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

Vacancy No. 25-EOUSA-12661431-DH Department Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Salary $72,553.00 to $113,047.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/13/2025 Close Date 1/20/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens and Nationals

Duties

The position is located in the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA), Remote Contracting Office, Acquisitions Staff. The Contract Specialist is responsible for the acquisition planning, contact negotiation, and preparation of contract documents for pre-award and postaward services for a variety of goods and services used in the daily operations. Typical work assignments will include:

  • Reviewing requests for the procurement of complex equipment, services, and/or minor construction.
  • Preparing solicitation documents.
  • Analyzing proposals for conformance with the solicitation.
  • Obtaining required pre-award surveys to establish contractor responsibility and obtaining audits and pricing reports to develop negotiation strategy.
  • Negotiating with potential contractors.
  • Awarding contracts within delegated contracting officer authority or recommends award to contracting officer on contracts outside delegated authority.
  • Assisting contract administration offices in the administration of contracts, including performance of termination actions, until final delivery and payments are completed, and the contract is closed; or personally monitors contractor's performance Interprets contract provisions for contractors and for officials of the USAO and provides appropriate advice and guidance.
  • Negotiating contract modifications.
  • Preparing initial agency position on protests from unsuccessful offerors and renders or recommends a decision on claims arising under the contract.
  • Closing out the contract or issuing termination notices and reviewing settlement proposals.
  • Conducting training in the contracting functions for technical, administrative, and contract support personnel.
  • Assisting District Offices with contracting and procurement services.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
  • You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
  • If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
  • Candidate must possess and be able to retain a FAC-C or DAWIA Professional Certification as a federal contracting professional.
  • To maintain a FAC-C or DAWIA, contract professionals are required to meet the continuous training requirement Continuous Learning | FAI.GOV. Candidates must provide proof of current, FAC-C or DAWIA Professional Certification in your application.

Qualifications

To be qualified for this position, applicants must meet ONE of the following basic requirements.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
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**;
OR
c. 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.

**You must submit your transcripts (unofficial or official) to be considered for this position. Failure to submit your transcripts may result in disqualification for this position.

**In addition to meeting one of the basic requirements as described above, applicants MUST also meet the following grade specific qualification requirements below.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.

Specialized experience is defined as executing post-award conferences; establishing schedules with contractor and tracking progress, developing and maintaining systems to evaluate performance; preparing various modifications; preparing closeout documents; investigating problems, disputes, and labor violations, makes final decision, and prepares determinations and findings for legal review; settling various claims; conducting training of contracting functions for technical, administrative, and contract support personnel; performing pre-award and post-award tasks for various actions/requirements; procurement of a variety of supplies, services, or construction; drafting final contract; preparing recommendations for award, documenting decision rationale including justifying basis for award recommendation to non-lowest bidder; assisting with statements of work and resolving non-complex problems; reviewing requisitions and determining appropriate procurement vehicle; executing acquisition planning; and preparing solicitations.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.**

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.**

GS-12: To be eligible at the GS-12 level, you must have one full year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Specialized experience is defined as reviewing procurement requests of complex equipment, services, and construction; analyzing requirements, recommending statement of work/specification revisions, and deciding contract type, milestones, and procurement plan; preparing solicitations; detailed analysis of proposals/quotes; coordinating technical evaluation panel to determine acceptability of proposals; obtaining pre-award surveys; negotiating with potential bidders; awarding contracts within delegated authorities or recommending award to contracting officer on contracts outside delegated authority; negotiating modifications; preparing initial decision for protests; closing contracts or issuing termination notices and reviewing settlement proposals; and conducting training of contracting functions for technical, administrative, and contract support personnel.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) - The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found eligible and qualified for this vacancy. To be eligible and qualified, you must satisfy all eligibility and qualification requirements for the vacant position as outlined in this announcement. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) - The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found eligible and qualified for this vacancy. To be eligible and qualified, you must satisfy all eligibility and qualification requirements for the vacant position as outlined in this announcement. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Veterans' Preference - Since Direct Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified preference eligibles will be given full consideration for this position. While veterans' preference does not apply in Direct Hire Authority, preference eligibles can submit their supporting documentation listed as Optional in the Required Documentation section of this vacancy announcement.

Selective Service: 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.

Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement: The Department of Justice is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment for all employees and applicants. See U.S. Department of Justice Equal Employment Opportunity Policy for complete details.

Diversity Statement: As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

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.

Your resume and all supporting documentation you submit, to include your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire, will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you rate yourself higher than what is supported by the documentation you submit, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, you will be referred to the selecting official. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, category rating and veterans' preference do not apply; therefore, your responses to the assessment questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating. Instead, all applicants that are determined to meet minimum qualifications, as defined by this vacancy announcement, will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Qualified, eligible CTAP and ICTAP applicants will be referred to the selecting official under the selection priority placement program. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than what is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

- Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).

- Required: Your resume showing relevant experience and dates (for full consideration you must include day/month/year) of employment and work schedule for each (e.g., part-time XX hours per week or full-time) (cover letter optional).). 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.

- Required if you meet qualifications based on education: An unofficial college transcript. (Note: If you are selected for this position, an official transcript will be required prior to your first day) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Education" section of this vacancy announcement.

- Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation to include a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.

- Optional, if applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation.
Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member, a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates: 1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and the required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

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 occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section in this announcement.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)

3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12661431

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online, contact Coleene Rychalski at Coleene.Rychalski@usdoj.gov or 202-252-5391 as soon as possible to arrange an alternative application process.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/20/2025 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your proof of submission in the event verification is needed.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Agency contact information

Coleene Rychalski
Address
Office of Acquisitions
175 N Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation, to include a credit check, and drug test by urinalysis. We expect to make a final job offer within 30 days after the closing date of the announcement.


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


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