Contract Specialist

Development Finance Corporation • Washington, DC

4d

About The Position

This position is part of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The Contract Specialist serves as a warranted Contracting Officer and executes acquisition policy using expert knowledge of contracting regulations, laws, principles, and legal research. The position plans, negotiates, leads, and administers procurements of goods and services, including specialized, state-of-the-art, critical, or scarce requirements, using Federal Acquisition Regulation procedures. It is a bargaining-unit position represented by AFGE Local 1534. The duties are suitable for telework, with episodic or emergency telework potentially allowed with supervisor approval and eligibility under the Telework Act. The position allows a flexible work schedule and may require official travel, including overnight travel. Selection may require a one-year probationary period. The position requires the employee to obtain and maintain Federal Acquisition Certification—Contracting Level III (FAC-C Level III or equivalent).

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Must submit a resume and supporting documents; education transcripts or other documentation must be submitted when applicable.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must obtain and maintain FAC-C Level III or equivalent certification.
• For GS-13 qualification, applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements when applicable: one year at the next lower grade level, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Meet the basic contracting-series requirements: completion of mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 or higher, including at least four years of contracting or related experience, with at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower Federal grade level; and a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in specified fields, unless an applicable exception or waiver applies.
• For GS-13, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to GS-12 in the Federal service.
• Specialized experience must include soliciting, evaluating, negotiating, and awarding contracts using GSA ordering, simplified, and negotiated acquisition procedures; administering contracts for compliance with the FAR and contract terms; analyzing, negotiating, and settling termination claims and proposals; analyzing and evaluating cost or price proposals; planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, or procedures; and developing acquisition strategies and independently directing or managing procurements.
• Education does not substitute for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.
• Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of the start date.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Must provide an English translation with transcripts that are not in English; foreign education used to qualify requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Advise program managers and Contracting Officer's Representatives on contracting procedures, including assisting with acquisition packages.
• Plan, negotiate, lead, and administer procurements of goods and services using Federal Acquisition Regulation procedures.
• Conduct procurement planning and advise program officials on procurement objectives, contractual vehicles, acquisition plans, milestone charts, schedules, and progress updates to stakeholders.
• Advise on performance objectives and assist in preparing performance work statements, statements of objectives, and statements of work.
• Serve as the sole negotiator for program customers on procurement actions; plan negotiation strategies and lead negotiations to develop contract prices and terms.
• Administer contracts, including incremental funding, rate and price adjustments, redirection of effort, time extensions, change orders, stop-work orders, cure notices or show-cause letters, final payment, and contract closeout.
• Research and interpret federal acquisition laws, regulations, agency directives, policies, and procedures, and apply findings to acquisition work products.
• Develop technical correspondence and reference materials documenting discussions, decisions, and contracting actions throughout the contract life cycle, including determinations, findings, solicitations, and requests for quotes or proposals.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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