Contract Specialist

Joint Activities • Columbia, MD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the Department of Defense Cyber Excepted Service (CES) in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1599f, located at the Columbia Annex, Maryland. The position is in the Professional category at the Full Performance level within the CES Occupational Structure and is aligned with the Contracting Career Field and the Human Capital & Resource Management Career Management Directorate.

The Contract Specialist plans and carries out contracting approaches for a wide range of programs and systems, including complex, multi-year, or staged acquisitions. The role procures complex services and commodities, conducts and leads negotiations, prepares and administers contracts, and manages post-award performance. It also provides contracting advice and support to customers and team members.

The employee must obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET SCI security clearance and complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph. The position is a Testing Designated Position under the Army Drug Testing Program and requires compliance with NSA personnel security requirements. The employee must meet DAWIA Contracting Level 3 certification requirements or be able to achieve certification within 24 months, meet continuing acquisition education requirements, and complete required cyberspace workforce training and certification. A Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) is required upon appointment and annually thereafter. The position requires a three-year probationary period. The employee may be recalled to duty, may work outside normal hours including evenings, weekends, or holidays, may work overtime, and may occasionally travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. PCS allowances may be authorized, and recruitment or relocation incentives, advanced leave accrual, and/or an advanced in-hire rate may be authorized.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees, unless exempt under the stated DoD or military service exception for qualifying contracting positions held on or before September 30, 2000.
• One year of specialized experience implementing acquisition strategies for a wide range of supplies and services in the contracting career field.
• One year of specialized experience performing pre-award activities, such as market research and drafting solicitations.
• One year of specialized experience applying cost and price analysis techniques to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.
• One year of specialized experience participating in complex negotiations and performing additional functions such as administering and preparing contracts to be obligated and ensuring contractor compliance with contract terms and conditions.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET SCI clearance and complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
• Meet NSA personnel security requirements outlined in NSA/CSS Policy 5-1.
• Meet DAWIA Contracting career field Level 3 certification requirements or be capable of obtaining the certification within 24 months.
• Meet continuing acquisition education requirements under DoDI 5000.66, paragraph E2.2.8.
• Satisfactorily complete applicable training and obtain required certification or recertification under DoDM 8140.03.
• Submit an OGE Form 450 upon appointment and annually thereafter.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Complete a three-year probationary period, subject to agency evaluation and written certification that continued employment advances the public interest.
• Be prepared for possible recall to duty, work outside normal duty hours including evenings, weekends, or holidays, overtime, and occasional travel away from the normal duty station.
• Provide documents establishing eligibility under one or more of the listed employment authority categories; applicants claiming veterans' preference must submit supporting documents.
• If relying on foreign education, provide documentation that it has been evaluated as equivalent to an accredited U.S. education program or received full credit at an accredited U.S. institution.

Responsibilities

• Plan the overall approach for meeting contracting program objectives across a wide range of programs or systems, including acquisitions involving emerging rapid acquisition processes, multiple years, or successive stages.
• Review complex requirements packages for adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements.
• Analyze difficult, multifaceted contracting issues and determine and implement courses of action, including approaches that depart from prior practice.
• Procure complex or diversified services and commodities.
• Plan and coordinate negotiation strategies with the negotiation team.
• Conduct negotiations independently or serve as lead negotiator on price, technical requirements, and contract terms and conditions.
• Prepare or oversee preparation of final contracts, including standard clauses, special provisions, incentives, and post-negotiation memoranda.
• Execute post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts.
• Perform contract administration.
• Serve as a business advisor to customers and contribute substantively to special projects, initiatives, and special assignments.
• Serve as a procurement point of contact and provide contracting advice, guidance, training, and assistance to team members.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Permanent Change of Station allowances may be authorized, subject to applicable regulations and agency determination.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives, advanced leave accrual, and/or an advanced in-hire rate may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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