CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens (U.S. citizenship required at time of application).

-Perform as technical lead and unlimited warrant contracting officer for pre- and post-award functions (e.g., acquisition strategy development, presentation and clearances) for procurements involving complex and non-complex contracts in support of the Electronic Systems Center (ESC) mission, to include highly specialized new and innovative products and services in the systems, logistics and operational arenas.
-Oversee/execute the administration of complex contracts for procurements involving requirements for highly specialized, new, or innovative equipment and services and for other complex programs.
-Oversee the analysis and evaluation of cost and pricing data to determine price reasonableness when relevant historical data and pricing precedents are generally not available or require extensive adaptation.
-Cooperate with team members within the contracting arena and contacts within Electronic Systems Center (ESC) and Command to provide continuing acquisition support and guidance directed toward achievement of goals and objectives.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guide
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume. Pay retention may be authorized.
• Recruitment Incentive and/or Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position. Leave accrual may be authorized upon request.
• This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Systems (DCIPS) position implemented under Section 504, Title V of Public Law 99-569, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, as codified in Sec 1601, Chap 83 of Title 10 United
• DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005
• If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. For additional information on DCIPS, http://dcips.defense.gov/
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• All new DCIPS employees are required to complete a two-year DCIPS trial period.
• Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans’ preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
• The employee must, within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.
• Incumbent must meet Continuing Acquisition Education requirements.
• The employee must, within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually, thereafter, file an OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.
• This is an acquisition coded position. Selectee must complete required certification level 2 in Contracting within 24 months of assignment.
• Incumbent may be required to work overtime.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institutionauthorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Please provide copies of unofficial transcripts with application.

NOTE: The education requirements listed above apply only to individuals entering DoD GS-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000. Current civilian personnel in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000 are exempt from meeting this requirement. Current military members who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 or before September 30, 2000 are also exempt from meeting this requirement.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: Providing quality contracting services for customers; translating the customer's requirements, ideas, and dollars into smart business arrangements, executable quality contracts, and ultimately delivered systems, equipment, commodities, facilities, and services in a timely and cost-effective manner.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge of contract negotiation, administration and termination principles, policies, procedures, and technical requirements applicable to pre- and post-award actions for a variety of contracts.
2. Knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical acquisition requirements and negotiation strategies to effectively negotiate highly complex procurements of extensive services and high technology equipment systems for weapon systems, logistics, and operational arenas.
3. Knowledge of price and cost analysis sufficient to review proposals against previous history, actual and estimated expenditures, and established rates to determine price reasonableness or to determine a negotiation position.
4. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact-finding, analytical skill sufficient for analysis and resolution of complex problems and the principles and practices of team building.
5. Ability to apply precedents found in Government contracting case law to specific contracting situations to ensure that legally binding contracting officer decisions are consistent, justifiable, and will be upheld at appellate courts or boards; and the ability to properly apply funding rules associated with the obligation of multiple types of appropriations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
*Drug Testing: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

*Employee serves as an unlimited warranted contracting officer and must complete required forms in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 USC 432). Candidates will be required to pass the warrant board within 60 days of tentative selection. Any exceptions must be approved by the warrant authority.

*Position is designated special-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
5. Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).

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