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Contract Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The position is located in the Office of Business Operations, Acquisitions and Contracting Branch, Central Federal Lands Highway Division(CFLHD), Federal Highway Administration in Lakewood, Colorado. CFLHD is responsible for the program administration of the Federal Lands Transportation Program (FLTP) and the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) and other programs in 14 western states.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/03/2023 to 11/02/2024
Salary
$80,665 to - $125,685 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Lakewood, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—The position is eligible for telework. This is not a full-time telework position and is not approved as a remote work position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - This position may require occasional travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
FHWA.CFL-2024-0009
Control number
758902600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. This is not a Bargaining unit position.

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Duties

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As a Contract Specialist, you will:

  • Serve as subject matter specialist for, and maintain expertise in, Federal Procurement Law, Federal and Departmental regulations and good business practices in planning and performing the Division's contracting processes. Work closely with the Acquisitions Team Leader/Contracting Officer to accomplish the timely development, advertisement, selection, awarding and administration of engineering services, construction services, simplified acquisitions, and support related acquisitions.
  • Exercise expertise and good business judgment in the interpretation and implementation of procurement policies, procedures, standards and guidance for the formulation and administration of all contract types including simplified, construction and architect & engineering (A/E) contracts. Coordinates with and provides direct support as a team member to the acquisition team relative to procurement activities within the Division and to help promote uniform application throughout the agency.

The ideal candidate is a mid-career individual with a solid background and experience in pre-award, award and administration of contracts using the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) specifically Parts 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 36, and 37. He or she would possess expertise in the award of a wide variety of contract types for the acquisition of simplified requirements to include non-personal services, construction, and architect and engineering support services. Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) is highly desirable.

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE MAY BE OFFERED TO SELECTEE OF THIS POSITION

Requirements

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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.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • CONFIDENTIAL 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.
  • PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. 
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is approved for occasional telework. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials. You are required to report to the office on a regular basis since this is not a full-time telework position, or approved as a remote work position.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the additional grade level requirements.

(1) All applicants must meet the basic requirements to qualify for applying to a position under series 1102:

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 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.

  • Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

For additional reference, refer to the OPM qualifications standard for GS-1102: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/

(2) Upload the appropriate document(s) to your application for verification purposes.

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

(3) Specialized Experience: To further determine eligibility, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked a few questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet these grade levels in your resume. 

For the GS-11: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following:

 On Experience, at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-09 grade levelwhich included:

  • 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.

On Education, you must have:

  • 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
  • Or, 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.

For the GS-12: You qualify for this grade level if you have at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-11 grade levelwhich included:

  • 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 grade 12, you must have specialized 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 area:

  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. Negotiation - Works with others towards an agreement that may involve exchanging specific resources or resolving differences.
  3. Technology Application - Uses machines, tools, instruments, or equipment effectively; uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format.
  4. Acquisition Strategy - Knowledge of the principles and methods for developing an integrated acquisition management plan that describes the business, technical, and support strategies, including the relationship between the acquisition phases, work efforts, and key program events (for example, decision points, contract awards, test activities).

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. 

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the Qualifications section for Mandatory Individual Occupational Requirements. 

Additional information

This announcement establishes an open continuous period for this series/grade. We will perform interim reviews of all applications as positions become vacant.  You must meet all eligible requirements at the time of consideration. 

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

If you are hired for this position; you will not receive additional consideration from this announcement.

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

How you will be evaluated

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

Given our continuing need for professionals in this field, we may routinely review applications and refer candidates for potential interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement. 

When an applicant list is requested, all applications received by that request date will be reviewed to determine if the basic qualifications for this position, and grades applied to, are met.  Applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official(s) for further review and consideration. From that point on the selecting official determines all aspects of the hiring process. If they wish to contact you for an interview or for selection, they will do so directly. Equal consideration will be given to all applications received. This announcement may close earlier or be extended, NTE a total of 1 year.

Note that applications received under a direct hire public notice may or may not result in a referral or selection. Also, management has the discretion to select at any grade level covered by public notice.

Applicants will not be rated or ranked.  Veteran’s Preference does NOT apply.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.  All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.


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