Contract Specialist

Position Title: Contract Specialist

Location: Kittery, Maine (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard)

Category: Contingent

Schedule (FT/PT): FT

Travel Required: NA

Shift: Day

Remote Type: On-site (Remote opportunity possible with Customer approval)

Clearance required: Confidential

Division: Aviation

Who is ACT1 Federal? ACT1 Federal LLC is a 100% employee-owned company. We've served the Department of Defense (DoD) for nearly thirty years. Our core missions include weapon systems engineering, logistics, space domain expertise, global defense and security, business and financial management for security assistance and major defense articles, as well as military training and arctic security. Join us!

Description: ACT1 Federal is currently seeking a Contracts Specialist to manage the end-to-end federal acquisition lifecycle (cradle to grave) for complex equipment and services. Key responsibilities include reviewing requirements and sole-source justifications, drafting regulatory-compliant solicitation packages, and executing market research. Additionally, coordinates technical and price evaluations, performs comprehensive risk and cost-benefit trade-off analyses, develops negotiation strategies, and awards contracts within delegated authority.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee comprehensive post-award contract administration and performance monitoring from execution through final closeout. Actively track contractor progress, verifying deliveries, resolving operational issues, and negotiating complex contract modifications.
• Serves as the principal command representative and primary point of contact, interpreting contract provisions for DoD/Navy officials and industry partners. Formulates the initial Navy position on bid protests and claims, executes termination actions, and manages final settlement and contract closeout procedures.
• Execute, administer, and manage complex, high-value acquisition vehicles to meet diverse and shifting organizational requirements, utilizing a wide range of specialized procurement strategies. Plan, establish, and manage IDIQ contracts, BOAs, and BPAs, as well as leverage GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts and other Federal Supply Schedules to streamline the procurement of highly technical supplies and services. Encompasses the full acquisition lifecycle, including conducting comprehensive market research, structuring acquisition plans, drafting formal solicitations, evaluating proposals, performing detailed cost and price analyses, and leading negotiations to secure optimal terms for the Government.
• Structure and issue performance-based task and delivery orders under these established vehicles, managing modifications, executing options, monitoring contract ceilings, and ensuring strict compliance with the FAR, DFARS, and local command policies through final contract closeout.
• Use established contractual approaches to accomplish economic component breakdown, foster maximum competition and maintain contract performance; and makes persuasive presentations to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle significant or controversial claims, issues or problems. Resolves and settles audit findings.
• Ensure contract file folders for each requirement are organized and current. Ensure milestones are entered and updated as changes occur. Organize multiple records formats, keep the Contracting Officer informed of the progress of an acquisition.
• Arrange pre-proposal conferences and prepare documentation on conference results. Prepare contract documents to include appropriate standard clauses and special provisions and incentives, such as price redetermination or cost and performance incentive provisions. Provide possible solutions or options based on analysis.
• Collect, review, and input data into computer system and audit output data. Develop Power Point presentations for briefings, and trainings; excel spreadsheets for tracking documents, and input into developed or existing databases.
• Prepare reports and other documents and finalize correspondence for review/acceptance by the Government.
• Proofread/edit correspondence and documents for correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and format.
• Provide appropriate action to expedite delivery or performance when required by mission changes and prepare documentation to support change orders as necessary. Analyze change order proposals and provide data to the contracting officer when the contractor proposal varies significantly from the original estimates.
• Provide on-the-job training and formalized training for government employees.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Active Confidential clearance required.
• 5–7 years as a contract specialist supporting the DoD is required.
• Experience in Government regulations, manuals, pertaining to procurement with a working knowledge of Federal and DoD regulations to include the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is required.
• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Certification or equivalent required.

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• ACT1 Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401K with employer match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Military Leave
• Education, Training & Professional Development
• Voluntary Accidental Injury/Critical Illness/Hospital Care
• Voluntary Pet Insurance, Legal Resources, and Identity Protection

Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of flexibility and collaboration, whether that happens in person or remotely.

• If this position is listed as remote or hybrid, you'll periodically work from a ACT1 Federal or client site facility.
• If this position is listed as onsite, you'll work with colleagues and clients in person, as needed for the specific role.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.