Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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. Additional information about transcripts is
in this document.
Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist: Degree: I have a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if either (A) Served as a GS/equivalent-1102 position or contracting officer position with authority to award or administer contracts above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) in any Federal agency; OR (B) I am a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000.
GS-7 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting in preparing bid proposals; or, assisting in awarding contracts and/or subcontracts; or, assisting in administering conditions of contracts; or, assisting in evaluating contract terminations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Purchasing.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses;OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.;OR(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/).
GS-9 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes (1) Performing pre and post award functions; (2) Procuring a variety of supplies or services; AND (3) Interpreting contracting rules, regulations, policies or procedures.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Purchasing.
GS-11 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes pre and post award contracts with architect-engineer AND/OR construction. (Must be clearly documented in resume) B. I have successfully completed a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Purchasing.
GS-12 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes (1) applying contracting principles and procedures applicable to pre-award and post-award actions to procure and administer contracts for construction, architect-engineering services, specialized equipment, and/or services, AND (2) recent (within the past 3 years) and relevant experience acting as the Contracting Business Advisor on best value procurements, both Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and Best Value Trade-off (BVTO). (Resume MUST document this experience to be considered). This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).