This is a civilian position and does not require military service including commission and enlistment

Full Job Description
JOB TITLE: Contract Specialist (Trainee to Full Performance)
JOB GRADE: GS-1102-7 Target 11 (Trainee)
LEVEL IN ORGANIZATION: Non-Supervisory
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SAFETY STATUS: Obtain & Maintain Secret Clearance
REPORTS TO: Supervisor Contract Specialist
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Trainee position – No experience required. Degree is a substitution for experience. Responsible for complex procurements from inception through closeout. Analyzing market conditions to develop procurement plans. Develops procurement plans by reviewing technical data packages. Resolve issues encountered such as locating sufficient sources for competition, encouraging sources found to apply to be a government contractor, contract performance, etc. Develop new or modified terms/conditions to resolves legal and technical problems. Performs post-award functions to include monitoring contractor performance AND negotiating Delivery Orders (DO). Conducts extensive negotiations during all phases of the procurement process.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs all pre-award contracting functions which require the use of fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, or a combination of contract methods and types to procure large, highly complex/high dollar equipment systems, programs or services where little or no contractual precedent exists. Analyzes requirements and recommends necessary revisions to requesting activities to clarify requirements. Determines method of procurement, milestones, acquisition plan and type of contract. Develops procurement plans by reviewing previous history, market conditions, and specifications or technical data packages. Develops procurement packages which include obtaining and/or developing Determination and Findings (D&F), Memorandums, Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC), scopes of work, Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE), reporting requirements, security requirements checklists, technical data packages, evaluation criteria, method of solicitation and any other required documents. Develops a source file of responsible contractors by analyzing industries' technical and financial ability to satisfy requirements. Encourages possible sources to request qualification for government procurements. Compiles bidders' list from qualified applications, knowledge of suppliers, contacts with trade associations, Small Business Administration (SBA), or other sources. Prepares solicitations and determines sources to be solicited. Conducts pre-solicitation/pre-proposal conferences and processes protests. Performs detailed analysis of bids/proposals received, ensuring strict compliance with specifications on advertised procurements, and recommending award to lowest responsible, responsive bidder. Performs detailed analysis of proposals received, ensuring strict compliance with specifications on negotiated procurements, and recommending award based on best overall value to the Government. Obtains necessary reports and evaluates the contractors' fiscal soundness, production capacity, quality control, present commitments, previous record of performance and other indicators of capacity to perform. Analyzes proposal for requirements which range from minor equipment to commodities that are subject to design or specification changes or the introduction of changes in manufacturing processes. Coordinates actions with customers, legal counsel, technical, and financial specialists, the small business utilization specialist, etc., who represent the various disciplines involved in the procurement process. Compiles the contract package for execution by the Contracting Officer (KO).

Performs post-award functions to include monitoring contractor performance, negotiating Delivery Orders (DO), extensions of delivery schedules, price adjustments, modifications to the contract and similar agreements and contract closeout. Recommends to the KO the issuance of cure/show cause notices when appropriate. Participates in post-award conferences when necessary. Prepares response to congressional inquiry, processing of protests after award, processing claims and the resolution of such claims and protests. Ensures that all post award actions taken are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and Executive Orders (EO).

Conducts extensive negotiations during all phases of the procurement process. Formulates the negotiation strategy, to include preparation, coordination and execution of Pre-Negotiation Objective Memorandums (POM)/Price Negotiation Memorandums (PNM) which detail the terms, conditions and pricing strategy for the negotiations. Identifies areas subject to negotiation (e.g. price, quantity discounts, packaging, payment discounts, transportation and delivery, etc.). Consults with technical specialist concerning data submitted by offerors.

Requests or performs price/cost analysis. Analyzes and evaluates findings contained in audit reports, and supports recommendations with detailed analysis of each cost element. Utilizes a variety of price/cost analysis techniques involving a wide range of factors affecting contractors' costs, for which pertinent historical data are generally available. Examples of factors affecting costs that are analyzed are profit margin, direct and indirect labor, overhead, General and Administrative (G&A) expenses, etc. Analyzes proposals which extend for more than one year and require projecting expected changes in labor and material costs and technology which do not permit price comparisons because of restricted competition. Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge of contracting principles, laws, regulations and procedures applicable to the complex, high dollar, long term (5 year systems/life performance) contracts using the full range of fixed price, cost or combinations of contract types. Knowledge of business strategy and program or technical requirements to perform or direct in-depth evaluations of the financial and technical capabilities, or the performance of contractors. Knowledge of and skill in the use of negotiation techniques to negotiate price, terms and conditions of contracts. Knowledge of price/cost analyses procedures to evaluate proposals/bids and develop a negotiation position to obtain the best terms for the Government.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Requirements, Conditions of Employment: Requires a background investigation if selected. Requires a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually thereafter.
*

• This position requires business travel up to 15% of the time.
• This is an Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Workforce position. Selectee must meet position requirements for Contracting certification within 36 months as of entrance on duty. Training will be provided.
• New employee will serve a one-year probationary period.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is primarily sedentary. Negotiations are conducted over an extended period of time without rest periods or breaks (4 hours or longer) and may extend into the evening hours.WORK ENVIRONMENT: Works in a normal office environment.Job Type: Full-timePay: Begins (GS-7 Step 1): $44,740. In one year (GS-9 Step 1): $54,727. In two years from start date (GS-11 Step 1): $66,214. May increase with time in service and promotions.Benefits: Thrift Saving Plan (TSP) * Up to 5% match on TSP

• Dental insurance if wanted
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid Leave / time off
• Paid Sick leave
• FERS Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training Program allows one to acquire experience
• Entry level position with progression to higher grade
• Career Field with Promotion Potential

Schedule: Once training is complete, Alternate, Flexible and/or Regular work schedules. Once training is complete, Telework is allowed according to mission requirements.

• * Monday to Friday
• Weekends and Holidays off.

Work Location: One locationHiring InsightsHiring candidates continuously due to promotions.Job activityN/a…

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $49,025.00 - $72,553.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Work Location: In person