The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) is responsible for resolving disputes arising out of contracts between Federal Government agencies and private contractors. Additional information regarding the CBCA and the responsibilities of a Board Judge is provided below under the "Duties" section.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications for this vacancy MUST be emailed to cbca.applications@cbca.gov. If we do not receive your application through cbca.applications@cbca.gov you will not be considered.
Summary
The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) is responsible for resolving disputes arising out of contracts between Federal Government agencies and private contractors. Additional information regarding the CBCA and the responsibilities of a Board Judge is provided below under the "Duties" section.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications for this vacancy MUST be emailed to cbca.applications@cbca.gov. If we do not receive your application through cbca.applications@cbca.gov you will not be considered.
All United States citizens may apply. Applications for this vacancy MUST be emailed to cbca.applications@cbca.gov. If we do not receive your application through cbca.applications@cbca.gov you will not be considered.
The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA or the "Board") has jurisdiction over matters arising from all executive branch agencies other than the Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United States Postal Service, Postal Rate Commission, and Tennessee Valley Authority. The Board also has authority over requests for arbitration to resolve disputes between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and applicants for public assistance disaster grants arising from disasters occurring after January 1, 2016. The Board also hears and decides cases involving the Indian Self-Determination Act; cases involving the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; requests for binding arbitration from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); requests for review of transportation audit rate determinations; claims by Federal civilian employees regarding travel and relocation expenses; and certain requests for arbitration involving applicants for public assistance disaster grants and FEMA arising from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition, the Board provides alternative dispute resolution services to executive agencies in contract disputes which are the subject of a contracting officer's decision and other contract-related disputes. Although the Board is administratively located under the General Services Administration (GSA), it functions as an independent tribunal.
Each Board Judge manages a docket of cases and participates in decisions with other Board Judges. A Board Judge is responsible, from the time of assignment of a case, for the conduct of all of the proceedings in the case through the drafting of the Board's decision. The Board Judge individually rules on motions and other interlocutory questions, and issues decisions on non-dispositive matters and small claims. The Board Judge also issues decisions on dispositive matters, generally in conjunction with other members of the Board.
The Board Judge convenes prehearing conferences and assists parties in defining the issues. The Board Judge presides at hearings, where he/she administers oaths, and rules on the admissibility of testimony and exhibits.
The Board Judge drafts the final decision of the Board in cases assigned to him/her and participates in the decision as a panel member in other assigned cases. The Board Judge also acts as a neutral in alternative dispute resolution matters, assisting the parties in resolving disputes through informal means.
Applications must be received by the closing date to receive consideration.
Selectee must undergo a background investigation for Top Secret clearance.
Selectee must file initial & ongoing Public Financial Disclosure Reports.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
This position is a critical-sensitive national security position. If selected, you will be required to undergo a single scope background investigation and the GSA security office must grant you a Top Secret national security clearance. Applicants do not need this level of clearance in order to apply. If you are not a GSA employee, the security office must grant the clearance before we can hire you unless a pre-appointment waiver of this requirement is approved.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 will be required to complete a certification document confirming their selective service status.
If selected, you will be required within 30 days of your initial appointment and annually thereafter to complete the OGE Form 278, Public Financial Disclosure Report, as well as monthly financial transaction reports, to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interests and your position.
Qualifications
Qualifying Experience: At the time of application, applicants must be licensed to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the Constitution. An applicant must have, in the aggregate, at least five years of public contract law experience consisting of serving as an attorney or judge in:
1. Proceedings before any Federal agency boards of contract appeals or comparable Federal, State, or local administrative bodies;
2. Actions in courts of record involving public contract issues fully comparable to those in proceedings before agency boards of contract appeals or before Federal, State, or local administrative bodies; or
3. Advising on public contracts, or teaching or writing on the subject of public contract law.
In the determination of whether public contract law experience involving State or local contracts is qualifying, a direct comparison is made between the subject matter of such experience and the subject matter commonly involved in the practice of Federal public contract law. At least two years of the qualifying experience in public contract law must have been of a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the GS-15 grade level or above. Remuneration is not considered in the making of this comparison.
Additional information
BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: None
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized for this position. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
CBCA offers employees the opportunity to participate in its alternative work schedule (AWS) program. AWS includes both flexible work schedules and compressed work schedules.
CBCA supports the use of telework as a way to attract and keep talented individuals in public service. At the discretion of the position's supervisor, this position may be designated as telework eligible.
This vacancy announcement readvertises the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) position of Board Judge, formerly advertised under announcement numbers 10CBCA01TC05, 12CBCA01, 13CBCA01, 15CBCA01 and 22CBCA01. If you applied under any of the previous announcements, you MUST reapply under the current announcement (G-2024-0001) in order to be considered.
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.
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.
The GSA Office of Human Resources Management, Executive Resources Division will review each application for the requisite documents and determine whether the application meets the minimum qualification requirements as defined under the “Qualifications” section above. If an application is missing any of the required documents (listed under the “Required Documents” section below) or the applicant's background and experience, as demonstrated in the application, does not meet the minimum qualification requirements, the applicant will be assigned a rating of "ineligible" and will receive no further consideration. An applicant assigned a rating of "ineligible" will be notified of this rating and given the right to appeal it, within ten days of receipt of written notice, to the CBCA Registrar at cbca.registrar@cbca.gov. The applicant will be notified of the outcome of the appeal by the CBCA Registrar.
Once it has been determined that an applicant meets the minimum qualification requirements, a further evaluation of the applicant's work experiences and accomplishments will be conducted based on the Rating Factors listed below.
Rating Factors:
1. Knowledge of public contract and procurement law and knowledge of the Federal rules of evidence and civil procedure;
2. Ability to understand and interpret law, and to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate evidence and find facts;
3. Ability to communicate concisely and clearly and to preside at meetings, conferences, and hearings; and
4. Ability to make independent decisions in a fair and impartial manner, to make and write prompt decisions, to manage time efficiently, and to operate in a collegial environment.
Note regarding application of Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney (including judge) appointments in the excepted service; however, the CBCA considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants claiming veterans' preference must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and any other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. It is also recommended that you include this information in your cover letter or resume. Additional information on veterans' preference is available at https://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
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.
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.
Those interested in applying for a Board Judge position must submit the documents listed below by the closing date of the announcement to cbca.applications@cbca.gov to be considered for this position. However, item #2 (a letter of good standing from the bar) may be submitted up to 10 calendar days after the closing date if additional time is needed to obtain this document.
1. A resume;
2. A letter of good standing no older than August 2023 from the bar of a State or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the Constitution indicating that the applicant is currently a member and the date of admission;
3. A separate narrative statement (that is NOT incorporated into the resume, cover letter, or any other application document) with the heading “Explanation of Public Contract Law Experience” explaining how the applicant meets the qualifying requirement of at least five years of public contract law experience, including specific examples;
4. Two written work products related to government contracts law or public procurement law of at least 5 but no more than 20 typewritten pages each;
5. A list of four or more persons as references who have knowledge of the applicant’s experience and professional qualifications, such as a judge before whom the applicant has appeared or opposing counsel or co-counsel. Contact information must be provided for each reference.
Veterans: Submit proof of preference claim (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 and related documentation, VA letter, etc. if applicable; or submit official statement of service if on active duty).
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.
Applications for this vacancy MUST be emailed to cbca.applications@cbca.gov and MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement in order to be considered. If we do not receive your application through cbca.applications@cbca.gov by the closing date, you will not be considered.
CBCA is not accepting online applications for this position, and you do not need to register in USAJOBS to apply.
GSA, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
General Services Administration
Office Human Resources Management
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
If your application is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. A review panel will further evaluate each applicant who meets the minimum qualifications on the Rating Factors listed above under the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section. Well qualified candidates will receive further consideration, which may include an interview/interviews and reference checks. Reference checks may include developing and checking new references from the ones given. You will be notified of the outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Those interested in applying for a Board Judge position must submit the documents listed below by the closing date of the announcement to cbca.applications@cbca.gov to be considered for this position. However, item #2 (a letter of good standing from the bar) may be submitted up to 10 calendar days after the closing date if additional time is needed to obtain this document.
1. A resume;
2. A letter of good standing no older than August 2023 from the bar of a State or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the Constitution indicating that the applicant is currently a member and the date of admission;
3. A separate narrative statement (that is NOT incorporated into the resume, cover letter, or any other application document) with the heading “Explanation of Public Contract Law Experience” explaining how the applicant meets the qualifying requirement of at least five years of public contract law experience, including specific examples;
4. Two written work products related to government contracts law or public procurement law of at least 5 but no more than 20 typewritten pages each;
5. A list of four or more persons as references who have knowledge of the applicant’s experience and professional qualifications, such as a judge before whom the applicant has appeared or opposing counsel or co-counsel. Contact information must be provided for each reference.
Veterans: Submit proof of preference claim (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 and related documentation, VA letter, etc. if applicable; or submit official statement of service if on active duty).
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.
Applications for this vacancy MUST be emailed to cbca.applications@cbca.gov and MUST be received by the closing date of the announcement in order to be considered. If we do not receive your application through cbca.applications@cbca.gov by the closing date, you will not be considered.
CBCA is not accepting online applications for this position, and you do not need to register in USAJOBS to apply.
GSA, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
General Services Administration
Office Human Resources Management
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
If your application is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. A review panel will further evaluate each applicant who meets the minimum qualifications on the Rating Factors listed above under the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section. Well qualified candidates will receive further consideration, which may include an interview/interviews and reference checks. Reference checks may include developing and checking new references from the ones given. You will be notified of the outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
