Contracting Officer

Office of the Director of National Intelligence•McLean, VA

12h

About The Position

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer leads development, negotiation, and presentation of the National Intelligence Program (NIP) budget on behalf of the Director of National Intelligence. Its responsibilities include resource management, performance planning and evaluation, and financial management improvement. The Intelligence Community Chief Financial Officer also leads IC-wide resource, performance, and financial management, procurement oversight, and facilities activities, and provides oversight of ODNI resources and budget matters in coordination with the IC, OMB, DoW, and Congress. The IC CFO serves as the integration point for performance- and budget-related activities across the 18 NIP elements. The Contracting Officer advises on day-to-day operations and the full contracting life cycle, from planning and execution through administration and support of core mission functions. The position leads efficient organizational operations and applies contracting principles, techniques, and procedures in alignment with the Agency's strategic vision. It provides cost and price analysis expertise, develops alternatives to achieve best value, and exercises technical and administrative supervision over contract specialists. The role manages competitive, non-competitive, and independent contracts; works with Program Managers to develop acquisition strategies; advises on complex procurement matters; and maintains knowledge of contracts, grants, consortia partnerships, prize competitions, and other acquisition mechanisms. It directs contract administration, monitors contractor performance, resolves delays and disputes, ensures compliance with contract terms, and prepares contracts for closeout. The position also sets expectations for the contracting team, assesses subordinate performance, and addresses performance issues. This is an excepted-service GS-14 position. The position requires U.S. citizenship and residence in the United States, a suitability or fitness determination, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility. New permanent ODNI appointments require a two-year trial period. A bachelor's degree or higher with specified coursework is required, along with contracting experience, COTR experience, and relevant contracting and program management training or certification.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen residing in the United States.
Must pass a suitability or fitness determination based on a completed background investigation.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI, with eligibility for SCI.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
New permanent ODNI appointments require a two-year trial period.
Extensive knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations, acquisition reform initiatives, policies, and procedures, and the ability to apply them to contracting methods, acquisition instruments, business and negotiation strategies, cost analysis, contractor responsibility, contract performance monitoring, and contract administration.
Extensive knowledge of contract vehicles, including independent contractor, commercial item, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity, and cost-reimbursement arrangements.
Extensive knowledge of organizational budget processes, federal fiscal and funding practices, and legal requirements.
Extensive knowledge of common acquisition business and industrial practices and of price and cost analysis.
Knowledge of requirements sufficient to work with technical representatives to define needs.
Demonstrated writing ability to draft procurement memoranda and policy papers and to prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence, including business-clearance and negotiation memoranda.
Demonstrated ability to brief senior managers on procurement topics.
Demonstrated organization, analytical, negotiation, customer-service, and business-advisory skills.
Ability to advise subordinates, senior program managers, executives, directors, and acquisition officials on contracting programs, statutes, procedures, problems, and solutions.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions based on interpretations of contracting regulations and practices affecting multiple organizational units and levels.
Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness to adapt traditional methods, research trends and patterns, and develop methods, criteria, or proposed policies.
Knowledge of contract price and cost analysis techniques sufficient to evaluate bid responsiveness, contractor responsibility, and contractor performance across contract types and to prepare pre-negotiation objectives.
At least two years of progressively responsible professional contracting experience comparable to the next lower level in this occupation.
One year of experience in Key COTR Competencies as a Level 1 COTR.
Bachelor's degree or higher in any field that includes, or is supplemented by, at least 24 semester hours in specified subjects: Business Administration, Accounting, Contract Administration, Finance, Law, Purchasing, Economics, Industrial Management, Marketing, Quantitative Methods, or Organization and Management.
CAT-II or equivalent course from another agency.
24 hours of Program Management training or equivalent.
Successful completion of the Agency's Level II Contracting Officer Certification Program or equivalent standards, such as DAWIA Level 2 certification or Certified Contracting Officer status with procurement authority designated for the contracting situation.
Current federal employees applying must submit their most recent SF-50, dated within the 52 weeks before the vacancy announcement closing date, to verify eligibility. Current federal employees at GS-12 and below are not eligible; GS-14 and one level below may apply.

Responsibilities

Advise on day-to-day operations and the full contracting life cycle, from planning and execution through contract administration and support of core mission functions.
Lead organizational operations and implement contracting principles, techniques, and procedures aligned with the Agency's strategic vision.
Conduct detailed cost and price analysis of contract requirements and provide expertise and guidance to senior management.
Develop alternatives for obtaining best-value supplies and services.
Provide technical and administrative supervision to contract specialists and ensure contracting programs meet requirements.
Manage competitive, non-competitive, and independent contracts, including source solicitation and selection, contract preparation, negotiation, and award.
Collaborate with Program Managers to develop acquisition strategies for each program.
Advise Program Managers on complex procurement issues, including government and intellectual property transfer and disposition, data rights, export controls, organizational conflicts of interest, subcontract issues, and foreign access to technology in partnership or consortia arrangements.
Maintain current expertise in contracts, grants, consortia partnerships, prize competitions, and other acquisition mechanisms.
Evaluate contractor performance for compliance with contract, grant, and agreement terms and conditions.
Direct contract administration, including reviewing proposed changes, ensuring compliance, resolving delays and disputes, and preparing contracts for closeout.
Assess subordinate performance, provide ongoing feedback, contribute to formal appraisals, and address performance issues.
Develop and document performance expectations and goals for the contracting team and assist subordinates in setting individual goals.