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Posted: March 11, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Contract Specialist

Defense Logistics Agency

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$74,678 - $116,362

per year

Closes

March 18, 2026More DOD jobs →

GS-11 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job as a Contract Specialist with the Defense Logistics Agency involves managing government contracts for goods and services, including negotiating deals, overseeing vendor performance, and ensuring compliance with federal rules.

It's a good fit for someone with a bachelor's degree in a related field and experience in procurement or contract administration, especially in government or military settings.

The role requires strong communication skills to work with vendors and internal teams on complex, long-term projects.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent DoD/military contracting experience prior to September 30, 2000)
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-09 level or equivalent for GS-11, including assisting with contract procurement, administration, and negotiation
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent for GS-12, including independent application of contracting principles and coordination of complex contracts
  • Knowledge of federal contracting laws, regulations, procedures, and contract types
  • Proficiency in negotiation techniques with private sector and government representatives
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for vendor and customer interactions
  • For GS-11 only: Option to substitute with three years of graduate education or Ph.D., or a combination of education and experience

Full Job Description

See below for important information regarding this job. GS11: $74,678 - $97,087 GS12: $89,508 - $116,362 To qualify for a Contract Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A.

Basic Contracting Requirement: A.) A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees OR B.) a current civilian employee in DoD or member of the Armed Forces, who occupied an 1102 position, contracting officer position, or comparable military contracting position with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold on or before September 30, 2000, are excluded from the requirements of "A)" above.

B.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position.

In addition to meeting the Basic Education Requirement above, to qualify for the GS-11 grade level, specialized experience must be at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector.

To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, specialized experience must be at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement.

Creditable specialized experience includes: GS-11: Assisting with the applying contracting principles, laws, statues, regulations and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions sufficient to procure and administer contracts for a variety of goods and services.

Familiarity with federal contract methods and contract types which requires specialized knowledge of federal contract administration policy, procedures, techniques, and evaluation/control methods sufficient to coordinate prime and subcontractor performance on complex, long term contracts.

Assisting with negotiation techniques to meet and deal with representatives of private sector and with government experts or managers in order to procure assigned products/services and/or modify/terminate assigned products and contracts.

Communicating through written communications and discussions with vendors/customers.

GS-12: Applying contracting principles, laws, statues, regulations and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions sufficient to procure and administer contracts for a variety of goods and services.

Familiarity with federal contract methods and contract types which requires specialized knowledge of federal contract administration policy, procedures, techniques, and evaluation/control methods sufficient to coordinate prime and subcontractor performance on complex, long term contracts.

Using negotiation techniques to meet and deal with representatives of private sector and with government experts or managers in order to procure assigned products/services and/or modify/terminate assigned products and contracts.

Communicating through written communications and discussions with vendors/customers. -OR- B.

Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.

If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation.

To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: GS-11: Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

GS-12: Applicants may not qualify for this position based on education in lieu of specialized experience. -OR- C.

Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements for grade level GS-11 and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11.

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. Major Duties:

  • If selected at the GS-11 level, duties below will be performed in a developmental capacity
  • Performs cradle-to-grave contracting actions including: Acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation and cost/price analyses, negotiations, contract award, modifications/amendments, terminations, closeouts, and contractor performance reviews
  • Performs Pre and Post-Award functions for a wide variety of highly complex procurements and contracts that are unusual, unique, non-routine or otherwise difficult to accomplish
  • Performs market research, identifies potential vendors, evaluates offers, performs comparative price analysis for reasonableness, and recommends award of contracts
  • Negotiates settlements for contractual changes. Negotiates equitable adjustments and supplemental agreements to delivery or performance time and prices, and execution of supplemental agreements for reduced or additional requirements.
  • Provides guidance or training to lower grades, new hires or others as necessary

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/11/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/12/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: DLADispSvcs-26-12908601-DHA