Contract Specialist

Summary

"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America's people, property, and institutions." We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our Nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more.

An incentive may be authorized. PCS is not authorized.

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Duties

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Serving as a Contract Specialist GS-1102-13 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. These positions is located in the either North Charleston, SC or Glynco, SC in one of our Procurement Offices under Mission and Readiness Support Directorate (MRSD).

The primary purpose of this position is to perform a full range of pre-award and post award functions, including price/cost analysis, negotiation, and administration for a wide range of services, supplies, equipment, and construction.

Typical duties include:

• Analyzes the effects of industrial developments, seasonal price trends, economic factors affecting supply, transportation costs and availability of storage facilities on agency requirements.
• Develops the contractual strategy to be used and develops the procurement plan considering a wide variety of pertinent issues such as funding, the results of market analysis concerning number and competence of sources, delivery requirements, Government furnished property (GFP), possible follow-up requirements of contingencies.
• Determines need for any of the following: clauses to cover special conditions, such as inspection and acceptance, marketing and
  packing, price differential, transportation costs, hazardous waste provisions, Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE), software rights, etc., revisions to statement of work or specifications, type of contract, milestones, etc., action to have all or part of the procurement set-aside for small business performance, etc.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Current and former federal employees within the General Schedule (GS) must meet the time-in-grade requirements outlined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
• This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy. This is NOT a remote position.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• Required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, within 30 days of starting your federal employment and annually thereafter as long as you occupy a position that requires financial disclosure reporting.
• Must meet position requirements for a FAC-C (Professional), DoD Contracting Professional, FAC-C Level I, or DAWIA (Contracting) Level I or higher certification.

Qualifications

A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

For all Contracting Series, 1102 positions at GS-13 and above: Applicants seeking to meet the training requirements for GS-13 and above in accordance with the OPM Contracting Series 1102, Hiring Qualifications are required to provide a FAC-C (Professional)4 or DoD Contracting Professional5 or FAC-C Level I or DAWIA (Contracting) Level I or higher certification. Note: After September 30, 2023, applicants will need to submit the FAC-C (Professional) or DoD Contracting Professional certifications, or a hiring organization may request a waiver as applicable.

Specialized Experience:

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: leading complex procurement planning and contract administration for major acquisition projects. Developing acquisition strategies, identifies critical components and services, and constructs contractual vehicles for high-value procurements. Providing expert advice to program and technical staff, developing specifications and quality assurance criteria, and resolving complex procurement issues. Managing the full solicitation process that leads to negotiations, awards contracts with unlimited signatory authority, and overseeing contract administration. Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, negotiating contract modifications and settlements, and performing contract closeout. Serves as an advisor, coordinates with legal, technical, and management staff, and mentors junior contracting personnel.

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.

Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade ( examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job ). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.

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). 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.

Re-employed annuitants' annual salaries will be reduced by the amount of their retirement annuity and by further cost of living increases. FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement must also be aware that, like social security benefits, their FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Physical Demands: The work requires some physical exertion, such as walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces of the type found at construction sites or other outdoor facilities which the contract specialist must visit on a regular and recurring basis; or conducting intensive negotiations for extended periods of time, i.e., four hours or longer without rest periods, and occasionally late in the evening. Some agility is required in walking around or over building materials, excavation sites, and heavy equipment. Some lifting of contract specifications, solicitations, and/or drawings up to 35 pounds. Conducting intensive negotiation requires specific, but common physical characteristics and abilities such as above average resistance to

fatigue.

Work Environment:

The work is performed primarily in an office setting which involves everyday risks and discomforts.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution listing the college/university, degree confirmation date(s) and applicable courses for the position you are applying to.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Additional information

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:

A recruitment incentive may be authorized.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and FLETC policy, FLETC is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at FLETC are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, FLETC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for suitability as a condition of placement in this position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.