This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/715696600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This is the position of Senior Contract Specialist, which is located in the Subawards Section of the Sponsored Programs and Procurement Department of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory [SAO]. The Incumbent is responsible for all elements of complex procurement projects involving subcontracts and research subawards and contracts. The Incumbent is responsible for pre-award and post-award functions involving procurements of significant importance to the Smithsonian.
03/28/2023 to 05/19/2023
$110,798 - $170,205 per year
IS 13 - 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—Telework should be negotiated with the supervisor.
No
Permanent - Trust Fund. This is not a federal position.
Full-time - Full time. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
Competitive
14
No
No
23-71
715696600
This vacancy is open to all qualified candidates who are US citizens or Perm residents. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date. Selection maybe made at either grades. If selected at grade 13, the candidate maybe non competitively promoted to next grade level upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance and qualifications of the employee.
Duties at grade 13:
1. Performs subcontract and contract planning, negotiation, administration, and close-out for all assigned projects. Projects typically are of significant importance to the Smithsonian, extend over several years time, and involve multiple contracts, change orders, and modifications.
2. Reviews requests from SAO divisions and projects for the procurement of complex systems, equipment, services and/or supplies. Analyzes the requirements, develops the evaluation criteria, recommends revisions to the statement of work or technical specifications, as necessary, and decides on the type of contract, milestones, and procurement plan.
3. Prepares solicitation documents for the item or service.
4. Analyzes incoming proposals prepared by the subcontractors, contractors and subrecipients for conformance with the solicitation.
5. Negotiates with potential contractors/subcontractors or collaborating agencies and institutions on all phases of contracts/subcontracts and other subawards.
6. Performs contract/subcontractor and subaward administration functions for complex projects, handling a variety of actions and problems relating to assigned to those awards. Establishes, monitors, and enforces progress and performance goals. Issues award modifications.
7. Coordinates with the requesting offices on the contractors’ and subcontractors’ requests for waivers or deviations from contract terms.
8. Requests determination of overhead rates from auditor for cost type subcontracts [if required] and ensures delivery, inspection, and acceptance of the contractual end-items before initiating final closeout of the contract.
9. Reviews completed official award files.
10. Assist SPP Manager in the negotiation of other complex agreements, including: non-disclosure agreements, interagency agreements, MOUs and other collaboration agreements.
11. Represent SPP Subawards section in program meetings, proposal planning and development involving subcontracts and subawards.
12. Serve as Acting Department Manager in absence of SPP Department Manager.
Duties at grade 14 in addition to the above:
1.- Provides overall human resources management to the Subawards Section.
2. Develop and maintain subcontracting and subaward policies and procedures, in consultation with SPP Department Manager.
3. Lead the negotiation of other complex agreements, including : non-disclosure agreement, interagency agreements, MOUs and other collaboration agreements.
4. Represent SPP Subawards section in progra meetings, proposal planning and development involving subcontracts and subawards.
5. Represents SAO as primary contract for government auditors for the Subrecipient portion of the annual Univorm Guidance Single Audit and the Contractor Purchasing System Review.
6. Serve as Acting Department Manager in absence of SPP Department Manger.
For Requirements please refer to qualification standards to Individual Occupational Requirements for Contracting Series:
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1100/1102.htm
Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above
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
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.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
For Benefits please go to: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/welcome/trust_benefits.html
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
At grade 13:
Thorough working knowledge of the following: • Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR]; • NASA FAR Supplement [NFS]; • Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance; • NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook; • NASA Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Research Announcement; • National Science Foundation [NSF] Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide, and Grant and Cooperative Agreement General Conditions;
Knowledge of the principles of acquisition planning sufficient to procure a multiyear project, program, or system involving successive stages. Knowledge should be sufficient for Incumbent to implement new developments, when necessary, through interpretation of regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to manage all contractual aspects of a major program involving the coordination of a number of subcontracts and subawards.
Knowledge of subcontract and subaward administration principles, policies, regulations, and procedures sufficient to administer and monitor a group of complex contracts, many of which extend over several years.
Knowledge and skills necessary to formulate and establish negotiation plans, techniques, and goals, and the ability to apply this knowledge in leading negotiating teams comprised of SAO project management and technical personnel and in dealing with business, industry, and Government officials.
Knowledge of contract cost and price analysis techniques sufficient to develop complex contractual pricing arrangements and incentives; to review proposals against previous history, actual expenditures, and established rates to determine a negotiation position; and to use results of reviews performed by price/cost analysts, auditors, or technical specialists.
Knowledge of non-procurement regulations and laws that affect procurements, e.g., Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations [ITAR], Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations [EAR], etc.
In addition to the above, grade 14 will be evaluated:
Mastery of subcontract and subaward administration principles, policies, regulations, and procedures [and termination techniques] sufficient to administer and monitor a group of complex contracts, many of which extend over several years.
Mastery of contract cost and price analysis techniques sufficient to develop complex contractual pricing arrangements and incentives; to review proposals against previous history, actual expenditures, and established rates to determine a negotiation position; and to use results of reviews performed by price/cost analysts, auditors, or technical specialists.
Knowledge of non-procurement regulations and laws that affect procurements, e.g., Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations [ITAR], Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations [EAR], etc.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
For Benefits please go to: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/welcome/trust_benefits.html
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
1. Detailed Resume.
2. School Transcripts. Education is a requirement for this position.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
After you apply, you will receive an automated acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.
The staffing process to identify highly qualified candidates may take up to four weeks or more to complete. After the announcement closes and application reviews are done, you may be contacted by the hiring office if further evaluation or interviews are required.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Detailed Resume.
2. School Transcripts. Education is a requirement for this position.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
After you apply, you will receive an automated acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.
The staffing process to identify highly qualified candidates may take up to four weeks or more to complete. After the announcement closes and application reviews are done, you may be contacted by the hiring office if further evaluation or interviews are required.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/715696600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.