Contract Specialist

Primary Responsibilities

· Research acquisition alternatives and provide written analyses and recommendations to program staff based on identified needs, including available mechanisms, methods, and approaches, for Government review and decision-making.

· Assist in the preparation of Statements of Work and related acquisition documents, including IGCEs, LSJs, Acquisition Plans, and procurement correspondence. All determinations and approvals remain the responsibility of the Government.

· Create and maintain a library of acquisition resources, strategies, briefing materials, and tools for Government use.

· Monitor developments related to acquisitions that affect program efforts and provide informational updates to staff.

· Provide technical advisory support to SNS staff and associated program offices in matters related to acquisitions. All advice is advisory in nature, and Government personnel retain decision authority.

· Provide advisory support and recommendations related to financial transactions, including IAAs.

· Provide advisory support and draft materials in the development of acquisition-related processes, procedures, and dissemination of information. Final approval of processes and procedures remains with the Government.

· Assist with developing draft guides, templates, and acquisition-related documentation for Government review and approval. Maintain tracking records on current and previous acquisitions, as directed.

· Prepare draft reports on acquisition activities for Government review.

· Maintain status records on current and previous acquisitions, as directed.

· Coordinate and track acquisitions for status reporting purposes. The Government retains responsibility for acquisition decisions and approvals.

· Assemble and compile background and historical data to assist the Government in the development of budget justifications.

· Locate, compile, and index records for Government Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officials or requests, no determinations or releasability, redactions, or official communications.

· Maintain acquisition-related documentation in accordance with Government direction to support accurate recordkeeping.

· Assisting and updating acquisition strategy documentation and materials for Government review and approval.

· Provide administrative formatting and compilation support for Government-developed performance-based payment documentation. The Contractor must not determine, recommend, negotiate, or influence performance-based payment arrangements.

· Assist in assessing and documenting technical requirements and issues and provide recommendations for Government consideration.

· Assist in developing market research information, data, and analysis.

· Collect and document market research information with analysis and recommendations for Government review.

· Identify potential organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) and provide non-binding assessments and recommended mitigation options for Government review. The Contractor must not make or influence official OCI determinations, approve mitigation plans, impose restrictions on future contracting, or seek/approve waivers. All OCI decisions (identification, evaluation, resolution/mitigation, and waivers) remain the responsibility of the Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.5.

· Develop market research tools (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, templates).

· Document requirements and needs analyses in support of Government acquisition planning,

· Provide technical input in support of acquisition documentation.

· Assist in the preparation of pre-proposal conferences, as directed.

· Provide administrative and formatting support to prepare draft amendment or cancellation documentation based solely on Government-provided content, for Government review and approval. The Contractor must not recommend, determine, modify, approve, or initiate any contractual amendments or cancellations. All decisions and approvals remain the responsibility of Government officials.

Basic Qualifications

· Knowledge and use of the VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) and logistics contracts

· Required to be on-call 24 hours/7 days a week. Must be able to respond to mission alerts within 15 minutes with a recall of 90 minutes to report to designated location. Must carry a cell phone at all times.