Remote: Contract Specialist III

Planate Management Group; Santa Fe (NM); Remote; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

401K plan eligibility

Life/AD&D Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Training and Development

Certification support

Travel Insurance

Job summary

Planate Management Group is seeking a Contract Specialist III to lead complex federal acquisitions for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The role requires deep contracting expertise, including construction, complex services, and leasing procurements, with responsibilities spanning pre- through post-award activities.

The position demands US residency within the last 10 years for VA background clearance, FAC-C/DAWIA preferred, and strong leadership to mentor staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Business Management, Accountancy.
• 6+ years in acquisition support with working knowledge of FAR.
• Specialized experience: construction/A-E solicitations or complex service procurements (e.g., healthcare) or real property/lease solicitations.
• FAC-C or DAWIA Level III in Contracting preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to mentor acquisition staff.
• Must have resided/worked in the US within the last 10 years for VA background check and clearance.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full lifecycle acquisition activities including pre-award, award, and post-award support for complex contracts.
• Conduct market research, prepare pre-award notices, and document small business capability analyses.
• Develop acquisition strategies, IGCEs, and recommendations for solicitation approaches, options, and risks.
• Prepare solicitations (RFQs, RFPs, Combined Synopsis/Solicitations) and ensure FAR/VAAR compliance.
• Assist with proposal evaluations including price/cost analyses.
• Prepare and administer contract awards, modifications, option exercises, and close-out docs.
• Monitor contractor performance, schedules, and compliance; resolve issues.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior staff on acquisition planning and execution.
• Maintain contract docs in the agency CM system and FPDS reporting.
• Ensure timely submission of deliverables and status reports.

Skills

FAR knowledge

Federal contracting experience

Leadership

Mentorship

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Business Management, Accountancy

Tools

FPDS reporting

Job description

Planate Management Group (PMG) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, and Orlando, Florida USA with a technical support center in South East Asia and East Africa, that provides program management and facilities engineering services worldwide. Planate is a small business provider of planning, design, infrastructure management, technical consulting, engineering, and construction management services in support of the US Department of Defense (DOD) and its Service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps) missions, along with other US federal agencies, all over the world.

We are seeking a Contract Specialist III to lead and manage complex federal acquisitions for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This senior-level position requires extensive expertise in contracting, including construction, complex services, and leasing procurements. You will provide advanced acquisition support, offer strategic guidance, ensure compliance with federal regulations, coordinate with stakeholders, and serve as a recognized authority in contracting specialty, demonstrating broad knowledge and skills to effectively execute high-level acquisition responsibilities.

Salary: $80k - $90k/year (range varies depending on experience and qualifications).

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee full lifecycle acquisition activities, including pre-award, award, and post-award support for complex contracts.
• Conduct market research, prepare pre-award notices, and document small business capability analyses.
• Develop acquisition strategies, Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), and recommendations for solicitation approaches, options, and risks.
• Prepare solicitations (RFQs, RFPs, Combined Synopsis/Solicitations) and ensure compliance with FAR, VAAR, and internal VA policies.
• Assist with proposal and quote evaluations, including price/cost analysis and technical proposal assessments.
• Prepare and administer contract awards, modifications, option exercises, and close-out documentation.
• Monitor contractor performance, schedules, compliance with contract terms, and resolve performance issues.
• Provide guidance, oversight, and mentorship to junior acquisition staff on acquisition planning, documentation, and execution.
• Maintain accurate contract documentation in the Agency electronic contract management system and report actions into the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of deliverables, including monthly status reports, acquisition milestone trackers, and lessons learned summaries

Qualifications to be successful in the role:

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering, Business Management, Accountancy
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in conducting comprehensive acquisition support activities with a working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
• Specialized experience required for one or more of the following: (at least 3 years developing and administering construction or A-E solicitations and contracts; at least 5 years with complex service solicitations and contracts (e.g., healthcare); at least 2 years developing real property or lease-related solicitations and contracts)
• FAC-C or DAWIA Level III in Contracting Certification preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to mentor acquisition staff.
• Must have stayed/worked in the US within the last 10 years to successfully pass the VA background investigation and obtain a clearance.
• Must be fluent in English, both written and verbal.

Why Planate?

Planate Management Group is an Affiant and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Joining the Planate team opens you to an experience working for a Global company where you are among a team that is considered a premier trusted partner for planning, design, engineering, asset management, and professional service solutions anytime, anywhere. We Take Care of Our Own; Personally, and Profession.

Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

• Medical insurance/Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401K plan eligibility upon hire
• Health and Savings Account plan
• Life/AD&D Insurance Coverage
• Short-Term Disability Insurance Coverage
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Wellness Offering
• Training and Development
• License/Certification support
• Recognition and Rewards program
• Travel Insurance

We’d love for you to be a part of our Global workforce, helping us serve as an effective and integrated partner to advance every client's mission!