Purchasing Agent (Office Automation)

Clarification from the agency

Please see the "Who May Apply" section under the Qualifications section.

The primary function of the position is to acquire a wide range of standard equipment, supplies, or services typically described through open market procedures or through orders against established contracts using simplified acquisition procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities: Reviews purchase requests from activities in terms of compliance with administrative requirements and adequacy of information, including item description, minimum allowable purchase quantity, availability of funds and estimated cost. Coordinates with requesting office to obtain or provide additional information and identifies when separate requests may be consolidated. Determines procurement source; local, Air Force Nonappropriated Fund Purchasing Office (AFNAFPO) or the Servicing Contracting Office (SCO). Develops source list of responsible suppliers from established lists, history files, catalogs, newspapers, etc. Determines procurement method based on such factors as procurement history, urgency of need, estimated cost, and applicable directives. Prepares requests for quotation to obtain quotes for small purchases and contracts. Verifies and abstracts information from vendors for orders or contracts. Reviews offers for compliance. Negotiates with vendors on a variety of issues, such as price breaks, accelerated delivery, reduction of service charges, etc. Prepares documentation for award. Issues purchase/delivery orders, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) (priced and unpriced), Individual Service Contracts, Concessionaire Contracts, and other contracts and agreements within limits of contracting officer's warrant. Responsible for post award administration. Administers contracts, orders, agreements, and modifications, including follow-up. Gathers, monitors, and maintains data, related to purchasing, prepares reports and responds to inquiries. Uses automated systems to input purchase requests, issue orders, request for quotations (RFQ), and other purchasing associated information. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• This position requires the incumbent to complete a background investigation with favorable results.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Open to everyone. Applicants will be categorized by preference(s) and/or priority consideration eligibilities. An applicant's eligibility will be determined based on eligibility claimed in the questionnaire and proof of eligibility MUST be provided with application by the closing date, 07/31/2026

Business Based Action, Military Spouse Preference, Outside Applicant Veteran, Spouse/Widow/Parent of Veteran, and Transition Hiring Preference

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if the position allows for qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Qualifying Experience:
Progressively responsible experience which provided the applicant general knowledge of procedures, regulations, and practices common to the Services purchasing program. In addition, must have specialized knowledge of procedures and techniques relating to the purchase of a wide variety of commercial as well as some technical items; knowledge of merchandise purchased to make determinations for substitution; knowledge of vendor sources and of common business practices relating to mechanics of purchasing. Knowledge of solicitation and purchasing methods to make purchases under established contracts and standardized specifications or statements of work. Knowledge of price evaluation techniques to assess price reasonableness using well-established references. Must possess basic computer skills, basic word processing procedures and function keys to support office operations and produce a variety of documents such as form letters, entering data into a predefined spreadsheet or database. Must be familiar with personal computer applications such as Windows, MS Word, Excel, Access, and the Internet. Skill in typing; a qualified typist is required. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Must possess skill in dealing with customers and the public.

Performance Standards
Work is reviewed and performance evaluated in terms of quantity and quality, accuracy, timeliness, responsiveness, usefulness of data presented, and conformance to established guidance and procedures. Provides effective training to managers and new employees. Must be courteous and exercise tact and professional behavior in all contacts with personnel in, and out of, the work center(s). Regularly completes assigned tasks within guidelines as assigned by supervisor. Must regularly respond to customer needs in a timely manner. Regularly ensures that purchasing activity is fair, competitive, economical, ethical and in the best interest and benefit to the activity. Consistently complies with Air Force Instructions (AFIs) and other written guidance. Provides and presents well prepared information in a clear, concise and professional manner. Must show willingness and ability to learn on the job. Must adhere to all fire, safety, and security standards.???????

Training
Attends all formal and informal training applicable to this position as deemed necessary by the supervisor. Training in the areas of contracting, AF Policy, customer service, computer software, etc., will be provided by the NAFI. Incumbent is encouraged to seek training opportunities in the local area (for NAFI funding) to enhance/improve overall efficiency of the contracting process. Must be willing to complete the NAF Small Purchases/AFNAFPO purchase course and obtain a $10,000 or greater, contracting warrant.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume and supporting document will be evaluated against the qualifications of the position.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination has been made that you have inflated your responses to meet the position's qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

To better expedite the hiring process, we recommend including full contact information (name, address, phone number, email, etc.,) for professional and personal references on your resume.

Required documents may vary based on the eligibility you are claiming (i.e., applying as a Military Spouse Preference - MSP, applying as a veteran, applying as a current federal employees, applying as a displaced employee, etc.,). The below document(s) are required and MUST be submitted with your application by the closing date of this job announcement:

• Diploma/ GED
• Resume

Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support identified the general or specialized experience described in this announcement. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.

Other accepted documents to support a qualification and/or claimed preference/priority eligibility may include:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Diploma/ GED
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and supporting documents which prove your claimed eligibility. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package to include supplemental documents may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

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