CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Summary

About the Position: This position is in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Employees occupying DCIPS positions are in the Excepted Service and must adhere to U.S. Code, Title 10, as well as Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25.

This position is with the U.S. Special Operations Command (Army), Strategic Systems Support Element located at Alexandria, Virginia.

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Duties

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• Serve as a Contract Specialist performing pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized procurement activities.
• Prepare price negotiation memoranda and other correspondences.
• Resolve and disposition contract audit recommendations in a timely manner, while fully protecting the Government's interest.
• Promote teamwork and total quality customer services on a continuing basis.
• Assure compliance with cost accounting standards or Office of Management and Budget administrative requirements.
• Serve as point of contact for assigned procurements.
• Analyze, develop and present price information before negotiation sessions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• In accordance with Change 3 to AR 600-85, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program, individual must successfully pass a urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and periodically thereafter.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based on a T5 (or equivalent) investigation.
• Must pass the organization's Personnel Reliability Program which includes credit check, drug screening, and psychological evaluation.
• This position requires a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450.
• Must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Act (DA WIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. This is an Acquisition position and requires level Il certification within 24 months of employment.
• May be required to work overtime or irregular hours.

Qualifications

Who May Apply:

Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• 10-Point Other Veterans' Rating
• 5-Point Veterans' Preference
• Disabled Veteran w/ a Service-Connected Disability, More than 10%, Less than 30%
• Prior Federal Service Employee
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• United States Citizen Applying to a DCIPS Position

Army DCIPS positions apply Veteran's Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education AND 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), that included or was supplemented by 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, from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

OR

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 above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes:

1) Administering contracts, ensuring compliance with contract terms, conditions, and delivery requirements.

2) Conducting cost or price analyses to evaluate contractor proposals and determine the fairness of proposed pricing.

3) Preparing acquisition and contract documentation including award recommendations, modifications, negotiation memorandum and contract administration.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS/GG-12).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required specialized experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone and the education requirementno substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible intelligence-related security work directly related to the position being filled. Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector or in another government agency as long as it was at a level at least equivalent to the next lower band in the series.

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

• This position requires a 2 year trial period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.
• This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• 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) Contracting Career Field position.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Recruitment, retention, and/or relocation incentive, advance in-hire rates, advanced leave accrual, and creditable service for leave accrual may be authorized when determined to be in the best interest of the government.

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:

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.

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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.