Contracting Specialist (Lead).

US Army Corps of Engineers; Weare (NH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

US Army Corps of Engineers in the United States is seeking a Contracting Specialist to oversee procurement for construction, supplies, and services. You will evaluate quotations, review contract work, and provide technical guidance on planning and execution.

The role requires negotiating prices and terms, defending contracting decisions, and resolving complex performance issues with contractors and program officials. DoD requirements and DoDI guidelines apply throughout the process.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience administering contracts and monitoring performance for terms and conditions.
• Ability to perform pre-award functions: soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts for products and services.
• Experience analyzing and evaluating cost and price proposals to determine fair and reasonable pricing.
• Resolves complex contract performance issues with contractors and program officials.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate procurement and contract activities for construction, supplies, and services.
• Evaluate quotations and proposals for compliance with specifications and cost.
• Review work of contract specialists to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical advice on long-range and day-to-day work planning.
• Negotiate prices and terms for sole source contracts; protect agency interests.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Procurement systems

Cost/price analysis

Job description

Duties

• Coordinate all procurement and contract activities for construction, supplies, and services.
• Evaluate quotations and proposals for compliance with specifications and cost.
• Review the work of contract specialists to ensure compliance with regulations, laws, and policies.
• Provide technical advice and assistance on long-range and day-to-day work planning.
• Provide input to supervisors regarding the progress and areas for improvement of team members.
• Negotiate prices and terms for sole source contracts to ensure they are advantageous.
• Negotiate settlements for contracts terminated for default or convenience.
• Defend contracting decisions to higher-level contracting officers or during inquiries.
• Analyze price proposals to ensure the reasonableness of prices.
• Review Requests for Equitable Adjustments and Claims to determine their merit.
• Determine the appropriate contract type for various acquisitions.

Duties

• Coordinate all procurement and contract activities for construction, supplies, and services.
• Evaluate quotations and proposals for compliance with specifications and cost.
• Review the work of contract specialists to ensure compliance with regulations, laws, and policies.
• Provide technical advice and assistance on long-range and day-to-day work planning.
• Provide input to supervisors regarding the progress and areas for improvement of team members.
• Negotiate prices and terms for sole source contracts to ensure they are advantageous.
• Negotiate settlements for contracts terminated for default or convenience.
• Defend contracting decisions to higher-level contracting officers or during inquiries.
• Analyze price proposals to ensure the reasonableness of prices.
• Review Requests for Equitable Adjustments and Claims to determine their merit.
• Determine the appropriate contract type for various acquisitions.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel of up to 10% of the time may be required.
• This is a Defense Acquisition Workforce (AWF) position. The employee must meet the DoDI 5000.66 requirements applicable to the Career Category/Functional Area and the Career Level Certification assigned
• Foundational Career Level Certification or Contracting Professional Certification must be met within 3 years.
• This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See

• Consideration will be given to current USACE, New England - Contracting Division employees with personal competitive status.
• Consideration will also be given to current Army employees with personal competitive status.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is

Basic Requirement For Contracting Specialist (Lead):

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees.

OR

Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000.

In Addition To Meeting The Basic Requirement Above, To Qualify For This Position You Must Also Meet The Qualification Requirements Listed Below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Administer contracts by monitoring performance to ensure compliance with terms and conditions; 2) perform pre-award functions, including soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts for products and services; 3) analyze and evaluate cost and price proposals to determine fair and reasonable pricing; and 4) resolve complex issues regarding contract performance and obligations by collaborating with contractors and program officials to find mutually acceptable solutions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the
• This is a(n) Contracting and Procurement Career Program position aligned under the Human Capital & Resource Management (HC/RM) Directorate.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:

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.

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.

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.