Contracting Specialist - Arlington, VA

Job Description

ATTENTION MILITARY AFFILIATED JOB SEEKERS - Our organization works with partner companies to source qualified talent for their open roles. The following position is available to Veterans, Transitioning Military, National Guard and Reserve Members, Military Spouses, Wounded Warriors, and their Caregivers. If you have the required skill set, education requirements, and experience, please click the submit button and follow the next steps. All positions are onsite, unless otherwise stated.

Contract Specialist
GS-1102-13/14 (Career Ladder)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Office of the Chief Acquisition Executive (OCAE)
Location: Arlington, VA
Clearance: Secret (ability to attain)
Who May Apply:

• Veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability rating
• Individuals eligible under Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u))

Summary:
CISA, the Nation's risk advisor, is seeking Contract Specialists at the GS-13 and GS-14 levels to join the Office of the Chief Acquisition Executive (OCAE). The OCAE provides acquisition, procurement, and contract management support for CISA's mission-critical programs and initiatives. These positions are responsible for planning, negotiating, awarding, and administering complex, high-value contracts and ensuring that all acquisitions address cybersecurity, supply chain, and performance requirements.

Major Duties:

As a Contract Specialist, you will:

• Serve as a senior contract specialist responsible for the full range of pre-award and post-award acquisition functions for complex and major procurements, including supplies, services, and research and development.
• Plan, direct, and administer acquisitions that are Agency-wide in scope, including developing acquisition strategies, statements of work, evaluation plans, and contract administration plans.
• Ensure that all acquisitions, procurements, and outsourcing efforts address information security, cybersecurity, supply chain, and performance requirements consistent with organizational goals.
• Develop, review, and approve contract language to ensure inclusion of cybersecurity and supply chain requirements; work with the Contracting Officer or Head of Contracting Activity to ensure delivery of these requirements.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer authorized to solicit proposals, negotiate, enter, execute, administer, and terminate contracts for DHS/CISA.
• Perform contract administration functions, including verifying contractor progress, negotiating modifications, resolving disputes, approving payments, and conducting contract closeouts.
• Provide authoritative recommendations to improve procurement operations and customer service; develop and deliver training on procurement-related topics.
• Manage complex procurement programs and initiatives that serve as a guide for other DHS/CISA procurement activities.
• Assist customers in developing statements of work and procurement strategies; develop evaluation plans, pricing methodologies, and major contract administration plans.
• Report procurement integrity and unlawful behavior to appropriate authorities; provide guidance and assistance to lower-graded specialists.
• Prepare a variety of written correspondence and documentation to transmit information and support contract actions.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, executive orders, regulations, and procedures, including clearance approvals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities

Qualifications:

GS-13:

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level in federal service, including:
  • Performing pre-award and post-award contracting functions for complex, high-value acquisitions.
  • Developing acquisition strategies, statements of work, and contract administration plans.
  • Negotiating, awarding, and administering contracts using formal advertising and negotiation procedures.
  • Ensuring cybersecurity, supply chain, and performance requirements are included in contract language.
  • Providing guidance and recommendations to customers and lower-graded specialists.
• Education/Training: Must meet the basic requirements for the GS-1102 series (see below).
• Certification: DHS Level II Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) or equivalent (must obtain within 18 months of appointment if not already held).

GS-14:

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level in federal service, including:
  • Independently managing the most complex and major acquisitions, including planning, negotiating, awarding, and administering contracts Agency-wide in scope.
  • Serving as a technical authority on acquisition and procurement matters, including cybersecurity and supply chain requirements.
  • Developing and interpreting acquisition policies, guidelines, and procedures for complex procurements.
  • Providing authoritative recommendations and training on procurement operations.
  • Serving as a Contracting Officer with full authority to execute and administer contracts.
• Education/Training: Must meet the basic requirements for the GS-1102 series (see below).
• Certification: DHS Level III Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) or equivalent.

Basic Requirements for GS-1102 (Contracting Series):

• A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with 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

• B. Exception: Employees in GS-1102 positions as of January 1, 2000, are considered to have met the basic education requirements for other GS-1102 positions.

Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Moderate Risk public trust clearance.
• Pre-employment drug testing required; must have a negative result.
• Financial Disclosure Statement (OGE-450) required annually.
• Essential personnel: May be required to report during continuity of operations events regardless of government closures.
• Must obtain and maintain the appropriate Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) level for the position.