Supervisory Acquisition & Utilization Specialist

Full Job Description

The Supervisory Acquisition Utilization Specialist renders expert contract pre-award and post award expertise to all Administrative and Clinical Service lines within the VA Healthcare System (HCS) and supported catchment area.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/09/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: serving as a team lead or senior specialist assisting with the direction and control of supply chain planning; handling contract related services, product acquisition, and procurement of items in a healthcare environment; overseeing contracts from pre-award to post-award; preparing procurement packages including development of requirement documents (e.g.

performance work statements and objectives, cost benefit analysis, sole source justifications, etc.); developing and analyzing reports to make recommendations on acquisition and contracting issues; participating in negotiations throughout all phases of contract administration; and monitoring expenditures and reporting on deviations from contract terms.

This position requires some degree of specialized knowledge and experience of logistics support activities in areas of acquisition management, contracting, purchasing, transportation, distribution, inventory management and control, expendable and non-expendable equipment, and warehouse operations.

Graduate education may be credited in those instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate for the role of Acquisition Utilization Specialist will have substantial experience in acquisition and procurement processes, regulations, and methodologies, particularly within a government or VA setting.

Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) is essential.

A strong understanding of supply chain and logistics management principles, along with hands-on experience in inventory management and supply chain management systems, is highly desirable.

Proficiency in performing cost analysis, budget management, and developing cost-effective acquisition strategies is also important.

Experience in managing relationships with vendors and suppliers, coupled with proven negotiation skills, will enable the candidate to secure favorable contract terms and conditions.

Technical skills, including the use of procurement and inventory management software and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel for data analysis and reporting), are crucial.

The candidate should have a background in managing acquisition projects from initiation to completion, coordinating cross-functional teams, and handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Analytical and problem-solving skills are vital for assessing needs, determining requirements, and resolving complex procurement-related issues.

The ability to think strategically and identify innovative solutions is also a key attribute.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels, and strong presentation skills are needed to convey complex information clearly.

A thorough understanding of laws, regulations, and policies governing acquisition activities is required to ensure compliance with federal and VA acquisition regulations.

Educational qualifications such as a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field are preferred, along with relevant certifications like Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

The candidate should possess adaptability and flexibility to manage changing priorities and work under tight deadlines, demonstrating the ability to handle evolving acquisition requirements and organizational needs.

Prior experience working within the Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agencies is a significant plus, adding valuable insight and expertise to the role.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Attention to Detail Communication Contracting/Procurement Control of Funds Leadership Problem Solving Technology Application 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary in nature.

Requires occasional travel to conduct inspections of contract facilities or motor vehicles providing contracts for healthcare resources to ensure Joint Commission and safety requirements are met.

Work is performed primarily in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Directs, maintains, and carries out management duties involving many separate and distinct phases of operations within the Business and Procurement Planning and Purchasing sector in the Supply Chain Service.

Supervises employees from separate but interrelated units and conducts semi-annual and annual performance reviews Assists subordinate staff with performance issues as necessary; schedules and grants leave; and monitors overtime usage.

Resolves informal complaints and grievances, discusses corrective actions with employees, and recommends appropriate disciplinary and/or adverse action.

Plans, coordinates, and evaluates the logistical actions required to support the clinical and administrative mission that the organization provides.

Establishes, expedites, and reviews the micro-purchase orders and consolidation of all procurement packages.

Serves as the Approving Official for approving reconciled purchase card transactions; and exercises Ordering Officer Authority in determining best value and contract sourcing.

Develops sole source justifications in relation to cost, limited availability or unusual nature.

Negotiates performance requirements among multiple sites and service lines to obtain agreement and standardize enterprise equipment, supply, and/or service requirements.

Prepares and processes requisitions and procurement packages to the Network Contracting Activity (NCA) for award for facility wide fund control activities; and interfaces with Fiscal/budget staff to resolve obligation and reconciliation issues.

Furnishes instructions and explanations on new regulations and procedures; and prepares reports, briefs, and contract data for meetings, inspections, audits and in-progress reviews.

Coordinates with leadership, staff, and other stakeholders to develop and execute acquisition strategies; and conducts analyses and recommends courses of actions.

Monitors the procurement process from pre-award to final delivery of requirements; and ensures compliance with the terms of contracts.

Advises on all phases of negotiation with the contract specialist/contracting officer for contract modifications, change orders, supplemental agreements, delivery order processes and all phases of contract administration.

Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: ADHOC Telework eligible as determined by the agency policy.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Acquisition & Utilization Specialist/PD99867S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): NOT Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): NOT Authorized