Contract Specialist - Arlington, VA

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network•Arlington, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is seeking a Contract Specialist to support its mission through effective acquisition program management and procurement support. This role involves pre-award and post-award procurement actions for goods and services essential to DHS and CISA programs. The specialist will be responsible for acquisition planning, solicitation development, contract award, cost and price analysis, contract administration, modifications, claims, terminations, closeout, and ensuring that cybersecurity, supply chain, system, network, and performance requirements are integrated into contract actions. At the GS-11 and GS-12 levels, the position is developmental, preparing the incumbent for advancement. At the GS-13 level, the incumbent will act as a primary contact and consultant for complex procurement functions and may serve as a contracting officer with signature authority for significant contracts.

Requirements

Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major in any field, or other qualifying education and/or experience as permitted under the applicable OPM qualification standard and agency policy.
GS-11: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service, or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing duties such as: Supporting pre-award or post-award procurement actions. Reviewing statements of work, specifications, or technical evaluation criteria. Preparing solicitation, award, or contract file documentation. Assisting with cost or price analysis. Supporting contract administration, modifications, claims review, termination actions, or closeout. Applying contracting policies, procedures, or regulations to procurement actions. Coordinating with program offices, vendors, contractors, or other stakeholders on procurement matters.
GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing duties such as: Planning and executing difficult procurement actions for supplies, equipment, services, or other requirements. Determining contract type, establishing milestones, and developing procurement strategy. Conducting cost or price analysis to determine fair and reasonable pricing. Preparing or reviewing solicitation documents, contract provisions, clauses, or special terms and conditions. Evaluating vendor proposals or bids. Negotiating price, technical issues, or contract terms and conditions. Performing post-award contract administration, including modifications, performance monitoring, claims review, termination actions, or closeout. Ensuring procurement actions comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, clearances, and approvals. Coordinating cradle-to-grave procurement activities with program offices and other stakeholders.
GS-13: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing duties such as: Serving as a primary contact, consultant, or senior specialist for complex procurement functions. Planning, executing, administering, terminating, or closing out complex, high-dollar, sensitive, or specialized contracts. Developing unique or complex solicitation terms and conditions. Evaluating cost and price proposals for complex requirements. Determining advantageous contracting methods and procurement strategies. Negotiating costs, prices, terms, and conditions with offerors or contractors. Ensuring awards and contract actions comply with applicable law, regulation, executive orders, policies, and procedures. Preparing or supporting debriefings, protests, terminations, and related case documentation. Providing procurement guidance to program offices, user functions, field offices, or lower-graded specialists. Serving as a contracting officer with limited or unlimited warrant/signature authority, if applicable. Ensuring information security, cybersecurity, supply chain, system, network, and performance requirements are included in contract language and delivered.
Knowledge of Federal contracting principles, concepts, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and related acquisition guidance.
Knowledge of pre-award and post-award contracting.
Knowledge of formal advertising and negotiated procurement procedures.
Knowledge of contract types, clauses, provisions, terms, and conditions.
Knowledge of cost and price analysis.
Knowledge of proposal evaluation and source selection support.
Knowledge of contract administration, modifications, claims, terminations, and closeout.
Knowledge of procurement strategy and acquisition planning.
Knowledge of supplier, contractor, and vendor evaluation.
Knowledge of protest procedures and documentation.
Knowledge of detection of procurement irregularities or fraudulent practices.
Knowledge of cybersecurity, information security, supply chain, system, network, and performance requirements in contract language.
Written communication skills, including for procurement documentation, correspondence, debriefings, protest files, and termination case documents.
Oral communication, negotiation, problem resolution, and stakeholder coordination skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting DHS, CISA, DoD, or other federal acquisition environments.
FAC-C Level II, DAWIA Level II, or equivalent contracting certification.
Experience with complex service contracts, IT/cybersecurity acquisitions, supply chain risk considerations, or mission-support contracts.
Experience using GSA schedules, strategic sourcing vehicles, or other federal contract vehicles.
Experience coordinating directly with program offices, legal counsel, contractors, contracting officers, or acquisition review officials.
Experience preparing or reviewing contract files for compliance, audit readiness, or protest support.
Experience incorporating cybersecurity, information security, supply chain, system, network, or performance requirements into contract language.
Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Level II or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level II (required for GS-12 and GS-13, with confirmation needed for applicable timeframe).
FAC-C, DAWIA, or other acquisition certifications.

Responsibilities

Plan, solicit, negotiate, award, administer, terminate, and close out contracts for supplies, equipment, services, and other mission-support requirements.
Review and analyze statements of work, specifications, technical evaluation plans, and technical evaluation criteria to ensure documents are complete, accurate, enforceable, and aligned with procurement objectives.
Determine appropriate contract type, establish acquisition milestones, and formulate procurement strategies.
Prepare file documentation, solicitation documents, source lists, procurement packages, contract award documentation, and related acquisition records.
Identify sources of supply, promote competition, solicit quotes or proposals, and evaluate vendor submissions.
Perform cost and price analysis to determine fair and reasonable pricing.
Evaluate bids and proposals, obtain audits or pricing reports when needed, and negotiate price, technical issues, terms, and conditions with offerors or contractors.
Ensure offerors and contractors are eligible for award and that awards comply with applicable laws, regulations, executive orders, policies, procedures, clearances, and approvals.
Administer contracts by verifying contractor progress, reviewing performance, negotiating modifications, coordinating extensions of periods of performance, resolving delivery and acceptance disputes, reviewing claims, issuing termination notices, and conducting closeout actions.
Approve or support approval of partial and final payments consistent with contract requirements and delegated authority.
Develop and incorporate contract provisions, clauses, and special terms and conditions to address unique procurement requirements.
Ensure acquisitions, procurements, and outsourcing efforts address information security requirements consistent with organizational goals.
Ensure supply chain, system, network, performance, and cybersecurity requirements are included in contract language and delivered.
Work with the Contracting Officer or Head of Contracting Activity, as applicable, to ensure contractual requirements are properly executed and monitored.
Prepare debriefing documentation, protest and termination case documents, correspondence, and other acquisition-related written products.
Report suspected unlawful behavior by offerors or contractors to appropriate authorities.
Provide advice and guidance to program offices, field offices, user functions, and lower-graded specialists regarding procurement and contract matters.
Safeguard the Government’s interests in contractual relationships.