Contract Specialist (Direct Hire) Job

Vacancy No. NASA-25-DE-12596826-LC Department National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Agency Wide
Salary $49,025.00 to $117,400.00 Grade 7 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/7/2024 Close Date 11/14/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Huntsville, ALEdwards AFB, CAMoffett Field, CAPasadena, CA


Summary

The Office of Procurement (OP) is seeking Contract Specialists. Ideal candidates will have strong business and analytical skills demonstrated through academic coursework and/or work experience. Duties will vary depending on organizational needs and include procurement planning, negotiation, and contract administration tasks assigned in support of NASA programs. OP is structured to provide support to our mission partners regardless of buying location using virtual tools and capabilities.

Duties

  • Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Assists with all aspects of the contracting transactions from initiation to recommendation of award to procuring items or services where standard contracting procedures may need to be modified.
  • Assists with pre-award functions such as preparing solicitations and adding provisions. Also analyzing proposals for conformance; obtaining required pre-award surveys to establish contractor responsibility, and to develop negotiation strategy.
  • Performs contracting work through use of negotiation techniques. Prepares Request for Quotation (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) ensuring that technical descriptions and appropriate contract clauses are included.
  • Performs analysis of responses to solicitations, including price reasonableness, adequacy of competition, compliance with solicitation, and probability of meeting requirements.
  • Coordinates the contracts reflecting agreement between the agency and the vendor.
  • Monitors contract performance and negotiates necessary standard contract modifications such as extensions of delivery schedules, price adjustments, option exercises etc. to ensure satisfactory progress and completion of contract activities.
  • Negotiates modifications to contracts with standard and nonstandard terms and conditions.
  • Prepares correspondence; provides advice, guidance, training, and assistance to technical or program personnel, or contractors whenever information is needed or issues need to be resolved.
  • Prepares determinations and findings of fact relative issues or actions. Coordinates requests for deviations with requesting activities, and makes recommendations.
  • Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champions NASAs commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, Bargaining Unit and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-NASA Center requirements.
  • Start dates will be set after all requirements have been met and verified. All other qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Duty location will be determined upon selection and will be at one of the locations listed on the announcement. Selectee(s) will be required to work ON-SITE at the duty location selected.
  • Selectee will have a designated "Home Center", but may be assigned to support programs or projects at any NASA Center using virtual tools and capabilities
  • This position may require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

You must meet all of the requirements listed below:
  1. The mandatory Basic Requirement shown in the Education section below; and
  2. Specialized experience and/or directly related education, as shown below, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

To qualify for GS-07, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level:
  • Applying knowledge of principles and practices for contract, procurement, finance for business requirements; AND
  • Assisting with preparing reports related to funds, expenses or similar.
OR
b) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 1 full academic year of law school
OR
d) Completed a bachelor's degree in a field listed above or a related field and meet Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) criteria:
  1. I was in the upper third of my graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or
  2. I have a 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA as recorded on my 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
  3. I have a 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA 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
  4. I was elected to membership in a national scholastic honor society, please visit: https://www.achshonor.org/
OR
e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
f) Expect to complete at least one of the education requirements for this grade level by May 31, 2025

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:
  • Applying principles and practices regulations for contract, procurement, finance for commercial, logistics, supply chain management or business requirements for analyzing cost and pricing data; AND
  • Assisting with pre-award or post-award contracting procedures; OR
  • Assisting in generating financial reports to analyze cost, expenses, and obligations.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field, or LL.B. or J.D.
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
OR
e) Expect to complete at least one of the education degree requirements for this grade level by May 31, 2025

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level:
  • Interpreting and applying principles and practices regulations for contract, procurement, finance for logistics, supply chain management or business requirements to identify sources, analyze cost and pricing data; AND
  • Preparing pre-award or post-award contract administration; OR
  • Preparing a variety of reports concerning the status of funds, expenses, and obligations.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
OR
e) Expect to complete at least one of the education degree requirements for this grade level by May 31, 2025


Preferred majors include, but are not limited to accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, supply chain management or organization and management.


Certification/Training for GS-07/GS-09:
Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) Level I or FAC-C Professional or Level I Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification or DAWIA Professional certification is preferred, but not required.

Certification/Training for GS- 11:
Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C) Level II or FAC-C Professional, or Level II Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification or DAWIA Professional certification is preferred, but not required.

**If you have earned certification, state your FAC-C or DAWIA certification level and date of certification.**


Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

The ideal candidate is organized, customer-oriented, with information technology skills and a solid background in public sector procurement principles, processes and practices.

Education

Basic Requirement:
You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or expect to complete the basic education requirement for this position by May 31, 2025 with one of the following:

1. A 4-year course of study leading to a minimum of 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, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

NOTE: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the basic education requirements for positions they occupied on January 1, 2000, for other GS-1102 positions up to and including the GS-12 level.

U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

**Applicants may apply who are enrolled in a qualifying degree program and are expected to complete their degree program by May 31, 2025.**

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Depending on position assignment, position may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA.

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.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions 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.

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

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Acquisition Planning
  • Contract Management
  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Creative Thinking
  • Written Communication

NASA considers 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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Required Documents

A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.

Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:

  • Classified or government sensitive information.
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

The following documents are required:
  • Resume
  • Transcript


As listed in the Education section above, this position has a basic education requirement.

To be found qualified, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Education section. You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript. Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed a required degree program or coursework will result in you being found not qualified.

At the GS-07 level, most applicants qualify based on their grade point average (GPA). Transcripts without a GPA will likely result in you being found not qualified.

There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.

If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

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

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration.

To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  1. To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link.
  2. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  3. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the 'Include Personal Information' section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  4. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-CONTACTCENTER@MAIL.NASA.GOV for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to NASA - Agency Wide will not be accepted for this announcement.

NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

NASA Shared Services Contact Center
Phone
1-877-677-2123
Fax
1-866-779-6772
Email
nssc-contactcenter@mail.nasa.gov
Address
NASA - Agency Wide
300 E st SW
Washington, DC 20546
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Throughout the process you will receive regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (Account Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: Application Status.

Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager.

If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer.

An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.


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


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