Contract Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligibility

Job summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters is seeking a Contract Specialist to manage the procurement of supplies and services under FAR/VAAR guidelines. The role involves contract writing, reviewing statements of work, and coordinating with acquisition planning teams to ensure competitive sourcing.

On-site requirement with potential telework consideration; incumbents will use eCMS, FPDS, and IFCAP for contract management and reporting.

Qualifications

• Transcript must be submitted with your application.
• Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate contracting activities with the Branch Chief and other Contract Specialists.
• Perform contract reviews and provide guidance on complex contracts.
• Identify training needs, conduct mentoring, and support contract training.
• Advertise requirements and prepare solicitation documents using agency systems.

Tools

eCMS

FPDS

IFCAP

Job description

• Hiring Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters
• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Contract Specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with responsibility for performing professional work involving the procurement of supplies and services using procedures outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, VA Acquisition Regulations, Public Laws, and agency policy.

Key Responsibilities

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION OR REMOTE POSITION. YOU MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RETURN TO OFFICE POLICY AND BE ABLE TO WORK ON SITE AT VA OWN/LEASED SPACE*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 8th, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates every 2 weeks after that.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Incumbent assists the Branch Chief in coordinating contracting activities, performing contract reviews, providing guidance regarding complex contracts administered by other Contract Specialists, identifying special training needs, conducting mentoring, and supporting contract training.

The incumbent will guide, assist, mentor, and train Contract Specialists. The incumbent will be required to possess the requisite skills and experience to effectively deal with an assortment of contract issues at a full performance level. Duties includes but are not limited to: Fully utilize electronic systems for: contract writing (eCMS), long-term contract management and reporting (FPDS), and financial management (IFCAP) in accordance with agency policies.

Incumbent ensures uploaded information is accurate and in the correct format. Provides data analysis for both formal and informal management meetings involving contracting and financial matters concerned with the establishment of policies and decisions leading to the accomplishment of mandated VHA goals and objectives. Assists the requiring activities by serving as a member of acquisition planning teams.

In this role, incumbent aids requiring activities in performing market research, reviewing specifications and drawings, reviewing statements of work, other required documents, and approving acquisition milestone plans. Responsible for selecting the appropriate method of procurement (i.e. - simplified acquisition procedures, sealed-bidding, or negotiations).

Responsible for advertising all applicable requirements and preparing the solicitation document using agency contract writing systems for issuance, ensuring regulatory and legal sufficiency, and promoting maximum competition. When authorized, incumbent serves as the Source Selection Authority (SSA) and establishes Technical Evaluation Boards (TEB) to determine acceptability and ranking of technical proposals.

Identifies appropriate negotiation team members, formulates pre-negotiation objectives, and facilitates the negotiation as the Senior Contract Specialist and chief negotiator. Serves as contract administrator on awarded contracts. Conducts post-award conferences with contractor and government personnel to provide information and to clarify standard and special contractual provisions of the contract.

Incumbent negotiates required changes to contract conditions to protect the agency. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Contract Specialist/PD52417A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Department of Veterans Affairs Headquarters, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $106437 – $138370/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2027-03-01.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.