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Contract Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is established to perform a variety of functions related to the procurement of supplies and services, transitioning from Simplified Acquisition to multi-million dollar negotiated acquisitions with a high degree of competency. Contracts are awarded and administered for support of programs at the Maritime Administration Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/24/2025 to 06/26/2025
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$84,601 to - $131,826 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MARAD.DH-2025-0013
Control number
839366100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications and will close at 11:59 pm on the closing date OR at 11:59 pm when the application number is met.

Duties

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PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is limited to the first 100 applications and will close at 11:59 pm on the closing date OR at 11:59 pm when the application number is met.

The Contract Specialist:

  • Provides guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the statement of work or data requirements.  Formulates the contracting approach to be taken that will best satisfy the requirement.
  • In formally advertised procurements, insures that the bid schedule is properly structured, prepares the solicitation, determines sources to be solicited, conducts pre-bid conferences, processes protests, determines the responsiveness of bids and determines the responsibility of the apparent low bidder based on an analysis of financial and technical information gained during the pre-award survey, and awards or recommends award of the contract.
  • Exercises responsibility for the procurement of contract requirements which are often among the most complex and difficult procurements conducted by MARAD, frequently involving critical and/or sensitive program efforts and multi-million dollar funding commitments. Services include such efforts as construction, Reserve-Fleet-site towing contracts, IT support services, and vessel acquisition, overhaul and repair of vessels.
  • Conducts post-award conferences; monitors and reports on contractor’s performance; resolves performance deficiencies; conducts all required actions with respect to contract termination; and prepares all supporting documentation (e.g. D & F's, Sole Sources Justification).
  • Evaluates proposed contract modifications, analyzes cost and price proposals with respect to modifications, contract changes, and claims; negotiates and prepares contract changes, modifications, and claim settlements.

The ideal candidate will have experience in the full range of acquisition planning, contract award, contract negotiation, and contract administration techniques with a high degree of competency.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the education requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

  • Experience performing pre-award and post-award functions for products and services. 


To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:

  • 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience performing pre-award and post-award functions for products and services. 
  • Experience reviewing incoming requisitions documents for clarity and completeness.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • Knowledge of Federal contracting law, regulation, policies and precedents, and related principles, policies and procedures sufficient to plan, lead, review, or audit the most complex procurement functions.
  • Skill in promoting e-commerce, and supporting the use of automated acquisition systems, contractor performance evaluation systems, electronic invoicing systems, and other electronic systems facilitating the agency's move to paperless contracting
  • Ability to present factual information; compose memoranda and reports; and draft contract provisions and supporting documents.


For all types of 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, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12

A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;  OR

B. 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. Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement qualify for positions at the GS-7 level.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation 

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.

How you will be evaluated

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

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

All applicants:  For this announcement, applicants may be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational requirements.  Applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications may be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants will not be rated or ranked.  Veteran’s Preference does NOT apply.

Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. 


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