Branch Chief

Federal Acquisition Service•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Branch Chief is in the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), Office of Acquisition Solutions Development (ASD), and is responsible for managing, planning, coordinating, and successfully executing acquisition activities undertaken by the assigned Branch. The role serves as a senior-level contract specialist for major acquisitions supporting the ASD business portfolio, including the Multiple Award Schedules program, Government-wide Acquisition and Multi-Agency contracts (GWACs and MACs), and telecommunications programs. These acquisitions involve large funding levels and a minimum commitment period of five years. The Branch Chief handles complex, sophisticated, and sensitive acquisitions; serves as the principal contracting advisor to the program management office; and represents ASD as the contractual authority at conferences and meetings. The role engages with senior Federal agency executives to plan procurements and address problems with ongoing contracts, develops solutions to persistent contracting issues, and oversees contract administration. The incumbent supervises contract officers and contracting specialists, provides technical and administrative oversight to staff, and manages the Branch’s daily operations and goals. The position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain FAC-C (Professional) certification. The stated GS-14 salary range starts at $127,624 per year and varies by location. The position is available at any of the listed locations; 13 vacancies are currently being filled, with additional vacancies potentially filled as needed.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or National status (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island).
Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date.
Meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable.
Register with the Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
Pass a Tier 4 background investigation.
Complete a financial disclosure report.
Serve a one-year probationary period and/or one-year supervisory probationary period if required.
Obtain and maintain FAC-C (Professional) certification, as required by the position description.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 or higher in the Federal service, leading or managing acquisition staff through all phases of procurement, from initial planning to contract close-out.
Specialized experience must include at least four of the six listed areas: overseeing or leading pre-award, award, and post-award operations; leading and managing acquisition professionals, including assigning and reviewing work, setting priorities, evaluating performance, providing technical guidance, and resolving complex contracting issues; advising senior managers on acquisition and programming issues and recommending solutions; monitoring and evaluating procurement programs and recommending modifications or alternate methods; applying knowledge of federal acquisition regulations, policies, and procedures to provide guidance and oversight to subordinate staff; or advising on sensitive or controversial product contracts.
For the listed qualification pathway: FAC-C (Professional) or DoD Contracting Professional Certification; at least four years of contracting or related experience, including one year of specialized experience; and a completed four-year bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in specified qualifying fields, subject to the stated exception and waiver provisions.
Submit transcripts documenting the required bachelor's degree and 24 semester hours in qualifying fields if relying on that education requirement.
Provide a resume of no more than two pages with sufficient information to establish qualifications, including relevant experience and required education, certifications, or licenses.
If using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
Current or former political appointees covered by the announcement must disclose that status to the HR Office; OPM authorization is required for employment offers to current or former political appointees.

Responsibilities

Manage, plan, coordinate, and execute acquisition activities undertaken by the assigned Branch.
Serve as a senior-level contract specialist for major acquisitions supporting the ASD business portfolio, including Multiple Award Schedules, GWACs and MACs, and telecommunications programs.
Handle complex, sophisticated, and sensitive acquisitions requiring in-depth knowledge of contracting rules, regulations, and procedures.
Serve as principal contracting advisor to the program management office and represent ASD as the contractual authority at conferences and meetings.
Meet with senior executives within Federal agencies to plan future procurements and resolve unique issues involving ongoing contracts.
Develop solutions to long-standing issues associated with existing and contemplated contracts.
Control contract administration activities, interpret contract provisions, and ensure consistency in contract administration.
Advise the organization on resolving conflicts and the need for contract modifications, and implement lessons learned to improve contract administration.
Supervise contract officers and contracting specialists and provide technical and administrative supervision and oversight to assigned staff.
Oversee the organization’s daily operations and ensure higher-echelon guidelines and priorities are followed.
Manage short- and long-term Branch goals and plans consistent with national performance goals and objectives.
Obtain and maintain FAC-C (Professional) certification.