Procurement Contracts Officer

State of Nebraska•Lincoln, NE

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Procurement Unit and play a key role in delivering the contracts that keep Nebraska moving. Our team manages complex, multi-million-dollar procurements across commodities, services, maintenance, and Information Technology (IT), all while championing transparency, fair competition, and smart use of public funds. If you’re looking for meaningful, high-impact work in a collaborative environment, you’ll find it here!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, procurement, supply/inventory operations, or related field AND five years of procurement experience.
Experience can be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation.
Knowledge of State purchasing practices, regulations, methods, and procedures to make purchases involving specialized requirements.
Knowledge of Solicitation or purchasing methods, analysis of products and services that have unique aspects and many critical aspects.
Knowledge of Various procurement clauses.
Knowledge of Price analysis techniques.
Knowledge of Post-award procedures.
Knowledge of Marketing and basic accounting.
Knowledge of Organization structures, functions, policies/procedures, communication, and objectives as they relate to the management of programs and contracts.
Knowledge of State contracting regulations.
Working knowledge of JD Edwards or a similar integrated ERP system.
Proficient with word processing and creating spreadsheets with MS Office.
Ability to multi-task.
Highly organized.
Detail-oriented.
Have sound independent judgement.
Sharp attention to detail.
Accommodate new methods.
Reliable attendance.
Problem solve.
Self-motivated.
Work in team-oriented situations.
Assess operation efficiencies and develop solutions.
Motivate, coordinate, and direct staff.
Understand and support established goals and objectives.
Communicate effectively with others.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Microsoft Office software, including proficiency in Word, Outlook, Excel, and Adobe.
Experience with Enterprise One or similar enterprise-wide ERP/database software.
Experience in obtaining quotes, specifications, preparing agreements for various goods and services, making recommendations, and applying policies and procedures.
Experience/knowledge of State Purchasing regulations.
Experience in a customer service-type environment and accounting.

Responsibilities

Work with NDOT Division Heads, District Operations and Maintenance Managers, and other agency personnel on Request for Proposal (RFP) bid documents, for service and maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, and their appurtenances, as well as Invitation to Bid (ITB) documents for any assigned commodity contracts.
Write and prepare the RFP and ITB bid documents, the technical specifications/scope of work, and the terms and conditions.
Conduct meetings with agency personnel as necessary to ensure initial understanding by all parties of the timeframe and scope of procurement activity, as well as during the finalization of these bid documents.
Utilize critical thinking skills to prepare, review, analyze, enhance, and ensure accurate technical requirements/specifications, including anticipating issues that could be a problem when preparing an RFP or ITB.
Prepare and ensure deliverables are identified and well defined in RFP and ITB bid documents and in any Cost Proposal documents.
Verify and ensure that what has been identified in the scoring documents has been identified in the RFP or ITB documents.
If an RFP has technical or functional matrices, prepare and verify that the matrices are well-defined.
From the technical or functional matrices, prepare the individual scoring documents.
Ensure the Evaluation Criteria are sound and have been finalized prior to releasing the RFP, including the Individual Scoring Documents.
Verify that the points in the Individual Scoring documents match the points in the Evaluation Criteria.
For maintenance contracts, calculate/determine prequalification amounts of bidders in accordance with Nebraska Highway and Bridge Law and Title 409, i.e., calculate a bidder's outstanding work to determine the amount of work for which any person/bidder is qualified for a particular letting and for which he/she may be awarded a contract or contracts (a maximum qualification).
Prepare answers to any questions submitted by bidders during the Question and Answer period.
Prepare documents for and conduct Pre-Proposal Conferences, Oral Interviews/Demonstrations, and Best and Final Offers.
Review and confirm scores submitted by evaluators.
Review and/or make agency award recommendations.
Responsible for contract management activities and meets with agency personnel and/or vendors to discuss any issues that arise during a contract.
Work to propose solutions and facilitate the resolution of any issues.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

State-matched retirement contribution of 156%
13 paid holidays
Generous leave accruals that begin immediately
Military leave
Tuition reimbursement program
Dependent tuition reimbursement program with partnering Nebraska community colleges
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
79% employer-paid health insurance plans
Dental and vision insurance plans
Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
Training and Development based on your career aspirations
Job security and stability, even during times of economic hardship
Employee Assistance Program
Fun, inviting teammates
Free parking