Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is seeking contract professionals capable of supporting the Agency's mission.

The selected candidate(s) for these positions will work with agency program offices in a cradle to grave contracting environment to support the entire acquisition lifecycle.

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12 A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitativemethods, or organization and management.

Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement qualify for positions at the GS-7 level.

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions GS-7 thorough GS-12 covered by this standard.

and/or Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above 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.

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.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-11: Applicant must possess one-year specialized experience equivalent at the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal sector.

Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Experience using common contract methods and contract types; 2) Preparing solicitations for quotations or proposals for a variety of supplies and services; 3) Administering contracts that are well defined and non-complex; and 4) Researching contracting regulations, laws, policies, and/or procedures to resolve common contracting issues.

OR Applicants at the GS-11 level may also meet the additional requirement through substitution of education for experience as follows: Completion of 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree, if related OR combination of education and experience.

To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

GS-12: Applicant must possess one-year specialized experience equivalent at the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal sector.

Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Conducting acquisition planning and contracting pre- and post-award functions to determine method of procurement and contract type, formulating acquisition strategies, and obtaining required approvals; 2) Awarding contracts for supplies, equipment, professional services, information technology, and construction; 3) Administering contracts to include scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justification and approval documents, claims, contract terminations, and contract closeout; and 4) Interpret and apply acquisition regulations, laws, policies, and procedures to resolve complex contracting issues.

GS-13: Applicant must possess one-year specialized experience equivalent at the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal sector.

Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Serve as a Senior Level Contracting Officer providing a full range of contracting transactions and activities from planning through closeout for the acquisition of supplies, equipment, and services.

Serving as a consultant for information technology-related procurement and reviewing cost/benefit comparisons for inter-agency agreements.

Developing, preparing, and presenting terms and conditions in bids or proposals related to the award and administration of contracts for IT and/or a variety of healthcare services; negotiating and awarding contracts, modifications, or subcontracts; contract administration; cost or price analysis; contract clearance; developing negotiation positions and adjudicating claims or protests.

Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/ You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Major Duties:

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Contract Specialist Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Serve as a business advisor to agency stakeholders.

This guidance includes, but is not limited to, advising on recommended acquisition strategies (existing contracts/Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), open market, etc.), preparation of Requests for Information (RFIs)/Sources Sought Notices, ensuring that requirements are well defined, completion of an acquisition plan, and assisting with the development of evaluation factors/criteria for supplies and services, ranging in complexity.

Prepare pre-award documents in support of a variety of acquisitions including but not limited to professional services, healthcare, information technology, and supplies and equipment.

Utilizes multiple FAR Parts to select the appropriate contract type and incorporate all appropriate provisions, clauses, and other agency requirements.

Provide guidance to program mission offices and technical staff during the source selection process, making an award determination, and release of required post-award notifications and providing feedback to unsuccessful offerors.

Perform post-award administrative functions, including but not limited to the preparation of contract modifications and providing guidance to program staff contractual in nature when the need occurs.