Summary About the Position: This job announcement will fill multiple vacancies for a Contract Specialist at the full performance levels (FPLs) of GS-11; GS-12; and GS-13. Responsibilities GS-11 - Applies knowledge and utilization of both efficient procurement processes and good business management to ensure timely delivery of goods and services to the customer. GS-11 - Utilizes innovation for strategic decision-making in the acquisition process. GS-12 - Prepare and review negotiation documents and lead negotiations for complex requirements. GS-13 - Monitor contractor performance in relation to the schedule and terms required by the contract. GS-13 - Provide expert advice and input for procurement elements of program planning documents. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This job announcement will fill multiple vacancies at the full performance levels (FPLs) of GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13. Applicants selected at the FPL level are not eligible for promotion to a higher grade without competition or a valid non-competitive eligibility. This is not a developmental job announcement. Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army) Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Reinstatement Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience and your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. OR Exemption: You are exempt from the education requirements above if (A) you are a current civilian employee in DoD who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000; OR (B) you are a current military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS (or equivalent)-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. In addition to the Basic Requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below. TO QUALIFY FOR THE FPL GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing contracting and procurement work such as: procuring a wide variety of products and services; administering terms and conditions of contracts; follow-up with vendors on delivery, invoicing and payment; performing price/cost analysis to determine price reasonableness; or similar contracting work. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR A Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Business, Finance, Law, Contracts, Purchasing, Economics, Industrial Management, Marketing, or Organization and Management. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) TO QUALIFY FOR THE FPL GS-12: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level which includes performing contracting and procurement work such as pre-awarding functions which require the use of fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, or a combination of contract methods; conducting negotiations during the procurement process; performing post-award functions and price/cost analysis; or similar contracting work. TO QUALIFY FOR THE FPL GS-13: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes working independently as a contract officer or senior contract specialist, procuring a wide variety of supplies and services, construction, and/or architect/engineering services; administering terms and conditions of contracts; developing a wide variety of solicitation documents; developing and coordinating justification and approval documents; negotiating and awarding contracts and contract modifications; performing price/cost analysis; and monitoring contractor's performance. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12). At the GS-12 and GS-13 level there is no education substitution, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist: For GS-11 - Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09). For GS-12 - Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11). For GS-13 - Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-13). Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Contracting and Acquisition Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized. ONLY FOR GS: Pay will be set based on duty location and grade level. Visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/general-schedule/ for the current GS Locality Pay Tables. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable\Accommodations\for\USA\Hire
