Contract Administrator II

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority•Hyattsville, KY

About The Position

The Contract Administrator II works in WMATA’s Office of Procurement and Materials, preparing, managing, awarding, administering, and closing out contracts for materials, equipment, supplies, services, professional and technical services, construction, and Architecture and Engineering. The role handles standard procurements and provides guidance to less experienced Contract Administrators. It may include limited contracting officer authority for contracts up to $250,000. The position manages the procurement lifecycle from receipt of a procurement request through solicitation, negotiation, contract award, administration, and close-out. The Contract Administrator advises internal customers, helps keep solicitations on schedule, resolves issues, and works with customers and industry representatives on acquisition requirements and contractual matters. The role also conducts negotiations for contract modifications and claims and may lead negotiations for minor modifications. The position requires knowledge of government procurement principles, applicable laws and regulations, contract types, and cost and price analysis. It calls for strong written and verbal communication, financial and quantitative analysis, effective negotiation, relationship-building, and the ability to mentor junior Contract Administrators. The position is not responsible for supervising others.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED plus four additional years of qualifying experience may be considered.
Five years of experience developing and administering requests for proposals or quotations, specifications, scopes of work, and different types of contracts and agreements.
Obtain and maintain, within two years of hire, certification from an accredited procurement program, such as NCMA/CPCM or a certificate from NIGP, FAI, DAU, or DAWIA.
Knowledge of government procurement principles and practices, including contract preparation and administration for advertised bids and negotiated proposals, contract modifications, contract law, cost/price analysis, and profit analysis.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, including those governing WMATA procurements.
Knowledge of different contract, solicitation, and agreement types.
Financial and quantitative analysis skills, including analyzing contractor financial statements and performing standard computations on cost and price data.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to negotiate standard contracts, contract modifications, and claims effectively.
Ability to identify and select an appropriate contract type for a specified effort.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise specifications, contract documents, correspondence, and other written materials.
Ability to mentor junior Contract Administrators in procurement actions and activities.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned contracts through the full lifecycle, from proposal through close-out.
Plan procurements from receipt of request through solicitation, negotiation, award, administration, and close-out.
Conduct contract award activities, including coordinating documentation and correspondence, opening bids or receiving proposals, evaluating submissions, determining responsiveness and responsibility, addressing bid protests and mistakes in bids, assessing price reasonableness, and preparing award documentation for Board of Directors approval.
Work with customers to select appropriate contract types and assist with source selection plan development.
Explain acquisition requirements and discuss pricing and other contractual matters with customers and industry representatives; assist with pre-bid and proposal conferences.
Assist with briefings and discussions concerning contractors’ positions with General Counsel, the Chief Procurement Officer, and other senior staff, with support from the Contracting Officer.
Advise customers on policies, business practices, and contract interpretation.
Develop technically and contractually sound pre-negotiation positions.
Negotiate change orders and claims with contractors and lead negotiations for minor modifications.
Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced Contract Administrators.
Maintain awareness of and accountability for safety policies and procedures, promote a positive safety culture, and encourage reporting of safety concerns.
May perform duties routinely assigned to Contract Administrators TA-18 and TA-22 based on departmental operational needs.