CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Summary THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION WITH NO MILITARY REQUIREMENT. This National Guard position is for a CONTRACT SPECIALIST, Position Description Number PDT0047000 and is part of the Mississippi National Guard. Responsibilities As a CONTRACT SPECIALIST, GS-1102-12, you will ensure successful market research, acquisition planning, contract award, contract performance management, and interpretation of contract law in order to provide the best, most efficient contracting strategies in support of the organizations vision, mission, goals, and objectives. This position is located at Joint Force Headquarters – United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO) Purchasing and Contracting office or an ANG Base Contracting Office. Plans the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for a variety of requirements with multiple complexities. Analyzes difficult/controversial contracting issues, determines, recommends and/or implements course of action which may depart from previous approaches for long-term contract performance or short-term contracts with extremely stringent time frames. Provides business advice and assistance to technical personnel involved in the development of the performance work statement/statement of work/statement of objectives or data requirements. Reviews a diverse variety of requisition packages for adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements. Serves as a contracting authority and advisor to management, customers, and contractors. Performs acquisition planning, along with the program manager/customer, technical, legal, and finance personnel to develop market research, acquisition strategy, milestones, evaluation/source selection criteria, and/or incentive or award fee provisions, as applicable. Exercises experienced judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness to identify regulations and laws which do or do not apply to the particular procurement. Determines appropriate method of procurement, contract type, and financing arrangements to fit special circumstances. This position may be required to perform supervisory personnel functions including the assignment of duties, provides training, evaluates performance, Oversees the procurement of a wide variety of services, supplies, construction and architect and engineering. Researches, interprets, analyzes, and applies all regulations, business and industry practices, market trends. Prepares solicitation, amendment, and contract documents incorporating applicable terms, conditions, provisions and clauses. Receives and performs oversight of quotes/bids/proposals evaluations and determines the acceptability of offers based on an analysis of financial and technical information gained. Formulates negotiation strategies and identifies areas subject to negotiation. Conducts any necessary conferences to discuss offers received; performs price or cost analysis; plans and conducts negotiations on price, technical requirements, and/or terms and conditions of the contract. Prepares/oversees the final contract to include appropriate standard clauses, special provisions, and incentives. Documents selection decision and justifies basis for award. Obtains all required business clearances and/or approvals as necessary. Awards or recommends award in accordance with delegated authority. Executes post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts. Appoints Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) within delegated authority and manages the COR program as required. Evaluates contractor performance for compliance with terms and conditions. Obtains additional funds or de-obligates funds as necessary. Researches and recommends appropriate action for resolution of difficult problems or claims through interpretation of contract requirements. Prepares contract modifications, administrative change orders, and supporting documents for all contract actions including termination. Recommends or issues cure or show cause notices in accordance with delegated authority. Monitors and reviews contractors invoices/payment applications for completeness and conformance with contract terms and conditions, and approves/disapproves payment, as appropriate. Signs modifications in accordance with delegated warrant authority. Serves as business advisor to a wide range of customers. Represents the interest of the organization in a professional manner in meetings and various contacts outside the agency. Provides business advice, guidance, training, and assistance to team members, technical or program personnel, functional commanders, and/or contractors on contractual language, legal responsibilities, acquisition and business-related issues. Assists in providing interpretation/clarification to contractors and customers on contractual language, contractual and federal/state/local regulatory requirements, and business opportunities. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES: 1. May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments. 2. Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day. 3. Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise. 4. Incumbent must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position and must possess required acquisition certification. 5. The incumbent must meet the continuing acquisition education, training and experience requirements IAW DoDI 5000.66. 6. In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, incumbent is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually. 7. The incumbent must obtain and maintain secret security clearance. 8. Incumbent will be required to pass the Contracting Officer Review Board (CORB) and hold a warrant. 9. This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state of emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG. 7. Wear of the military uniform is prohibited while in technician status. Qualifications GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have experience in positions supporting competencies in business, finance, risk management, project management, or supply chain management. Experience must include competencies such as skill in collecting and analyzing data and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and other professional competencies in procurement administration or purchase card management. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: (Advanced Level) – Must have one year of contracting experience at the GS-11 level. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: (1) Performing acquisition planning including market research and knowledge of a wide variety of contracting methods that satisfy mission needs and meet customer requirements, (2) Advising Contracting Officer Representatives and advising customers on procurement preparation and development of contractually acceptable specifications, work statements, and quality assurance criteria, (3) Reviewing procurement requests to assure clarity, adequacy, and completeness, and (4) Reviewing contract terms and technical specifications to identify any special requirements. Must have Level 1, DAWIA Foundational Certification (or equivalent, see Certifications Issued by Federal (non-DoD) Organizations below). Certifications Issued by Federal (non-DoD) Organizations – On 16 October 2023, The Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy signed a Memorandum of Understanding to recognize parity and reciprocity between the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) and the Federal Acquisition Institutes Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional). Personnel with FAC-C should provide a copy of their certification when applying for positions. If your resume does not include a narrative description of how you meet the GENERAL, SPECIALIZED experiences, and OTHER requirements, you may lose consideration for this position. Ensure that the Questionnaire is completed online in Application Manager. IF YOU COPY ANY PORTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. NOTES TO CANDIDATES: a. Include any volunteer work experience in your resume. 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). b. Final selection will be based upon qualifications, suitability, and available manpower resources. c. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employees Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. d. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this announcement. e. If this announcement results in a temporary promotion for the selectee, it may become permanent at any time without further competition dependent on funding and manpower requirements. f. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. g. For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state drivers license. Education Mandatory Positive Education – Minimum education requirement a Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Note: The minimum education requirements listed above applies to individuals who initially accessed, promoted, reassigned, changed-to-lower grade or detailed in the NG Title 5 or Title 32 Excepted Service Contracting Program, Occupational Series GS-1102, as of 24-Mar-2024. You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Additional Information If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).