Contract Specialist

U.S. Coast Guard•Washington, DC

20d

About The Position

This is a GS-1102-12 Contract Specialist position with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Contracts Planning and Procedures Division (CG-9124), in Washington, District of Columbia. The position is responsible for developing acquisition strategies and carrying out work from contract execution through administration and closeout. The incumbent plans and recommends contractual actions and phases for assigned projects. The role procures items and services with specialized requirements, including complex IT systems, equipment and system operation, maintenance and repair, supply and production items, support services, and aircraft or vessel parts. Work includes preparing and publicizing solicitations, analyzing offers, developing negotiation positions, negotiating costs and technical issues, and awarding contracts. The specialist also analyzes prices and costs for fairness and reasonableness, monitors contractor performance, and performs contract administration, including invoice tracking and approval, modifications, and closeouts. A Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers Level I (FAC P/PM-I), or a management-determined equivalent, must be obtained within two years of entering the position. Applicants must meet the position's education and specialized-experience requirements. The position requires a background investigation and U.S. citizenship.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
A four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in any field, or at least 24 semester hours in an eligible combination of 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-11 grade level in the federal or private sector.
Specialized experience must include work such as preparing and issuing solicitations, selecting clauses, analyzing bids or proposals for compliance, recommending awards, drafting contracts, or reviewing requisitions and specifications.
Education cannot be substituted for experience at the GS-12 level.
Obtain FAC P/PM-I certification or a management-determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position.
Submit required college transcripts by the announcement closing date.
Successfully pass the required Basic Background investigation.
Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Develop acquisition strategies and manage assigned contractual actions from planning through contract execution, administration, and closeout.
Procure specialized items and services, including complex IT systems, equipment, maintenance and repair, supply and production items, support services, and aircraft or vessel parts.
Develop solicitation documents and publicize procurement requirements.
Analyze offers and proposals, prepare negotiation positions, negotiate cost, fee, or profit, and resolve technical issues.
Enter into formal contracts and prepare contract terms and specifications.
Perform price and cost analyses to determine whether proposed prices are fair and reasonable to the Government.
Monitor contractor performance through email and telephone correspondence to support completion in accordance with contract terms and conditions.
Perform contract administration, including invoice tracking and approval, modifications for option years and revised clauses, in-scope changes, de-obligations, and closeouts.