As a Contract Specialist, you will serve as a senior Contracting Officer with authority for major government-wide acquisition programs.
This position is located in the Office of Supply Operations, General Supplies and Services (GSS), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), General Services Administration (GSA).
We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Summary
As a Contract Specialist, you will serve as a senior Contracting Officer with authority for major government-wide acquisition programs.
This position is located in the Office of Supply Operations, General Supplies and Services (GSS), Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), General Services Administration (GSA).
We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Your application will be considered if you are a:
• GSA employee (must be a current FAS employee)
• GSA surplus or displaced employees in the local commuting area who qualify for the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)
You must be serving on a career or career-conditional appointment, or under a noncompetitive Special Appointing Authority which provides for conversion to a permanent position in the Competitive Service.
The Contract Specialist will have complete authority for all contractual actions and phases of the program including acquisition planning, requirements definition, implementation, training and a range of contract specializations such as negotiation, cost and price analysis, and administration.
In this capacity, you will be responsible for the following duties:
Develops procurement objectives in terms of competition and price range and constructs the contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside policies and similar considerations
Serves as an advisor to program officials in procurement planning meetings, identifying the procurement objectives and methodologies to be used and assists in the preparation of statements of work
Plans a comprehensive negotiation strategy, coordinates strategy with others technical experts involved and leads negotiations which are conducted with contractors to develop the contract prices and terms
Performs contract administration, including incremental funding, preparation of rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, coordination of time extensions, incorporation of change orders, issuance of stop work orders, issuance of cure notices or show cause letters, monitoring of Government property reporting, approval of progress payments, final payment and contract close out
US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
Meet all eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
Must participate in direct deposit of pay
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 4 investigation level).
Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
Qualifications
For each job on your resume, provide:
the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
number of hours per week you worked (if part time).
If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace corps, Americorps), we encourage you to include this experience on your resume.
For a brief video on How to Create a Federal Resume, click here.
The GS-14 salary range starts at $121,316 per year.
Basic Requirement:
You must meet the requirements in 1, 2, or 3 below:
1. All of the following:
(a) Completion of Training listed in Level I & II of FAC-C Course Requirements; or FAC-C Level II or III, or a DAWIA level II or III certification. If your certification is over 2 years old, 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points are required to maintain certification.
(b) At least 4 years of experience in contracting or related positions including 1 year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the level described below; and
(c) Completion of 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.
2. Exception: If you were in a GS-1102 position on January 1, 2000, you will be exempt from meeting the educational requirements for the grade level of that position. However, to be promoted you will have to meet Option 1 or 3.
3. Waiver: GSA's senior procurement executive has the discretion to waive any or all of the requirements in 1 above.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing complex (high-risk, difficult to define specifications, restricted/limited market competition and spend in a number of categories) contracting assignments procuring supplies and/or services using the full range of contracting methods, contract vehicles and types. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:
Determining the method of procurement and the contract type (such as fixed price, fixed price economic price adjustment, various cost type contracts, requirements contracts, performance based acquisitions, and multiple award schedules;) and developing an acquisition plan;
Preparing determinations and findings and solicitation documents;
Performing detailed analyses of all elements of cost in contractor proposals, and making competitive range determinations;
Planning the negotiating strategy, coordinating strategy with negotiating team, and leading negotiations;
Developing pre-negotiation positions, determining negotiation strategies, and preparing justifications;
Preparing initial agency position on protests from unsuccessful bidders and recommending a decision on claims arising under a contract;
Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues that require research to provide recommendations/responses;
Analyzing complex contracting issues and identifying alternative courses of action.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
You will have access to many benefits including: • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) • Life insurance coverage with several options • Sick leave and vacation time, including 10 paid holidays per year • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) • Flexible work schedules • Transit and child care subsidies • Flexible spending accounts • Long-term care insurance • Training and development
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.
Knowledge of a professional or administrative field to plan and manage or review and recommend to top management approval of innovations (strategic account management, acquisition vehicles and solutions) impacting critical agency systems or programs
Knowledge of a professional or administrative field (customer accounts, acquisition vehicles and solutions) to generate and develop new concepts about the occupational specialty
Knowledge of agency programs and missions, within and outside of own area related to common acquisition platform (CAP), category management, expanded services and business model modernization
Skill in applying a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness
Additional assessments may be used, and, if so, you will be provided with further instructions.
If you are eligible under GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
You will have access to many benefits including: • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) • Life insurance coverage with several options • Sick leave and vacation time, including 10 paid holidays per year • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) • Flexible work schedules • Transit and child care subsidies • Flexible spending accounts • Long-term care insurance • Training and development
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
If you are CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
Contracting Documentation: Submit A or B:
(A) Mandatory contracting training - submit a or b below:
(a) GSA’s Mandatory Training Requirements which can be met by one of the following: Completion of Training listed in Level I & II of FAC-C Course Requirements (use the link to view specific courses); or if you have a FAC-C Level II or III, or a DAWIA level II or III certification, your training is fully qualifying for GSA's Mandatory Training requirement. If your certification is over 2 years old, 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points are required to maintain certification.
(b) list of completed courses including: official course title, course number, training provider, training hours completed, and the date completed
(B) Proof of contracting certification - submit the following:
(a) FAC-C or DAWIA Level II or higher certification (copy of certificate)
If certification is over 2 years old, also submit (b) or (c) below:
(b) Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) history identifying the completion of 80 CLPs every two years. The 80 CLPs every two years must be from the issuance date of certification to current period.
(c) If you are a FAITAS member, you may submit your Continuous Learning Achievement Certificate from FAITAS. On your "My Continuous Learning" page, click on the "approved" link under Achievement Status to print a copy of your most recent certificate.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here Apply for a GSA Job on the GSA website.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer); USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process) or FAX (read the “Fax instructions provided prior to printing the Fax Cover Sheet and faxing your information).
Need Assistance? Contact the HR representative listed on the announcement prior to the application deadline. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday during normal business hours. You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
GSA, Federal Acquisition Service
General Services Administration
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW Room 1100
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
After the closing date/deadline:
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements
REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come onboard, you will be given a final offer, which is typically within 40 days after the announcement closes.
FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your status by logging into USAJOBS. Go to My USAJOBS and then to Applications.
Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
If you are CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
Contracting Documentation: Submit A or B:
(A) Mandatory contracting training - submit a or b below:
(a) GSA’s Mandatory Training Requirements which can be met by one of the following: Completion of Training listed in Level I & II of FAC-C Course Requirements (use the link to view specific courses); or if you have a FAC-C Level II or III, or a DAWIA level II or III certification, your training is fully qualifying for GSA's Mandatory Training requirement. If your certification is over 2 years old, 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points are required to maintain certification.
(b) list of completed courses including: official course title, course number, training provider, training hours completed, and the date completed
(B) Proof of contracting certification - submit the following:
(a) FAC-C or DAWIA Level II or higher certification (copy of certificate)
If certification is over 2 years old, also submit (b) or (c) below:
(b) Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) history identifying the completion of 80 CLPs every two years. The 80 CLPs every two years must be from the issuance date of certification to current period.
(c) If you are a FAITAS member, you may submit your Continuous Learning Achievement Certificate from FAITAS. On your "My Continuous Learning" page, click on the "approved" link under Achievement Status to print a copy of your most recent certificate.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here Apply for a GSA Job on the GSA website.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer); USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process) or FAX (read the “Fax instructions provided prior to printing the Fax Cover Sheet and faxing your information).
Need Assistance? Contact the HR representative listed on the announcement prior to the application deadline. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday during normal business hours. You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
GSA, Federal Acquisition Service
General Services Administration
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW Room 1100
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
After the closing date/deadline:
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements
REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come onboard, you will be given a final offer, which is typically within 40 days after the announcement closes.
FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your status by logging into USAJOBS. Go to My USAJOBS and then to Applications.
Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.