Contracting Officer

Summary The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads the development, negotiation, and presentation of the National Intelligence Program (NIP) budget on behalf of the Director of National Intelligence to the President and the Congress. The CFO's three main responsibilities include resource management (budget analysis, formulation, justification, and execution), performance planning and evaluation, and financial management improvement. Learn more about this agency Duties Major Duties and Responsibilities: Conduct independent research and analysis of federal acquisition statutes, regulations (e.g., FAR and supplements), and Intelligence Community policies to develop, revise, and implement procurement guidance. Lead the drafting, coordination, and issuance of acquisition policy memoranda, implementing instructions, white papers, and briefing materials for senior leadership decision-making. Serve as a principal reviewer of acquisition strategies, acquisition plans, source selection documentation, and statements of work to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policy; provide authoritative recommendations. Apply expert-level cradle-to-grave contracting knowledge to advise on acquisition planning, solicitation development, evaluation strategies, award documentation, contract administration, and closeout activities. Perform complex cost and price analysis and develop negotiation strategies; provide expert advice regarding contract type selection (e.g., firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, IDIQ). Evaluate and provide policy guidance on the use of innovative acquisition approaches, including Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), CRADAs, and other non-traditional contracting methods. Lead coordination efforts with contracting officers, contracting officer representatives, program officials, legal counsel, and senior stakeholders to resolve acquisition policy issues and ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of guidance. Analyze procurement trends, audit findings, and enterprise-level performance data to identify systemic compliance risks and develop strategic process improvements that enhance efficiency, transparency, and acquisition integrity across the IC. Serve directly as a COTR or in similar capacities in OT and FAR based acquisitions. Lead efficient organizational operations and institute effective contracting principles, techniques, and procedures by comprehension of Agency strategic vision. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI) Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI. Qualifications FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. Mandatory Requirements: Extensive knowledge of federal acquisition statutes, regulations, and policies, including the FAR and applicable agency/IC supplements. Extensive knowledge of the full acquisition lifecycle ("cradle-to-grave") from acquisition planning through contract closeout. Demonstrated skill in independently evaluating complex acquisition strategies and documentation for regulatory compliance, risk, and sound business judgment. Demonstrated ability to perform and oversee complex cost and price analysis and develop negotiation positions. Extensive knowledge of contract types, including firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and IDIQ contracts, and their appropriate application. Demonstrated experience applying innovative acquisition authorities and methods, including OT and other non-traditional approaches. Demonstrated skill in interpreting procurement laws and regulations to develop defensible policy positions and implementation guidance. Demonstrated ability to identify systemic acquisition risks and design compliant, enterprise-level solutions. Demonstrated written communication skills sufficient to develop policy memoranda, decision papers, and executive briefings. Demonstrated ability to analyze procurement data and performance metrics to inform leadership decisions and strategic planning. Demonstrated strong organizational and project management skills to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously. Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional networks and exert influence across organizational boundaries in the IC and DoW. Demonstrated skill in communicating complex acquisition concepts to senior officials and non-acquisition stakeholders. Demonstrated sound judgment and commitment to preserving the integrity of the federal acquisition process. Demonstrated ability to operate independently on highly complex assignments and advise senior leadership on novel or sensitive issues. Extensive knowledge of common acquisition business and industrial practices. Desired Requirements: Experience: One (1) year of specialized acquisition experience at the next lower grade level (GS-12 for GS-13; GS-13 for GS-14) or equivalent experience. Specialized experience must demonstrate independent application and interpretation of federal acquisition laws and regulations; leading or conducting reviews of acquisition strategies and contract documentation; performing complex cost and price analysis; developing negotiation positions; and advising on pre-award and post-award contract administration across multiple contract types. Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in any field that includes or has been supplemented by, at least 24 semester hours of coursework in Business Administration, Accounting, Contract Administration, Finance, Law, Purchasing, Economics, Industrial Management, Marketing, Quantitative Methods, Organization and Management, Science and Engineering, or a closely related field of study OR the possession of a Certified Professional Contracts Manager Certificate. Education Bachelor's Degree Additional information JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview. SALARY DETERMINATION The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications, experience, and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step. Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management. In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade, the candidate's personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to, and not less than, the employee's current annual base rate of pay, not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned. RELOCATION EXPENSES For new ODNI employees, reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Officer by email at [email protected], by telephone at (703)275-3900 or by FAX at (703)275-1217. Your request for reasonable accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY. The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits 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. Review our benefits 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.