Government Contracts Administrator II

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. in Knoxville seeks a government contracts professional to manage cradle‑to‑grave administration of government funded agreements (GFAs) of moderate complexity.

You will support proposals, negotiate terms, and coordinate with sectors to ensure deliverables and compliance. Responsibilities include reviewing solicitations, preparing representations, negotiating GFAs and subcontracts, and coordinating with finance, legal, audit and technical staff to resolve

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Business or legal field with Paralegal or Supply Chain specialization preferred.
• Membership in NCMA and/or NGMA a plus.
• Four or more years of relevant experience in government contracting/grants management required.
• Experience in contracting with a variety of government organizations and other entities.
• Previous experience with SAP or similar ERP system.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate solicitations and submit compliant proposals through appropriate government systems or by other required means.
• Prepare representations and certifications and other governmental required documentation for the Manager’s review and signature.
• Review and negotiate GFAs of moderate complexity, interacting with government contracts personnel to finalize contractual elements including terms and conditions, protection of intellectual property, budget, cost sharing, invoicing, property and equipment, SOW/SOPO and deliverables.
• Coordinate and obtain support from various EPRI departments including Sector Technical Staff, Finance, Government Finance, Audit, and Legal to resolve contractual issues and reach agreement on final documents with government entity or pass-through entity.
• Obtain required reviews and approval of special/non-standard provisions within purview of legal, export control, finance, audit and business operations and ensure agreement execution is in accordance with Signature Authority Policy.
• Participate with legal, senior staff or the Manager in the negotiation of associated agreements (e.g., licensing, site access, NDA).
• Evaluate and analyze GFA and solicitation terms (e.g., CUI, Cloud computing, shipping) ensuring adherence to requirements in both proposal response and during contract administration.
• Prepare Funding Agreement Summary, Flowdown Addendum and any other required documents with the review of senior staff or the Manager; and hold Internal Kickoff Meeting with senior contracts staff or the Manager in attendance.
• Administer assigned GFAs ensuring required actions are performed in a timely manner working with Government Finance to ensure invoices are submitted and with Technical Staff to ensure deliverables are met in accordance with the Statement of Work.
• Negotiate GFA modifications and subcontracts with a wide range of subrecipients including commercial entities, National Laboratories, and universities.
• Re-certify subcontractors/vendors for required government certifications (e.g., Debarment, Lobbying, SAM.gov registration).
• Process GFA and sourcing contract within the ERP system.
• Request, review and analyze contractor cost proposals to determine reasonableness and acceptability of proposed project costs in accordance with EPRI policy and prime contract requirements.
• Maintain both electronic and hardcopy files of GFAs to support annual audit requirements.
• Assist in the review, development, implementation and administration of updated or enhanced government contracting policies and procedures (e.g., Subrecipient Monitoring, Prevailing Wage reporting).
• Responsible for contract close-out and documentation.
• Educate EPRI personnel in government requirements and EPRI internal processes as they relate to government funded work.
• Stay abreast of changing government and funder requirements (e.g., 2 CFR 200 changes, CEC Triennial requirements).
• Administer government property and equipment tracking programs.
• Review government Purchase Requisitions for compliance with contract terms and conditions and budgets and ensure adherence to EPRI Purchasing Policies.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to provide regular and ad-hoc funding status updates.
• Support annual Single Audit.
• Special projects as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Microsoft Word/Outlook/Excel

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Paralegal or Supply Chain specialization

NCMA/NGMA membership (preferred)

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

Job Overview

Under limited supervision of the Government Contracts Manager provide complete contract lifecycle (“cradle to grave”) administration for government funded agreements (“GFA”) of moderate complexity. This includes supporting proposal activities; negotiating, administering, and closing out both the GFA and associated sourcing agreements (subcontracts and subrecipient agreements) for a wide range of federal, state and local government clients and customers and pass‑through entities; and managing EPRI’s risk through collaboration with appropriate EPRI departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Government Proposal Team to evaluate and analyze solicitations and submit compliant proposals through appropriate government systems or by other required means.
• Prepare representations and certifications and other governmental required documentation for the Manager’s review and signature.
• Upon selection for award, review and negotiate GFAs of moderate complexity, interacting with government contracts personnel to finalize contractual elements including terms and conditions, protection of intellectual property, budget, cost sharing, invoicing, property and equipment, SOW/SOPO and deliverables.
• Coordinate and obtain support from various EPRI departments including Sector Technical Staff, Finance, Government Finance, Audit, and Legal to resolve contractual issues and reach agreement on final documents with government entity or pass‑through entity.
• Obtain required reviews and approval of special/non‑standard provisions within purview of legal, export control, finance, audit and business operations and ensure agreement execution is in accordance with Signature Authority Policy.
• Participate with legal, senior staff or the Manager in the negotiation of associated agreements (e.g., licensing, site access, NDA).
• Evaluate and analyze GFA and solicitation terms (e.g., CUI, Cloud computing, shipping) ensuring adherence to requirements in both proposal response and during contract administration.
• Prepare Funding Agreement Summary, Flowdown Addendum and any other required documents with the review of senior staff or the Manager; and hold Internal Kickoff Meeting with senior contracts staff or the Manager in attendance.
• Administer assigned GFAs ensuring required actions are performed in a timely manner working with Government Finance to ensure invoices are submitted and with Technical Staff to ensure deliverables are met in accordance with the Statement of Work.
• Negotiate GFA modifications and subcontracts with a wide range of subrecipients including commercial entities, National Laboratories, and universities.
• Re‑certify subcontractors/vendors for required government certifications (e.g., Debarment, Lobbying, SAM.gov registration).
• Process GFA and sourcing contract within the ERP system.
• Request, review and analyze contractor cost proposals to determine reasonableness and acceptability of proposed project costs in accordance with EPRI policy and prime contract requirements.
• Maintain both electronic and hardcopy files of GFAs to support annual audit requirements.
• Assist in the review, development, implementation and administration of updated or enhanced government contracting policies and procedures (e.g., Subrecipient Monitoring, Prevailing Wage reporting).
• Responsible for contract close‑out and documentation.
• Educate EPRI personnel in government requirements and EPRI internal processes as they relate to government funded work.
• Stay abreast of changing government and funder requirements (e.g., 2 CFR 200 changes, CEC Triennial requirements).
• Administer government property and equipment tracking programs.
• Review government Purchase Requisitions for compliance with contract terms and conditions and budgets and ensure adherence to EPRI Purchasing Policies.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to provide regular and ad‑hoc funding status updates.
• Support annual Single Audit.
• Special projects as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Business or legal field with Paralegal or Supply Chain Management specialization preferred.
• Membership in NCMA and/or NGMA a plus.
• Four or more years of relevant experience in government contracting/grants management required.
• Experience in contracting with a variety of government organizations and other entities.
• Previous experience with SAP or similar ERP system.

Skills and Attributes

• Understanding of financial assistance agreements/government contracts processes, terms and conditions (including CFRs and FARs) and administration.
• Ability to negotiate and administer financial assistance agreements and contracts including the formulation of contractual provisions, terms and conditions.
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision, effectively multi‑tasking, successfully managing deadlines and competing workloads, making informed decisions, and seeking advice from and coordinating decisions with others when needed.
• Professional, diplomatic, and collaborative team player.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with technical, finance and legal staff and with colleagues on‑site as well as in remote locations.
• Excellent attention to detail and research skills.
• Excellent listening and oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem solving, interpersonal and teaming skills.
• Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel skills.
• Knowledge of the electric utility industry is desirable.

AI & Technology Qualifications (Preferred)

• Hands‑on use of Microsoft Copilot across Word, Excel and Outlook to draft documents, summarize email threads, and build and analyze spreadsheets.
• Experience using AI tools to evaluate and analyze solicitations and GFA and subcontract terms to speed review, with human verification before finalization.
• Using generative‑AI tools to draft first‑pass certifications, representations, funding agreement summaries, flowdown addenda and correspondence, subject to senior review before finalization.
• Ability to write effective prompts and critically verify AI‑generated content against contract terms, FAR/CFR requirements and EPRI policy before use.

Salary & Benefits

Salary range for this position is $75,000 USD to $85,000 USD annually. This range is an estimate; actual salary may vary based on education, experience, skills, internal equity and market data, and may be adjusted for location. The role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program and standard employee benefit programs, which include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, and paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave and holiday pay).

Equal Opportunity Statement

EPRI participates in E‑Verify and is an equal‑opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled Together.