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CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
HQ USAF and Support Elements

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as Contract Specialist with warrant authority for the Policy, Plans, and Requirements Directorate, Washington, D. C.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/19/2026 to 03/25/2026
Salary
$102,415 to - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9L-AFPC-12910999-211660-IDJ
Control number
861793700

Duties

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GS-12/13:

  1. Plans and organizes the activities of the Command which include the full range of contracting support to installation organizations as assigned by the White House Military Office.
  2. Ensures contracting actions comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meet customer needs.
  3. Represents the Contracting Office with a variety of installation and business organizations supporting PPR.
  4. Participates in special projects and initiatives and performs special assignments.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • This position will be developmental to the target grade of GS-13. Upon completion of appropriate training and time in grade requirement, incumbent may be noncompetitively promoted to the next grade
  • Serves as a warranted contracting officer and completes required forms in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 USC 423)
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft/ vehicle to conferences, meetings, or functions away from the duty office/location. Travel may include overnight stays
  • Employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA)requirements applicable to the duties of the position
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • This is a National Security Position. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a current Top Secret (TS) security clearance based upon a T5 Background Investigation and be eligible for access to TS/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
  • Prior to reporting for duty, the incumbent must be granted and maintain a current TS security clearance based upon a T5 Background Investigation, and be favorably adjudicated for access to TS/SCI.
  • Prior to reporting for duty, the incumbent must be approved for Presidential Support Duty in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 5210.55 (PSD Category II, minimum). The applicant must maintain PSD approval
  • May be authorized Recruitment and /or Relocation Incentive
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.
  • Incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
  • This position is eligible for Telework on a situational or ad hoc basis to be determined by the activity where the position is filled.
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Employee is expected to meet Continuing Acquisition Education requirements

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the basic requirements defined in 10 United States Code (USC).This standard implements requirements contained in Title 10, United States Code, Sections 1723 through 1733, as amended by Section 861(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) and implemented on a policy exception basis by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment memorandum, Exception to 24 Semester Hours Requirement for Contracting Positions, effective and dated August 2, 2020.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts.

NOTE: The following three exemption to the basic education requirements above apply to DoD civilian employees or Service members who:

1. Served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) on or before 30 September 2000.

OR
2. Served on or before 30 September 2000, in a position as either an employee in the GS-1102 series or as a member of the Armed Forces in a similar occupation specialty.

OR
3. Are an enlisted member of the Contingency Contracting Force (CCF). This exemption only applies to CCF members in their current or future CCF positions. The Bachelor's degree exemption does not apply to current CCF members seeking New Hire employment within DoD as a 1102.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-12: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes Knowledge of contracting laws and procedures, including standard operating procedures for the organizational Government Purchase Card program, to independently execute acquisition actions and ensure the Government's best interest is protected. Knowledge of Federal, Department of Defense (DoD), and Air Force contracting laws, regulations, principles, procedures, clauses, and provisions, and methods of contracting sufficient to interpret and apply Government Purchase Card policies and procedures to a variety of acquisition situations.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes, Knowledge of Government contracting laws and policies including techniques of contracting operations, detailed procedures of department contracting requirements and familiarity with the practices of business and industry sufficient to develop policies and provide guidance to subordinate activities. Requires analytical skill sufficient to evaluate audit reports, regulations and other relevant material as a basis for developing and implementing departmental guides for procedures.



FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable
time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible.
For GS-12: One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level.
For GS-13: One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level.
TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

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 areas:

GS-12:
1.
Knowledge of contracting principles, laws, regulations, and procedures applicable to complex, high-dollar, and long-term contracts using the full range of fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and hybrid contract types.

2. Knowledge of program objectives, technical terminology, and the use of major systems, supplies, and services sufficient to plan, negotiate, award, administer, and, when necessary, terminate contracts.

3. Knowledge of and skill in the use of negotiation techniques to negotiate fair and reasonable prices, terms, and conditions of contracts.

4. Knowledge of business strategy and program or technical requirements to perform independent, in-depth evaluations of the financial and technical capabilities and performance of contractors.

5. Skill in fact-finding, contract analysis, cost and price evaluation, problem resolution, and the development of effective and actionable plans to solve contracting issues.

6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to convey technical and non-technical information clearly to senior-level Government and private-sector personnel, particularly in sensitive or complex acquisition situations.

GS-13:
1.
Knowledge of the full range of federal contracting laws, regulation, policies, practices, methods, and contact types.

2. Knowledge of a wide range of business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical requirements.

3. Skill in fact-finding, contract analysis and pricing techniques, problem resolution, and development of concrete action plans to solve problems.

4. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a moderate sized organization.

5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, both technical and non-technical subjects with senior level Government and private sector personnel, especially in sensitive and/or technically complex situations.

6. Ability to establish effective working relationships with others.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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