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Contract Specialist

Department of Defense
Department of Defense Education Activity

Summary

About the Position:
This position is located at the Mark Center Building in Alexandria, VA. The Mark Center is the new location for the Washington Headquarters Services of the United States Department of Defense and a number of other DoD agencies.

This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/14/2026 to 04/16/2026
Salary
$70,623 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Alexandria, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NC7X-26-12930172-DHA
Control number
865074900

Duties

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  • Manages technical reviews and source selection processes.
  • Resolves invoice issues and performs contract close-outs.
  • Synopsizes and advertises new requirements.
  • Performs price analysis and develops price fair and reasonableness determinations.
  • Develops solicitation, including clause selection and line items.
  • Conducts award debriefings.
  • Develops contract modifications and associated documentation.
  • Ensures compliance with Performance Based approach and principles.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Requirement.
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • One year trial or probationary period may be required.
  • Appointment subject to a suitability/fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
  • This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • This is an Acquisition and Technology Workforce position.
  • This position is subject to the statutory requirements of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA).
  • Must fully comply with the provisions of the DoDD 5500.07 Standards of Conduct and DoD 5500.07-R The Join Ethics Regulation (JER).
  • Must fully comply with the provisions of the 5 CFR 2635 Standards of Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch and 5 CFR 3601 Supplemental Standards of Conduct for Employees of the Department of Defense.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: U.S. Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education AND experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.


Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist:

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

-OR-

Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000.


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

GS-09 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes evaluating quotes and/or proposals; applying acquisition regulations to actions; reviewing documents submitted by customers to ensure all pertinent contract and procurement information is included; and administering contracts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

GS-11 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes evaluating quotes and/or proposals; negotiating price, terms, and/or conditions of contracts; preparing acquisition documents and/or reports (i.e. solicitations/contracts, market research, justifications & determinations, or award documents); and reviewing acquisition documents to ensure adherence to terms and conditions or regulations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

-OR-

Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes analyzing information to draw conclusions about price/cost information; negotiating, awarding and/or administering contracts; providing advice and/or guidance to customers on procurement preparation and development of contractually acceptable specifications and work statements; and reviewing procurement requests to assure clarity, adequacy, and completeness. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-12 job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of War referral system for displaced employees.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • GS-09 salary range: $70,623.00 - $91,815.00
  • GS-11 salary range: $85,447.00 - $111,087.00
  • GS-12 salary range: $102,415 - $133,142.00
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management. Duties described reflect the full performance GS-12 level. If not selected at the full performance level, duties will be performed in a developmental capacity under close supervision.
  • Applicants with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should notify David Walton at ra@dodea.edu
  • This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume package(resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Department of Defense Education Activity

Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA), as one of only two Federally-operated school systems, is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing prekindergarten through 12th grade educational programs on behalf of the Department of War (DoW). DoWEA is globally positioned, operating 160 accredited schools in 8 districts located in 11 foreign countries, 7 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoWEA employs approximately 15,000 employees who serve more than 72,000 children of active duty military and DoW civilian families. DoWEA is committed to ensuring that all school-aged children of military families are provided a world-class education that prepares them for postsecondary education and/or career success and to be leading contributors in their communities as well as in our 21st century globalized society.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
DoWEA Headquarters
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22311
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Department of Defense Education Activity, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.dodea.edu

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