Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

Videos

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Duties include but are not limited to:

Serves as a senior analyst. Develops, interprets, and implements acquisition policies and procedures to procure goods and services. Provides policy expertise for the full spectrum of acquisition, encompassing systems development and contracting processes. Conducts comprehensive reviews of acquisition plans and strategies, proposals, price negotiations, source selection and proposed modifications. Ensures acquisitions reflect the application of good business judgment and conforms to statutory and regulatory requirements. Provides expert advice to management, contract officers and specialists, customers and industry executives on contract management, operations, systems, and major acquisition programs to include acquisition planning, contract solicitation, proposal evaluation, contract negotiation, contract execution, contract management, contract administration and process improvement. Leads the development, operations, and implementation of strategic plans leading to standardized acquisition information systems functionality, enhancements, and compatibility. Provides expert advice to organizational and senior executive leaders on the modernization and transformation of acquisition systems and business processes.

Researches, interprets, develops, and implements all contract policies and procedures and renders advice to the acquisition workforce. Researches, reviews, and/or interprets regulatory and directive material issued or to be issued and prepares necessary instructions and guidance to carry out policies. Evaluates, develops, and recommends improvements in contracting policies, procedures, and instructions to management and higher authorities. Reviews, justifies, and processes deviations to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and VA regulations. Participates in source selection activities for selected procurements. Reviews proposed changes to regulations, legislative directives, and/or mandates to determine the impact on VA activities. Develops VA's position on the changes to regulations, legislative directives, and/or decisions including any change or proposed revision to policies and procedures. Coordinates and prepares response to protests of awards, audit reports, and congressional committees. Provides training in the procurement arena to AMP activities and customers.

Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in acquisition program and project management and provides and oversight in development, transformation, and implementation of new initiatives, mandates, programs, or systems. Develops studies on various aspects of acquisition management, systems, operations, and processes. Serves as member on various workgroups providing analysis, evaluation and implementation which impacts the acquisition community. Resolves complex problems not directly addressed by existing regulations, or which require a decision by higher authority because of significant management considerations. Assembles and analyzes data, coordinates, and prepares reports, and publishes final studies or results. Serves on interdepartmental or interagency acquisition task groups and subcommittees and may lead workgroups for specialized acquisition areas such as those pertaining to the development, implementation, and coordination of acquisition system policies, assessments, and procedures. Demonstrate expert knowledge of proven methodologies associated with program/project management principles and practices. This includes department-level program development, implementation, review, and oversight of a wide range of initiatives and activities required for implementation across the acquisition lifecycle that impact government and VA acquisition programs. The mandates and initiatives are developed in many forums that include the Executive Office of the President, 0MB, GAO, and VA Office of Inspector General (OIG).


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST.
Compressed/Flexible: Available with supervisory approval.
Location: The selectee will be required to report on-site at VA-owned or leased space as one of the locations listed on this announcement.
Telework: Available - Ad Hoc telework (situational telework) as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Procurement Analyst (Compliance & Risk Management)/PD19836A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/20/2026.

Certification Requirements:
The incumbent must have achieved Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III contracting certification or Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level III certification or Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional certification or have the ability to obtain this certification within 12 months of appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Experience with cradle-to-grave contracting and acquisition lifecycle.
  • Applied knowledge of acquisition/contracting laws, policies, procedures, and operations.
  • Analyzing information to conduct assessments and evaluate audit reports and regulations.
  • Developing and implementing department-wide processes, procedures, guidance, and instructions.
  • Advising senior leadership on procurement issues.
  • Completing pre-award and post-award duties sufficient to conduct studies of problem areas to recommend and implement solutions.
  • Experience presenting sensitive, policy-related recommendations both orally and in writing to senior leadership and higher authorities to foster compliance with policies and to represent the department on task forces.

Evidence of this specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of like duties performed in positions held on your resume. You will also need to provide work experience information such as hours per week, full-time/part-time status, and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish you have one (1) full year of specialized experience at the required grade level.

Individual Occupational Requirements for Contracting Series, 1102 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.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.


The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Applied expert knowledge of Federal acquisition laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to analyze procurement issues and develop acquisition policies, processes, and internal control guidance impacting procurement operations and compliance programs.
• Conducted acquisition compliance assessments and internal control reviews using interviews, documentation analysis, procurement metrics, and risk-based reviews to evaluate program effectiveness, identify deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
• Advised senior leadership on sensitive acquisition and procurement compliance matters involving suspension and debarment programs, procurement risk oversight, acquisition systems, and operational compliance issues.
• Performed complex pre-award and post-award analytical duties, special studies, and procurement reviews to identify systemic issues, resolve problem areas, and improve acquisition operations and compliance initiatives.
• Researched and interpreted legislation, federal regulations, directives, audit findings, and acquisition policies to provide expert technical guidance, policy recommendations, and compliance determinations to leadership and higher authorities.
• Independently managed multiple high-visibility assignments and competing priorities while coordinating with leadership, contracting staff, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure effective communication and timely resolution of acquisition-related issues.

Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from following locations Washington, DC, Denver, CO, Eatontown, NJ, Frederick, MD, Fredericksburg, VA, Hines, IL. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Compliance
• Contracting/Procurement
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Internal Controls/Integrity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Organizational Awareness
• Planning and Evaluating
• Problem Solving
• Problem Solving
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence

USA Hire Assessments include 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.

Writing Sample Evaluation. As part of the application process, you will be required to complete and submit a writing sample. Your writing sample will be evaluated by subject matter experts to assess your ability to communicate clearly in writing, analyze complex procurement issues, and apply relevant rules and regulations. Your response must follow the instructions provided in the announcement, including the certification that the work is entirely your own. Once you submit your assessment and application, your writing sample is final and cannot be edited or revised. Failure to follow the writing sample instructions, including submitting work that is not your own, may result in removal from consideration. Applicants who meet the required level on the writing sample will advance to the next phase of the assessment process.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. 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.

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; religions; 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.