Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Contract Specialist

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Contracts and Grants Directorate, Chief Operating Officer

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position

The position description number for this position is 433677

The incumbent for this position will work a Distant Telework/Remote

The salary posted is for the DC Duty Area. Salary will be adjusted for the duty station where the work will be performed.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/20/2025 to 09/02/2025
Salary
$84,601 to - $109,975 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
2 vacancies
Remote job
Yes - Distant Telework/Remote
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Position
Work schedule
Full-time - Compflex, Flextime, or Maxiflex
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR003136
Control number
843832800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

INTERNAL EMPLOYEES - CONSIDERATION UNDER THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT IS LIMITED TO THE PERMANENT AND INDEFINITE STAFF OF (CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER), DUE TO BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS. TEMPORARY NOT-TO-EXCEED (NTE) AND INDEFINITE NOT-TO-EXCEED (NTE) EMPLOYEES ARE INELIGIBLE TO APPLY. (EMPLOYEES MUST MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY AT THE TIME OF SELECTION.)

Duties

Help

The incumbent performs all aspects of contracting transactions to procure supplies or services. The incumbent analyzes requirements, recommends revisions to statements of work or specifications, including identification of performance-based requirements, and confer with senior contracts specialist or team leader as to the best type of contract and terms, milestones, and procurement plan considering the circumstances. The contracts may range from the micro purchase level to several millions of dollars and vary from simplified acquisitions to moderate complexity. The incumbent surveys the market to locate new procurement sources and determine the availability of items or services with specialized requirements. Prepares solicitation documents, and incorporates the appropriate contract terms and conditions, such as testing procedures, cost escalation factors, and technical evaluation factors. Examines procurement and related documents to determine that the appropriate funding authorizations have been executed. Analyzes proposals for conformance with the solicitation. Evaluates the acceptability of the responses to the solicitation, including the cost or price proposal, to ensure the procurement will be obtained from responsible sources at a fair and reasonable price. The incumbent coordinates with the Program Office staff to facilitate the technical evaluation review and submittal of the technical evaluation report. In consultation with a senior contract specialist or team leader, the incumbent conducts cost and price analysis based on the price proposal and conducts analysis of the acceptable technical proposals to determine the offer or with the best value to the Government. 

Analyzes and negotiates routine to moderately complex modifications to contracts. Negotiates change orders and/or supplemental agreements to existing contracts which may require significant cost and pricing analysis in addition to exercising persuasive negotiation techniques. Coordinates and approves deviations in specifications. Administers a group of contracts which may involve supplies, furniture, furnishings, and complex technical equipment and which require cost/price analysis and price redetermination. Modifications may also include equitable adjustment due to changes subject to the Service Contract Act, and the exercise of contract options. In determining any negotiation action, must comply with FAR and LCR regulations. Advises contractors regarding contractual compliance and institutes recommendations for termination procedures in the case of non-performance. Performs routine contract terminations (convenience or default) which include conferring with contractors, settlement of cost claims, determinations of allowable cost, and findings of fact. The incumbent monitors contractor's performance on contract, regulatory, and statutory provisions through telephone conversations, correspondence, reports, vouchers, and visits. Monitors status of contract performance, including approving progress payments; reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals resulting from change orders, scheduling changes, and problems that have arisen and proposed solutions; verifying deliveries, and similar activities. 

Serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for procurements in accordance with applicable federal acquisition regulations and agency policy. Performs procurement planning. Assists contract team leader and other management personnel advising program officials in procurement planning by participating in meetings, strategic planning, and providing technical training to lower-grade personnel. Assists team leader to develop procurement objectives in terms of competition and price range, and constructs the

contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set aside policies, and similar considerations. At the direction of senior contract specialist or team leader, advises program officials of the procurement objectives to be used. Prepares milestone charts and related schedules. Serves as advisor to program technical and operational staff in procurement planning. Uses automated systems to research sources and collect vendor data. Collects data on contractors past performance and documents contractors' performance on current contracts.

The incumbent uses in-depth price/cost analysis techniques involving many different and unrelated factors and processes where there is little historical cost data or precedent. Responsible for supporting the development of cost-related sections of complex solicitation documents and analyzing cost and price data. The incumbent conducts market surveys in order to support the development of budgets for planned procurements. 

Other duties as a signed.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision

Knowledge of federal contracting principles.**
Knowledge of Federal contracting laws, regulations, principles, and procedures to develop and issue solicitations and contracts.**
Ability to communicate in writing.  **
Ability to interact collaboratively with others.  
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.  

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. 

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.  Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
 
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran?  Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.  Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214.  Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form.  If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
 

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.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.