Senior Contracts Specialist

FedWriters, Inc.; Kittery (ME); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

FedWriters, Inc. is seeking a Senior Contract Specialist to lead complex government acquisitions at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME.

This on-site, full-time role covers the full lifecycle—from planning through closeout—and involves shaping strategies, negotiations, and source selections with Navy contracting officers. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of government contracting experience, FAR/DFARS expertise, and a current security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; no experience substitution allowed.
• 8+ years of government contracting experience, including IDIQs, and task/delivery orders.
• DAWIA Contracting certification or FAC-C (Professional/FAC-C-DoD or legacy Level III).
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or knowledge-sharing.
• Expert FAR/DFARS knowledge to plan, lead, review, or audit complex procurements.
• Proficiency with automated acquisition systems and Microsoft 365.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex acquisitions across full lifecycle (IDIQs, BPAs, BOAs, task/delivery orders).
• Advise on acquisition strategy: approach, competition, sources, risks, contract type, and milestones; draft J&As and market research memos.
• Develop pre-negotiation objectives and support Navy contracting officers in discussions with offerors.
• Manage formal source selection documentation (SSP, SSEB support, COI/NDA forms, draft SSDM).
• Perform advanced Excel price analysis and build calculators to assist ACOs/CORs with invoices.
• Peer-review teammates’ contract actions for FAR/DFARS and local policy compliance.
• Train and mentor Navy and contractor staff with job aids, briefings, and hands-on coaching.

Skills

FAR/DFARS knowledge

Negotiation

Mentoring/training

Excel price analysis

Source selection planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Excel

Job description

Overview

Join our team as a Senior Contract Specialist and support Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s Contracting and Logistics Department by leading complex, high-dollar acquisitions from planning through closeout. You will shape acquisition strategies, drive negotiations and source selections, and mentor fellow specialists, ensure high-quality, compliant contract files that sustain Virginia- and Los Angeles-class submarine maintenance.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

**Position is contingent upon contract award**

Work Schedule and Location:

On-Site: This full-time on-site position will work Monday through Friday. Shifts fall between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM ET, with a 30-minute lunch and a maximum of 8 hours/day. Work is performed onsite at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex acquisitions across the full lifecycle, including IDIQs, BPAs, BOAs, and task/delivery orders
• Advise on acquisition strategy: approach, competition, sources, risks, contract type, and milestones. Draft J&As and market research memos.
• Develop pre-negotiation objectives and support Navy contracting officers in discussions with offerors
• Manage formal source selection documentation (SSP, SSEB support, COI/NDA forms, draft SSDM)
• Perform advanced Excel price analysis, and build calculators that help ACOs and CORs review invoices
• Peer-review teammates’ contract actions for FAR/DFARS and local policy compliance before they reach the contracting officer
• Train and mentor Navy and contractor staff with job aids, briefings, and hands-on coaching

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree. No experience substitution is allowed.
• 8+ years of government contracting experience, including commercial and non-commercial supplies and services, IDIQs, and task/delivery orders
• DAWIA Contracting certification (Contracting Professional or legacy Level III), or FAC-C (Professional, FAC-C-DoD, or legacy Level III)
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or knowledge-sharing
• Expert FAR/DFARS knowledge sufficient to plan, lead, review, or audit the most complex procurements
• Skill with automated acquisition systems, and proficiency in Microsoft 365
• Active U.S. government security clearance
• U.S. citizenship, plus the ability to pass shipyard access vetting

Desired:

• Business degree
• More than 8 years of experience
• ePS or SPS/PD2, FPDS-NG, PIEE, and GSA eBuy expertise
• Track record leading negotiations and formal source selections
• Navy/NAVSEA/shipyard or cost-type contract experience

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Pay Range

Negotiable