NSU00045 - Senior Contracts Officer

DHRM•Norfolk, VA

About The Position

Norfolk State University is hiring a Senior Contracts Officer to manage procurement processes and contracts for goods, services, consumable supplies, and equipment. The role determines appropriate procurement methods, prepares and reviews solicitations, evaluates bids and offers, and supports university personnel and end users throughout purchasing and contract administration. The officer ensures compliance with university policies, state laws, and applicable state, federal, and local requirements; maintains complete procurement files; communicates issues and delays; and works to leverage the University's purchasing power through spend analysis and term contracts.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, information sciences, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience in state procurement, contract negotiations, and administration of goods and services.
C.P.M., CPCM, CPPB, or CPPO certification.

Nice To Haves

VCA or VCO certifications.

Responsibilities

Determine procurement methods and processes within established timeframes, ensuring compliance with university regulations and state laws.
Prepare justification requests for supervisor approval before seeking written release from mandatory sources for open-market procurement.
Establish price reasonableness and process procurements within delegated signature authority and established timeframes.
Prepare solicitation drafts for supervisor review and approval before issuance, within one week of the decision to issue a solicitation.
Analyze university needs and assist university personnel in a timely manner; seek vendor, contractor, and manufacturer input on products, alternatives, and market trends.
Help resolve departmental questions and problems involving vendor invoicing and receiving so payments can be made within established time limits.
Document reasons for delays and communicate issues, delays, and purchase requirements to the supervisor and end users.
Ensure procurement files are complete at the end of the process and submit them to the supervisor for review and sign-off.
Assist university personnel and end users in evaluating and competitively procuring supplies, equipment, and services, and document procurement files.
Analyze responses and review bids and offers for conflicts with stated terms and conditions, university policy and procedures, and the Higher Education Manual.
Recommend acceptance or rejection of bids and offers to the supervisor in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, directives, and procedures.
Post award notices in accordance with state and university policies and procedures.
Obtain and analyze spend data and establish new term contracts to leverage the University's buying power.
Renew or recompete term contracts in a timely manner, with no more than one contract lapse in coverage.
Monitor awarded contracts and ensure Contract Administrator assignment letters and evaluations are complete and included in contract files.
Post IFBs, RFPs, informal solicitations, and other required notices on eVA, and advertise them as required by state, federal, local, and university requirements.
Work with end users to ensure contracts meet contract requirements and inform the supervisor of contract delays or issues.