This position is located in the Railroad Retirement Board's Office of Administration, Acquisition Management. The incumbent will be responsible for procurement functions involving highly specialized and more complex IT procurements of significant importance to the RRB Modernization Program.
This job announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Summary
This position is located in the Railroad Retirement Board's Office of Administration, Acquisition Management. The incumbent will be responsible for procurement functions involving highly specialized and more complex IT procurements of significant importance to the RRB Modernization Program.
This job announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
Develop new or innovative acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions, or financial arrangements that serve as models for future major system acquisitions.
Conduct pre-proposal conference(s) with prospective contractor(s) to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract.
Serve as lead negotiator. Plan the negotiation strategy, coordinate strategy with negotiation team and lead the negotiations which are conducted with potential contractors to develop the contract prices and terms.
Using Agile Contracting techniques, work with the Bureau of Information Services as well as other agency bureaus and offices as a key representative of the Acquisition Management Division to support the agency's IT Modernization Program goals.
Represent Chief of Acquisition Management in conferences with high level Board and Corporate executives and managers in the accomplishment and coordination of the pre-award acquisition program.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
Must possess Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)-(Professional), in accordance with Office of Federal Procurement Policy requirements; or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting Certification.
Must have experience with using Agile Contracting methods.
Qualifications
Basic Requirement:
A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4-years of experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.
AND
B. 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.
C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.
D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the minimum qualifications below.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service
Specialized experience is demonstrated by accomplishment in planning, directing, and administering complex acquisition project assignments that required in-depth knowledge of a wide range of procurement and contracting principles and technical program requirements and techniques performing procurement planning; expert knowledge in using Agile contracting methodologies; advising project personnel on effective implementation and time frames required; developing new or innovative acquisition plans, source selection plans, and contract terms, conditions, or financial arrangement; performing contract administration activities; conducting extensive and sophisticated cost and financial analysis; and serving as lead negotiation for contract modifications.
Other Requirements:
Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)-(Professional)
or
Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting Certification
Experience with using Agile Contracting
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.
Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Education
This position has a positive education requirement; therefore, transcripts are required.
Please be advised that an official transcript will be required if you are selected for the position. Please include a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) that demonstrates that you meet the education requirement listed above prior to the closing date of the announcement. If you do not include this information prior to the closing date of the announcement, your application will be marked as incomplete unless your SF-50 shows that you were/are already in the 1102 job series.
You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.
Additional information
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP):
ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. You must be determined to be well-qualified for the vacancy to be eligible for special selection priority. After submission of an acceptable application which meets ICTAP eligibility, you will be determined to be well-qualified for a vacancy if your rating places you in the best qualified category.
ICTAP eligibles must submit proof of eligibility for special selection priority, such as: a separation notice; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. You must also submit a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) notating your current position, grade level, and duty location, and a copy of your most recent Performance Rating. Click here for more information on ICTAP.
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 you are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act; the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
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.
This position will be filled using direct hire procedures. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be evaluated against the basic qualifications and specialized experience. Qualified candidates will be referred for consideration in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management direct hire guidelines. Veterans' preference does not apply to direct-hire recruitment procedures.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Transcripts: If you are eligible based upon education, copies of all college courses must be submitted. Original transcripts will be required if selected.
Proof of Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)-(Professional), in accordance with Office of Federal Procurement Policy requirements; or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting Certification.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation: If you are eligible under ICTAP, you must submit all required materials verifying your eligibility as listed in "Additional Information." These materials include:
Proof of eligibility: You must submit documentation such as a separation notice or other required material (see "Required Information" for other examples);
SF-50: You must submit a copy of a recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 that shows career or career-conditional competitive service status (Blocks #24 and #34 must be completed); and
Performance Appraisal: You must submit your most recent performance appraisal, which must be rated at least fully successful or equivalent. (This is not required if you are eligible for ICTAP due to compensable injury or disability retirement.) The performance appraisal may also be used as part of the ranking process and/or to verify your responses to the questionnaire.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Railroad Retirement Board
844 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and possible referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Transcripts: If you are eligible based upon education, copies of all college courses must be submitted. Original transcripts will be required if selected.
Proof of Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C)-(Professional), in accordance with Office of Federal Procurement Policy requirements; or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Contracting Certification.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation: If you are eligible under ICTAP, you must submit all required materials verifying your eligibility as listed in "Additional Information." These materials include:
Proof of eligibility: You must submit documentation such as a separation notice or other required material (see "Required Information" for other examples);
SF-50: You must submit a copy of a recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 that shows career or career-conditional competitive service status (Blocks #24 and #34 must be completed); and
Performance Appraisal: You must submit your most recent performance appraisal, which must be rated at least fully successful or equivalent. (This is not required if you are eligible for ICTAP due to compensable injury or disability retirement.) The performance appraisal may also be used as part of the ranking process and/or to verify your responses to the questionnaire.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Railroad Retirement Board
844 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and possible referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.