for a wide range of contracts, including contracts awarded under the CRS Director's independent contracting authority and contracts awarded through the Library of Congress (LC) Office of Contracts and Grants Management. The selectee will be expected to advise the Section Head, the Associate Director for OPS, the Deputy Director, and the Director on best practices and makes recommendations to them that influence and/or determine CRS contract strategies based upon short-term and long-term strategic planning needs. The incumbent will be responsible for a wide range of contract administration activities for CRS research contracts and support services contracts; maintains fiscal records regarding CRS research contract obligations; and represents CRS on contract working groups and teams.
CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.
CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.
10/19/2017 to 11/09/2017
$79,720 - $103,639 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
13
No
VAR000235
482350000
The incumbent manages the full range of contracting activities covered by the CRS Director's independent contracting authority, research related materials and resources under Library of Congress Regulation (LCR) 2140, and other CRS contracts that directly support the research and information needs of the United States Congress. The incumbent performs all aspects of contracting, from developing requirements to recommending awards for supplies or services with specialized requirements.
Analyzes contract requirements, recommends revisions to statements of work or specifications, and decides the type of contract, milestones, and procurement plan. Analyzes generally available sources for the products or services to be procured, including searching the market or using sole source suppliers as required. Surveys the market to locate new procurement sources and determines the availability of items or services with specialized requirements.
Provides in-depth technical advice and assistance to CRS project managers and technical experts in researching contract options, developing contract requirements, establishing deliverables, and writing statements of work. Determines appropriate contractual formats; documents results of cost and price analyses and market surveys; and evaluates program and technical needs, time constraints, and determinations of costs.
Investigates and resolves contractor delays and performance problems; performs disposition of claims; and interprets, extends, or devises new contractual provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions. Maintains all fiscal records regarding research contract obligations.
Analyzes and resolves complex organizational or program-related problems or issues in developing and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders in the contracting and procurement process. Collaborates with a Lead Contract Specialist(s) and/or supervisor in formulating internal policies and procedures to resolve complex problems and situations in assigned liaison activities.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with CRS staff, and staff in other LC offices. Follows guidelines and procedures to support contracting and procurement efforts.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
YOU MUST PROVIDE LEGIBLE TRANSCRIPT OR A LIST OF COLLEGE COURSES SHOWING COMPLETED COURSE WORK, SEMESTER HOURS EARNED, AND DEGREE(S) AWARDED. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED IF SELECTED.
•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.
The Congressional Research Service, within the Library of Congress, is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustment for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.
This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.
The tour of duty for this position is full-time.
This position description number for this position is 346819.
The incumbent of this position is eligible to work a compflex or flexitime work schedule.
RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE PERSON(S) SELECTED UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.
Applicants who are referred for interview will be required to submit a completed OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment.
Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify this agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The certificate of disability may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of an applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within one year of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information view the directive on the Library's Selective Placement Program and/or contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 (voice or TTY) or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of Veterans' Preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library's Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D. IF REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS NOT ATTACHED, VETERANS' PREFERENCE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview.
The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview.
The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.
To preview questions please click here.
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Disabled applicants claiming Selective Placement eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in OTHER INFORMATION above. If this required documentation is not attached, your application will not be considered under the Selective Placement Program.
Veterans claiming Veterans' Preference eligibility must submit the appropriate supporting documentation described in OTHER INFORMATION above. If this required documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be applied to your application.
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.
Please carefully follow all instructions below to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed applications. To apply online, complete the following steps.
Step 1: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to preview the application questions that you will be required to answer.
Step 2: Click the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account (if you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will be asked to build one). If you have not already created a resume in USAJOBS, you will be required to create one. Although you must enter your Social Security number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Congressional Research Service or the Library of Congress.
Step 3: USAJOBS will redirect you to the Library of Congress hiring management website, where you will complete the application process. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly, and follow all instructions for uploading required documentation.
Step 4: Click "FINISH" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your USAJOBS account. Your complete online application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov, no later than 4:30 p.m. EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/482350000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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