Supervisory Contract Specialist

Full Job Description

The NASA Office of Procurement seeks Supervisory Contract Specialists to plan, direct and supervise office activities including all pre and post award aspects of the acquisition program.

These positions will be responsible for leading assigned activities at one of the listed NASA locations.

Provides strategic direction for a diverse group of contracts and agreements for commercial and non-commercial goods and services, while maintaining strong communications and high quality products.

You must meet all three requirements listed below; unless you are covered by an exception: The mandatory Basic Requirement shown in the Education section below; Specialized experience and/or directly related education, as shown below, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of this position; and Certification/Training requirements.

To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Leading and/or managing a team of contract specialists regarding acquisitions and pre/post award issues; Making authoritative decisions, providing expert technical guidance and consultation on procurement matters involving various large dollar contracts; and Utilizing business acumen in advising senior leadership and contracting officers on matters pertaining to unprecedented contracting issues, contracting procedures and policy interpretations in day-to-day contact and through sole source negotiations, formal discussions and documentation.

Certification/Training for GS-15: You must meet one of the following requirements to be considered for this position: A.

Certification: Possess a valid level III Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) or FAC-C (Professional) or level III Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification or DAWIA Professional.

OR B.

Training: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for level III Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) (NASA-FAC-C-Curriculum-Table.pdf), and at least 4 years of experience in contracting or related positions.

At least one 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.

To be hired for this position, you must possess a valid level III Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) or FAC-C (Professional) or level III Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification or DAWIA Professional or must have already completed all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for level III FAC-C and/or FAC-C Professional.

If you are currently certified, you may be asked to provide evidence of continuous learning to verify your existing certification.

If you are not currently certified, you must apply for certification within 30 days after your start date in this position. List your FAC-C or DAWIA certification level and date of certification.

If you are not currently certified, but have completed the mandatory procurement training, list the training that you have completed to date.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience.

Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

The ideal candidate has experience recommending, developing, and implementing policies and procedures to procure supplies, services, for construction or research and development projects using formal advertising or negotiation procedures to evaluate contract price proposals and policies.

Major Duties:

• Serves as a supervisor responsible for procurement, administration and close-out of a diverse group of major service, Research and Development (R and D), and/or spaceflight hardware contracts.
• Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit, identifies strategic objectives, and defines technical work requirements and milestones.
• Participates as a key member of the organization and Agency procurement management team including organization strategy and assessment and succession planning.
• Presents programs of significant interest to high ranking representatives and professionally defend the Center and Program Manager(s) in controversial contractual actions.
• Provides authoritative and expert advice to Center/Agency stakeholders regarding business and industry practices, requirements characteristics for complex contracts and unprecedented contracting issues involving national interests.
• Performs a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.