Prime Contract Administrator

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and retirement benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Prime Contract Administrator to manage the UT-Battelle prime contract with the DOE. The role includes acting as the principal interface with DOE and guiding contract interpretation, modifications, and compliance across ORNL.

The incumbent will coordinate with DOE officials, manage contract deliverables and reporting, and provide counsel on strategy, risk, and regulatory requirements to laboratory leadership.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in business or related field.
• Minimum 12 years of complex contracting/contract management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead prime contract matters and provide guidance across ORNL.
• Administer the UT-Battelle prime contract with DOE, including interpretation, mods, and cost allowability.
• Interface with the DOE Oak Ridge Site Office for contract activities and communications.
• Maintain the conformed prime contract and update after modifications.
• Analyze DOE directives, FAR/DEAR clauses, and regulations affecting ORNL operations.
• Coordinate impact assessments and requirements tracking with stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional contract reviews, data calls, and reporting activities.
• Advise management on contract strategy, compliance, risk, and requirements.
• Work with auditors on cost allowability and compliance matters.
• Manage sponsor portals (Grants.gov, NSPIRES) and advise researchers on requirements.
• Manage SAM.gov registration and certifications.
• Coordinate governance and other special contract-related processes.
• Serve in delegated institutional roles (omnibus, etc.).
• Support risk management, insurance procurement, and related activities.
• Administer the Laboratory's membership programs and documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission in line with core values: Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, Service.

Skills

Contract management

DOE regulations

Negotiation

Communication

Education

BS/BA in business administration

Tools

Grants.gov

NSPIRES

SAM.gov

Job description

The Business Services Directorate (BSD) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks to hire a Prime Contract Administrator to administer the UT-Battelle, LLC prime contract with the Department of Energy (DOE).

The Prime Contract Administrator acts as the primary point of contact on prime contract matters. In this capacity, the incumbent will interface with the DOE and the DOE OSO Contracting Officer on a regular basis and provide advice and counsel to all of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory organizations concerning the interpretation of the ORNL prime contract. The Prime Contract Administrator is tasked with numerous responsibilities in carrying out the mission of administering the prime contract with DOE.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Laboratory’s lead subject-matter expert for prime contract matters, providing guidance, coordination, and issue resolution across the organization.
• Administer the UT-Battelle prime contract with DOE, including contract interpretation, modifications, formal correspondence, issue resolution, and cost allowability determinations.
• Serve as the primary interface with the DOE Oak Ridge Site Office for prime contract activities, including contract requirements, data calls, meetings, and communications with DOE Contracting Officers and Contracting Officer’s Representatives.
• Maintain the official conformed version of the prime contract and ensure updates are made as contract modifications are issued.
• Analyze new or revised DOE directives, executive orders, contract clauses, acquisition letters, FAR and DEAR clauses, laws, regulations, policies, and guidance affecting ORNL operations and the prime contract.
• Coordinate with Requirements Management and other stakeholders on impact assessments, implementation plans, Requirements Change Notices, contract deliverables, and requirements tracking.
• Lead cross-functional coordination of contract reviews, data calls, performance reporting, self-assessments, and other contract-related reporting activities.
• Provide expert advice to Laboratory management on contract strategy, compliance, policy interpretation, risk, and implementation of contractual requirements.
• Work with Laboratory staff, auditors, and stakeholders on cost allowability, reasonableness, allocability, questioned costs, independent contractor reviews, and other compliance matters.
• Submit proposals through sponsor portals, including Grants.gov and NSPIRES, and advise researchers and partnership staff on proposal requirements, eligibility, certifications, representations, and FFRDC restrictions.
• Manage the UT-Battelle SAM.gov registration and serve as an authorized official representative for required institutional certifications and representations.
• Coordinate or support governance, parent-organization, key personnel, off-site services, loan of personnel, institutional agreement, and other special contract-related processes as assigned.
• Serve in delegated institutional roles, including ORNL Technology Transfer Ombudsman, authority for unclassified foreign visits and assignments, approval of memberships, royalty fund directives, relocation policy exceptions, and reimbursement determinations for contaminated or damaged personal property.
• Support institutional risk management activities, including insurance procurement and administration, risk assessments, claims coordination, coverage reviews, and guidance on contract-related risk issues affecting UT-Battelle and ORNL operations.
• Administer the Laboratory’s membership program, including reviewing and approving professional, company, and technical-association memberships; ensuring compliance with applicable policy and funding requirements; and maintaining appropriate documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree in business administration or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in increasingly complex contracting, contract management/negotiation activities, procurement or other related programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS/MA degree in business administration or other relevant discipline.
• Experience as a contracting officer orother position workingwith contracting officers that required a broad-based understanding of government regulations and commercial contracting practices.
• Training and experience with the FAR as well as government contracts.
• A working knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, contract law, ethics and finance are critical.
• Strong written, verbal, and advanced interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working across multiple divisions and managing different expectations.
• Proven ability to work as a team member in a collaborative environment.
• Exceptional leadership, management, and planning skills as well as strong client interface abilities.
• Strong organizational skills and detail orientation.
• Ability to work independently in a timely and accurate manner.
• Self-motivated and self-directed.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following:

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.