Contract Specialist

National Gallery of Art • Washington, DC

4d

About The Position

The Contract Specialist works in the Office of Administration-Procurement and Contracts (APC), which provides pre-award and post-award services for supply, service, and construction contracts. The position plans and negotiates complex acquisitions involving supplies, information technology systems, services, equipment, and construction, and supports acquisition planning in coordination with program officials and technical evaluation teams. It also administers contract changes and terminations, evaluates claims and proposals, helps resolve disputes, and interprets contract provisions for contractors and Gallery officials.

The position requires the stated education or qualifying combination of education and experience, and applicants must possess or be eligible for FAC-C (Professional) or equivalent DAWIA certification, or be able to obtain certification within 12 months of appointment. The role is subject to federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship, a background investigation, and possible completion of a probationary period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Meet the applicable education and qualification requirements: a four-year bachelor's degree in any field, or at least 24 semester hours in specified fields including accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; qualifying education and experience may be combined where permitted.
• For GS-11, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility to GS-09, including assisting with contract administration using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; price/cost analysis; reviewing vendor proposals; applying statutory and regulatory procurement requirements; and developing Microsoft Office Suite materials for acquisition-related conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility to GS-11, including contract administration using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; price/cost analysis; analyzing vendor proposals; applying statutory and regulatory procurement requirements; and developing Microsoft Office Suite materials for acquisition-related meetings, presentations, and seminars.
• Applicants must possess or be eligible for FAC-C (Professional) certification under FAI standards or equivalent DAWIA certification, or be able to achieve certification within 12 months of appointment.
• Submit a resume that clearly describes relevant experience and includes qualifying experience dates by month and year and hours worked or volunteered per week.
• Pass a pre-employment background investigation and be suitable for federal employment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date and submit appropriate documentation.
• Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must be reviewed by an appropriately recognized organization.

Nice To Haves

• Superior Academic Achievement may qualify applicants for GS-7.
• At the GS-11 level, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M. may substitute for specialized experience, subject to the stated conditions.
• A combination of graduate education and less than one year of specialized experience may qualify at GS-11, subject to the stated conditions.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate contract modifications and the terms and costs of contract changes.
• Negotiate contractor termination settlements, potentially covering equitable adjustments, change orders, change proposals, costs, profit, and related matters.
• Review termination notices to determine whether action is partial or complete and whether it complies with contract terms and conditions.
• Plan and negotiate complex purchases involving supplies, information technology systems, services, equipment, and construction.
• Prepare acquisition plans addressing elements such as statements of work, risks, source selection strategy, inherently governmental functions, budgeting and funding, competition, socioeconomic considerations, contract type and vehicle, milestones, and schedules.
• Serve as a liaison to program officials during acquisition planning.
• Guide technical evaluation teams on evaluation techniques appropriate to an acquisition.
• Evaluate contractor claims, support preparation of Contracting Officer determinations, and resolve contractor disputes when necessary.
• Interpret contract provisions and provide advice and guidance to contractors and Gallery officials.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with access to benefits for employees and their families.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Health insurance.
• Leave.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement program.

What This Job Offers

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