Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Contract Specialist

General Services Administration
Federal Acquisition Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As a Contract Specialist, you will be responsible for the full range of pre-award and post-award functions, e.g., price/cost analysis, negotiation, administration and termination.

Location of position: Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) - Office of Travel, Transportation & Logistics Categories - Office of Acquisition Operations (QMA).

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/17/2024 to 12/31/2024
Salary
$72,553 to - $140,713 per year

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
FEW vacancies
Remote job
Yes - This position is 100% remote and can be filled anywhere in the U.S.
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12 - If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes - Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
QM-2025-0028
Control number
824390300

Videos

Duties

Help

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Performs procurement planning tasks, including researching market conditions and identifying within assigned programs the subsystems, components, supplies and services to be acquired by the contract.
  • Evaluates technical submissions, bids, or offers for responsiveness to the solicitation.
  • Performs the full range of post-award functions.
  • Negotiates modifications, determining contract cost changes, price adjustments, progress, partial and final payments.
  • Executes modifications and supplemental agreements.
  • Closes out contracts.
  • Serves as a warranted contracting officer, required to obtain and/or maintain a warrant.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  • 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 apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here

The GS-11 salary range starts at $72,553.00 per year. The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,962.00 per year   If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected. The salary shown in this announcement does not include locality pay. Locality pay will be determined once the selectee's duty location has been established. To view current locality rates, visit - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule

GS-1102 BASIC REQUIREMENT: You must meet the criteria in option A or B, or meet the exception noted below.

  1. 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.
    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.

GS-11 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Requirement listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing routine and developmental contracting assignments procuring supplies and/or services using a full range of contracting methods, contract vehicles and types. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:

  • Planning and carrying out routine pre-award and/or post-award acquisition actions;
  • Preparing solicitation documentation and drafting the final contract including recommendations for award;
  • Evaluating vendor offers for both technical and price/cost factors to ensure best value to the organization/agency;
  • Negotiating contracts, orders and/or modifications with few clauses or addendums;
  • Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues some of which require additional research to provide recommendations/responses.

EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION (GS-11 Level ONLY): If you do not have the specialized experience described above at the GS-11 level, you may qualify if you have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three full years of progressively higher level related graduate level education leading to such a degree in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

GS-12 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Requirement listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing contracting assignments procuring supplies and/or services using a wide range of contracting methods, contract vehicles and types. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:

  • Planning and carrying out pre-award, award, and post-award acquisition actions;
  • Preparing solicitation documentation incorporating necessary specialized provisions, and drafting the final contract;
  • Evaluating vendor offers for both technical and price/cost factors as well as evaluating bidders capacity to perform/comply with contract clauses and specifications;
  • Planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract;
  • Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues that require research to provide recommendations/responses;
  • Analyzing contracting issues and identifying alternative courses of action.

There is no Education substitution for GS 12.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.  


Must hold or have the ability to obtain a Level l or ll warrant and obtain and maintain signature authority.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:   https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is eligible for the bargaining unit
If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  

Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

·       Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

·       Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee

·       Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 
  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall 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 the full range of contract types, laws, regulations, principles, and methods of contracting and selection factors to satisfy complex requirements.
  • Knowledge of cost and price analysis and cost accounting standards sufficient to perform the full range of strategic, analytical, and technical procurement assignments.
  • Professional knowledge of post-award procedures to administer contracts for a wide range of services, supplies and equipment.
  • Skill in the use of contract negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.
  • Skill in both written and oral communication to keep GSA management, customers, and contractors apprised of procurement issues.
  • Knowledge of business practices sufficient to identify sources, recent developments and trends, economic factors affecting procurements and anticipated requirements of Federal agencies; to analyze cost and pricing data and contract proposals; and to evaluate the offers for responsibility.
  • Ability to acquire and maintain a warrant, ensuring that all required training and FAC-C certifications are current and keeping apprised of changes to procurement regulations and policies.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.