Administrative Contract Specialist (ACO)

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S.

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Acquisition, Administration and Facilities Contracting Division, located in one of the following locations: Washington, DC Indianapolis, IN Ashburn, VA Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below.

A.

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 B.

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 C. Exceptions: 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.

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess one year of specialized experience, as described below .

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Serving as an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) with robust expertise in construction contracts.

Managing post-awards for complex procurements that include construction contracts.

Overseeing and performing a full range of contract services, as part of an acquisition team, involving pre and post-award administration and a range of contract specializations such as negotiation, cost, and price analysis, and administration.

Managing the life cycle of contracts, with a focus on post-award administration, monitoring contractor performance, compliance, contract modifications, auditing, claims, delivery schedules, change orders, and close-out activities.

Serving as a liaison between Contracting Office, Contracting Specialist, and the Contractors to facilitate and lead effective communications with authority, resolving critical contract issues and shifting priorities.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 02/17/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity.

During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP.

Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S.

Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S.

government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S.

government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Major Duties:

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Office of Acquisition, will allow you to utilize your expertise in focusing on the administration of existing contracts and performing a full range of contracting services and functions that improve the efficiency of acquisition programs.

This position starts at a salary of $125,776.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security functions by serving as a Administrative Contracting Officer, senior contract specialist, with responsibility of serving in key liaison role for contract solicitation, selection, and post award administration for CBP contracting missions.

In this Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals that focuses on the administration of existing contracts and acts as the government's senior representative for day-to-day contract administration management, facilitating communication and resolving issues during the life of the contract and supports a variety of tasks that improve the overall acquisition process.

The ACO will independently oversee and perform a full range of contract service duties as part of an acquisition team.

Typical Work assignments include: Managing highly complex, high-dollar acquisitions, programs, and construction projects with large funding levels and long-term commitments, of significant important to the agency, exercising authority as a Warranted Contracting Officer and overseeing all phases of the acquisition lifecycle.

Managing post-award contract administration including negotiating contract modifications, addressing equitable adjustments, and resolving termination settlements while acting as a business advisor for DHS/CBP major acquisition programs, balancing cost, schedule, and performance concerns whereas ensuring compliance with agency policies.

Resolving critical contractual issues, negotiates and executes contract modifications and supplemental agreements ensuring compliance with agency policies and regulations.

Monitoring contractor performance and ensures adherence to contract terms, addressing issues such as cost overruns, delays, and disputes.

Providing leadership, advanced strategic thinking, and managing sensitive and politically charged issues while maintaining the integrity of CBP's acquisition processes.