Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the FEDLINK Contracts Section, FEDLINK, Library Enterprises Directorate, Chief Operating Officer. The position description number is 433677.

The salary range reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metro area. The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime, compflex, or maxiflex work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to plan, organize and execute work, including special projects.** Knowledge of Federal contracting regulations, principles, and procedures to develop and issue solicitations and contracts.** Ability to communicate in writing.** Ability to interact collaboratively with others.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Major Duties:

The incumbent performs all aspects of contracting transactions to procure supplies or services.

The incumbent analyzes requirements, recommends revisions to statements of work or specifications, including identification of performance based requirements, and confer with senior contracts specialist or team leader as to the best type of contract and terms, milestones, and procurement plan considering the circumstances.

The contracts may range from the micro purchase level to several millions of dollars and vary from simplified acquisitions to moderate complexity.

The incumbent surveys the market to locate new procurement sources and determine the availability of items or services with specialized requirements.

Prepares solicitation documents, and incorporates the appropriate contract terms and conditions, such as testing procedures, cost escalation factors, and technical evaluation factors.

Examines procurement and related documents to determine that the appropriate funding authorizations have been executed. Analyzes proposals for conformance with the solicitation.

Evaluates the acceptability of the responses to the solicitation, including the cost or price proposal, to ensure the procurement will be obtained from responsible sources at a fair and reasonable price.

The incumbent coordinates with the Program Office staff to facilitate the technical evaluation review and submittal of the technical evaluation report.

Analyzes and negotiates routine to moderately complex modifications to contracts.

Negotiates change orders and/or supplemental agreements to existing contracts which may require significant cost and pricing analysis in addition to exercising persuasive negotiation techniques.

Coordinates and approves deviations in specifications.

Administers a group of contracts which may involve supplies, furniture, furnishings, and complex technical equipment and which require cost/price analysis and price redetermination.

Modifications may also include equitable adjustment due to changes subject to the Service Contract Act, and the exercise of contract options.

In determining any negotiation action, must comply with FAR and LCR regulations.

Advises contractors regarding contractual compliance and institutes recommendations for termination procedures in the case of non-performance.

Performs routine contract terminations (convenience or default) which include conferring with contractors, settlement of cost claims, determinations of allowable cost, and findings of fact.

The incumbent monitors contractor's performance on contract, regulatory, and statutory provisions through telephone conversations, correspondence, reports, vouchers, and visits.

Monitors status of contract performance, including approving progress payments; reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals resulting from change orders, scheduling changes, and problems that have arisen and proposed solutions; verifying deliveries, and similar activities.

Serves as a Contract Specialist responsible for procurements in accordance with applicable federal acquisition regulations and agency policy. Performs procurement planning.

Assists contract team leader and other management personnel advising program officials in procurement planning by participating in meetings, strategic planning, and providing technical training to lower-grade personnel.

Assists team leader to develop procurement objectives in terms of competition and price range, and constructs the contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set aside policies, and similar considerations.

At the direction of senior contract specialist or team leader, advises program officials of the procurement objectives to be used. Prepares milestone charts and related schedules.

Serves as advisor to program technical and operational staff in procurement planning. Uses automated systems to research sources and collect vendor data.

The incumbent uses in-depth price/cost analysis techniques involving many different and unrelated factors and processes where there is little historical cost data or precedent.

Responsible for supporting the development of cost-related sections of complex solicitation documents and analyzing cost and price data.

The incumbent conducts market surveys in order to support the development of budgets for planned procurements.

Analyzes and evaluates cost-related areas of solicitations for pricing structure and instruction of the offeror.

Analyzes and evaluates contractor price/cost proposals for new procurements, changes, follow-on procurements, price redetermination, etc.

which may result in new contracts or in the issuance of modification or in the termination of existing contracts. Participates in negotiations.

Conducts studies of contractor's management, operational and financial policies in order to determine capability to perform contract.