Contracting Liaison

Summary

This position is in the Office of Domestic Operations Visa Services Office Bureau of Consular Affairs(CA/VO/DO). CA/VO/DO is responsible for planning and support for a wide range of VO-wide issues including program planning (e.g. Bureau Strategic Plan) contracting human resources budget training and special projects.

Duties

• Serves as a Contracting Liaison and as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for CA/VO headquarters and domestic field offices providing additional administrative and mission-related support to the organization.
• Provides analysis recommendations on contract management across the full contract life cycle including contract administration procurement planning transition management close-out and other related contracting services.
• Drafts solicitation documents in compliance with laws regulations and policies. Defines project requirements and developsstatements of work (SOW) performance work statements (PWS) or other procurement specifications.
• Recommends the appropriate contract type or contract method for the product or service being procured. Assists with developing acquisition plans following A/AQMs Formal Acquisition Plan for contracts meeting Formal Acquisition Plan thresholds.
• At the GS-11 and 12 level the incumbent performs essentially the same duties as outlined above; however the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer supervision than the GS-13 level.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Statement of Employment & Financial Interest required prior to appointment.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

  NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

  Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions per 5CFR 300 Subpart F.

  Applicants applying for the GS-11 grade level must meet one of the following requirements:

  A. Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

  Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience applying knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations Department of State Acquisition Regulations and procurement regulations to support contracting actions throughout the acquisition process;
  • Experience assisting with acquisition planning and preparing procurement documents such as Statements of Work (SOW) evaluation criteria and cost estimates;
  • Experience reviewing contractor proposals and performance and supporting negotiations; and
  • Experience communicating clearly in writing and orally providing guidance and preparing reports.

  OR

  B. Have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. (if related) from an accredited college or university.

  OR

  C. Have a combination of graduate level education AND specialized experience (as described above) which is equivalent to the GS- 09 level in the Federal Service. This experience and education together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

  Combination of Experience and Education: When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience and the percentage of graduate study must total at least 100%.

  If you are qualifying based on education you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript (s) with your application by the closing date of this announcement and if selected an official college transcript WILL BE required to verify education prior to employment. If you fail to provide the requested information or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility you WILL lose consideration for this position.

  Applicants to the GS-12

  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

  Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience processing purchase requests through government financial systems.
  • Experience applying knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) procurement laws regulations and policies to perform Contract Officer Representative duties.
  • Experience providing analysis recommendations and advice on a wide range of contract management function across the full contract life cycle including planning execution and close-out.

  There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

  Applicants to the GS-13

  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

  Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience processing purchase requests utilizing government financial systems.
  • Experience providing analysis recommendations and advice on a wide range of contract management across the full contract life cycle including complex contract administration procurement planning transition management close-out and other related contracting services in support of organizational programs and operations.
  • Experience applying knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) procurement laws regulations and policies to perform Contract Officer Representative duties.
  • Experience performing complex procurement activities such as needs identification obtaining leadership approvals pre-award responsibilities and coordination for contracts cooperative agreements and interagency agreements.

  There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

  Education

  See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

  When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience (for example 6 months equals 50%) and the percentage of graduate study (for example 9 graduate hours for a GS-07 equals 50% where 18 graduate hours constitute a full time year) must total at least 100%.

  Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials visit: information

  • To request a reasonable accommodation foradditionaltime on thetimed sections of theassessment pleasesubmityour request using the Request a Reasonable Accommodation button within theAssessment Application.

    Forall otherreasonable accommodationsat the U.S. Department of State please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations(OAA)at .

    OAAis responsible forreviewing andadjudicatingreasonable accommodation(RA)requests for the Assessment Battery being usedfor this following applies to all RA requests:

    • RA requestscoveradditionaltime on timed sections only.

    • Applicantssubmittinga RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed treatingmedical provider. The documentation should describe the nature severity and expected duration of the conditionidentifythe relevant medical condition or diagnosis and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do notcontainsupporting medical documentation attachmentsatthetime ofinitialrequest may be subject to further review.

    • Note:the following documents do not on their own qualify for automatic approval oftheRA request:Schedule A letters VA benefits lettersorSSA letters.

    • Applicants MUSTsubmittheir application before the vacancy closes even if pending anaccommodationdecision.

    • Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.

    • Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request isadjudicatedto complete the assessment generated after the allottedtimeframewill not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.

    • If a different type of RA is needed please contact OAA directly at .

  • If eligible situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
  • Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP):View OPMs CTAP & ICTAP eligibilitywebsite for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an85 or above meet Minimum Qualifications and demonstrateproficiencyin some but notall major aspects of the position.

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.