Cost/Price Analyst

The Ascendancy Group; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ascendancy Group is seeking a Cost/Price Analyst in the United States to own cost estimating and strategic pricing from capture through post-award support. You will build cost models, craft pricing strategies, ensure FAR/DFARS compliance, and work with capture, technical, and contracts teams to win bids while protecting margins.

Ideal candidates have 3–5+ years of government cost/pricing experience, a Bachelor’s degree, and advanced Excel/data modeling skills.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of cost/pricing experience for government contracts (Defense preferred).
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, CAS, and proposal development.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills (pivot tables, complex formulas).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of cost volumes and pricing proposals in response to RFPs, RFQs, and other solicitations.
• Perform detailed cost estimating and analysis, including labor, materials, subcontracts, overhead/G&A, and fee/profit.
• Develop and maintain pricing models, templates, and Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation.
• Conduct pricing strategy and competitive analysis to balance win probability, profitability, and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements.
• Support proposal reviews, fact-finding, and negotiations with government customers.
• Perform cost realism and should-cost analyses.
• Provide ongoing support for cost tracking and rate development on awarded contracts.
• Collaborate with capture teams, program managers, finance, contracts, and engineering.

Skills

Cost estimating

Pricing strategy

Financial modeling

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Ascendancy Group’s Mission

To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions.

Overview

As a Cost/Price Analyst you will own both detailed cost estimating and strategic pricing activities — developing compliant, competitive, and profitable proposals from initial capture through negotiation and post-award support. You will build cost models, craft pricing strategies, ensure FAR/DFARS compliance, and collaborate closely with capture, technical, and contracts teams to win new business while protecting margins.

Security Requirement

• The ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance is required.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the development of cost volumes and pricing proposals in response to RFPs, RFQs, and other solicitations, ensure quality control prior to submission.
• Perform detailed cost estimating and analysis, including labor, materials, subcontracts, indirect rates (overhead/G&A), and fee/profit.
• Develop and maintain pricing models, templates, and Basis of Estimate (BOE) documentation.
• Conduct pricing strategy and competitive analysis, recommend bid prices that balance win probability, profitability, and compliance.
• Ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data requirements.
• Support proposal reviews, fact-finding, and negotiations with government customers.
• Perform cost realism and should-cost analyses.
• Provide ongoing support for cost tracking, variance analysis, and rate development on awarded contracts.
• Collaborate with capture teams, program managers, finance, contracts, and engineering.
• Maintain pricing databases and historical data for future bids.

Position Requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in cost/pricing for government contracts (Defense preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Data Science or Contracts.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, cost accounting standards, and proposal development.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, data analysis).
• Experience with pricing, including pricing strategies, structures, tools, and communications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and critical thinking skills.