Contract Specialist (1102 Equivalent)

FedWriters, Inc.•,

1d•$40 - $43•Remote

About The Position

FedWriters (FWI) is seeking a Contract Specialist to support the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). This fully remote, full-time position involves supporting the entire acquisition lifecycle, including market research, solicitations, price analyses, purchase and task orders, contract modifications, CPARS evaluations, and maintaining compliant contract files, all in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The role offers high visibility and the opportunity to contribute to funding for community-strengthening museums and libraries.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (4-year) from an accredited university
At least 24 semester hours in any combination of accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management
4+ years of experience as a GS-1102 or equivalent providing acquisition support to the U.S. Federal Government (experience as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) does not qualify)
Experience conducting open market acquisitions and issuing purchase orders under the SAT pursuant to FAR Part 12
Experience issuing delivery/task orders under the SAT pursuant to FAR Subpart 8.4 and FAR 16.5
Experience exercising option modifications under FAR Subpart 17.2
Experience with other administrative contract actions, such as contract close-outs and bilateral supplemental agreements
Experience preparing Memoranda to File, Summaries for Award, and Price Analyses, and documenting the contract file as required by law and agency procedures
Experience conducting past performance evaluations in CPARS
Working knowledge of the FAR and federal acquisition systems; ability to develop and interpret solicitations, price analyses, modifications, and option exercises
Ability to conduct detailed research and analysis of technical and cost data, and to read, interpret, and execute procurement policies, regulations, and directives
Strong oral and written communication skills, with a warm, customer-service-focused demeanor and the ability to provide clear guidance to program offices
Strong attention to detail; ability to deliver quality work with few errors or discrepancies
Ability to manage several projects at once without compromising data integrity, and to track and report progress weekly
Self-starter who works independently without major oversight and collaborates well as part of a team; sound judgment and problem-solving skills amid frequent changes
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and Microsoft Project
Ability to complete IMLS onboarding, security and confidentiality training, an IMLS Confidentiality and Nondisclosure form, and conflict-of-interest screening and disclosure prior to starting work

Nice To Haves

Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) or equivalent agency 1102 certification
Experience supporting large acquisitions from acquisition planning through solicitation and award
Experience supporting end-of-fiscal-year award surges
Experience supporting a small or micro federal agency, or a Contracting Officer as the primary acquisition support resource
Experience working fully remote with Federal customers using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Office 365
Experience applying agency AI-use policies to acquisition work products

Responsibilities

Provide Contract Specialist-level acquisition support to the IMLS Contracting Officer, with additional support to other OCFO team members, across the full acquisition lifecycle
Conduct market research and prepare solicitations, including large acquisition planning and solicitation development
Conduct open market acquisitions and issue purchase orders under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) pursuant to FAR Part 12
Prepare and issue task, delivery, purchase, and call orders, including orders under FAR Subpart 8.4 and FAR 16.5
Prepare contract modifications, including exercising options under FAR Subpart 17.2, bilateral supplemental agreements, and contract close-outs
Conduct price analyses and prepare Memoranda to File, Summaries for Award, and other required acquisition documentation
Create, collect, and organize supporting documents so contract files are complete and compliant with law and agency procedures
Prepare and complete Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations for current IMLS contracts
Support end-of-fiscal-year award activity and ongoing Task/Delivery/Purchase Order execution
Read, interpret, and apply procurement policy, regulations, and directives, and provide clear guidance to IMLS program offices
Submit a weekly status report on accomplishments against Contracting Officer metrics (contracting actions completed, efficiency, and deadlines met)
Submit a weekly labor hours report to the COR covering hours performed, cumulative hours, percentage of ceiling consumed, actions assigned/completed/pending, accomplishments, and anticipated work for the next period
Meet performance standards of at least 95% of work products accepted without material error and at least 95% of tasks completed by the Government due date; acknowledge new assignments and questions within two business hours
Develop options and implement courses of action under IMLS oversight; all final decisions and Government authority remain with IMLS Federal employees