Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Enterprise Acquisitions Center (EAC), Office of Managing Director (OMD), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), located in Washington, DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S.

Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to Direct Hire procedures.

To be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the qualification requirements, both Part A AND Part B.

PART A-BASIC OPM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 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 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, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience.

With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver.

If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

PART B-SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In order to qualify for the GS-13 candidates must meet both the educational and specialized experience requirements as outlined below.

Candidates must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience in or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as follows: 1.

Experience independently determining procurement requirements and needs. 2. Experience independently determining contracting type and methods. 3. Experience independently performing price analysis. 4.

Experience independently researching business/industry practices. 5. Experience independently managing the process of contracts until formal close-out. 6.

Experience performing contract lifecycle management. 7. Experience with various source selection procedures. 8. Experience performing digital IT contract management.

GS-14 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In order to qualify for the GS-14 candidates must meet both the educational and specialized experience requirements as outlined below.

Candidates must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience in or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as follows: 1.

Managing large, complex, and high-dollar value contracts, overseeing all phases of the contracting process from pre-award to post-award. 2.

Ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and agency policies. 3. Conducting market research, preparing solicitations, evaluating proposals and making award recommendations. 4.

Negotiating procurement related matters. 5. Providing expertise in the development of work statements and procurement requirements. 6.

Experience providing expert guidance and assistance to CORs in the development of acquisition packages, contract administration and compliance with the FAR.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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.

Subject matter experts will review your application to determine if you meet the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): Mastery of contracting concepts sufficient to independently plan, execute, and manage the full spectrum of highly complex negotiated procurements and acquisitions.

Expert knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency supplements, OMB directives, SBA regulations, procurement statutes, and GAO/OIG protest doctrines.

Expert knowledge of advanced acquisition planning, strategic sourcing, commercial item determinations, socio-economic programs, multi-year contracting, and performance-based acquisition.

Expert knowledge of cost/price analysis methodologies including cost realism, weighted guidelines, price reasonableness testing, cost breakdown analysis, historical trend modeling, independent government cost estimate (IGCE) validation, market pricing intelligence, and subcontract cost analysis.

Knowledge of contract administration functions including claims resolution, change orders, performance monitoring, option exercise analysis, CPARS evaluations, indirect rate adjustments, and closeout procedures.

Skill in negotiation techniques to conduct contract negotiations and to meet and deal with high level business and/or Government officials.

Knowledge of cost/price analysis techniques sufficient to evaluate contractor proposals and prepare pre-negotiation position.

If you are deemed to be qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration.

Alternatively, if your application is not deemed as qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will not be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration. Major Duties:

Serves as a senior contracting advisor, providing expert cradle-to-grave acquisition support for complex and/or sensitive procurements involving advanced IT services, telecommunications systems, professional services, specialized equipment, software licensing, research support, and enterprise solutions.

Develops comprehensive acquisition strategies, including market research plans, competition approaches, contract type recommendations, risk mitigation strategies, small business considerations, and socio-economic program applicability in accordance with FAR, agency supplements, and federal procurement law.

Conducts extensive market research consistent with FAR Part 10 to identify market capabilities, commercial practices, contract vehicles, emerging technologies, and small business opportunities; documents findings and integrates results into acquisition planning documentation.

Prepares complex solicitation packages including Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Objectives (SOO), evaluation criteria, Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE) coordination, source selection plans, and pricing structures for competitive and non-competitive procurements.

Executes negotiated procurements under FAR Part 15, competitive procurements under FAR Part 14, or simplified acquisitions under FAR Part 13, selecting the method most appropriate based on procurement objectives, urgency, complexity, and mission requirements.

Leads or serves as a key advisor on source selection evaluation boards, interpreting evaluation criteria, advising technical evaluators on compliance requirements, and ensuring proper documentation of technical, past performance, and cost/price assessments.

Conducts detailed cost and price analyses, using techniques such as cost breakdown analyses, historical pricing, parametric estimates, learning curve considerations, and comparisons with IGCEs or commercial pricing to determine price reasonableness.

Recommends award decisions based on integrated assessments of technical evaluations, cost/price analyses, past performance, and business judgments; prepares award documentation and ensures compliance with fiscal law and procurement integrity requirements.

Administers complex contracts and task orders, including issuance of modifications, incremental funding actions, option exercises, change orders, Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations, and subcontracts or subcontracting plan reviews.

Manages contract closeout activities, confirming final deliveries, validating final invoices and indirect rates (as applicable), verifying property disposition, reconciling funds, and ensuring proper archival in accordance with federal records requirements.

Advises program offices and leadership, providing authoritative guidance on acquisition strategy, FAR/DFARS or agency supplement interpretation (as applicable), competition requirements, small business policies, contract vehicle selection, and procurement timelines.

Supports agency procurement policy improvements, identifying systemic issues, recommending updates to templates, SOPs, acquisition guidance, checklists, training materials, cost/price guides, or internal controls, and participating in procurement process improvement initiatives.