Contract Specialist

Summary The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Contract Specialist. This announcement may be used to fill other equivalent positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Learn more about this agency Duties Serve as the Agency's subject matter expert on federal acquisition regulations, policies, and contracting best practices. Lead all phases of complex procurements, including negotiating, cost and price analysis, award, and post-award administration. Advise senior leadership on complex contracting issues with agency-wide impact and high visibility. Resolve complex procurement problems by interpreting regulations, case law, and business risk. Partner with program, legal, and finance teams to develop sound negotiation strategies and acquisition approaches. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Selectees may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Selective Service registration is required, if applicable. This position requires completion of a background investigation and meeting federal suitability or clearance requirements. Qualifications To qualify for this position applicants must meet the Basic Experience requirement and the Specialized Experience as described below. Basic Experience: 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. OR Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D. Specialized Experience: GS-13: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time specialized work experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level, GS-12, in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as: Developing acquisition strategies and solicitation documents to support the planning, competition, and award of contracts for services, or professional support requirements. Evaluating technical and price proposals to determine responsiveness, assess cost and price reasonableness, and support sound award recommendations. Negotiating contract terms, conditions, and pricing to reach agreements that reflect program requirements and ensure best-value outcomes for the organization. Administering awarded contracts--including monitoring performance, identifying issues, recommending modifications, and closing out contracts upon successful completion of the contract and payment of all outstanding obligations--to ensure contractor compliance with requirements, schedules, and performance standards. Selective Placement Factor Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) Applicants must possess an active FAC-C (Professional) at the time of application. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will be found ineligible for further consideration. Experience may include paid or unpaid work, including volunteer service, if it demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Credit is given based on relevance and amount of experience. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Education If education is used to meet qualification requirements, you must submit transcripts from an accredited U.S. institution or documentation showing foreign education equivalency. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Foreign Education. If you are using education completed at foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs. Foreign education must be deemed equivalent to that gained at an accredited U.S. education program. For further information visit the U.S. Department of Education's website concerning foreign qualifications. Additional information FRTIB offers a comprehensive federal benefits package, including paid leave, health and life insurance, retirement benefits, and work-life flexibility. Additional information is available at: FRTIB Employee Benefits. The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates. Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency-Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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.