Contract Specialist

Summary

As a Contract Specialist, you will procure a wide range of design, construction, services and/or supplies, utilizing a variety of acquisition methods and vehicles. Location of position: Public Buildings Service, Acquisition Management Division, in any of the locations listed. We are currently filling 13 vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

Review and analyze requests for procurements, revising work statements and drawings or specifications as necessary. Determine the method of procurement and the contract type and develops an acquisition plan to assure project completion in a timely and efficient manner. Research market conditions to assess adequacy of competition. Prepare solicitation documents and review or evaluate proposals from prospective contractors, incorporating a range of specialized provisions. Develop special clauses and provisions for unique procurements for which there is no precedent. Prepare and issues solicitation awards. Review contractor proposed small business subcontracting plans. Administer awarded contracts, including contracts under a variety of FAR 8 and FAR Part 19 Programs. Conduct initial conferences (post award orientation) with the contractor to provide information, and to maintain liaison with the contractor to interpret contractual obligations and resolve problems. Interpret provisions, provide advice and guidance to contractors and customer agencies' stakeholders. Execute modifications and supplemental agreements; negotiate delivery and progress schedule changes. Determine contract cost changes, price adjustments, progress, partial, and final payments and whether the contractor has fulfilled all contract requirements. Close out contracts; issue termination notices; review settlement proposals; and take administrative actions, calculating Government liability, determine settlement costs and negotiate settlement agreements. Review termination notices for extent of action (partial or complete) and for special conditions or instructions.

Requirements

If selected, you must meet the following conditions: Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Serve a one year probationary period, if required. Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications and evaluation

Here's how it will work: Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), and responses you provide on the application questionnaire. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail, Self-Management. Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions. If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Benefits

You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development

How to apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job. If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details. Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). Need Assistance? Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Required documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit. Resume: Must not exceed two pages. Refer to the Qualifications section for resume requirements. Federal employee (includes current GSA employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2". Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. The SF-50 or equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. Promotion Consideration: If your most recent SF-50 became effective within the past year, it may not demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement. In that case, submit additional SF-50(s) (such as promotion, within-grade increase, grade/range increase, or an SF-50 with an effective date more than one year old) that clearly document you meet the time-in-grade requirement. Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your separation SF-50 If you are claiming veterans preference: (a) DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service. (b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214: VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list). SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted. If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment. IF YOU ARE: Active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted). Former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service. Current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b: (a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years. (b) Copy of your agency's annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s). ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal. Current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50. Applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS for more information. If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS page for more information. College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcript(s). Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage. Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility. Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.