Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Department of the Army
U.S. Special Operations Command (Army)
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITION

Summary

Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

About the Position: The pay band NH-03 includes the General Schedule grade equivalent to GS-12/13. Other initiatives under the Acquisition Demonstration Project include simplified classification, streamlined hiring process and expanded developmental opportunities.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/30/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$93,468 - $144,493 per year

Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplements.

Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Business Travel is required 5% of the time.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
MCAD-26-12989384-MP
Control number
873638000

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Serves a contract specialist with responsibility for contracting for research and development of military items and associated spare parts as well as high level technical or professional service contracting with industry.
  • Responsible for prototypes for use in testing, design, and fabrication of items and systems for which no current firm configuration baseline exists, in support of projects as directed.
  • Responsible for the performance of a complete analysis of all the technical SOWs.
  • Answers inquiries from interested commercial firms and educational and non-profit institutions concerning RFQ s, RFP s, and/or their proposals and furnishes desired information.
  • Coordinates with the negotiating team any technical changes that must be made and ensure that they are feasible.
  • Evaluates survey(s) and makes recommendations to the contracting officer whether or not to exclude potential supplier from the competitive range, whether further negotiations would enhance the proposed contractor s competitive standing, etc.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Top Secret- Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
  • This position requires Temporary Duty (TDY) travel up to 5% of the time.
  • This is an Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Workforce position. Selectee must meet position requirements for Contracting certification within 60 months as of entrance on duty.
  • Drug testing: This position has been designated for drug testing. If you are selected for this position, you may be subject to urinalysis testing prior to appointment and you will be subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
  • Must file an annual financial statement. This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Civilian Employees of the Command
  • Current Civilian Employees of the Organization
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998



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. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Educational Requirement for Contract Specialist:

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

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:

Specialized experience: To qualify, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade/level (NH-03). Specialized experience: 1) Performing Pre-Award and Post-Award functions to include any of the following preparing Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote. 2) Identifying appropriate contract type for the product or service being procured; And 3) Preparing required contract documentation to include any of the following Determination and Findings (D&F), Statements of Work (SOW)/Statement of Objectives (SOO), or Justifications and Approvals (J&As) for limited competition/sole source procurements.


Applicants must meet basic eligibility requirements such as minimum qualifications, and other regulatory requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • 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.
  • This is a(n) 14-Contracting and Acquisition Career Field position. Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • 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.
  • Relocation, recruitment and retention incentives are NOT authorized.
  • Student Loan Repayment may be authorized.
  • Advanced In-hire will not be authorized.
  • Advanced Leave Accrual will NOT be authorized.
  • Defense National Relocation Program will NOT be authorized.
  • Superior qualifications and special needs pay setting may be authorized at managements discretion for eligible candidates.
  • Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.
  • NH-03 encompasses the GS-12/13.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

U.S. Special Operations Command (Army)

The Army Acquisition Workforce is charged with a critical mission to cultivate innovation, design the impossible, and provide Soldiers with what they need to be successful. This is done through people-a workforce of more than 32,000 Army acquisition professionals from scientists and engineers to accountants and program managers who turn Army requirements into products and services, managing everything from cradle to grave. Civilians make up 96% of the Army Acquisition Workforce, and specialize in one of six functional areas and serve in over 20 commands stationed around the globe.

Applicants may visit the Applicant Inquiry - CHRA Portal (army.mil) link if they have questions when applying for positions through USAJOBS.
To submit an applicant inquiry, please visit: https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq&validate=true

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
AD-W49BAA US ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Bragg, NC 28310
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at U.S. Special Operations Command (Army), what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://asc.army.mil/web/recruitment/

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.