Clarification from the agency

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3.

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Contract Specialist Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

• Serve as a business advisor to agency stakeholders. This guidance includes, but is not limited to, advising on recommended acquisition strategies (existing contracts/Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), open market, etc.), preparation of Requests for Information (RFIs)/Sources Sought Notices, ensuring that requirements are well defined, completion of an acquisition plan, and assisting with the development of evaluation factors/criteria for supplies and services, ranging in complexity.
• Prepare pre-award documents in support of a variety of acquisitions including but not limited to professional services, healthcare, information technology, and supplies and equipment. Utilizes multiple FAR Parts to select the appropriate contract type and incorporate all appropriate provisions, clauses, and other agency requirements.
• Provide guidance to program mission offices and technical staff during the source selection process, making an award determination, and release of required post-award notifications and providing feedback to unsuccessful offerors.
• Perform post-award administrative functions, including but not limited to the preparation of contract modifications and providing guidance to program staff contractual in nature when the need occurs.

Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

The selected individual is required to obtain a FAC-C (Professional) Certification within 36 months of entrance on duty and maintain certification thereafter. If the FAC-C (Professional) Certification is not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Applicants who possess a current FAC-C Certification (or equivalent) must provide a copy of the certification with their application.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12

1. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;

   or

2. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitativemethods, or organization and management.

   Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement qualify for positions at the GS-7 level.

   The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions GS-7 thorough GS-12 covered by this standard.

and/or

Basic Requirements for GS-13 and Above

1. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position.

   and

2. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by 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.

3. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

4. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below-

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
GS-11: Applicant must possess one-year specialized experience equivalent at the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Experience using common contract methods and contract types; 2) Preparing solicitations for quotations or proposals for a variety of supplies and services; 3) Administering contracts that are well defined and non-complex; and 4) Researching contracting regulations, laws, policies, and/or procedures to resolve common contracting issues.
OR
Applicants at the GS-11 level may also meet the additional requirement through substitution of education for experience as follows: Completion of 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related OR combination of education and experience. To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

GS-12: Applicant must possess one-year specialized experience equivalent at the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Conducting acquisition planning and contracting pre- and post-award functions to determine method of procurement and contract type, formulating acquisition strategies, and obtaining required approvals; 2) Awarding contracts for supplies, equipment, professional services, information technology, and construction; 3) Administering contracts to include scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justification and approval documents, claims, contract terminations, and contract closeout; and 4) Interpret and apply acquisition regulations, laws, policies, and procedures to resolve complex contracting issues.

GS-13: Applicant must possess one-year specialized experience equivalent at the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Serve as a Senior Level Contracting Officer providing a full range of contracting transactions and activities from planning through closeout for the acquisition of supplies, equipment, and services. Serving as a consultant for information technology-related procurement and reviewing cost/benefit comparisons for inter-agency agreements. Developing, preparing, and presenting terms and conditions in bids or proposals related to the award and administration of contracts for IT and/or a variety of healthcare services; negotiating and awarding contracts, modifications, or subcontracts; contract administration; cost or price analysis; contract clearance; developing negotiation positions and adjudicating claims or protests.

Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and Veterans' Preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and any other requirements.

Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12902004.

All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 03/17/2026, to be considered.

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Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:

• Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/media_document/1076-0160_indian-pref_expires-04.30.25_508.pdf.
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
• Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
• Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.

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