Contract Specialist

Summary Applications under this job opportunity announcement will be considered under merit promotion (internal competitive) procedures only and consideration is limited to those specified in the “Hiring Path”. Responsibilities This job opportunity is located in the Procurement Office, National Processing Center (NPC), Jeffersonville, Indiana. The incumbent holds a contracting warrant and therefore represents the Government and bears the legal responsibility for contract actions they enter into, change, or terminate on behalf of the Government. This position is not included in the bargaining unit. The individual selected for this position: Serves as Acting Procurement Chief and Section Chief and serves as the technical expert responsible for pre-award and/or post award functions for a variety of contract requirements frequently involving critical and/or sensitive program efforts. Provides comprehensive guidance to technical personnel in the development of Performance Work Statements, Statements of Work, and Statements of Objectives. Leads technical personnel with Market Research and formulates the acquisition strategy that will best satisfy the requirement while also accommodating constraints that may exist. Monitors contractor performance ensuring timely submission of technical progress reports, detecting and correcting labor standards violations, taking appropriate action to expedite delivery or performance when required by mission changes, monitoring the contractors use of Government-furnished property inventories, and issuing modifications or change orders when appropriate. Approves contract payments, assesses liquidated or actual damages or nonperformance, issues show cause or cure notices, terminates contracts for default or convenience and negotiates changes and settlements, prepares replies to other involved agencies, appeal boards, or congressional inquiries. Tour of Duty: Monday through Friday, day shift hours generally ranging from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Alternate Work Schedule and other various work schedules are available. Alternate Work Schedule is an 80-hour biweekly basic work requirement that is scheduled in less than 10 days; i.e., eight 9-hour days/nights, one 8-hour day/night, and one day off. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This position requires a security clearance. Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before you can be placed in the position. Candidates may be required to clear the fingerprint process and initiate the required background investigation prior to final selection. A one-year probationary period may be required. Qualifications Time-in-Grade: In addition to specialized experience and the basic requirements, you must meet the time in grade requirement. Current and former Federal civilian employees must have held a position at the grade 12 for at least 52 weeks in the Federal Service for promotion to the grade 13. Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Basic Requirements: A. 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 B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelors 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. C. 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. D. 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. Specialized Experience: You qualify at the grade 13 level if you possess one year of specialized experience that equips you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the grade 12 level to meet the qualification requirements in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: Developing acquisition strategies and documents to procure a variety of both common and highly complex goods and services. Performing and leading pre-award functions to include communication with internal customers, other government entities, and industry; proposal review and evaluation; conducting negotiations; and issuing awards. Performing and leading both routine and complex post-award contract administration functions to include preparing modifications, administering award fee plans, reviewing and processing invoices, reviewing and processing claims or disputes, documenting and resolving matters related to contract performance, and contract close-out and terminations. Participating in the review of procurement policies and procedures. Education cannot be substituted for the specialized experience at this grade level. Employees on a permanent appointment who were hired through a Recruiting Bulletin, who have not served in their current appointment for at least 90 days, are not eligible to apply. However, if this vacancy is in the same line of work as your current position (same qualification requirements), and selection for this position would not result in a promotion action the 90-day waiting period does not apply. 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). 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. Education Additional Information The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Special Hiring Authorities Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining a rating of at least 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Managements Career Transition Resources website at: USAJOBS Help Center | Unique Hiring PathsUSAJOBS Help Center | Unique Hiring Paths CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your Reduction In Force (RIF) separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice). A copy of your latest SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location; A copy of your last performance appraisal including rating; and Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential. The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, notify the Human Resources Branch. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Branch via the Federal Relay Service, 1-812-218-3610. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factor. Employees who receive a buyout and subsequently return to positions in a Federal agency within 5 years after the date of separation, on which the payment is based, whether by reemployment or contracts for personal service, are generally obligated to repay the full amount of the buyout to the agency that paid it before the individuals first day of reemployment.