Program Manager (Senior Contract Specialist)

Role Description

Garud is seeking an experienced Program Manager (Senior Contract Specialist) to lead a team providing cradle‑to‑grave federal acquisition support to CDC’s Office of Acquisition Services in support of workplace safety and security modernization initiatives. The Program Manager will serve as the primary contractor lead, overseeing performance across multiple task areas, ensuring quality acquisition work products, and maintaining high customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day management of acquisition support services for OSSAM and related CDC programs, including workload assignment, quality assurance, and schedule/risk management.
• Oversee and personally support pre‑award activities (market research, acquisition planning, documentation development, reviews/approvals) for purchase orders, task orders, and contracts across multiple vehicles.
• Guide the team through solicitation development and evaluation activities, including drafting solicitations and file documents, supporting posting actions (e.g., SAM.gov, GSA eBuy), facilitating evaluations, and documenting award decisions.
• Supervise post‑award contract administration support, including modifications, options, de‑obligations, and closeout actions, ensuring accurate terms and conditions and complete electronic files.
• Serve as the primary interface with the Government COR and CO for technical direction, performance monitoring, issue resolution, and reporting.
• Ensure timely delivery of required reports and deliverables, including weekly status, bi‑weekly updates, monthly progress reports, and ICE/contract file submissions.
• Maintain staffing continuity, quickly backfilling any vacancies to meet performance objectives (e.g., PR throughput, CPARS ratings).
• Ensure all team members comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies (FAR, HHSAR, CDC local policies, records management, security, and training requirements).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in program management, contracting, acquisition planning, or a combination thereof, supporting federal agencies.
• Current or previous FAC‑C certification for a minimum of five (5) years, or civilian equivalent (e.g., DAWIA, DHS, or other agency certification).
• Demonstrated cradle‑to‑grave experience with a broad range of federal contract types, including FFP, T&M/LH, and cost‑type where applicable.
• Proven experience leading acquisition teams and managing similar or related work of comparable complexity in a federal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting HHS or CDC, especially OAS or OSSAM, or acquisition support for public health/healthcare missions.
• Working knowledge of ICE (Integrated Contracts Expert) and other federal contract‑writing systems (e.g., PRISM, Momentum, SPS). Previous ICE experience is specifically preferred.
• Experience with GWACs, GSA Schedules, and small‑business programs (including 8(a) and set‑asides).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to lead meetings with senior Government stakeholders and respond to data calls.
• Experience managing geographically dispersed acquisition staff in a hybrid/remote environment.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to complete required HHS/CDC Information Security Awareness, Privacy, Records Management, and ICE training and maintain annual refreshers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain agency access (favorable background investigation and fingerprinting) and comply with all applicable personnel security and NDA requirements.