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CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Department of Defense
Defense Media Activity
ACQUISITION AND PROCUREMENT

Summary

This position is part of the War Media Activity. The incumbent will serve as a Senior Contract Specialist and Lead Negotiator, performing a full range of pre­-award and post-award duties with delegated contracting officer authority for acquisition planning, preparation of price/cost analyses for designated actions, formulating negotiation strategies, developing negotiation objectives, and negotiating all types of contracts for operations and equipment requirements.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/15/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 15, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is eligible for situational telework only.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$121,785 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Term - Not To Exceed 2 Years. It is time-limited and may be extended in any increment of time to reach a maximum of eight (6) year s total service, but not more than 8 years. Potential exists to convert to Permanent but is not guaranteed.
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
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate 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
WMA-26-12994252-DH
Control number
875009400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to All U.S. Citizens, and is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Certain Personnel of the Department of War. Appointment of Department of War Spouses (NonComp Civ Sp), Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp), Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

Duties

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This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) "Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense," dated August 12, 2024.

As a CONTRACT SPECIALIST at the GS-1102-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serves as Senior Contract Specialist and Lead Negotiator.
  • Responsible for pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized procurement of significant importance to the agency.
  • Develops acquisition objectives and milestones to obtain the contracted services within the time-frame demanded for the particular project.
  • Ensures appropriate funding and required waivers, certificates, approvals, and compliance have been obtained for purchase requests.
  • Prepares negotiations objectives, participates actively in negotiation procedures, chairs and/or participates in negotiation conferences with senior government officials and industry corporate officers.

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: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is eligible for situational telework only.
  • Must possess or be able to obtain or maintain a secret clearance.
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug screening test, and periodic drug screening thereafter.
  • The incumbent may be required to work long hours (possibly late into the evening) during contract negotiation sessions.

Qualifications

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:

Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above

A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

AND

B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by 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.

C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.


You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

  • Providing guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the Performance Work Statement, Statement of Work, Statement of Objectives or data requirements.
  • Ensuring that the bid schedule is properly structured, preparing the solicitation, determining sources to be solicited.
  • Performing contract management and administration, including negotiation and execution of supplemental agreements.

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.

Education

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


ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

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:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually, in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, dated 23 March 2006.

Exempt IA W Part (m) of CFR 551.206. Incumbent serves as an acquisition employee with authority to bind the organization to significant purchases.

ACQUISITION POSITION: This is an acquisition position coded Foundational in Contracting. Incumbent must obtain mandatory Back to Basics (B2B) certification within 36 months of entry into position. Incumbent must acquire 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months.

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/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d

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

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.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

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))

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.

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


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.

Defense Media Activity

The War Media Activity (WMA) is a world-wide media organization reporting to the Assistant Secretary of War for Public Affairs. WMA employs state-of-the-art and emerging media technologies in meeting the ever-changing information requirements of Department of War civilian and military leaders, current and former military service members and their families and external audiences. It operates from numerous locations in the US and overseas, and with deployed military forces throughout the world, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. Products and services include the American Forces Radio and TV Service; Defense Imagery Operations Center; Defense Information School; Defense Link and Military Service public web sites; Stars and Stripes Newspapers; Soldiers, All Hands, Airman and Marines magazines; and the Bloggers Roundtable.

Agency contact information

WMA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-6200
Fax
215-516-6069
Email
DHRC-DDMAHR@dla.mil
Address
War Media Activity
6700 Taylor Ave
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
US

Visit our careers page

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

https://www.dma.mil

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