Duties
Major Duties: This is not an all-inclusive list
A CONTRACT SPECIALIST, GS-1102-7/9/11, 1. Plans the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for procuring a wide variety of requirements. Performs market research/analysis to determine availability of the requirement; analyzes market trends, commercial practices, conditions and technological advances. Determines appropriate method of procurement using a wide range of contracting methods and contract types. Selects appropriate contracting approaches, techniques, and procedures to solve a variety of acquisition problems. Analyzes contracting issues and recommends best course of action. Performs acquisition planning along with the program manager/customer, technical, legal, and finance personnel to develop market research, acquisition strategy, milestones, evaluation/source selection criteria, and/or incentive or award fee provisions, as applicable. Exercises latitude in dealing with problems arising during the pre-award phase of the procurement action. Plans and carries out the work, selecting the approaches and techniques to be used, and determines actions to be taken on assigned contracts. Uses judgment in interpreting guidelines, in adapting procurement procedures to specific situations and in recommending solutions to problems encountered. Provides business advice and assistance to technical personnel involved in the development of the performance work statement/statement of work/statement of objectives or data requirements. Reviews requisition packages for adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements and consistency with current market practices and conditions. Reviews procurement requests to determine whether, based on market analysis, the requirement can be performed by small businesses; actively solicits Small Businesses and a wide range of socioeconomic groups. If appropriate, initiates action to have all or part of a procurement set-aside exclusively for small business/socioeconomic performance. Prepares applicable determinations and findings. Assists with the development of evaluation criteria to use in determining source selection and best value requests for quotations/proposals which include utilization of past performance data and technical qualifications for awards based on other than lowest price. Procurements usually involve a variety of considerations such as socioeconomic, market conditions and strategy, difficult-to-define scopes of work, legal conditions, rigid deadlines, or incentive arrangements. Resolves problems that limit competition that discourage potential offers. Conducts site visits/pre-proposal/pre-bid conferences and modifies requirements as necessary. Serves as the point of contact for assigned procurements.
2. Assists in procuring a wide variety of services, supplies, and/or construction. Applies all statutory requirements including regulations, policies, procedures, business and industry practices, market trends, Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Comptroller General Decisions, public law, case law, and precedents to all acquisitions. Contracts assigned may contain a variety of unique attributes such as special handling provisions or other specialized terms and conditions, unfavorable market conditions, and limited competition requirements. Ensures the price schedule is properly structured, prepares the solicitation, recommends most appropriate solicitation method, drafts solicitations and amendments, and determines the acceptability of offers based on an analysis of contractor past performance, responsibility and various technical factors. Obtains and reviews subcontracting plans as required. Recommends the competitive range. Conducts any necessary conferences to discuss proposals received; performs price or cost analysis; plans and conducts negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms and conditions of the contract. Determines need for final proposal revisions. Recommends award. Prepares final contract to include appropriate standard clauses and special provisions, final pricing and payment terms, and incentives. (25%)
3. Executes post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts. Trains and monitors appointed Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) as required. Monitors and evaluates contractor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of contracts and ensures timely submission of contract deliverables and performance metrics.
4. Provides business advice and guidance to technical personnel and others on contracting work and prepares correspondence. Represents the interest of the organization in a professional manner in meetings and various contacts outside the agency on a variety of issues that often are not welldefined.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Prior to appointment, an applicant must have a current completed/clear drug test
- This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Irregular and overtime hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies.
- This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.
- The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial vehicles to perform temporary duty assignments.
- Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
- The incumbent must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
- The incumbent must meet the continuing acquisition education, training and experience requirements IAW DoDI 5000.66.
- In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
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Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation*** Upon selection, individuals will undergo a background check to validate suitability for employment with the federal government as permitted by law, regulation, Presidential order or other authority. Suitability is dependent upon the particular requirements for
security clearance, sensitivity level, and DOD IT network access. Items checked include, but are not limited to all criminal history record information, employment history, education and fiscal accountability/responsibility.**
The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You must maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:
Must have experience in positions supporting competencies in business, finance, risk management, project management, or supply chain management. Experience must include competencies such as skill in collecting and analyzing data and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and other professional competencies in procurement administration or purchase card management. All personnel selected must meet certification requirements, DAWIA Level I - Professional certification, within 36 months of placement in the 1102 series.
GS-07 - (Foundational Level) - Must have one year of experience in positions collecting and analyzing data. Experience assisting in business management, financial management, project management, risk management, or supply chain management.
GS-09 - (Foundational Level) - Must have one year of experience in contracting at the GS-07 grade level that provided exposure to the full scope of contracting and acquisition and a working knowledge in one or more of the following areas: (1) A knowledge of contracting authority and responsibility, (2) Contract principles and knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, (3) Contractor responsibility standards, (4) Regulatory compliance, (5) Knowledge of Federal supply schedule contracting, and (6) Knowledge of acquisition definitions and applicability. In addition to participating in education and training courses, individuals are expected to develop their required competencies through relevant on-the-job experience, which may include rotational assignments.
GS-11 - (Practitioner Level) - Must have one year of contracting experience at the GS-09 level performing work in the following areas as applicable to the position being filled: (1) Pre-award of contracts related to development of a solicitation. Acquisition planning, requesting offers, and developing offers by evaluation of solicitation and finalizing offers, (2) Award of contracts that includes forming a contract, and (3) Post-Award actions to administer the contract. Competencies at the practitioner category emphasize functional specialization in contracting. Specialized experience may have been gained while providing business advice to customers and performing all pre-award/post-award functions, using a wide range of contracting methods and types to procure complex and/or diversified commodities, services and/or construction. Individuals at this category are expected to have and apply journeyman level acquisition-related skills.
Education
EDUCATION:
Minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the following areas of consideration (AOC) based on the Minnesota National Guard Merit Placement Plan:
- Area 1: Current On-board Title 5 Employees (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite or 4-Term ) - Only those current Minnesota National Guard employees who are in permanent, indefinite, or term technician status as result of being competitively hired by the Minnesota National Guard or Office of Personnel Management agency. This does not apply to Temporary Technicians or Temporary Employees
- Area 2: Current On-board Excepted Title 32 Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) - Only those Minnesota National Guard employees who are in permanent technician status as result of being competitively hired within the Minnesota National Guard agency.
- Area 3: Current On-board Federal Employees (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite?) from another Federal Agency nationwide who are in permanent technician status as result of being competitively hired within that agency. I.e. Title 5 employed outside of the MNNG, Title 5 USAFR.
- Area 4: All federal re-employable eligible employees. (used as a way to attract federal experience without considering all U.S. Citizens - can reach retirees)
- Area 5: U.S. Citizens (to include current ARNG and ANG members.)
Basis for Rating Area 5: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligible are listed ahead of non-preference eligible within each quality category.
- Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
- Well Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
- Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.
Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of appropriate education, experience, training, self-development activities, and special awards. Candidates are considered on the basis of available information on their current application and supporting information that has been provided to this office. To ensure full consideration, applicants are urged to submit information about their training, self-development, outside experience, activities and awards. National Guard military (Part-time) service is considered as full-time experience when evaluated against the qualification requirements for a technician position.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12595723
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your 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/.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
CONTACTING US: After you have read all the instructions in this vacancy announcement, if you still have questions about this position or the application process, you may contact us at (651) 282-4155.