Acquisition & Utilization Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Cincinnati, OH

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Acquisition & Utilization Specialist serves as the medical center liaison and advisor on contract-related services, with a focus on critical clinical and healthcare services, product acquisition, and support services. The role advises project managers, program managers, upper management, and stakeholders on procurement matters for a wide variety of items and specialized services. The position supports the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, a two-division campus serving communities in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, along with outpatient and outreach locations.

The specialist develops procurement procedures, policies, and supporting materials consistent with federal acquisition laws and regulations; analyzes service requirements and advises on implementation considerations; trains facility Contracting Officers; and manages procurement packages for unique, emergent, and complex acquisitions. The role also advises leadership and stakeholders, negotiates requirements across sites and service lines, monitors contract execution and quality assurance, and assists contracting officials with negotiations, modifications, and contract administration.

This is an onsite position, not a virtual position. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting. Occasional travel may be required to inspect contract facilities or motor vehicles providing healthcare resources and confirm that Joint Commission and safety requirements are met.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• For current or former federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements: 52 weeks at GS-9 for a GS-11 position.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 in the Federal service, including healthcare-related contract services, product acquisition, and procurement; oversight of pre-award and post-award contracts; preparation of procurement packages and requirement documents; sole-source justifications; acquisition and contracting analyses and recommendations; participation in negotiations and contract administration; and monitoring expenditures and reporting deviations from contract terms.
• Alternatively, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; or an equivalent combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• Competencies include Technical Competence, Contracting/Procurement, and Control of Funds.
• Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• A driver's license is listed as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Develop procedures, policies, and supporting artifacts to ensure procurement activities comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), and other federal procurement laws and regulations.
• Analyze requirements and recommend courses of action, addressing considerations such as construction, budgeting, supporting manpower, and other factors.
• Train facility Contracting Officers on procurement policies and new procurement processes and procedures.
• Establish, expedite, and review consolidated procurement packages, including packages for unique, emergent, and complex requirements, to meet acquisition timing and technical needs.
• Develop and deliver presentations and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders explaining regulations and procedures.
• Negotiate performance requirements among multiple sites and service lines to reach agreement and standardize enterprise equipment, supply, and service requirements in support of strategic acquisition plans.
• Establish and maintain controls to ensure contracts are executed according to their terms.
• Advise contract specialists and contracting officers on negotiations and contract modifications, change orders, supplemental agreements, delivery orders, requirements definition, justification and approval, service contract extensions, contracting methods, proposal evaluation, and contract administration.
• Monitor quality assurance surveillance plans to ensure contracted services meet facility expectations and needs.
• Conduct occasional inspections of contract facilities or motor vehicles providing healthcare resources to verify Joint Commission and safety requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• VA may grant newly appointed federal employees credit for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree