Contract Specialist

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services • Woodlawn, MD

13d

About The Position

This position is with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of Acquisition and Grants Management (OAGM). The Contract Specialist, GS-1102-14, manages procurement activities including solicitation development, negotiation, contract award, administration, close-out, and termination. The role involves complex technical programs and contracts with significant financial impact, including contracts exceeding $50 million annually. The specialist serves as a Contracting Officer, monitors contractor performance, and exercises fiduciary responsibility for government funds in non-national security operations. The role also involves consulting with program officials and stakeholders, applying independent judgment to significant contract matters, coordinating procurement objectives with organizational needs, communicating clearly, and reviewing junior Contract Specialists’ procurement documentation for accuracy and compliance.

The position requires U.S. citizenship or nationality, successful background and suitability investigation, compliance with applicable time-in-grade restrictions, and maintenance of an FAC-C (Professional) Certification. Candidates must meet the stated specialized experience and contracting education or an applicable exception or waiver. A transcript is required when needed to verify the educational requirement.

The position has a regular and recurring reporting requirement to the CMS office associated with the announcement. Non-CMS applicants must select and work from the physical duty location in Woodlawn, Maryland; current CMS employees with an existing remote work agreement may retain their current duty station. Flexible working arrangements and alternative work schedules may be available at the manager’s discretion. The position is in a bargaining unit, and financial disclosure is required.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Undergo a background and suitability investigation.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade restrictions.
• Possess and maintain an FAC-C (Professional) Certification.
• Within 30 days of the announcement closing date, demonstrate at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 in the Federal government, obtained in the public or private sector.
• Specialized experience must include reviewing contract requests to determine the proper acquisition method under applicable regulations and policies; guiding development of procurement requirements for a solicitation package; and establishing negotiation strategies to obtain favorable terms and conditions.
• Complete mandatory agency training for progression to GS-13 or higher contracting positions and have at least four years of experience in contracting or related positions.
• Meet the applicable education requirement: a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in specified fields, or qualify under the stated GS-1102 exception or waiver provisions.
• Submit transcripts to verify completion of the educational requirement when applicable.
• Federal employees must receive salary payments by direct deposit.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Applicants’ resumes are limited to two pages and must document relevant experience in detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive acquisition plans at progressive stages for complex technical programs involving multiple contracts.
• Serve as Contracting Officer and manage the full contract lifecycle, including solicitation, negotiation, award, administration, close-out, and termination.
• Manage contracts with significant financial impact, including contracts exceeding $50 million annually, and monitor contractor performance.
• Manage high-risk procurement activities and steward government funds in non-national security operations.
• Consult with program officials and stakeholders to determine procurement requirements.
• Apply discretion and independent judgment to significant contract matters and coordinate procurement objectives with organizational needs.
• Communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely in writing and verbally.
• Review junior Contract Specialists’ procurement documentation for accuracy and compliance.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible working arrangements and alternative work schedules may be available at the manager’s discretion.

What This Job Offers

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