CONTRACT SPECIALIST (TITLE 5) Job in Springfield, IL

Vacancy No. IL-12473146-AR-24-203 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $49,025.00 to $94,317.00 Grade 7 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/12/2024 Close Date 7/11/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Springfield, IL


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a CONTRACT SPECIALIST (TITLE 5), Position Description Number T0048000 and is part of the IL USPFO, National Guard.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is an open continuous announcement. Initial cutoff will be 12 AUGUST 2024. Recruitment will continue through the announcement closing date until the position is filled.

Duties

As a CONTRACT SPECIALIST (TITLE 5), GS-1102-7/9/11, you will ensure successful market research, acquisition planning, contract award, contract performance management, and interpretation of contract law in order to provide the best, most efficient contracting strategies in support of the organization's vision, mission, goals, and objectives.

  • Plan the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for procuring a wide variety of requirements.
  • Perform market research/analysis to determine availability of the requirement and analyze market trends, commercial practices, conditions and technological advances and determine the sources to be solicited.
  • Analyze contracting issues and recommend best course of action.
  • Use judgment in interpreting guidelines, in adapting procurement procedures to specific situations, and in recommending solutions to problems encountered.
  • Provide business advice and assistance to technical personnel involved in the development of the performance work statements and statements of work or data requirements.
  • Procure a wide variety of services, commodities, and or construction.
  • Apply all statutory requirements including regulations, policies, procedures, business, industry practices, and market trends.
  • Ensure price schedules are properly structured, prepare the solicitation, determine sources to be solicited, issue solicitation and amendments, and determine the acceptability of offers based on an analysis of financial and technical information gained.
  • Execute post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts.
  • Monitor and evaluate contractor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of contracts and ensure timely submission of technical progress reports and performance metrics.
  • Negotiate and prepare contract modifications caused by changes in technical requirements, in quantities, ordering unpriced options, and similar issues.
  • Review contractor invoices for completeness and use of proper approved rates and conformance with contract terms and conditions, and approve/disapprove and certify for payment.
  • Assist with the development of evaluation criteria to use in determining source selection and best value requests for proposals, which include utilization of past performance data and technical qualifications for awards based on other than lowest price.
  • Conduct any necessary conferences to discuss proposals received and perform price or cost analysis, plan and conduct negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of a contract.


**This is NOT an all-inclusive list of duties.**

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • IAW The Fair Chance Act, Agency employees may not request criminal history information at the point of initial application, upon receipt of an application, or prior to, during or after a job interview. If an Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration of Employment is submitted prior to the point of a conditional offer, questions related to background information section may not be asked.
  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • The incumbent must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance (secret).
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
  • 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 requirements IAW DoDI 5000.66 paragraph E2.2.8.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • May be required to work overtime.
  • 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.
  • PCS expenses may be authorized.
  • Telework may be authorized.
  • ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE ATTACHED TO APPLICATION TO RECEIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

Qualifications

Positive Education Requirement: You must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees; (Please note: You must submit an official copy of your transcripts.)

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must possess 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.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Must have a minimum of one-year on-the-job experience in the grade immediately below the next higher level. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-11 Level - Must possess 12 months of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes contracting experience 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; AND must possess the required Level One DAWIA Foundational Certification (or equivalent). GS-09 Level - Must possess 12 months of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes, 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-07 Level - Must possess 12 months of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes collecting and analyzing data. Experience assisting in business management, financial management, project management, risk management, or supply chain management.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed below. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

Education

Positive Education Requirement: You must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees; (Please note: You must submit an official copy of your transcripts.)

Based on the Education and Certification Requirements for this Series, NO Substitutions of bachelor's degree Education for Specialized Experiences are Allowed for the NG Title 5 Excepted Service Series GS-1102 Positions.

You must provide official 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.

PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

If you are needing some extra information regarding Federal Resumes, you should consider these tips from USA Jobs: USAJOBS Help Center | What should I include in my federal resume.

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.

Review our 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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Decision Making
  • Planning and Evaluating

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Your resume that clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position. Your resume must contain identifiable information such as your name, address, and phone number. It should also show your work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

Other supporting documents (as applicable):

  • Certifications
  • DD-214
  • SF-50
  • Official Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Documents that support Veterans' Preference:
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • SF-15
If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active-duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

Documents NOT accepted: photographs, copies of position descriptions, training certificates, performance ratings, awards, and letters of appreciation.

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

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/12473146

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/.

Agency contact information

Lauralee Smith
Address
IL USPFO
1301 N MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, IL 62702
US
Learn more about this agency

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.


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


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