CONTRACT SPECIALIST (Title 5)

Summary

IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION Open to the public. Military membership is not required. Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories are eligible to apply with this preference. (See Required Documents section) LOCATION: USPFO, Johnston, IA

Duties

As a CONTRACT SPECIALIST (Title 5), GS-1102-9/11/12, you will perform the following duties. Plans the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for procuring a wide variety of requirements. Performs market research/analysis to determine availability of the requirement; analyzes market trends, commercial practices, conditions and technological advances. Determines appropriate method of procurement using a wide range of contracting methods and contract types. Selects appropriate contracting approaches, techniques, and procedures to solve a variety of acquisition problems. Analyzes contracting issues and recommends best course of action. 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 latitude in dealing with problems arising during the pre-award phase of the procurement action. Plans and carries out the work, selecting the approaches and techniques to be used, and determines actions to be taken on assigned contracts. Uses judgment in interpreting guidelines, in adapting procurement procedures to specific situations and in recommending solutions to problems encountered. 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 requisition packages for adequacy and compliance with administrative, regulatory, and procedural requirements and consistency with current market practices and conditions. Assists in procuring a wide variety of services, supplies, and/or construction. Applies all statutory requirements including regulations, policies, procedures, business and industry practices, market trends, Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Comptroller General Decisions, public law, case law, and precedents to all acquisitions. Contracts assigned may contain a variety of unique attributes such as special handling provisions or other specialized terms and conditions, unfavorable market conditions, and limited competition requirements. Ensures the price schedule is properly structured, prepares the solicitation, recommends most appropriate solicitation method, drafts solicitations and amendments, and determines the acceptability of offers based on an analysis of contractor past performance, responsibility and various technical factors. Executes post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts. Trains and monitors appointed Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) as required. Monitors and evaluates contractor performance for compliance with terms and conditions of contracts and ensures timely submission of contract deliverables and performance metrics. Makes field site visits to detect and/or correct labor standards violations, takes appropriate action to expedite delivery or performance when required by mission changes, monitors the contractors' use of government-furnished property inventories, and prepares change orders as necessary. Evaluates and requests additional funds or de-obligates funds, as required. Analyzes a wide variety of contract administration problems. Negotiates and prepares contract modifications caused by changes in technical requirements, in quantities, ordering unpriced options. Reviews contractor invoices/payment applications for completeness, allowability, allocability, use of proper approved rates and conformance with contract terms and conditions and approves/disapproves payment. Provides business advice and guidance to technical personnel and others on contracting work and prepares correspondence. Represents the interest of the organization in a professional manner in meetings and various contacts outside the agency on a variety of issues that often are not well-defined. Provides advice, guidance, training and assistance to technical or program personnel, functional commanders and/or contractors on contractual language, legal responsibilities, and acquisition and business-related issues. Prepares letters, memoranda, documents, or reports that support contractual actions or recommendations. Researches and recommends appropriate action or interpretation of issues. May serve as the primary or alternate Government Purchase Card (GPC) Agency/Organization Program Coordinator for the local Contracting Office. Functions as the principal liaison between program participants and the banking institution. Interacts with higher headquarters to ensure program compliance. Analyzes program regulatory requirements and develops internal procedural guidance. Provides training for billing/approving officials and cardholders participating in the program. Performs other duties as assigned. T0048000

Qualifications and evaluation

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed above. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the minimum/specialized experience provided in the announcement and the KSA's (knowledge, skills, and abilities) listed below: Knowledge of contracting principles, laws, statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and procedures applicable to pre-award and post-award duties sufficient to plan and carry out procurement actions and administer contracts for a variety of specialized services, commodities and/or construction using a wide range of contracting methods and contract types. In-depth knowledge of commercial business practices and market conditions to evaluate offer acceptability, contractor responsibility, and/or contractor performance, and to determine acquisition strategy and sources. Knowledge of up-to-date market research procedures. Knowledge of a wide range of contracting methods and contract types sufficient to perform pre-award, post-award, and price/cost analysis functions. Knowledge of negotiation techniques and technical requirements sufficient to procure complex and/or diversified services, commodities, and/or construction. Knowledge of contract administration sufficient to monitor a group of diverse contracts, understanding quality assurance, inspection, acceptance, and corrective action terms and conditions. Knowledge of contract termination procedures sufficient to recommend or determine allowable costs, profit to be allowed, disposal of government property, and similar issues and to negotiate settlements with contractors. Knowledge of contract cost analysis techniques sufficient to gather and evaluate price and/or cost data for a variety of pre-award and/or post-award procurement actions. Knowledge of the GPC program to analyze issues and identify alternative courses of action, modify standard procedures and terms to satisfy requirements, and solve a variety of common problems. Knowledge of public speaking and publicity techniques sufficient to plan or conduct training sessions designed to enhance/facilitate the GPC. Knowledge of Contract Regulations to verify contractual documents for compliance and accuracy of terminology. Ability to interpret and clarify regulatory contractual material. Knowledge of standard automated systems, non-standard systems, and Web postings that affect the organization's mission execution to review and evaluate of automated systems to determine their overall effectiveness and recommend changes to improve system performance.

Education

Minimum education requirement: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. To receive credit for education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the education requirements for this position.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043345 A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. 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 online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/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: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed. Additional Supporting Documents (if applicable): Cover Letter, Transcripts, SF-50, DD 214, VA disability letter/documentation, ect. (In order to claim Veterans Preference a VA disability letter or legible copy of your DD214(s) annotating dates, campaign medals, and character of service (honorable, general, etc.) must be submitted for consideration). Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories below are eligible to apply with this preference. Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible must submit the following documentation: - Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-3) - Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility - Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility. Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement must submit the following documentation: - Military Reserve and Technician Disability PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-2) - Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility - Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility. Applicant claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employeesmust submit the following documentation: -DoD Retained Grade Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-1) - SF-50 effecting the placement in retained grade status - Copy of the notification letter the employee received (RIF or classification downgrade) Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference must submit the following documentation: - DoD Military Spouse Preference Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-4) - Sponsor's PCS Orders - Proof of Military member's current active duty status - Marriage Certificate

Additional information

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Employment is subject to attaining and maintaining a clearance as required by this position. If the selectee does not possess the applicable security clearance when hired, application must be made within 30 days of the start date. Failure to make application for the required security clearance will result in termination of employment. TRIAL PERIOD REQUIREMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period or 1-year (Veterans Preference Eligibles Only) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct. The needs and interests of the agency. Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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). APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 10/07/2026. FAILURE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN YOU NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. Please refer to the Qualifications and Evaluations Section of this Announcement to understand the qualification requirements, and the How to Apply Section for detailed instruction on applying. Annuitants other than DSR annuitants hired on or after November 25, 2003, shall not have their salary offset by the amount of the annuity received for the period of reemployment in accordance with section 9902(h) of Reference (b). These individuals shall receive full salary and annuity during the period of reemployment; they shall not be considered employees for the purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of Reference (b) (e.g., ineligible for retirement deductions, ineligible to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan); and their period of reemployment shall not be creditable for a supplemental or redetermined annuity.