Contract Specialist

Summary As a Contract Specialist at the GS-1102-13, you will be part of Facilities, Security and Emergency Mgmt, Office of Personnel Management. If selected, you will lead cradle-to-grave acquisitions for supplies and services, develop acquisition strategies and solicitations, conduct market research and source selections, administer contracts and purchase orders, and advise program offices on Federal procurement requirements. Learn more about this agency Duties Lead cradle-to-grave procurement actions for supplies and services using formal contracting and simplified acquisition procedures. Advise program offices on acquisition planning, including statements of work, independent estimates, acquisition strategies, market research, small business set-aside decisions, and SAM notices. Serve as a technical expert on contract types, procurement methods, market and industry conditions, specifications, and socioeconomic considerations; prepare acquisition plans and solicitation documents. Lead source selection activities, including evaluating technical and cost proposals or bids, conducting cost and price analyses, establishing competitive ranges, conducting discussions or negotiations, and documenting award decisions. Execute simplified acquisitions and purchase orders, resolve contractor performance issues, and complete documentation supporting award decisions. Administer contracts and purchase orders after award, including FPDS entry, contractor performance assessment, equitable adjustments, claims and disputes, option exercise, closeout, and coordination with legal, policy, and competition officials. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation May be required to successfully complete a probationary period Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office. This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. if the duty station is finalized in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, employees in this position will be represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 32. (BU Code - 2286) if the duty station is finalized outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, this position will not be represented by a bargaining unit. (BU Code - 7777) Qualifications All applicants must have a 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, 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. (The exception is if you have been continuously employed in a GS-1102-12 or GS-1102-13 position in the competitive Federal Service since January 1, 2000). AND Applicants must also have at least 4 years of experience in contracting related positions which includes at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service such Performing cradle-to-grave contracting actions for supplies and services using formal contracting procedures and/or simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); Advising program offices on acquisition planning, including developing or reviewing statements of work, independent government estimates, acquisition strategies, market research, and small business or competition considerations; Preparing solicitations and conducting source selection activities, including evaluating proposals or bids, performing cost or price analyses, participating in discussions or negotiations, and preparing award documentation; and Administering contracts or purchase orders after award, including procurement data entry, contractor performance assessment, equitable adjustments, claims or disputes, exercising options, and contract closeout. AND Applicants must also have a FAC-C (Professional) or DoD Contracting Professional or Legacy FAC-C Level III or DAWIA (Contracting) Level III or higher certification. Note: After September 30, 2023, you will need to submit the FAC-C (Professional) or DoD Contracting Professional certifications or you will need to request a waiver. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Education This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement. Additional information This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/ Relocation expenses will not be paid. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM. If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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.