Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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Contract Specialist / PD# 44193-A, 44194-A, 44195-A

Contract Specialist ensures that specifications and statements of work are prepared in a manner which adequately describes the Government's requirements without restricting competition. Advises technical personnel as to inadequate, ambiguous or vague specifications to avoid Government liability. Performs a complete review of recommended sole-source requirements and conducts necessary market analysis to test the noncompetitive assumptions of requisitions. Prepares required findings and sufficiently documents determinations in this regard. Recommends the appropriate method of procurement, i.e. simplified acquisition procedures, sealed-bidding, negotiations. Advertises all applicable requirements and prepares the solicitation document using agency contract writing systems for issuance, insuring regulatory and legal sufficiency, and promoting maximum competition. Conducts public bid openings, reviews bids, and determines responsiveness and responsibility of low bidder in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. Resolves protests, mistakes in bids, late bid situations and coordinates with the Small Business Administration for Certificate of Competencies (COC's). Identifies appropriate negotiation team members; formulates pre-­ negotiation objectives and facilitates the negotiation as the chief negotiator. Prepares price negotiation memoranda, outlining in writing the details of negotiations with contractors in competitive and noncompetitive negotiations. Provides signatory authority and executes contract awards within warrant authority for their own contract awards and for staff that lack requisite warrant authority, as requested by supervisor. Serves as contract administrator on awarded contracts. Conducts post-award conferences with Contractor and Government personnel to provide information and to clarify standard and special contractual provisions of the contract. Negotiates required changes to contract conditions to protect the agency. Resolves problems of delivery, production, quality, inspection, and other pertinent matters. Performs cost/price analysis on change order proposals and analysis of delivery requirements. Contract Specialist shall fully utilize contract writing system, contract reporting system, financial management system, in accordance with Agency policies. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Must meet all eligibility requirements to receive and maintain the Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC-C) Level I, within 12 months upon appointment into position for grade GS-9. Must receive and maintain Level II for grades 11/12.

Conditions of employment

You must be a US Citizen to apply for this job.
May serve a probationary period.
Subject to a background/suitability investigation.
Selective Service Registration is required for all males born after 12/31/1959.
Position requires filing a Financial Disclosure Report.
A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The subject position is primarily of an administrative nature in an office setting, however where travel to work sites is required there may be light physical work required, such as walking over uneven surfaces, or assisting technical personnel in taking measurements or elevations. Government travel for training, meetings, or customer interactions will be required in this position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.


Time-in-grade: Applicants who are current Federal employees or who have held a GS grade anytime in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. Example for a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level.

Basic Requirements
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.

And

Specialized Experience (GS-9): Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of commonly used contracting methods and contract types relating to the performance of pre-award, post-award, and/or contract prices and cost analysis functions.
• General familiarity with business practices and marked conditions applicable to program and technical requirements sufficient to evaluate bid responsiveness, contractor responsibility, and contractor performance.
• Skill in solving practical problems relating to transportation, basic contract performance issues, commodity usage, interchangeabilities and pricing matters.
• Knowledge of business practices and market conditions to evaluate bid responsiveness and contractor performance.
• Ability to draw conclusions and make recommendations by analyzing facts and conditions.
• Ability to make comparisons of prices, discounts, delivery dates or handling of charges.

Or

2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D.


Specialized Experience (GS-11): Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-9) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would include, but are not limited to:

• Experience developing procurement plans by reviewing previous history, market conditions, and specifications or technical data packages.
• Knowledge of acquisition regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration including change orders, supplemental agreements, terminations, claims, and close out of contracts.
• Citing the authority in determinations and finding reports prepared for the contracting officer when procurement is by negotiation.
• Knowledge of contract administration principles and practices sufficient to monitor contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract.
• Experience in compiling bidder's list from qualified bidders' applications, knowledge of suppliers, contacts with traded associations, Small business Administration, or other sources.
• Prepares and issues solicitation documents.
• Selects appropriate clauses ensures clear and complete specifications including packing and delivery requirements or other stipulations and serves as a central point of contact on assigned procurements to respond to inquiries.
• Performs detailed analysis of bids or proposals which have been received.

Or

3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree


Specialized Experience (GS-12): Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations, Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration including change orders, supplemental agreements, terminations, claims, and close out of contracts.
• Advanced knowledge of cost/price analysis techniques used in evaluation of contractor proposals, change order proposals and to conduct negotiations.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• Advanced knowledge of various types of contracts, including firm-fixed price, firm-fixed price with economic price adjustments, and cost reimbursement; and contract methods to include simplified acquisitions, sealed bidding, negotiations, cost sharing, multiple awards, commercial items and special provisions.
• Knowledge and experience using negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.
• Knowledge of commercial and industrial business practices.
• Knowledge and experience of contract administration principles and practices sufficient to monitor contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract.
• Knowledge of the Agency's electronic Contract Writing and Management System (i.e. e-CMS) and ability to fully solicit, award, and administer contracts.

There is no education substitute for the GS-12.



Additional information on the qualification requirements are outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-general-schedule-positions/


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; religions; 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in alphabetical order.

You will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:

Competency 1 - Planning

Competency 2 - Acquisition Regulation

Competency 3 - Acquisition Strategy

Competency 4 - Oral Communication/Negotiation

Competency 5 - Written Communication