Summary
At the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), contract specialists perform a wide range of functions related to the acquisition strategy. They plan, award, and administer various contracts to include supplies, services, construction, and research and development. Their purchases have direct impact on our mission. While both challenging and rewarding, there are specific entry requirements to join the FBI. Those who complete the process become part of a dedicated team that keeps our country safe.
This job is open to
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current excepted service federal employees.
Individuals with disabilities
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency.
Military spouses
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Veterans
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens.
Duties
GS-11: The selectee independently:
Provides guidance to technical personnel involved in the development of the statement of work and coordinates with technical, legal, and other appropriate personnel, as necessary.
Advertises procurements, ensures that the bid schedule is properly structured, prepares the solicitation, ensures adequate sources are solicited, conducts pre-bid conferences, processes protests, and determines the responsiveness of bids, quotes or proposals and the responsibility of the apparent low bidder, quoter or offeror.
Perform cost analysis to assist with determining acceptability of technical proposals prior to conducting pre-award surveys for determining responsibility of prospective contractor.
Participates in post award conferences and debriefings. Assists with responses to protests of contract awards, contractor complaints, and inquiries relating to procurement action.
Brief project status and progress at recurring project management reviews. Ensures project activities are completed per the project milestone schedule.
Directs the full range of contract administration actions required for the acquisition program, including the issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of changes, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays and contractor performance appraisal, dispositions of claims, and similar matters.
GS-12: In addition to the above, the selectee independently:
Performs all aspects of contract administration for a wide variety of highly complex procurements and contracts that are unusual, unique, non-routine or otherwise difficult to accomplish.
Serves as a business advisor responsible for providing expert guidance in the planning, directing, and coordinating of customer requirements including acquisition planning, contract solicitation, pricing, negotiation, execution, and post award contract management.
Receives and reviews requests from technical project managers for the procurement of complex equipment, services and/or construction. Analyzes the requirements, recommends revisions to or expansions on the statement of work, or specifications as necessary, and determines the type of contract, establishes milestones, and develops the procurement plan.
Prepares solicitation documents, incorporating numerous provisions, such as cost accounting standards, requirements for technical proposals with appropriate weighting factors, testing procedures, cost escalation factors, cost data requirements, and socioeconomic programs.
Solicits proposals ensuring maximum practicable competition is obtained for each requirement.
Analyzes difficult issues and identify alternate courses of action regarding contract administration, modify standard procedures and solve a variety of problems.
GS-13: In addition to the above, the selectee:
Prepares detailed statements of work, special contract provisions and performs analysis on all source selection elements and cost elements in a contractor's proposal.
Manages highly complex awards and/or negotiates resolution to expedite contractual matters.
Directs the award and administration of long-term contracts supporting the FBI's major systems and projects.
Serves as the primary negotiator for major contracts, coordinates the activities and serves as the leader of the negotiation team.
Enforces contract terms, conditions, and provisions; prepares or takes action on requests for consideration; recommends and prepares contracts for terminations of default or convenience; prepares correspondence; and, replies to the customer.
Analyzes new or revised rules and regulations on procurements and contracts issued by General Accounting Office, General Services Administration, Comptroller General Executive Orders, and others, for any effect or potential effect on enterprise operations. Contacts representative(s) of agencies issuing regulations for clarification or additional information on certain points, if necessary.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Qualifications
GS 11: Applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience (SE) equivalent to the GS-9 grade level.
Experience applying contracting principles and procedures applicable to pre-award and/or post-award actions sufficient to procure and/or administer contracts for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction.
Experience identifying problems, reporting findings, developing conclusions and making recommendations to management.
In addition to the specialized experience above, GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
Experience recommending revisions to or expansions on the statement of work, or specifications as necessary, and determining the type of contract, procurement plan and establishing milestones.
Experience performing cost, price, and/or best value analysis, which includes review of cost breakdowns, and cost technical tradeoff to determine reasonableness and best value.
In addition to the specialized experience above, GS-13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
Experience planning, developing, and establishing of long- and short-range procurement and contracting plans, strategies and approaches for overall acquisitions and life cycle programs.
Experience interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures to specific contracting issues.
Education
This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
To minimally qualify all applicants must meet the basic requirements from A or B as listed below:
A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field
OR
At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following field: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
Basic requirements for GS-13:
A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to the 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 that position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work of the position.
AND
B. 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.
Training and certification can be achieved on the job and in accordance with FBI Procurement Training Plans. Certification requirements may be viewed at: www.fai.gov.
Candidates possessing a current FAC-C must indicate the level of certification in their resume.
A valid DAWIA certification is equivalent to a FAC-C at the same certification level, provided the FAC-C education and continuous learning requirements have been met. Your resume and transcripts must clearly demonstrate meeting these requirements.
Additional Educational Information:
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.
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 paragraph 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, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position in the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
Additional information
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):
Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties).
The month/year work began.
Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
Specific duties performed.
Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.
Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans' preference will be applied.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:
Contracting/Procurement
Customer Service
Interpersonal Ability
Required Documents
Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
A complete assessment questionnaire
Other supporting documents (if applicable):
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later
How to Apply
To apply for the Contract Specialist position, please click here.
Agency contact information
Human Resources HQ Staffing
Email
FBI_HQStaffing@fbi.gov
Address
Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20535
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.