Contract Specialist

United States Attorneys' Offices; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Attorneys' Offices in Los Angeles is seeking a Contracting Specialist (GS-11/12) to plan, negotiate, award, and administer contracts supporting agency programs. The role emphasizes market research, source selection, price/cost analysis, and negotiations within the FAR and agency rules. U.S.

citizenship and meeting qualifications are required. Transcript submissions are required with the application; training and progression opportunities are provided to support contract oversight

Qualifications

• A 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with a major in any field.
• OR 24 semester hours in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, etc.
• OR GS-1102 experience in Federal government at GS-05 through GS-12 as of Jan 1, 2000.

Responsibilities

• Reviews procurement requests and defines acquisition requirements and strategies.
• Conducts market research to determine sources and competition opportunities.
• Reviews statements of work, IGCEs, funding docs for adequacy and compliance.
• Determines procurement methods, contract types, and competition strategies.
• Negotiates with contractors on price, terms, and conditions and oversees contract performance.

Skills

Contracting

Market research

Negotiation

Price/cost analysis

Source selection

Stakeholder communication

Compliance (FAR)

Education

Bachelor's degree

24 semester hours in business/finance/law/contracts

Tools

FAR knowledge

Contract management

Job description

Summary

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Duties

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If selected for this position, you will serve as the Contracting Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Central District of California. Serves as a warranted Contracting Officer responsible for planning, negotiating, awarding, administering, modifying, and closing out contracts and other acquisition actions for supplies and services required to support agency programs and operations. Exercises delegated contracting authority within the specified limations and serves as the Government's authorized representative for entering into, administering, and terminating contracts and making related determinations and findings. Exercises independent business judgment and ensures acquisition actions comply with applicable federal statutes, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), agency acquisition regulations, policies, procedures, and fiscal requirements.

• Reviews procurement requests and works with management and colleagues to define acquisition requirements and develop appropriate acquisition strategies.
• Conducts and documents market research to determine commercial availability, potential sources, competition opportunities, socioeconomic considerations, and appropriate acquisition methods.
• Reviews statements of work, independent government cost estimates, funding documents, and other acquisition documentation for adequacy and compliance.
• Determines appropriate procurement methods, contract types, competition strategies, source-selection approaches, evaluation criteria, and solicitation provisions and clauses.
• Provides acquisition advice to senior leadersip and stakeholders regarding procurement lead times, competition requirements, contract vehicles, small-business considerations, contract types, acquisition risks, and alternative procurement strategies.
• Develops and issues solicitations, requests for quotations, requests for proposals, amendments, and other acquisition documents.
• Conducts pre-solicitation and pre-proposal conferences when appropriate and responds to questions from prospective contractors.
• Evaluates quotations, bids, and proposals and coordinates technical evaluations with internal customers and subject matter experts.
• Performs price and cost analysis to determine price reasonableness and evaluates proposed costs and other pricing factors as applicable.
• Establishes negotiation objectives and conducts negotiations with contractors concerning price, terms and conditions, delivery requirements, and other contractual matters.
• Documents source-selection and award decisions in accordance with applicable acquisition requirements.
• Determines contractor responsibility and verifies that prospective contractors meet applicalb eligibility requirements.
• Makes contract awards and signs contractual instruments within the limits of delegated contracting authority.
• Ensures sufficient funds are available and that all legal, regulatory, competition, socioeconomic, and administrative requirements have been satisfied before obligating the Government.
• Documents the contract file to establish the basis for acquisition decisions and demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Administers contracts after award and ensures contractor compliance with terms and conditions.
• Issues contract modifications, exercises options, processes funding actions, addresses changes in requirements, and makes other contractual decisions within delegated authority.
• Coordinates with Contracting Officer's Representatives (CORs), legal counsel, financial personnel, property personnel, security officials, and other stakeholders regarding contractor performance.
• Evaluates contractor requests regarding claims, performance issues, delays, suitability of personnel, and other matters affecting contract performance.
• Takes appropriate action when contractor performance does not meet contract requirements.
• Ensures that only authorized Government officials direct contractors or make commitments that may affect contract cost, schedule, scope, or contractual obligations.
• Ensures completed contracts are properly closed out in accordance with applicable regulations and agency procedures.
• Verifies completion of contract performance, final acceptance, final payment, disposition of Government property, resolution of outstanding contractual issues, and completion of required administrative actions.
• Maintains complete and accurate official contract files and acquisition records.
• Performs other duties as assigned; especially administrtive services related duties related to logistics, space and facilities management, accountable property, mail, records, government vehicles, etc.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To be qualified at the GS-11, and/or GS-12, you must possess one of the following Basic Requirements: A 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree with a major in any field.

OR 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.

OR Occupy or have occupied a GS-1102 Contract Specialist position in the Federal government on January 1, 2000 at a GS-05 through GS-12

Note: You must submit your transcript (unofficial or official) at the time of application to be considered for this position. Failure to submit your transcript may result in disqualification.

In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements described above, you must also meet the following Grade Specific Requirements: To be qualified at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following conditions, as defined below: specialized experience, education or a combination of education and experience. Specialize Experience: ONE full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: conducting all aspects of contracting for supplies and services from initiation to award recommendation; reviewing requisitions and determining method of procurement, i.e. formal advertising or negotiation; establishing procurement plans through review of history, market conditions, and specifications; evaluating adequacy and completeness of requisition descriptions; compiling bidders' lists; initiating and issuing solicitation documents to insure clear and complete specifications, requirements, and other stipulations; responding to procurement inquiries; analyzing bids and proposals; conducting price/cost analysis to determine bid responsiveness and responsibility; recommending and documenting awards; and drafting final contracts. Education: One of the following types of graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education. Combination of Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of two full years. To be qualified at the GS-12 level you must have at least one full year of specialize experience. Specialize Experience: ONE full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: procuring supplies, services, and equipment using formal advertising and negotiated procedures and techniques; conducting market analysis to determine product/producer availability; establishing new sources based on projected needs analysis; initiating solicitation documents to include determining type of contract, language, and clauses; evaluating bids or offers to determine bidder's responsiveness, capacity, and compliance; conducting price analysis to determine reasonableness of price; planning and conducting negotiations on price, technical requirements, terms, and conditions of contracts; and awarding or recommending awards .If selected, you will receive formal and/or on-the-job training as needed.

You must be able to attain and retain at least a Level 1 (One) Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) as a Federal contracting professional. FAC-C has specific training requirements with some courses online and in the classroom. To maintain a FAC-C, contract professionals are required to meet a continuous training requirement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)- The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov

OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Selective Service:

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement/Policy:

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.

Political Appointees (Current or Former):

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 Non-Career 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.