CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Summary The Office of Procurement is tasked to procure supplies and services on behalf of the Agency following Federal and CSOSA acquisition regulations. The Office of Procurement is responsible for awarding and administering the full range of contracts for various services, from simplified acquisitions to multi-million-dollar procurements containing several different processes or elements. This job is NOT a remote or full-time telework position. You will be expected to report to the office. Responsibilities The incumbent is the Contract Specialist and performs contracting work using formal advertising procedures. The incumbent advertises, solicits, locates sources, and procures various products and/or services. Prepares an invitation for bid, publicizes the requirements for items and services to be procured, issues the solicitation document, reviews the bids for responsiveness to the solicitation, determines the bidders' financial responsibility and performance capability, and awards the bids contract. Administers contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties. Reviews contractor invoices for completeness. Determines liquidated or actual damages for nonperformance and/or recommends termination action. Prepares replies to other involved agencies, appeal boards, or congressional inquiries. Reviews requisition package for adequacy, consistency, and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements. Uses judgment in interpreting guidelines, adapting procurement procedures to specific situations, and recommending solutions to encountered problems. Provides business advice and assistance to technical personnel involved in developing the performance work statement/statement of work or data requirements. Conducts any necessary conferences to discuss proposals received; performs price or cost analysis; plans and conducts negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract. Determines the need for final proposal revisions. Recommends award. Prepares final contract to include appropriate standard clauses and special provisions, final pricing and payment terms, and incentives. Documents reason for the decision and justifies basis for the award. Prepares the unit's response to any protests, as required, fully documenting and defending the Government's position. Uses various contract types, such as performance-based, fixed price, purchase orders, cost-reimbursement, cost-plus-fee (including fixed fee, incentive fee, and award fee), and other transactions to procure items and/or services. Reviews procurement submissions for adequacy and completeness and resolves any problems before initiation of contractual action. Monitors outstanding contracts to ensure satisfactory progress ensures compliance with the contract terms and conditions and identifies problems that threaten contractor performance. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SPL) - Federal Acquisition Certification (Mandatory) for ALL grades advertised. This position requires the applicant to possess a current FAC-C (Professional) or an equivalent DAWIA (Level III - Advanced) Contracting Certification at the time of application. IMPORTANT NOTE: You must upload a copy of your certification prior to announcement closing or you will be considered ineligible. In order to further qualify for the GS-12 position, you must meet the Basic Education or Experience Requirements and the Specialized Experience stated below. BASIC EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT GS-12 A. A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field (Copies of Official Transcripts required). B. 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. OR C.EXCEPTION: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the basic requirement for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT GS-12 You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes but not limited to: Performing the full range of pre-award and/or post-award functions using a range of contracting types and methods to procure a wide range of supplies and services (professional and non-professional), which may include Small Business Administration (SBA) Program, Information Technology (IT), Architect-Engineer (A-E) Services, and Construction in addition to General Services Administration (GSA) Buys, Interagency Agreement (IAA), and Small Purchases. Pre-Award: Work related to the contract pre-award process (i.e., the work necessary to secure a contract to acquire goods and/or services). Perform contracting work using formal advertising and/or limited negotiation procedures. Prepare and issue the solicitation document; review the offers for responsiveness to the solicitation; determine financial responsibility and performance capability of the bidders/offerors; and award the contract. This includes, but not limited to: Activities associated with pre-award such as proposal, negotiation, contract formation, final approval/signatures, amendments, change order, correspondence, contract repository, and contract issues. Post-Award: Work related to the contract post-award process (i.e., the work accomplished after contract award). Perform contract administration work such as monitoring of contract performance, renewal (exercise option), contract/schedule extensions, contract terminations, and contract closeout to include but not limited to: Evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition. Applying acquisition, contract, and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms, and conditions that communicate the requirements to industry. Executing and conducting the procurement process from solicitation to award (cradle to grave) and through all post-award phases of contracting, including modifications, final evaluation, and contract closeout. Administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, claims disputes, or contract terminations. Working independently on assigned contracting tasks with general guidance (i.e., researching, evaluating proposals, drafting documents, etc.). In order to further qualify for the GS-13 position, you must meet both the Basic Education or Experience Requirements and the Specialized Experience stated below. BASIC EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT GS-13 A. Demonstrate completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) Professional or equivalent requirements which can be found at FAC-C (Professional) Certification Requirements | FAI.GOV AND B. Have at least 4 years of experience in contracting or related positions. -AND- C. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. -OR- D. EXCEPTION: Applicants for GS-1102-13 positions will be qualified if they have held a GS-1102-13 position since January 1, 2000.ORD.D. WAIVER: Requirements of paragraphs A and B above may be waived if the agency's senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT GS-13 You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the next lower grade/level (GS-12) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes but not limited to: Performing the full range of pre-award and/or post-award functions using a range of contracting types and methods to procure a wide range of supplies and services (professional and non-professional), which may include Small Business Administration (SBA) Program, Information Technology (IT), Architect-Engineer (A-E) Services, and Construction in addition to General Services Administration (GSA) Buys, Interagency Agreement (IAA), and Small Purchases. Pre-Award: Work related to the contract pre-award process (i.e., the work necessary to secure a contract to acquire goods and/or services). Perform contracting work using formal advertising and/or limited negotiation procedures. Prepare and issue the solicitation document; review the offers for responsiveness to the solicitation; determine financial responsibility and performance capability of the bidders/offerors; and award the contract. This includes, but not limited to: Activities associated with pre-award such as proposal, negotiation, contract formation, final approval/signatures, amendments, change order, correspondence, contract repository, and contract issues. Post-Award: Work related to the contract post-award process (i.e., the work accomplished after contract award). Perform contract administration work such as monitoring of contract performance, renewal (exercise option), contract/schedule extensions, contract terminations, and contract closeout. to include: Interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures regarding contracting issues. Reviewing requirement packages/or requests for completeness, accuracy, clarity, and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements. Maintaining the status of all assigned contract actions with regards to pending options, funding, work progress, and completion. Maintaining effective and supportive relationships and take initiative to resolve areas of disagreement and contractual issues, while identifying an alternative course of action. Working independently on assigned contracting tasks with little to no guidance (i.e., researching, evaluating proposals, drafting documents, etc.) Assisting other team members as needed. Education Education is not substitutable for Specialized Experience at GS-12 nor GS-13 grade levels. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT All applicants must submit copies of their official transcripts with their application packet. This is required in order to verify that you meet the basic education requirements listed in the Qualifications section. Applicants who do not provide transcripts will not be considered qualified. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY FOR THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. 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: 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. Additional Information Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. To be eligible for the GS-12 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher in the Federal Service. To be eligible for the GS-13 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-12 or higher in the Federal service. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. If you are an eligible Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other applicants for this position. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the CTAP or ICTAP must be well qualified for the position. To be well qualified, applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and meet the mid-level (scoring between 85 and 89) of the rating criteria for all factors or the established cutoff score. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is at: This vacancy announcement may be used to fill future vacancies for identical positions within the next year. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Bargaining Unit Status: Not Eligible Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. CSOSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CSOSA uses E-Verify, if you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. Position is Mission Essential and is not subject to administrative dismissal in emergencies based on inclement weather conditions, or other emergency situations, as appropriate. A Mission Essential employee is required to report for, or remain at, work in emergency situations; dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to him/her unless his/her supervisor instructs otherwise. 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.