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Contract Specialist

Department of Justice
Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California

Summary


For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$87,061 - $135,657 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Promotion potential
12
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
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
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
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
26-CAC-13032525-DE
Control number
880670900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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If selected for this position, you will serve as the Contracting Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Central District of California. Serves as a warranted Contracting Officer responsible for planning, negotiating, awarding, administering, modifying, and closing out contracts and other acquisition actions for supplies and services required to support agency programs and operations. Exercises delegated contracting authority within the specified limations and serves as the Government's authorized representative for entering into, administering, and terminating contracts and making related determinations and findings. Exercises independent business judgment and ensures acquisition actions comply with applicable federal statues, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency acquisition regulations, policies, procedures, and fiscal requirements.

Major Duties and Responsibilities-

  • Reviews procurement requests and works with management and colleagues to define acquisition requirements and develop appropriate acquisition strategies.
  • Conducts and documents market research to determine commercial availability, potential sources, competition opportunities, socioeconomic considerations, and appropriate acquisition methods.
  • Reviews statements of work, independent government cost estimates, funding documents, and other acquisition documentation for adequacy and compliance.
  • Determines appropriate procurement methods, contract types, competition strategies, source-selection approaches, evaluation criteria, and solicitation provisions and clauses.
  • Provides acquisition advice to senior leadersip and stakeholders regarding procurement lead times, competition requirements, contract vehicles, small-business considerations, contract types, acquisition risks, and alternative procurement strategies.
  • Develops and issues solicitations, requests for quotations, requests for proposals, amendments, and other acquisition documents.
  • Conducts pre-solicitation and pre-proposal conferences when appropriate and responds to questions from prospective contractors.
  • Evaluates quotations, bids, and proposals and coordinates technical evaluations with internal customers and subject matter experts.
  • Performs price and cost analysis to determine price reasonableness and evaluates proposed costs and other pricing factors as applicable.
  • Establishes negotiation objectives and conducts negotiations with contractors concerning price, terms and conditions, delivery requirements, and other contractual matters.
  • Documents source-selection and award decisions in accordance with applicable acquisition requirements.
  • Determines contractor responsibility and verifies that prospective contractors meet applicalb eligibility requirements.
  • Makes contract awards and signs contractual instruments within the limits of delegated contracting authority.
  • Ensures sufficient funds are available and that all legal, regulatory, competition, socioeconomic, and administrative requirements have been satisfied before obligating the Government.
  • Documents the contract file to establish the basis for acquisition decisions and demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Administers contracts after award and ensures contractor compliance with terms and conditions.
  • Issues contract modifications, exercises options, processes funding actions, addresses changes in requirements, and makes other contractual decisions within delegated authority.
  • Coordinates with Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs), legal counsel, financial personnel, property personnel, security officials, and other stakeholders regarding contractor performance.
  • Evaluates contractor requests regarding claims, performance issues, delays, suitability of personnel, and other matters affecting contract performance.
  • Takes appropriate action when contractor performance does not meet contract requirements.
  • Ensures that only authorized Government officials direct contractors or make commitments that may affect contract cost, schedule, scope, or contractual obligations.
  • Ensures completed contracts are properly closed out in accordance with applicable regulations and agency procedures.
  • Verifies completion of contract performance, final acceptance, final payment, disposition of Government property, resolution of outstanding contractual issues, and completion of required administrative actions.
  • Maintains complete and accurate official contract files and acquisition records.
  • Performs other duties as assigned; especially administrtative services related duties related to logistics, space and facilities management, accountable property, mail, records, government vehicles, etc..
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
  • You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
  • If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
  • You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To be qualified at the GS-11, and/or GS-12, you must possess one of the following Basic Requirements: A 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with a major in any field.

OR

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.

OR

Occupy or have occupied a GS-1102 Contract Specialist position in the Federal government on January 1, 2000 at a GS-05 through GS-12

Note: You must submit your transcript (unofficial or official) at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to submit your transcript may result in disqualification.

In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements described above, you must also meet the following Grade Specific Requirements:

To be qualified at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following conditions, as defined below: specialized experience, education or a combination of education and experience. Specialize Experience: ONE full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: conducting all aspects of contracting for supplies and services from initiation to award recommendation; reviewing requisitions and determining method of procurement, i.e. formal advertising or negotiation; establishing procurement plans through review of history, market conditions, and specifications; evaluating adequacy and completeness of requisition descriptions; compiling bidders' lists; initiating and issuing solicitation documents to insure clear and complete specifications, requirements, and other stipulations; responding to procurement inquiries; analyzing bids and proposals; conducting price/cost analysis to determine bid responsiveness and responsibility; recommending and documenting awards; and drafting final contracts.

Education: One of the following types of graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education.

Combination of Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of two full years.

To be qualified at the GS-12 level you must have at least one full year of specialize experience. Specialize Experience: ONE full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: procuring supplies, services, and equipment using formal advertising and negotiated procedures and techniques; conducting market analysis to determine product/producer availability; establishing new sources based on projected needs analysis; initiating solicitation documents to include determining type of contract, language, and clauses; evaluating bids or offers to determine bidder's responsiveness, capacity, and compliance; conducting price analysis to determine reasonableness of price; planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of contracts; and awarding or recommending awards .If selected, you will receive formal and/or on-the-job training as needed.

You must be able to attain and retain at least a Level 1 (One) Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) as a Federal contracting professional. FAC-C has specific training requirements with some courses online and in the classroom. To maintain a FAC-C, contract professionals are required to meet a continuous training requirement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Education


All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.

Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

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.

Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be evaluated and rated using DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).

You will be rated on the following Competencies (see The OPM Website for definitions):
Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork



To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
The assessment 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.

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California is presently recruiting for a Contract Specialist in Los Angeles, CA. With a diverse and talented workforce of over 100,000 men and women, Justice leads the Nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty and the property of citizens.

Agency contact information

Karla Castillo
Phone
(213) 894-7611
Email
Karla.Castillo@usdoj.gov
Address
Central District of California
312 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/

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