Acquisitions Specialist Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. FY25-OCDH-1102-125455598-DH Department Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Salary $72,553.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 11 to 15
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/1/2024 Close Date 3/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

These positions will be filled under the OPM Direct Hire Authority for STEM roles in the 1102 Acquisitions series, grades GS 11-15. This serves as a public notice for the use of the Direct Hire Authority in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3327 and 3330 and 5 CFR 330. Under this recruitment process, applications will be accepted for each location/ installation identified in this Public Notice. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection, Military Spouses.

Duties

The Department of Energy is seeking motivated and highly-qualified candidates for exciting positions available in multiple locations throughout the United States.

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

The 1102 Acquisitions series includes positions that manage, supervise, perform, or develop policies and procedures for professional work involving the procurement of supplies, services, construction, or research and development using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration or termination and close out of contracts. The work requires knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and methods used in contracting; and knowledge of business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors, and requirements characteristics.

In an 1102 Acquisitions series position, you may be responsible for one or more of the following:
  • Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts with commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and State, local or foreign governments for furnishing products, services, construction or research and development to the Federal Government
  • Administer contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties
  • Terminate contracts by analyzing, negotiating, and settling claims and proposals
  • Analyze and evaluate cost or price proposals and accounting systems data
  • Plan, establish, or review contracts, programs, policies, or procedures
  • Formulate and administer policies and procedures to ensure achievement of Federal socioeconomic goals, such as those affecting small business, labor surplus areas, and disadvantaged business firms
  • Develop acquisition strategies and direct or manage procurement
  • Provide staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
  • If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
  • Positions are located agency-wide and may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
  • Appointments made with this authority may be processed as a new appointment into the Civil Service.
  • The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret - DOE "Q" clearance.
  • Positions may be covered by a bargaining unit. Bargaining unit will vary by departmental element, grade, and/or location.
  • Must successfully complete all mandatory training for 1102 series positions within 24 months of hire, failure to do so may result in removal.
  • Positions may be a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
  • Positions may require submittal of a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
  • This position is eligible for full-time remote work. If selected, you will be required to sign a remote work agreement that details remote working conditions and expectations for the position. Work may only be performed from a location in the U.S.

Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for these positions is defined as:

GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:
  • Assisting with conducting necessary pre-award activities such as ensuring that the bid schedule is properly structured, preparing the solicitation, determining sources to be solicited, conducting pre-bid conferences, processing protests, determining the responsiveness of bids and determining the responsibility of the apparent low bidder based on an analysis of financial and technical information gained during the pre-award survey, and awarding or recommending award of the contract.
  • Preparing determinations and findings of fact relative to negotiations and pricing actions.
  • Analyzing problem situations relating to acquisitions such as incomplete specifications, deficient property, material shortages, or terminations for convenience.
  • Reviewing completed official contract files to determine that all contractual actions are satisfied, that there are no pending administrative actions to be resolved, that all file documents are signed, that there are no litigation actions pending, and that the contract is complete in every respect and ready to be closed.
OR

3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For this position, this is defined as a degree in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, organization and management, or similarly related major.

OR

Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).

GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 4 of the following:
  • Performing market or price analysis to determine availability of products or producers or reasonable of prices.
  • Conducting necessary pre-award activities such as ensuring that the bid schedule is properly structured, preparing the solicitation, determining sources to be solicited, conducting pre-bid conferences, processing protests, determining the responsiveness of bids and determining the responsibility of the apparent low bidder based on an analysis of financial and technical information gained during the pre-award survey, and awarding or recommending award of the contract.
  • Monitoring contractor performance in relation to the completion schedule required by the contract and issuing change orders occasioned by changes in mission requirements, defective specifications, changed site conditions, or changes in furnished property.
  • Reviewing procurement requests to determine whether the procurement can be performed by small businesses and locating and furnishing information on capable small and disadvantaged business firms for consideration as potential sources for current and future acquisitions.
GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 3 of 6 of the following:
  • Independently conducting pre-award activities for complex equipment, services, and/or construction including reviewing requests, preparing solicitation documents, analyzing proposals for conformance with the solicitation, and negotiating with potential contractors.
  • Performing industry analysis to identify technological and performance changes in products.
  • Performing various contract administration functions, such as verifying evidence of contractor's progress; reviewing and making recommendations on dicing reports; reviewing and negotiating orders; reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals; negotiating delivery schedule changes; monitoring contractor's compliance, regulatory, and statutory provision; monitoring expenditures on cost, incentive, and certain fixed-price contracts requiring funds control; reporting on anticipated deviations from estimated costs; and performing pre-award surveys;
  • Forecasting price trends, economic factors, and efficiencies in production for future accounting periods using analytical techniques such as random sampling, computerized cost models, statistical graphs and learning curves; evaluates the effects on cost of multi-plant operations, fluctuating production volume engineering, tooling, preproduction costs, compensation, pensions, and purchasing practices.
  • Advising management and contracting officers on matters pertaining to contracting policies and procedures.
  • Developing guidance material or conducting training for contracting personnel.
GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 3 of 6 of the following:
  • Serving as lead negotiator for contracting activities: including planning the negotiation strategy, coordinating strategy with negotiation team, and leading the negotiations.
  • Serving as advisor to program officials in procurement planning meetings including advising program officials of the procurement objectives to be used, and assisting in the preparation of statements of work.
  • Developing and maintaining systems to evaluate and monitor contractual performance related to such areas as delivery, cost, amount of progress or advance payments, effective use of furnished property, scheduling and usage of facilities, and management of overhaul or maintenance and repair efforts;
  • Analyzing elements such as the various expense pools, labor rates, contractor's business volume forecast, economic conditions, business trends, union agreements, local labor market conditions, and inflation rates.
  • Initiating, developing, and recommending contracting policies and procedures for the guidance and control of subordinate contracting activities;
  • Reviewing, evaluating, and providing specific guidance concerning contracting policies and procedures relative to facilities, special tooling, special test equipment, component breakout, warranties, recovery of nonrecurring costs, high dollar spare parts breakout program, industrial preparedness, production planning, and/or interorganizational coordinated procurements.
GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-14). Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting at least 2 of 3 of the following:
  • Directing the full range of contract administration actions required for an acquisition program, including the issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of changes, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance, disposition of claims, and similar matters;
  • Planning, developing, and establishing the contractual strategy for an overall acquisition program.
  • Serving as principal contracting advisor to the program management office, and represents the company/agency as the program's contractual authority at conferences and meetings.
NOTE: At the GS-12 through GS-15 levels, specialized experience cannot be replaced by education.

Education

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR GS-11 THROUGH GS-12
A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;
OR
B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position.

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR GS-13 AND ABOVE

A. Applicants must have at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower grade level of the position in federal service, as defined under Specialized Experience below.

AND

B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
C. Exceptions: Applicants holding a GS-1102 position in federal service will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupied on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.
D. Waiver: Applicants may request that the senior procurement executive of DOE, at his or her discretion, waive any part of the requirements above. The senior procurement executive must certify that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in DOE on the basis of a waiver, DOE may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within DOE without additional waiver action.

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".

If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice will be used to fill multiple positions as needed, therefore referral lists may be issued daily. Applications must be submitted and qualification requirements met by 11:59 p.m. ET each day in order to be referred on any certificates issued the following day.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • This public notice is to gather applications for current and future vacancies that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
  • Applications will expire 90 days after receipt.
  • Applicants are limited to 4 geographic locations.
  • There may or may not be promotion potential depending upon the actual position filled.
  • Pay will depend on the duty's location. Remote employees will receive the locality rate for their home area. For more info on locality and pay scales, click here.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
  • Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
  • Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with regulation and policy.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
  • Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • Position may require you to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). For additional information and to obtain the form, please visit the Office of Government Ethics.
  • EEO Policy: https://https://www.energy.gov/justice/eeo-complaint-process
  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/department-energy-reasonable-accommodation-program
  • Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses
  • Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
  • The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at AdministrativeInvestigations@hq.doe.gov.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Acquisition positions in the GS-1102 series. Under this Direct-Hire authority, applicants are required to meet minimum qualification requirements at the grade level(s) of interest. Veteran's Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and other methods of consideration DO NOT APPLY under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (03/31/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12545598.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

  • Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
  • Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
  • Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
  • Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
  • Certain Military Spouses: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

  1. Click the Apply Online button.
  2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
  3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on 03/31/2025.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.

Agency contact information

DHA Questions Government-Wide Direct Hire
Address
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your online application, you will receive a confirmation notification by email that your submission was successful. Upon request of a certificate of eligibles, if your self-assessment responses place you as an eligible candidate for referral, we will refer your name to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. We will notify you of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


If you are interested in being added to our Schedule A or 30% or more Disabled Veterans repository, please submit your information by using the below links.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/789178500 - 30 Percent or More Disabled Veteran Repository 2024 for Department of Energy

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/789179000 - Schedule A Repository 2024 for Department of Energy


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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