Contract Specialist

Summary

The mission of the Antitrust Division is to promote competition by enforcing the antitrust laws to protect economic freedom and opportunity on behalf of the American people.

The Antitrust Division has openings for Contract Specialists to join its dedicated team and gain invaluable experience working in the public interest to protect the competitive process.

Are you ready to contribute to matters of national importance that promote a competitive and productive American economy?

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Duties

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This position is located in the Acquisitions Management Section (AMS) of the Executive Office (EXO) within the Antitrust Division (ATR). EXO is a very dynamic and fast-paced office, delivering professional management services that power ATR's people and mission. Within EXO, AMS is responsible for providing Division services, guidance, and responsible stewardship of resources, by complying with all Federal regulations, along with Department and Division policies that govern acquisition.

As a Contract Specialist, you will:

• Complex Information Technology Acquisitions - Analyze sources for the products or services to be procured. Procure products and services using negotiation techniques.
• Professional Services, Expert Witness, and Litigation Support Acquisitions - Monitor outstanding contracts to ensure satisfactory progress, to assure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, and to identify problems that threaten contractor performance.
• Strategic Acquisition Planning and Customer Engagement - Provide procurement advice and assistance to program managers, technical and financial specialists, co-workers, and/or others on contract or procurement policies, problems, or issues. Conducts pre-proposal conference(s) with prospective contractor(s) to arrive at a clear understanding of what is required under the proposed contract.
• End-to-End Contracting and Acquisition Leadership - Perform work related to the review, analysis, and/or interpretation of procurement policy, concepts, guidance, or procedures for use in the solution of problems or the accomplishment of projects or programs. Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, administer, award, analyze, advise on, and/or terminate contracts for the procurement of supplies and services.

Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this position.
• You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.
• You may be required to take and successfully clear a drug test.
• You must submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement.
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see SSS.gov). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• This is a full-time, non-supervisory permanent appointment in the competitive service that may be extended up to 4 years at the option of the agency, subject to a one-year probationary period in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 315.801.
• The Antitrust Division participates in the E-Verify program.
• The incumbent must possess a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting, FAC-C (Professional), see for more information.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Educational Requirements AND Specialized Experience Requirements.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications Standard for the Contracting Series, 1102

GS-12:

1. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;

OR

1. 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.

GS-13:

1. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

AND

1. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by 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.
2. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.
3. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

The incumbent must possess a current Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting, FAC-C (Professional).

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Specialized experience is experience that has provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to this position being filled.

GS-12: To qualify for this position at the GS-12 level , your resume must reflect at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing all of the following:

• Planning, awarding, and administering complex federal acquisitions for information technology (IT) products (such as cloud services, software licensing, cybersecurity, systems integration, or enterprise IT solutions) and services; and procuring professional services (such as expert witnesses, economic consultants, litigation support services, technical subject matter experts, or other specialized professional services) in support of mission-critical operations;
• Advising customers on procurement strategies and contract vehicles, identifying acquisition risks, developing milestone schedules, and recommending innovative, compliant acquisition solutions that improve procurement outcomes while balancing cost, schedule, and performance considerations in accordance with federal acquisition regulations; and
• Managing a portfolio of acquisitions from acquisition planning through contract closeout including negotiations contract terms and modifications, resolving contractual issues and monitoring performance and compliance.

GS-13: To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level , your resume must reflect at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing all of the following:

• Planning, awarding, and administering complex federal acquisitions for information technology (IT) products (such as cloud services, software licensing, cybersecurity, systems integration, or enterprise IT solutions) and services; and procuring complex professional services (such as expert witnesses, economic consultants, litigation support services, technical subject matter experts, or other specialized professional services) in support of mission-critical operations;
• Providing expert-level guidance to customers on procurement strategies and contract vehicles, identifying acquisition risks, developing milestone schedules, and recommending innovative, compliant acquisition solutions that improve procurement outcomes while balancing cost, schedule, and performance considerations in accordance with federal acquisition regulations;
• Independently managing a portfolio of complex acquisitions from acquisition planning through contract closeout including leading negotiations contract terms and modifications, resolving contractual issues and monitoring performance and compliance.
• Demonstrating mastery of contracting methods and contract types, qualitative and quantitative assessments of contract effectiveness.

IMPORTANT : A full year of work is 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Applicants MUST submit a copy of transcripts with your application. An unofficial transcript is acceptable to qualify, but it must include your full name, name of the school, the date and degree awarded (if conferred), and the list of classes, grades and credits earned. You will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment if you are selected.

All academic degrees and course work must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation.

*Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

*All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is online.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over candidates from other agencies for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority over other applicants who are not employees of the Department of Justice if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is online.

NOTE: To verify your veterans' preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. (1) If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of the SF-15, Application for 10 Point Veterans' Preference OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service-connected disability AND character of service. (2) If you are claiming 10-point DERIVED PREFERENCE as a relative you must submit Member Copy 4 of the veteran's DD-214, and an SF-15, Application for 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of this form. If you fail to do so, you will receive consideration as a non-veteran.

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Veterans' Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

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.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.