Contract Specialist

National Nuclear Security Administration; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

National Nuclear Security Administration, Los Alamos Field Office, seeks an Administrative Contracting Officer to oversee the Los Alamos National Laboratory's M&O contract. The role involves complex contract administration, performance monitoring, and coordinating with program offices and external stakeholders to ensure mission success.

Ideal candidates bring experience in negotiating terms, evaluating contract actions, and applying government-wide acquisition standards in a politically complex

Qualifications

• Experience supporting or conducting contract administration and contractor oversight activities for complex programs.
• Experience monitoring deliverables and evaluating compliance with contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee contract administration and contractor performance for a major M&O contract.
• Coordinate with program offices and external stakeholders to meet mission needs.
• Participate in contractor performance evaluations and surveillance activities.

Skills

Contract administration

Stakeholder coordination

Performance monitoring

Contractor oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Negotiation

Cost and pricing

Job description

This position is part of the Los Alamos Field Office, Department of Energy. A successful candidate in this position will serve as an Administrative Contracting Officer, with oversight of the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Management & Operating (M&O) contract; a large-scale, long-term, multi-billion dollar contract to support the nuclear security enterprise.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS NQ-03

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-02 or GS-12. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience supporting or conducting contract administration and contractor oversight activities for complex programs, including performance monitoring, stakeholder coordination, and review of contract or subcontract actions. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to:

• Experience conducting performance oversight of contractors or subcontractors, including monitoring deliverables, evaluating compliance with contract terms, and identifying areas requiring corrective action.
• Experience reviewing contract/subcontract solicitations, awards, acquisition plans, award memoranda, modifications, and/or contract actions for adequacy, completeness, and compliance with organizational or federal acquisition requirements.
• Experience coordinating with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., program offices, county agencies, fire departments, safety organizations) to ensure mission needs are met.
• Experience participating in or supporting contractor performance evaluations, acceptance of work, surveillance activities, or management reviews for a major contractor or business unit.
• Experience using a variety of contract administration approaches, monitoring tools, or oversight strategies to enhance accountability and operational efficiency.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS NQ-04

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-03 or GS-14. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in negotiation of complex terms and conditions, reviewing contract/subcontract actions, and contract administration; working with program offices to establish mission needs in a politically complex environment. Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to:

• Experience in Contract Administration including administration of policy and procedures sufficient to oversee placement and/or monitoring of contractor performance on complex contracts covering major systems or extensive programs.
• Experience in business and industry practices sufficient to evaluate, monitor, and maintain uniform management controls over a prime M&O contractor's performance, and to provide direction and leadership to the Government's principal pre-award and post-award representatives.
• Experience in cost and pricing techniques to negotiate and act on a variety of pricing and special agreements, including final overhead rate agreements, including as necessary, to ensure implementation and administration of cost accounting standards.
• Knowledge and broad experience in understanding and executing of Nuclear Security Enterprise interrelationships between program goals, objectives, priorities, and funding to accomplish NNSA mission objectives.
• Skill in negotiation and persuasion adequate to obtain cooperation and understanding from DOE/NCSA and its M&O partners.

Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.