Contract Specialist

Defense Logistics Agency • New Cumberland Defense Logistics Center, PA

26d

About The Position

The Contract Specialist performs cradle-to-grave contracting actions, including acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation and cost/price analyses, negotiations, contract award, modifications and amendments, terminations, closeouts, and contractor performance reviews. The role prepares solicitations, Requests for Quotes (RFQs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including clauses, award factors, and specifications, in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). It monitors solicitations, issues amendments, responds to potential offerors’ questions, and ensures suppliers are treated equally to maximize competition and minimize protests. The position formulates negotiation strategies, identifies negotiable areas, conducts negotiations before and/or after contract award, and negotiates changes as needed. It also handles complex and controversial post-award actions and problems by explaining and justifying issues and positions and resolving contractual problems.

This is a Defense Acquisition Workforce position. The selectee must complete DoD certification and other requirements, including DoD Acquisition Contracting (C), Professional (Foundational) certification within required timeframes and 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points every two years. The position requires a favorable suitability or fitness determination, a financial disclosure, and compliance with DLA’s drug-free workplace policy, including drug testing when applicable. The selectee must be a U.S. citizen and provide acceptable identification to access certain federal facilities.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, unless qualifying for the stated exception for certain DoD employees or Armed Forces members who held qualifying contracting authority on or before September 30, 2000.
• Must possess at least two years of experience in a contracting position.
• Must have one year of specialized experience related to the position; GS-12 experience must be equivalent to GS-11, and GS-11 experience must be equivalent to GS-09.
• GS-11 specialized experience includes applying contracting principles and regulations with assistance, soliciting standard supplies or services, negotiating for services, equipment, or construction, and assisting with acquisition planning.
• GS-12 specialized experience includes applying contracting principles and regulations, soliciting standard to specialized requirements, performing acquisition planning, negotiating extensive services, complex equipment, or construction projects, and serving as the central point of contact for procurement actions.
• Must meet applicable eligibility, time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment, minimum qualification, and other regulatory requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Education used to meet basic qualifications must be from an appropriately accredited institution; transcripts or supporting documentation must be submitted.
• For GS-11 only, education may substitute for specialized experience with three full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Education cannot substitute for specialized experience at GS-12.
• Foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. accredited education or receive full credit at a U.S. accredited college or university.
• Must complete DoD Acquisition Contracting (C), Professional (Foundational) certification within required timeframes and achieve 80 Continuous Learning Points every two years.
• Must receive a favorable suitability or fitness determination; an unfavorable background check may result in removal.
• Financial disclosure is required.
• Must comply with DLA drug-free workplace requirements, including required drug testing where applicable.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Selectees must have a REAL ID or other acceptable identification to access certain federal facilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform cradle-to-grave contracting actions, including acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation and cost/price analyses, negotiations, award, modifications and amendments, terminations, closeouts, and contractor performance reviews.
• Prepare RFQs, IFBs, RFPs, and other solicitations, including clauses, award factors, and specifications in compliance with the FAR.
• Monitor solicitations, issue amendments, answer potential offerors’ questions, and treat suppliers equally to maximize competition and minimize protests.
• Formulate negotiation strategies and identify areas subject to negotiation.
• Conduct negotiations before and/or after contract award and negotiate required changes.
• Handle complex and controversial post-award actions and problems, explain and justify issues and positions, and resolve contractual problems.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level