Indirect Rate Specialist

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a skilled Indirect Rate Specialist to assist with a classified project in support of the USAID based out Washington, DC, hybrid, in office 3 days a week.

Indirect Rate Specialist provides expert-level cost analysis and indirect rate negotiation support to ensure compliance with USAID and U.S. Government regulations. Works closely with Contracting Officers (COs), Agreement Officers (AOs), auditors, legal counsel, and technical teams to establish and monitor provisional and final indirect cost rates for contractors and grantees.

What You’ll Do

• Support review, analysis, and negotiation of provisional and final indirect cost rate proposals in accordance with federal cost principles (allowability, allocability, and reasonableness).
• Prepare negotiation objectives and conduct detailed cost/price analyses, including evaluation of expense pools, allocation bases, and business volume forecasts.
• Maintain official NICRA files and ensure completeness and accuracy of documentation in agency systems.
• Coordinate with auditors, legal counsel, and functional specialists to address audit findings and recommendations related to indirect costs.
• Provide technical guidance to COs and AOs regarding indirect cost rate application and compliance requirements.
• Monitor provisional rate performance, conduct trend analysis, and recommend rate adjustments as necessary.
• Support policy development and interpretation related to cost principles, indirect rates, and financial compliance matters.
  
  

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of direct experience reviewing and negotiating indirect rates for a U.S. Government department or agency. No prior experience with USAID.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field.
• FAC-C Professional, CFCM, CPA, or CGFM certification (Required).
• Strong knowledge of federal cost principles and indirect rate methodologies.
• Experience maintaining NICRA documentation and working within government financial management systems.
• Ability to quickly assimilate complex award mechanisms (Government-to-Government, Title II, Interagency Awards, Public International Organizations).
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment.
  
  

Salary

• $75,000 - $85,000 Benefits
  
  

(Contract administration, Federal contracting, FAR, DFARS, Acquisition planning, Procurement, Contract negotiation, Contract closeout, Source selection, Market research, Solicitation development, Contract writing, Award documentation, Government procurement, IDIQ contracts, Task order management, Cost analysis, Price analysis, Compliance oversight, Contract oversight, Vendor management, Performance monitoring, Risk management, COR coordination, Contract file management, Procurement policy, Acquisition lifecycle, Statement of Work development, RFP/RFQ development, Hybrid work, Washington DC, National Capital Region, Federal acquisition regulations)