Contract Specialist

As a Contract Specialist at the full performance level, you will be responsible for the full range of pre-award and post-award functions within the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).

Location determined upon selection.

FAS provides a vast array of innovative products, services, and solutions across government at the best value possible.

We are currently filling six vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Qualifications:

GS-1102 Basic Requirement:

(A) A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field

or

(B) 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.

Exception Provision :If you occupied a GS-1102 position at the GS-5 through GS-12 on January 1, 2000, you are considered to meet the basic requirement. 

The GS-09 salary range starts at $62,640 per year

The GS-11 salary range starts at $75,788 per year.

The GS-12 salary range starts at $90,838 per year.

Locality pay may vary. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify for the GS-09, in addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 or higher in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing recurring and developmental contracting assignments to procure supplies and/or services. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:

• Determining appropriate contracting methods and contract type;
• Performing work related to the pre-award and/or post-award process;
• Preparing solicitation documentation and drafting the final contract;
• Evaluating vendor offers for responsiveness;
• Identifying excessive or underestimated prices and negotiates prices;
• Responding to and resolving common acquisition issues.

OR

Education may be substituted for specialized experience if you have a Master's (or equivalent graduate degree such as LL.B. or J.D. as specified in qualification standards or individual occupational requirements), or two academic years of progressively higher level graduate education. To be creditable, such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and
abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

Have a combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience that when combined together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

To qualify for the GS-11, in addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 or higher in the Federal Service. 

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing routine and developmental contracting assignments procuring supplies and/or services using a full range of contracting methods, contract vehicles and types. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:

• Planning and carrying out routine pre-award and/or post-award acquisition actions;
• Preparing solicitation documentation and drafting the final contract including recommendations for award;
• Evaluating vendor offers for both technical and price/cost factors to ensure best value to the organization/agency;
• Negotiating contracts, orders and/or modifications with few clauses or addendums;
• Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues some of which require additional research to provide recommendations/responses.

OR

Education may be substituted for specialized experience if you have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or have successfully completed three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. To be creditable, such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

Have a combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience that when combined together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

To qualify for the GS-12, in addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 or higher in the Federal Service. 

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing contracting assignments procuring supplies and/or services using a wide range of contracting methods, contract vehicles and types. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:

• Planning and carrying out pre- and post-award acquisition actions;
• Preparing solicitation documentation incorporating necessary specialized provisions, and drafting the final contract;
• Evaluating vendor offers for both technical and price/cost factors as well as evaluating bidders capacity to perform/comply with contract clauses and specifications;
• Planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract;
• Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues that require research to provide recommendations/responses;
• Analyzing contracting issues and identifying alternative courses of action.

A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the resumes of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of these five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), for each grade, based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses below. 

GS-09

• Knowledge of commonly used contracting methods and contract types relating to the performance of pre award, post award, and/or contract price/cost analysis functions when the contract actions are well defined and well precedented. 
• Knowledge of formal advertising sufficient to solicit bids to procure a variety of requirements ranging from standard to specialized supplies, services.
• Knowledge of post award procedures sufficient to administer firm fixed-price, time and materials, indefinite delivery, or other contracts. 
• Knowledge of contract negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate or administer contracts where the contracting actions are well defined and well precedented. 
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders. 

GS-11

• Knowledge of Federal contracting laws, policies, regulations and procedures to assist in acquiring and administering contracts for services, supplies, and equipment. 
• Knowledge of cost and price analysis and cost accounting standards sufficient to perform a limited range of strategic, analytical and technical procurement assignments. 
• Skill in communicating effectively orally, and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders. This includes presentation of clear and comprehensive contract file documentation sufficient to sustain audits and protests, as well as keeping management, customers, and contractors apprised of project status and key issues of concern. 
• Knowledge of negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications, and settlements. Knowledge of various types of contracts, methods of contracting and selection factors to satisfy requirements and to conduct negotiations in the pre-award and post award phases of contracting. 

GS-12

• Skill in applying Federal contracting laws, policies, regulations and procedures to acquire and administer contracts for a wide range of extensive or unique services, supplies, and equipment. 
• Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders to lead status meetings for internal and external stakeholders, administer cradle-to-grave contracts, and address contractor performance issues. 
•  Knowledge of the full range of Federal socioeconomic and labor policies and regulations, including those related to small business, small disadvantaged business, women-owned business, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act, the Service Contract Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. 
• Skill in the use of negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements. 
• Knowledge of various types of contracts, methods of contracting, and selection factors to satisfy complex requirements and to conduct negotiations in the pre-award and post-award phases of contracting.

Responsibilities:

At a Contract Specialist at the full performance level, you will:

• Serve as a liason between customers and vendors in an effort to procure the best value product/service from vendors to meet customer needs.
• Be responsible for the full range of pre-award and post-award functions (e.g., acquisition planning, requirements development, solicitation preparation, price/cost analysis, negotiation, administration, termination, and contract closeout)
• Procure a wide range of services or supplies utilizing a variety of acquisition methods and vehicles, such as the Multiple Award Schedules Program.
• Monitor contractors to ensure products and services are delivered in accordance with terms and conditions of the contracts.

Salary : $62,640 - $90,838