CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Summary About the Position: Incumbent performs pre-award and post-award contract specialist duties, including acquisition planning, analysis, negotiation, administration, coordination, and related contracting functions, at the GS-07 grade level through the full performance GS-12 grade level. This announcement is intended to fill multiple vacancies. Selectees will be assigned to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers duty location, negotiable only to the locations listed in this announcement. Responsibilities Plan contract actions with program staff and choose the best acquisition approach. Advise customers on contracting rules, resolve issues, and support competition and compliance. Review bids and proposals, analyze price or cost, and support fair negotiations. Prepare solicitations, amendments, and award documents for supplies, and services. Manage contracts after award, track performance, and process changes, payments, and closeout. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Civilian Employees of the Command Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist: Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. OR Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-07 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-07 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Assisting in preparing basic solicitation documents and purchase orders for commercial supplies or services using simplified acquisition procedures. OR 2. Reviewing vendor quotes and basic bids for administrative completeness and compliance with solicitation terms. OR 3. Tracking contractor delivery schedules, checking routine payment invoices for accuracy, and assembling file documentation for contract closeout. OR 4. Conducting basic market research to identify potential vendors and increase competition. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level (GS-05) position in the federal service. GS-09 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Preparing solicitations, amendments, and award packages for standard firm-fixed-price supplies, services, or routine construction projects. OR 2. Performing basic price or cost analysis on vendor quotes and proposals to determine price reasonableness. OR 3. Administering active contracts by monitoring contractor performance, issuing routine contract modifications, and verifying project deliverables. OR 4. Participating on acquisition teams to assist with pre-bid conferences, competitive range determinations, and vendor debriefings. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level (GS-07) position in the federal service. GS-11 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Developing pre-award documentation (i.e.; acquisition plans, and/or solicitations for procurements, services, or contracts). OR 2. Performing cost/price analysis on proposals, including tasks such as evaluating labor rates, overhead costs, and subcontractor pricing data. OR 3. Participating in negotiations, performing duties such as establishing objectives, calculate profit targets, or draft pre/post-negotiation documentation. OR 4. Managing post-award administration for contracts, including processing agreements, evaluating contractor performance, closing out files, and/or issuing notices. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level (GS-09) position in the federal service. GS-12 Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service in at least 3 of the following areas: 1. Performing pre-award, post-award and closeout work for various contracting projects, OR 2. Negotiating and awarding contracts and contract modifications. OR 3. Performing price/cost analysis and monitoring contractor's performance. OR 4. Performing work associated with the termination of contracts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent. For the GS-07 you must have 52 weeks at the GS-05 level. For the GS-09 you must have 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For the GS-11 you must have 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. For the GS-12 you must have 52 weeks at the GS-11 level. Qualification requirement: Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct deposit of pay is required. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter; for the GS-11 and GS-12 grade levels only. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) Contract & Acquisition Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is NOTauthorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Recruitment/Relocation incentive WILL NOT be authorized. Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Promotion is never automatic. Promotion is based on the recommendation by the supervisor that employee meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion, is performing the full scope of the major duties, and is functioning under the supervisory controls as stated in the target job description. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable\_Accommodations\_for\_USA\_Hire