Contract Specialist

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Management, Department of Energy, with dedicated support to the Office of Environmental Environment. As a Contract Specialist, you will be responsible for all phases of contract management, encompassing formation, solicitation, negotiation, cost and price analysis, award, administration, termination, and close-out.

Duties

The Department of Energy's mission is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The Office of Management office works to deliver corporate support, leadership, and oversight at the Department of Energy for a wide range of management, procurement, and administrative functions. We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy As a Contract Specialist, at the full performance level, you will: Act as a senior procurement authority and expert business advisor to executive leadership, program managers, and technical directorates. Lead the planning and issuance of solicitations characterized by unique technical specifications, lack of regulatory precedent, or specialized market conditions. Establish the negotiation objectives and negotiates directly with management on complex cost-accounting standards, proprietary rights/data licensing, multi-tiered profit arrangements, and high-stakes terms and conditions. Serve as the principal authority for resolving major contractual disputes, extensive Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), and formal contractor claims. Direct full lifecycle administration for major cost-reimbursement, incentive-fee, and complex fixed-price contracts. Provide senior-level technical direction, quality assurance reviews, and mentoring to lower-graded contract specialists. Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Applicants must have at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower grade level of the position in federal service, as defined under Specialized Experience below. AND B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by 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. C. Exceptions: Applicants holding a GS-1102 position in federal service will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupied on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D. D. Waiver: Applicants may request that the senior procurement executive of DOE, at his or her discretion, waive any part of the requirements above. The senior procurement executive must certify that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in DOE on the basis of a waiver, DOE may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within DOE without additional waiver action. In addition to the above, applicants must meet the following SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 OF THE 4 of the following: Developing procurement strategies, acquisition plans, and competitive solicitation documents for complex goods, services, or construction Establishing negotiation objectives through cost/price analysis and conducting negotiations on pricing, technical milestones, and contract terms Administering complex contracts post-award, including tracking contractor performance, approving milestones, and executing contract modifications Interpreting procurement regulations, commercial standards, or policies to resolve contractual disputes, performance deficiencies, and contract administration challenges. GS-14 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 OF THE 4 of the following: Leading the planning, formulation, and execution of comprehensive procurement strategies and competitive solicitations. Conducting cost/price analysis, formulating pre-negotiation objectives, and leading negotiations on complex pricing structures, cost-reimbursement terms, and contractual conditions with senior corporate executives. Administering contracts throughout the full acquisition lifecycle, including evaluating audit findings, resolving subcontractor management issues, approving major milestones, and executing complex bilateral modifications. Interpreting procurement regulations and policies to advise senior leadership on high-risk acquisition decisions and formal bid protest defense Education cannot be substituted for education at the GS-13 and GS-14 levels. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. How You Will Be Evaluated

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Contract Specialist positions in the 1102 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the DHA process. Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b). USA Hire: Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to meet the established proficiency threshold or fail to complete the assessment. Reasonable Accommodation 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 reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Contracting/Procurement Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Negotiation Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Strategic Thinking Stress Tolerance Teamwork CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application: Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status. Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include: Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself. Other Information

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions. The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. EEO Policy: https://www.energy.gov/justice/eeo-complaint-process Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/articles/reasonable-accommodation-and-personal-assistance-service-procedure Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at [email protected]. CTAP/ICTAP Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.