Contracts Specialist - SOF AT&L - SDA

Applied Research Solutions; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is seeking a Contract Specialist to support SOF AT&L programs at MacDill AFB, Florida. The role spans the acquisition lifecycle, including development, pricing, solicitations, and contract administration to ensure compliant, timely fielded solutions for DoD customers.

Ideal candidates hold US citizenship, a Secret clearance, DAWIA Level II equivalency, and a Bachelor’s in Business, with 10+ years in federal procurement.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: US citizen.
• Clearance: Secret clearance required.
• DAWIA Practitioner Level II Equivalency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years in federal government acquisition programs.

Responsibilities

• Support development, implementation, and control of acquisition aspects through defined phases.
• Plan acquisition/contracting strategies within cost, schedule, and performance baselines.
• Research FAR/DFARS guidance and provide COAs to customers.
• Prepare pre-solicitation documentation (D&F, DD Form 2579).
• Staff solicitation, amendments, and notices in procurement systems.

Skills

Contracting

Cost/Price analysis

Regulatory knowledge

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Master's degree in Business or Acquisition

Tools

Procurement Desktop Defense (PD2)

Job description

ARS is has an exciting new opportunity for a Contract Specialist to support Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (SOF AT&L) Program Executive Office for SOF Digital Applications (SDA).

PEO-SDA delivers operational software and digital platforms across multiple networks to automate complex SOF workflows and rapidly close capability gaps. By partnering with USSOCOM S&T and leveraging external investments and best practices, SDA matures and transitions emerging technologies into fielded capabilities while increasing SOF buying power. The organization operates in real-world exercises and experiments to ensure solutions work in complex operational environments, and it advances secure modern delivery through accredited DevSecOps infrastructure, rapid prototyping approaches, and scalable digital ecosystem, intelligence, and mission command applications.

This is a full-time position located at MacDill AFB, FL

Why Work with Us?

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is a respected, world-class provider of technically integrated solutions. We deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets to provide unparalleled, continuous mission support. We’ve been honored as a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020. At ARS, our career-driven, loyal professionals are the key to our success, enabling us to deliver state-of-the-art results for our mission partners. With an industry-competitive benefits package, awards and recognition programs, and direct access to ARS senior management, we are dedicated to the growth and well-being of every team member.

Responsibilities

• Support development, implementation, and control of traditional and non-traditional financial, contractual, and technical aspects of projects/programs through designated phases of the acquisition cycle.
• Support the planning of acquisition and contracting strategies for assigned projects/programs within cost, schedule, and performance baselines
• Independently and proficiently conduct appropriate research using the plethora of resources available to the acquisition community (e.g., FAR, other regulatory guidance) to provide informed guidance and applicable courses of action (COAs) to a wide range of customers.
• Prepare pre-solicitation documentation to include, but not limited to: Determination and Findings (D&F) and Small Business coordination (DD Form 2579).
• Staff pre-solicitation documentation for appropriate review and approvals, and posts applicable notices in the Federal Business Opportunities as required.
• Prepare solicitations and amendments in Procurement Desktop Defense (PD2) (or relevant contract writing system) for Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) review and approval. Staff all solicitation/amendment documentation for appropriate review and approvals, and posts notices in the Federal Business Opportunities as required.
• Conduct price and cost analysis. Proficiently use a variety of techniques, including but not limited to working with DCAA and/or DCMA as necessary, to determine fair and reasonable prices.
• Review evaluation input from a variety of sources (e.g., technical program and DCAA personnel), provide necessary feedback, and prepare contract negotiation positions (such as PNM and BCM) for PCO review and approval.
• Prepare contract award (or agreements) and amendments in PD2 (or relevant writing system) for PCO review and approval. Staff all award/amendment documentation for appropriate review and approvals, and posts notices in the Federal Business Opportunities as required.
• Prepare post-award documentation to include, but not limited to: contract modifications and memorandums for the record.
• Independently and proficiently conduct all contract administration functions retained by USSOCOM.
• Establish and maintain quality contract files that are auditable, repeatable, and defendable.
• Actively participate in IPTs and guides and assists team members, technical program personnel, sales representatives, local suppliers, and/or contractors on acquisition and business-related issues in a professional manner
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Minimum Experience:

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen

Clearance: Must possess and maintain a Secret clearance

Certifications: DAWIA Practitioner Level II Equivalency, and in the Contracting field, or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related discipline

Years of Experience: Minimum 10 years working in federal government acquisition programs, including:

• Minimum of 8 years of acquisition/contracting experience
• Knowledge of contract data reporting tools, training, and database operations and maintenance, including working knowledge of the Procurement Desktop Defense (PD2) contract writing software
• Knowledge of pre- and post-award procedures sufficient to award and administer firm fixed-price, cost, indefinite delivery, or other contracts of similar complexity
• Knowledge of laws, policies, regulations, and procedures governing acquisitions as well as contracting within the Federal government, which include but are not limited to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and Special Operations Forces Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (SOFARS).
• Knowledge of contract strategies oriented towards rapid innovation and development, to include FAR-based strategies (e.g., agreements, BAAs, Commercial Solutions Offerings) and Statutory strategies (e.g., SBIR/STTR, Other Transactions and Agreements), and required procedures, clauses, and special provisions

Preferred Experience:

Certifications: DAWIA Advanced (formerly Level III) in Contracting or a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level 3

Education and Experience: Master's degree in Business or Acquisition, and 8 years of contracts management experience in support of a DoD acquisition agency

• Weapon system support experience (i.e., contracting with PROC and R&D funding)
• Experience with OTAs, in addition to traditional (FAR/DFARS) contracting methods.
• Experience with contracting support to SOF organizations and operations
• Experience as a former Warranted Contracting Officer
• Experience as a Supervisory Contract Specialist

Additional Information

Location: MacDill AFB, FL

On-site/Hybrid/Remote: On-Site

Travel: 10%

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history, identity verification, and other checks.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.