Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens through Direct Hire procedures

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, Consolidated Contracting Group, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a contract specialist responsible for all aspects of the contracting transactions from initiation of a requirement to recommendation of contract award to procure supplies or services with specialized requirements such as the procurement of complex equipment and/or services.

Duties performed:

• Determine the contract methods to be used and develops the unique/complex terms and conditions of the solicitation.
• Evaluate proposals, negotiates costs/prices and terms and conditions with offerors/contractors, and ensures that awards are within applicable laws and regulations.
• Perform contract administration functions, such as verifying evidence of contractor's progress, negotiating modification, issuing termination notices, reviewing contract claims, and conducting contract closeout.
• Ensure all actions have been taken to safeguard the interests of FPS in its contractual relationships.
• Provide guidance to department procurement and contract administration to lower-graded specialists, program offices, field offices, field offices, and user functions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
• Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you are required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment. Incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450 upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
• Essential Personnel: This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C & 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
• Drug Testing: The incumbent of this position is subject to random drug testing.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification/Specialized Experience requirements as noted below.

Basic Requirement for the GS-1102 Contracting Series for the GS-11 grade levels. You must meet one of the items listed below:

A. Have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field from an accredited college or university. (Must provide transcripts to support claim)

-OR-

B. Have completed 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 from an accredited college or university. (Must provide transcripts to support claim.)

-OR-

C. Exception. 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. (Must provide SF-50 to support claim)

-AND-

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level you must meet the Minimum Qualifications:
A. Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service that included:

1. Initiating and awarding contracts for supplies, services, or construction;
2. Analyzing bids or proposals for compliance with advertised specifications;
3. Writing requests for proposals or invitations for bids; and
4. Monitoring contract administration until final delivery

(Note: The contents of your resume must support this claim)

-OR-

B. Have completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. (transcripts must be submitted to support claim)

-OR-

C. Have a combination of the specialized experience as described above in letter A and graduate education as described above in Letter B, that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. (transcripts must be submitted to support claim)

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Only the first two pages of your resume will be used to make an eligibility/qualifications determination.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

NOTE: 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.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.

How you will be evaluated

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

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for Veterans Preference are still encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you are qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12832491

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

1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. For more information, view the following link.

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

2. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):

• Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit the documents applicable to you:
  • A copy of the documentation demonstrating your status as a surplus or displaced employee (See OPM's Career Transition Guide for additional information regarding these statuses);
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," noting your position, grade level, and duty location. If you have already separated, submit a copy of your SF-50 documenting your separation;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating (if your separation notice does not have this information included); and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit 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.

Next steps