Applied Research Solutions is seeking a full-time Senior Acquisition Specialist located at MacDill AFB, FL. The Senior Acquisition Specialist’s primary function will be to manage the International Operations, Policy and Management, and Partnered Operations portfolios while supporting SOF AT&L.

Why Work with us?

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support. Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career- driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state-of-the-art results for our mission partners. We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers. 

Responsibilities include:

• Provide significant, expert level support to government counterparts regarding the acquisition management processes and acquisition functions by maintaining a broad understanding of assigned acquisition program and conform to USSOCOM 70-1; develop program documentation to include SOW, PWS, SAMP, APB, ADM, program protection plans, financial focused spend plans, Congressional Briefs, ZBTs/Issues; and oversees DoD 5000, JCIDS/SOFCIDS, and SOF unique processes for technology projects, as well as ACAT II and III programs
• Expertly adjust programmatic support to meet emergencies, changing programs or production requirements within available resources and without sacrifice to completeness and accuracy
• Recommend and design strategies to increase effectiveness and efficiency of acquisition business processes
• Work with organizational managers, budget personnel, logisticians, and engineering authorities to develop and gain approval for proposed projects
• Collects and analyzes metrics and requirements from supported organizations
• Provide expert level support to government counterparts regarding identifying, assessing, developing, and mitigating program risk. To include briefing leadership on status of program risks and recurring risk reports
• Keep program information and files current and organize data to submit to management for decision making
• Prepare reports and briefings on program status, policies, and procedures, in support of acquisition program milestones
• Analyze effectiveness and efficiency of program; develop recommendations to improve program operations
• Expertly adjust technical support to meet emergencies, changing programs or production requirements within available resources and without sacrifice to completeness and accuracy
• Assist in answering data calls and inquiries on program policies and procedures
• Assist in managing program cost, schedule, performance, and risks in accordance to policies and procedures; formulate proposed mitigations as necessary
• Coordinate program information with internal and external stakeholders
• Interpret regulations and directives to determine impact on programs; monitor programs and projects to ensure compliance with policies and procedures
  Identifies optimal acquisition strategy. Defines technical and contractual requirements associated with client need
• Research ways to eliminate program bottlenecks and barriers to production; support government counterparts in development of solutions to program issues
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/ Technical Experience Requirements:

• Must be a US Citizen
• Top Secret/SCI Eligible or Secret clearance 
• Ability to communicate effectively at the General Officer and Senior Executive Service levels, both oral and written
• Ability to perform as part of a diverse team, coordinating and managing multiple strategic tasks for the Program Manager - Undersea Systems and Program Executive Officer – Maritime
• Strong working knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical acquisition requirements
• Strategic thinker, with expertise of the Defense Acquisition System as directed by DoD Instruction 5000.02, “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”
• Strong working Knowledge of Microsoft (MS) Office Suite software
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of fact-finding, analysis and resolution of complex contracting problems, and the ability to develop concrete action plans to solve problems
• Working knowledge of the Defense Acquisition Framework process
• Significant experience with task management systems, proficient in building executive level briefings, and able to apply acquisition experience to formulation and consolidation of official responses to taskers, RFIs, etc.
• Ability to adjust work operations and program objectives to meet emergencies, changing programs or production requirements within available resources and with minimum sacrifice of quality or quantity of work
• Knowledge of principles and practices of teambuilding. Ability to establish performance goals and assess progress toward their achievement
• Knowledge of price and cost analysis sufficient to support government technical reviews on proposals, actual and estimated expenditures. Ability to properly apply funding rules associated with the obligation of multiple types of appropriations
• Working knowledge of Project management/scheduling software programs such as MS Project
• DAWIA Advanced Equivalency IAW the PWS (DAWIA level III equivalent), and in the Program Management or Science and Technology field; and completed all DAWIA Level III non-resident course prerequisites in the Program Management field
• Degree in Business related field plus 10 years’ experience in Program Management of DoD Acquisition Systems. Master's Degree can be substituted with a bachelor’s degree in Business related field plus 8 additional years’ experience in Program Management of DoD Acquisition Systems at the Acquisition Category (ACAT) II-level or higher
• 5 years of experience shall be utilizing program management practices and tools to simultaneously manage multiple complex and high-risk acquisitions from project initiation phase through financial closeout while working in a face-paced environment
• 5 years of experience shall be in interpreting and applying regulatory and statutory requirements for DoD Acquisition Systems at the ACAT-II level or higher, to include development of all facets of acquisition documents used to govern the acquisition process DoD new acquisition programs entering the defense acquisition process prior to Milestone B
• 5 years of experience shall be in developing, implementing, and controlling contractual, financial, and technical aspects of a project/program through designated phases of the acquisition cycle for which no closely related precedents exists.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.