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Posted: January 28, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Contract Specialist (Regional Contract Specialist)

Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$75,897 - $118,261

per year

Closes

February 19, 2026

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 role involves managing contracts and procurement for the Federal Prison System, ensuring fair deals for goods and services while following government rules to support prison operations.

It suits someone with a business or legal background who enjoys negotiating, analyzing costs, and guiding teams on purchasing decisions.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented professionals ready to handle complex buys in a secure, public-safety environment.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in any field or at least 24 semester hours in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management
  • For GS-11: Three years of graduate education, Ph.D., or equivalent in relevant fields; or one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 in procurement guidance, reviewing requisitions, price analysis, and contract negotiations
  • For GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in analyzing procurement performance, monitoring contracts for compliance, identifying acquisition issues, and leading negotiations and awards
  • For GS-11: Combination of graduate education and specialized experience may qualify
  • Current or former federal employees in GS-1102 positions since January 1, 2000, may meet basic requirements with proper documentation (e.g., SF-50)
  • Experience in price analysis using market data, negotiating settlements, and ensuring contract compliance with regulations

Full Job Description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: GS-11 and GS-12: A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field.

A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is defined as possession of a bachelor's degree conferred or approved by an accredited U.S.

college or university based on a 4 year course of study. Simply being enrolled and working toward a degree does not meet the qualification standard. OR B.

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.

Exclusion: Employees currently occupying a GS-1102 position at grades 5 through 12 since January 1, 2000, is considered to have met the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at the GS-12 level.

NOTE: Current federal employees not employed by the Bureau of Prisons and former Bureau of Prisons' Employees MUST submit documentation (i.e., SF-50(s) covering the period from January 1, 2000) for verification of the above referenced exception criteria to receive consideration.

Failure to provide these documents will result in non-consideration for this vacancy.

AND Education: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have one of the following: GS-11: Three (3) full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree.

Graduate Education: To qualify for this position 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: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this grade level.

OR Experience: GS-11 and GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level.

To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are: GS-11: Experience in providing guidance in procurement interpretation as it relates to type, authority, and limitations.

Experience in reviewing requisitions for adequacy of the statement of work, soliciting pricing proposal or quotations, awarding purchase orders and/or contracts.

Experience in conducting price analysis, using previous price history, commercial price lists, market prices, or technical catalogs to assure reasonableness of prices.

Experience in negotiating settlements for changes and approving contract payments. GS-12: Experience in analyzing performance of procurement activities against various procurement indicators and goals.

Experience in tracking and monitoring contract actions to ensure compliance with bureau policy and other regulations and statutes.

Experience in identifying and analyzing acquisition process problems, trends, and emerging needs.

Experience in identifying procurement objectives and methodologies; developing statement of work; performing analyses of elements of cost; conducting pre-award conferences; planning comprehensive negotiation strategy; coordinating with technical experts; leading negotiations and awarding contracts.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: GS-11 only: A combination of education and experience.

This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above. If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience.

To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.** Major Duties:

This position is assigned to the Financial Management Department, in a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regional office.

Serves as facilitator and interpreter of BOP policies and procedures applicable to the contracting and property operations of field installations located within the Region.

Responsible for the property management, procurement, and contracting program for the regional office and institutions located within the region.

Provides legal interpretation, counseling, training, and guidance in all areas of contract and procurement, including cost and price analysis.

Analyzes requirements for supplies, equipment, and services for adequacy and obtains additional data from requisitioning activity, as appropriate.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/28/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/29/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: NCR-2026-0142