Purchasing Agent

Purchasing AgentDuties include but are not limited to:Purchases various equipment, supplies, and services through the use of the government purchase card for micro purchases.Reviews and edits purchase requests to ensure the item or service is adequately described based on the requester's need and the request is consistent with legal requirements.Obtains necessary product information, price information, and procedures for written or verbal purchase orders.Provides general guidance to potential vendors on requirements and information needed to be entered into the VHA's local vendor file.Utilizes various web-based portals to order items from awarded contracts, including the Department of Defense's Electronic Catalog (ECAT) and the Medical Surgical Prime Vendor's site for ordering, tracking, and monitoring procurement transactions.Reviews Fund Control Points and verifies the running balances to ensure procurement obligations are complete and approved prior to placing orders.Provides administration and oversight of orders and services.Represents the VA in discussions with vendors/contractors to obtain agreement on micro purchases and vendor/contractor compliance.Monitors vendor performance through personal contact, reviews progress reports, and discusses reasons for delays, failures, or price changes.Tracks obligations/commitments and monitors expenditures to support recurring budget forecasts and identify potential fraud, waste, and abuse based on procurement history and purchase trends.Researches, reviews, develops spreadsheets, and prepares reports for procurement under the microthreshold to address departmental needs from the Supervisor.Compiles, consolidates, organizes, and summarizes specific procurement information to support efforts related to annual budget estimates and a variety of one-time and recurring reports.Provides excellent customer service to medical staff, customers, vendors, and contractors and expeditiously resolves issues to ensure requests and bills are processed in a timely and accurate manner.Resolves minor disputes and informal complaints among medical staff and customers and refers formal complaints to the immediate supervisor.Communicates tactfully and courteously with a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding.Procures supplies and services to meet the purchase, rental, or lease needs of the organization.Examines incoming requests for completeness, including the presence of a purchase request number, accounting codes, item description, estimated cost, and quantity.Serves as the first line of contact for medical staff and customers regarding procured items.Provides clerical support and coordination to approving officials and administratorsWork Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm or 7:30 am-4:00 pmTelework: Ad-hoc only as determined by the agency policy.Virtual: This is not a virtual position.Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/ PD99896ARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedCritical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not ApprovedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized