Contracting Officer

Office of the Director of National Intelligence • McLean, VA

1d

About The Position

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer leads development, negotiation, and presentation of the National Intelligence Program budget on behalf of the Director of National Intelligence to the President and Congress. Its responsibilities include resource management, performance planning and evaluation, and financial management improvement. The Contracting Officer supports the Office of the Chief Financial Officer by developing and implementing acquisition policy and providing expert contracting advice across the Intelligence Community.

This excepted service GS-14 position is open to the public and eligible current federal employees. The role requires extensive knowledge of federal acquisition laws, regulations, and policies; cradle-to-grave contracting; complex cost and price analysis; contract types; and innovative acquisition methods. The position also requires independent judgment, strong policy-writing and communication skills, and the ability to advise senior leaders and coordinate across organizational boundaries. A two-year trial period applies to new permanent appointments. Applicants must be U.S. citizens residing in the United States and must be able to obtain and maintain the required Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of federal acquisition statutes, regulations, and policies, including the FAR and applicable agency or Intelligence Community supplements.
• Extensive knowledge of the full acquisition lifecycle, from acquisition planning through contract closeout.
• Ability to independently evaluate complex acquisition strategies and documentation for regulatory compliance, risk, and sound business judgment.
• Ability to perform and oversee complex cost and price analysis and develop negotiation positions.
• Extensive knowledge of contract types, including firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and IDIQ contracts, and their appropriate application.
• Experience applying innovative acquisition authorities and methods, including Other Transactions and other non-traditional approaches.
• Skill in interpreting procurement laws and regulations to develop defensible policy positions and implementation guidance.
• Ability to identify systemic acquisition risks and design compliant, enterprise-level solutions.
• Written communication skills to develop policy memoranda, decision papers, and executive briefings.
• Ability to analyze procurement data and performance metrics to inform leadership decisions and strategic planning.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to build and sustain professional networks and exert influence across organizational boundaries in the Intelligence Community and Department of War.
• Skill communicating complex acquisition concepts to senior officials and non-acquisition stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and commitment to preserving the integrity of the federal acquisition process.
• Ability to operate independently on highly complex assignments and advise senior leadership on novel or sensitive issues.
• Extensive knowledge of common acquisition business and industrial practices.
• Must be a U.S. citizen residing in the United States.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on a Single Scope Background Investigation, with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Current federal employees applying must submit a recent SF-50 to verify eligibility; employees at GS-12 or below are not eligible.
• Current federal employees at GS-14 and one grade below may apply; selected applicants maintain pay at their current grade and step.

Nice To Haves

• One year of specialized acquisition experience at the next lower grade level or equivalent, demonstrating independent application and interpretation of acquisition laws and regulations; review of acquisition strategies and contract documentation; complex cost and price analysis; negotiation-position development; and pre-award and post-award contract administration across multiple contract types.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in a qualifying field, including at least 24 semester hours in specified business, finance, law, purchasing, economics, management, quantitative, science, engineering, or related coursework; or a Certified Professional Contracts Manager Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze federal acquisition statutes, regulations, and Intelligence Community policies to develop, revise, and implement procurement guidance.
• Lead drafting, coordination, and issuance of acquisition policy memoranda, implementing instructions, white papers, and briefing materials for senior leadership.
• Review acquisition strategies, plans, source selection documentation, and statements of work for compliance; provide authoritative recommendations.
• Advise on the full contracting lifecycle, including acquisition planning, solicitation development, evaluation strategies, award documentation, contract administration, and closeout.
• Conduct complex cost and price analysis, develop negotiation strategies, and advise on contract type selection.
• Evaluate and provide policy guidance on innovative acquisition approaches, including Other Transaction Authorities, CRADAs, and other non-traditional methods.
• Coordinate with contracting officers, contracting officer representatives, program officials, legal counsel, and senior stakeholders to resolve policy issues and support consistent implementation.
• Analyze procurement trends, audit findings, and performance data to identify systemic risks and develop enterprise-level process improvements.
• Serve as a COTR or in a similar capacity for Other Transaction and FAR-based acquisitions.
• Lead efficient organizational operations and institute effective contracting principles, techniques, and procedures in support of the Agency's strategic vision.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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