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Contract Specialist

Department of Defense
Missile Defense Agency
Contracting Directorate

Summary

This position is part of the Department of War (DoW), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and supporting a spectrum of acquisitions for both cost-reimbursement, fixed-price contracting, and other transaction authorities.

Salary Ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail.
For the Redstone Arsenal, AL Location: $93,216 to $144,102
For the Dahlgren Location: $102,415 to $158,322

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/20/2026 to 06/01/2026
Salary
$93,216 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Redstone Arsenal, AL
Dahlgren, VA
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MDA-26-12961443-DH
Control number
870007000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

As a Contract Specialist at the NH-1102-3 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serves as a contract specialist and member of a negotiating team responsible for planning, coordinating, and negotiating a variety of procurements pertaining to research, development, test and evaluation requirements essential to the Missile Defense Agency's mission.
  • Coordinates, analyzes, and negotiates acquisitions of both cost reimbursement and fixed-price contracting in such areas as prototype development of sophisticated research and test equipment; weapons systems; software systems development; and development of new and unique materials.
  • Conducts acquisition planning and, in coordination with the technical program office, determines the contractual strategy to be used in the acquisition of a specific program element. Prepares required determinations and findings. Prepares and assembles solicitation documents.
  • Processes, analyzes, evaluates, performs cost analysis, provides input for the competitive range determinations or makes the competitive range determination if serving as a contracting officer, and develops a pre-negotiation position for proposals.
  • Negotiates individual contracts to obtain services for the Government at a fair and reasonable cost within acceptable time frames.
  • Serves as a point of contact for advising and assisting the MDA Deputies and Directors in areas not requiring contracting officer authorization, such as, coordination of future procurement requirements; preparation of required procurement

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • 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
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
  • Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is situational telework eligible.
  • This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. You may be required to sign a “Drug Test Statement of Understanding” if you are selected for this position.
  • Employee must obtain/maintain Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance
  • This is an acquisition position coded Foundational (Contracting Professional) in Contracting. Incumbent must obtain mandatory Back-to-Basics (BtB) certification within 36 months of entry into position.
  • Incumbent must acquire 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH-03 Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-02/GS-11 grade level in the Federal service as listed below and must meet 3 of the 5 specialized experience listed below to be qualified:

  • Reviews requisition package for adequacy, consistency, and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements.
  • Develops solicitations, evaluates responses, and makes award recommendations.
  • Analyzes price trends and cost factors applicable to the review and evaluation of contractor proposals.
  • Applies Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) guidelines or other policy guidelines to support various types of contracting requirements.
  • Works in a team environment, including cross-collaboration among peers and across multiple stakeholders.
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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1102, series as listed below:

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/500066p.PDF?ver=8uLQi55jR6NBmspg1dirzg%3d%3d

Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. OR Served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer contracts in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold on or before September 30, 2000. This exception does not apply to new hires into an 1102 position. OR Served in an 1102 position or as a Service member in a similar occupational specialty on or before September 30, 2000. This exception does not apply to new hires into an 1102 position. OR Is an enlisted member of the Contingency Contracting Force (CCF). This exemption only applies to CCF members in their current or future CCF positions. The baccalaureate degree exemption does not apply to current CCF members seeking employment within DoD as an 1102. This exception does not apply to new hires into an 1102 position. NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

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, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information


Other Notes:


  • DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Contracting, Foundational (Contracting Professional) certification. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 36 months after entry into this position. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2-years. Click here for more details and Resources.
RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf.

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Missile Defense Agency

Do you enjoy challenges and seek opportunities?
Are identifying problems, analyzing facts, and making recommendations some of your strong suits?
Would you like to obtain the rare opportunity to participate in some of the greatest technological achievements developed?
Would you like to serve your country and defend freedom in one of the most critical efforts in history?

If you answered yes, then this job is for you! The Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) mission is to develop, test, and field an integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends against all ranges of enemy ballistic missiles in all phases of flight.

We are seeking a prepared, talented, and motivated Contract Specialist who seek challenges and opportunities. You will earn a competitive salary and enjoy outstanding benefits while working alongside some of the brightest, most motivated thinkers of our time.

Agency contact information

MDA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-1299
Fax
6146931696
Email
DHRC-DMDAHR@DLA.MIL
Address
Missile Defense Agency
Bldg 5222 Martin Rd
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
US

Visit our careers page

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

https://www.mda.mil/

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