Contract Specialist

U.S. Coast Guard•Alexandria, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This GS-1102-14 Contract Specialist position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, C5I, in Alexandria, Virginia. The incumbent serves as a senior advisor, consultant, and liaison to senior management, policymakers, and external organizations on Coast Guard-wide contracting and procurement initiatives. As an acquisition expert, the position plans, manages, and oversees significant C5I Program Executive Officer contracting programs, evaluates complex proposals, and administers interdependent contracts through closeout or termination. The role performs cradle-to-grave oversight of complex, high-value solicitations and contract actions and serves as a Contracting Officer with authority up to an unlimited warrant. It includes advising senior officials, building cross-functional partnerships, communicating issues and risks to leadership, representing the organization at meetings, and participating in or chairing source selection evaluation boards. The incumbent applies current acquisition regulations and policy, evaluates complex or unprecedented contract activities, and oversees all phases of contractual actions, including research, past-performance documentation, solicitation preparation, and direction of evaluation teams. The incumbent must obtain and maintain an unlimited contracting officer warrant. The position also requires FAC-C certification and a warrant board for unlimited warrant authority. FAC P/PM-I or an agency-determined equivalent must be completed within two years of entry into the position. Mandatory training and other training may be required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Meet the federal GS-1102 education and experience requirements, including at least four years of contracting or related experience and completion of mandatory training prescribed for progression to GS-13 or higher.
A four-year bachelor's degree, including at least 24 semester hours in a combination of specified fields such as accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level.
Knowledge of contracting methods, types, principles, laws, statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and procedures applicable to pre-award and post-award actions.
Knowledge of negotiation techniques, including leading pre-negotiation strategy development and negotiations for applicable services and systems, and directing or performing post-award negotiations involving changes or modifications.
Experience with cost and price analysis techniques, such as learning curve analysis, cost-estimating relationships, and cost-accounting methods.
Knowledge of contracts supporting the U.S. Coast Guard in information technology.
Sit for a warrant board for unlimited warrant authority and maintain FAC-C certification.
Obtain and maintain an unlimited contracting officer warrant.
Complete FAC P/PM-I or an agency-determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position.
Submit required transcripts by the announcement closing date if qualifying based on education or if required coursework applies.
Register for Selective Service or be exempt, if applicable.
Successfully pass a background investigation and meet federal suitability requirements.

Responsibilities

Perform cradle-to-grave oversight of complex, high-dollar-value solicitations and contractual actions.
Serve as Contracting Officer with signatory authority up to an unlimited warrant.
Advise management officials, including senior officials, on contracting issues and maintain standards and equity in contractor assessments.
Build collaborative cross-boundary and cross-functional partnerships that foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
Serve as a senior business advisor, consultant, and liaison regarding Coast Guard-wide contracting and procurement developments.
Communicate issues, concerns, and potential impacts of high-visibility actions to senior and executive leadership.
Represent the organization at functional and administrative meetings and conferences, and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and external representatives.
Chair or participate in formal Source Selection Evaluation Boards for competitively negotiated procurements.
Apply knowledge of the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul and related supplemental regulations, policies, procedures, and guidance.
Conduct compliance reviews and evaluations of complex, unusual, or unprecedented contract activities, considering potential political implications.
Maintain authority over contractual actions and phases; use automated systems to research sources, collect contractor past-performance data, and document performance on current contracts.
Prepare solicitation instructions and direct technical, cost, and business management evaluation teams.
Complete mandatory training and obtain and maintain an unlimited contracting officer warrant.