Lead Contract Specialist

Summary This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: The pay band NH-04 includes the General Schedule grade equivalent to GS-14 to 15. Other initiatives under the Acquisition Demonstration Project include simplified classification, streamlined hiring process and expanded developmental opportunities. Responsibilities Serves as a Team Leader for a team of contracting personnel and participates in performing the work of the team by personally performing and/ or assisting with the more complex and critical assignments. Explains and defends contractual actions to all levels of higher authority as requested or required. Performs as the focal point for all contractual actions and phases of the program including initial planning, requirements definition, cost and price analysis, negotiation, and administration. Acquisition planning actions assigned include but are not limited to research and development, production, aircraft systems, subsystems, components, spare parts and repair parts, supplies, and commercial services. Performs long-range and day-to-day planning. Develops a pre-negotiation position, determines the type of contracts and negotiation authority to be used, and prepares justifications as necessary. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) & Major Range Test Facilities Base (MRTFB) in DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and specialized experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized experience: To qualify, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03 grade level in the Federal service which includes: 1) Reviewing contractual agreements for compliance with regulatory guidance; and 2) Negotiating contractual terms or conditions to ensure timely execution of acquisition awards; and 3) Implementing contractual regulatory guidance for the procurement of goods or services; and 4) Performing pre-award and post-award procurement functions for acquisition programs. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (NH-03). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Term Appointment NTE 3 Years can be made permanent - Position may be filled as a Term Appointment NTE 3 years. Term appointments may be extended beyond of six (6) years, up to eight (8) years. With DoD approval, Term appointments may be extended beyond eight (8) years. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Additional Information Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) CP 14 - Contracting Career Field position Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. FLSA: Exempt This position is subject to a salary control point equivalent to the GS-14, step 10 base salary, or if the incumbent's salary currently exceeds the GS-14, step 10 level, the incumbent's salary may be put on a salary control point at the incumbents existing salary. Superior qualifications and special needs pay setting may be authorized at managements discretion for eligible candidates. All selections under an announcement must be made within 3 months from the issuance date of the certificate referral list. Position will be filled as a term appointment NTE 3-Years. Term appointments may be extended up to a maximum of eight years, depending on eligibility. Employees on term appointments will be separated at the end of the term appointment date if the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) date is not extended. Permanent employees who accept term appointments will not have placement rights to the previously held permanent position at the end of the term appointment. Employees on term appointments will be separated at the end of the term appointment date if the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) date is not extended. Position may be made permanent. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: