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Contract Specialist

Department of Defense
Missile Defense Agency
Contracting Directorate

Summary

This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), 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.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/27/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 27, 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
$93,216 - $144,102 per year

(includes locality of 21.91% locality) unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail

Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Promotion potential
3
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 - 4 years
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
MDA-26-13007551-DH
Control number
877400200

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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 and services in relation to Research and Development and Testing.
  • 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, 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.

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.
  • This is a drug testing designated position.
  • This is an acquisition position coded Professional in Contracting. Must obtain mandatory Back to Basics (B2B) certification within 36 months of entrance on duty. Must also acquire 80 continuous learning points every two years.
  • Employee must obtain/maintain Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance
  • This is a TERM appointment, not to exceed 4 years

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 contracts requirement packages 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 the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO),the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) RFO, and DFARS RFO Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI)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

A. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.
OR
This requirement does not apply new hires into an 1102 position to a DoD civilian employee or Service member who:
B. 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
C. Served in an 1102 position or as a Service member in a similar occupational specialty on or before September 30, 2000.
OR
D.
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. 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.

Additional information

Other Notes:

ACQUISITION POSITION: This position requires Acquisition Workforce Level Foundational Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 36 months after entry into this position.


  • DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Contracting, Foundational 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):

Competencies:


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.

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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