Summary
Serves as a Contract Specialist in the Acquisitions Division, Engineering Department, of the United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission responsible for contracting assignments that include price analysis, administration, termination, and simplified acquisition procedures, performs a full range of pre-award and post award functions for a variety of service, supply, A/E, and/or construction contracts.
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties

• Executes contractual documents within monetary limitations.
• Performs a full range of pre-award and post award functions for multiple agency departments and field offices.
• Develops procurement plans and packages.
• Performs detailed analysis of proposals/quotes received.
• Makes contractually binding decisions for the agency in administration of a contract.
• Monitors contractor performance, negotiating deliver/task orders extensions of deliver schedules, price adjustments,
• Ensures that all post award actions taken comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Positions will be filled under the Direct Hiring Authority for STEM positions in accordance with OPM rules and regulations.
The initial cut-off for consideration is March 19, 2024 ; as needed, applications received by this date will have the first opportunity for review. Applications received after this date will be given consideration only if there is a need for further review.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or Naturalized U.S. Citizen.
• You must obtain and maintain a favorable background Investigation.
• You will be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• You must maintain Direct Deposit of your federal pay.
• You must complete and successfully pass the DHS required E-Verify employment verification check.
• You must complete and submit the required U.S. Office of Government Ethics Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of your appointment and annually thereafter.
• GG-11: You must possess a Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional, and you must have 3 years of contracting experience.
• GG-12: You must possess a Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional, and you must have 4 years of contracting experience.
• You must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 15 pounds unassisted such as office items and supplies; and sustain periods of bending, stooping, and reaching.
• You may be required to work overtime.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Qualifications
Qualifications must be met by the initial cut-off date of 03/19/2024. If further cut-off dates are established, qualifications must be met by those dates. To qualify for this position, you must have and/or meet the education, specialized experience, and certification requirements as listed below:
Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12 - A copy of your transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.
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.
Experience
GG-11: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, your resume must also demonstrate 3 years of contracting experience with at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS/GG-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector;
OR
Graduate Education: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D, or equivalent doctoral degree in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
GG-12: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, your resume must also demonstrate 4 years of contracting experience with at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS/GG-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
Education: There is no substitution of education for experience at the GG-12 grade level.
Grade Differential: Both grade levels perform a wide range of tasks similar to those described in the listing of functional area duties and responsibilities. At the GG-11 grade level the employee will be assigned work to further develop and refine their technical knowledge and skills. Assignments will combine productive work with ongoing training and instruction. Supervision received at the lower grade level will be closer with oversight and review being provided on a regular basis.
Examples of Specialized experience: performing pre-award and post-award contractual functions which require the use of fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, or a combination of contract methods to procure acquisitions and/or large, highly complex or high dollar services; conducting market research/analysis; analyzing proposals/quotes for equipment and commodities that are subject to design or specification; developing procurement plans by reviewing historical data, market conditions, and specifications or technical data packages; developing procurement packages by obtaining or developing determination and findings, memorandums, justifications, scopes of work, and independent government cost estimates; performing detailed analysis of bids, proposals, and quotes to ensure strict compliance with specifications on advertised procurements; recommending award based on the best overall value to the government; conducting negotiations during all phases of the procurement process; coordinating actions with customers, legal counsel, technical, and financial specialists representing various disciplines in the procurement process; compiling contract packages for execution to the Contracting Officer; and ensuring all pre and post award actions comply with applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.
Certification Requirement: In addition to the requirements listed above you must meet the certification requirement listed below, and you must submit proof of certification at the time of application.
GG-11 : You must possess a current Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional, and you must have 3 years of contracting experience.
GG-12: You must possess a current Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional, and you must have 4 years of contracting experience.
Part-Time or Unpaid Experience: Credit will be given for unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/
Education
This position has a positive education requirement as listed in the Qualifications Section of this notice/announcement: A copy of your transcripts are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational requirement.
Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12
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.
Note - For positions at GS-7 through GS-12, applicants who are qualifying based on experience must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position, in addition to meeting the basic requirements above.
GG-11 Graduate Education: To qualify for this grade level, on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
GG-12: For this grade level, you must qualify through experience alone.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education : If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information

• If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (member-4 copy preferred) or other proof of eligibility that shows the dates you were on active duty and your character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are claiming Disabled Veterans' preference you must also submit documentation of disability (i.e. VA Disability Verification Letter) and the SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference." For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov ).
• The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated in well-qualified by scoring 85 or higher on the assessment for this vacancy. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a qualifications review will be conducted. Resumes and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify eligibility and determine qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your rating will be based on the responses to the assessment questionnaire and the information provided in your resume. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. This could cause you to lose consideration for this position.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on your entire application and the extent to which you demonstrate the following competencies and/or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Analysis
• Contracting/Procurement
• Writing

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
  
  • Resume: Please include employment dates and a detailed description for each job entry. You must ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
  • Completed occupational questionnaire.
  • College transcripts: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript; if you fail to submit a copy of your transcript, your application may be rendered disqualified and you may no longer be considered for this position.
  • Certification: You MUST submit a copy of your Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional; if you fail to submit a copy of your FAC-C, your application may be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer receive consideration for this position.
  • Current or former federal civilian employees: Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, appointing authority, and tenure.
  • Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans : DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service , or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service . A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
  • Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
  • Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and the documentation required by that form. Veterans' Preference: For more information and/or to determine if you are eligible for Veterans' Preference, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx (for veterans) or www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx (for family members). Below is a website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214 online: www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ and the documentation required by that form.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
  The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on March 19, 2024 to receive first consideration.
  
  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12277478~
  Agency contact information
  USIBWC HRO
  Email
  HRO-Recruitment_Classification@ibwc.gov
  Address
  United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
  4191 N. Mesa Street
  El Paso, TX 79902
  US
  Next steps
  Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
  You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
• Fair and Transparent
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents
All applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Resume: Please include employment dates and a detailed description for each job entry. You must ensure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
• Completed occupational questionnaire.
• College transcripts: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript; if you fail to submit a copy of your transcript, your application may be rendered disqualified and you may no longer be considered for this position.
• Certification: You MUST submit a copy of your Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional; if you fail to submit a copy of your FAC-C, your application may be rendered disqualified, and you may no longer receive consideration for this position.

• Current or former federal civilian employees: Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating the title, series, grade, appointing authority, and tenure.
• Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans : DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service , or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service . A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
• Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating.
• Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf and the documentation required by that form. Veterans' Preference: For more information and/or to determine if you are eligible for Veterans' Preference, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx (for veterans) or www.fedshirevets.gov/job/familypref/index.aspx (for family members). Below is a website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214 online: www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ and the documentation required by that form.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on March 19, 2024 to receive first consideration.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
• Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
• To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12277478~

Agency contact information
USIBWC HRO
Email
HRO-Recruitment_Classification@ibwc.gov
Address
United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission
4191 N. Mesa Street
El Paso, TX 79902
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.
You will receive status notifications through Application Manager or via email within 4-6 weeks.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request