Contract Specialist

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is issued under Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit talent to occupations for which there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need. This means that we can hire any qualified candidate from this notice or any other source. About this DHA notice: -Current civil service employees will receive new appointments if selected under this DHA. -For information on DHA, please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/

As a Contract Specialist, you will be part of a small but highly motivated team that provides critical support to the OIG in performing the following functions:

• Serving as a warranted contracting officer responsible for pre-award, award, and post-award functions including acquisition planning, requirements development, solicitation preparation, price/cost analysis, negotiation, evaluation, administration, termination, and contract closeout.
• Responsible for contracting of a wide variety of supplies, vendors, equipment, and services; participating in the negotiation of equipment and services, including the procurement of specialty items, furniture, manpower, and maintenance services.
• Assisting with the development and administration of procurement processes, including contract planning, development of requests, recommendations in proposals and the procurement of equipment, supplies, services, information technology (IT) equipment and systems, and supporting relevant OIG initiatives and interest.
• Interpreting policies and procedures of procurement and contract information; accepting contract proposals and selecting awardees and researching the validity of data provided and providing alternative solutions, if required.
• Working with other specialists internal and external, including senior members of the contracting team and the OIG Counsel, to resolve issues and formulate appropriate responses to procurement issues.
• Assisting the contracting team in providing business advice and solutions to OIG program offices and senior leaders regarding all aspects of acquisition planning and management for the procurement of supplies and services based on expert knowledge of Federal contracting theories, statues, principles, practices, and procedures.
• Providing excellent customer service to clients, responsive to clients' inquiries and issues, demonstrating flexibility and agility in procurement strategies and good judgement.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the General Services Administration (GSA) is one of the original OIGs established by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The OIGs were created as independent and objective entities within an agency to (a) promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of the agency, and (b) to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in agency programs and operations. The OIGs report to the agency head and Congress through semi-annual and other reports. The GSA OIG operates as an autonomous entity within GSA under a presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed Inspector General who supervises a diverse team of approximately 300 professionals in headquarters' administrative, legal, and operational components and in regional operational offices throughout the country. The GSA OIG is dedicated to protecting the public interest by bringing about positive changes in the performance, accountability, and integrity of GSA programs and operations. Oversight is provided through auditing, inspections and evaluations, and investigations of GSA extensive procurement, real property, and related programs and operations, which primarily support other federal agencies. OIG oversight components report their findings and recommend courses of action to promote efficiency and economy in the GSA’s activities. Applicants are encouraged to review the work and accomplishments of the GSA OIG on our website, https://www.gsaig.gov/.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

Qualifications

The GS-12 salary range starts at $102,415 per year in Washington, DC or $94,654 per year in Atlanta, GA. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

Basic Requirement for GS-1102-05 through 12 levels: A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or 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.

Exception Provision : If you occupied a GS-1102 position at the GS-5 through GS-12 on January 1, 2000 and have continually held this occupational series since that date, you are considered to meet the basic requirement for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. However, employees falling under the exception provision must also meet the specialized experience requirements and selective placement factor requirements outlined below for this vacancy. 

GS-12 Qualification Requirements
You must meet the Basic Requirements (or the exception) listed above and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing contracting assignments procuring supplies and/or services using a wide range of contracting methods, contract vehicles and types. Procurement of these supplies and/or services at this level include:

• Planning and carrying out pre-award, award, and post-award acquisition actions;
• Preparing solicitation documentation incorporating necessary specialized provisions, and drafting the final contract;
• Evaluating vendor offers for both technical and price/cost factors as well as evaluating bidders capacity to perform/comply with contract clauses and specifications;
• Planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of the contract;
• Responding to and resolving acquisition questions/issues that require research to provide recommendations/responses;
• Analyzing contracting issues and identifying alternative courses of action. 

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In addition to the qualification requirements listed above, you must currently hold an acquisition warrant at the SAT level or higher OR have FAC-C Professional (or the DoD equivalent) certification and be eligible to apply for the SAT warrant at the time of entry.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to appointment. 

Promotion Potential: The incumbent may be promoted non-competitively to the GS-13 full performance level provided work at this level exists, the incumbent meets all qualification requirements and has demonstrated the ability to perform the higher-level duties, and time-in grade and other administrative requirements are met. For reference, the basic qualification requirements for 1102 Contracting occupational series at GS-13 and above can be found at the following link: OPM's Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1102 Contracting series

How you will be evaluated

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

Applications will be assessed by a panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to identify applicants who have the level of proficiency needed for successful job performance in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire Guidelines. Following the competency-based structured resume review, fully qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration.

Veterans’ Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures.

You may not be considered for the position, if any part of the application is incomplete or missing the required supporting documentation. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or dismissing you if hired. 

ICTAP/CTAP Candidates: The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found “well-qualified" for this vacancy. In addition to meeting the basic qualifications AND the selective placement factor outlined in the qualification section of this announcement, well qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, demonstrated by possession of all competencies required for the position at a proficiency that exceeds the minimum expectations. This will be determined based upon the SME review of your resume against the competencies outlined below.

1. Knowledge of the full range of contract types, laws, regulations, principles, and methods of contracting and selection factors to satisfy complex requirements.
2. Knowledge of cost and price analysis and cost accounting standards sufficient to perform the full range of strategic, analytical, and technical procurement assignments.
3. Knowledge of common source selection procedures as well as procurement integrity and ethics requirements.  
4. Professional knowledge of post-award procedures to administer contracts for a wide range of services, supplies and equipment.
5. Skill in the use of contract negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms and conditions, contract modifications and settlements.
6. Skill in both written and oral communication to keep management and contractors apprised of procurement issues.
7. Ability to conduct thorough research and apply applicable procurement laws and regulations to develop procedures and provide oversight.

Demonstration of these KSA’s must be supported by your resume. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) may be utilized in the evaluation of qualifications and KSAs.

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Your resume must contain the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number, email address;
• Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
• Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
• Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.

Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

Current or Former Federal Employees: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.  

College transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

Submit proof of contracting certification/warrant: FAC-C (Professional)  or DoD Contracting Professional. Proof of Legacy FAC-C or DAWIA (Contracting) certification may be submitted for consideration provided you have also met the continuous learning criteria for the FAC-C (Professional) program. Additionally, if you currently hold an acquisition warrant please submit proof of the acquisition warrant.

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