Contract Specialist (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters • Huntsville, AL

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The NASA Office of Procurement seeks Contract Specialists to perform procurement planning, negotiation, and contract administration in support of NASA programs. The Office of Procurement supports mission partners regardless of location. Positions may be filled at NASA facilities and in the IT Procurement Office. The IT office is located in Greenbelt, Maryland, and supports IT acquisition activity with employees located at multiple NASA Centers. Selectees have a designated home center and may support programs or projects at any NASA Center using virtual tools and capabilities. The selected applicant must be assigned to a duty location listed in the announcement and work onsite at that location.

The Contract Specialist serves as a lead negotiator and business advisor, responsible for pre-award and/or post-award functions for a range of supply, service, research, and construction contracts. The position involves handling procurements that may be complex and require extensive contract and subcontract administration. The specialist develops contract instruments and related documentation, coordinates procurement objectives with mission partners, and plans and conducts negotiations with contractors.

The position is advertised at GS-13. Applicants must meet the applicable basic education, specialized experience, and certification or training requirements. A one-year probationary period may be required. Financial disclosure, drug testing, travel requirements, background investigation, or a higher-level clearance may apply depending on the duty location and NASA Center requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status, or allegiance to the United States.
• Meet the qualifications requirements by the announcement closing date.
• For GS-13, at least one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including performing pre-award and post-award actions to procure and administer various contract types and using negotiation techniques to negotiate prices, terms, conditions, and contract modifications in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Meet the basic contracting requirement: complete mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least four years of experience in contracting or related positions, with at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower level.
• A four-year course of study leading to at least a bachelor's degree, including or supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a combination of accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management, subject to the stated exception for certain GS-1102 employees.
• Meet one of the certification or training pathways: hold a valid Level II FAC-C, FAC-C (Professional), Level II DAWIA, or DAWIA Professional certification; or complete the prescribed mandatory Level II FAC-C training and have at least four years of contracting or related experience, including one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower level.
• If currently certified, provide evidence of continuous learning to verify the certification. If not currently certified, apply for certification within 30 days after starting the position, unless hired under the stated waiver provisions.
• Provide a resume with a clear and detailed narrative, in the applicant's own words, describing how the required specialized experience is met.
• Submit education credentials that satisfy the stated accreditation and foreign-education evaluation requirements if relying on such education to qualify.
• The selected applicant must work onsite at the selected duty location and may be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Applicants seeking ICTAP selection priority must indicate eligibility, exceed the minimum qualifications, and submit the required proof.

Nice To Haves

• Experience recommending, developing, and implementing procurement policies and procedures for supplies, services, construction, or research and development projects using formal advertising or negotiation procedures to evaluate contract price proposals and policies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead negotiator and business advisor for pre-award and/or post-award functions involving supply, service, research, and construction contracts.
• Perform all aspects of contracting for procurements that may be complex and require extensive contract and subcontract administration.
• Develop contract-related documentation, including incremental funding modifications, rate and cost adjustments, redirection of effort, and contract extensions.
• Incorporate change orders, evaluate contractor performance, and review and analyze contractor financial reports and other submittals.
• Develop contract instruments using sound judgment and business acumen, including decisions on contract type, pricing and other contract provisions, source selection, acquisition method, determinations and findings, documentation, and propriety of cited funds.
• Coordinate with mission partners to develop overarching procurement objectives and construct contractual instruments accordingly, including pricing arrangements, subcontracting goals, and set-aside policies.
• Plan negotiation strategies, coordinate strategies with the negotiation team, and conduct negotiations with contractors to develop contract prices and terms.
• Recommend, develop, and implement policies and procedures for procuring supplies and services and for construction or research and development projects using formal advertising or negotiation procedures to evaluate contract price proposals and policies.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type, and applicants are directed to the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

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