Contract Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation•Washington, DC

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Financial Management, Procurement & Supply Division, for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The Contract Specialist performs pre-award and post-award contracting functions, from receiving requirements through contract closeout. Work includes acquisition planning, market research, price and cost analysis, negotiations, and contract administration. The position may be filled at the GS-09 or GS-11 level, with the breadth and depth of experience evaluated relative to the grade level. The role requires a background in awarding and administering contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), particularly Parts 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The position involves working with a variety of contract types, including firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, and cost-reimbursement contracts, for professional and technical services and research and development. Knowledge of interagency acquisitions, grants, and cooperative agreements is desirable but not required. The position involves travel and requires use of a government contractor-issued travel card for official business. A background security investigation and favorable adjudication are required. A one-year probationary period may apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals and meet applicable education and experience requirements.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Meet the mandatory education requirement for the GS-1102 series: a four-year course of study leading to a 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.
For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 performing pre-award and post-award contracting functions, or qualify through the specified graduate education route or a combination of education and experience.
For GS-11, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 independently performing pre-award and post-award contracting functions, or qualify through the specified graduate education route or a combination of education and experience.
Submit a resume and the required transcripts by the applicable closing date.
Complete a background security investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
Possess knowledge of contract types, procurement techniques and requirements, including the FAR; contract negotiation and administration; cost estimation and analysis; negotiation; and written communication.
Travel is involved, and a government contractor-issued travel card must be retained and used for official business only.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for the Selective Service.
Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of interagency acquisitions, grants, and cooperative agreements.
Experience with firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials, and cost-reimbursement contracts for professional and technical services and research and development.
Ability to conduct price analysis and detailed cost analysis.

Responsibilities

Review requirements packages, clarify requirements with program offices, and assist in developing acquisition plans and milestones.
Select appropriate contract types and draft solicitations incorporating standard FAR and TAR clauses and special provisions.
Evaluate bids, quotes, and proposals; perform price and cost analysis; conduct negotiations; and recommend contract awards.
Monitor contractor performance, process contract modifications, and complete administrative contract closeouts.
Advise technical program staff on Statements of Work and Performance Work Statements and formulate acquisition strategies.
Prepare, solicit, evaluate, and award commercial supplies and services using simplified acquisition procedures and purchasing methods.
Evaluate technical proposals and cost or price data to determine price reasonableness and establish competitive ranges.
Conduct negotiations concerning price, delivery schedules, and contract terms and conditions.
Evaluate technical progress reports and investigate contractor performance issues.