Summary About the Position: This is a Planned Management Action open to current USACE, New England District Contracting employees due to organizational workload changes and evolving mission. Position will be filled at the GS-07, GS-09, GS-11 or GS-12 grade level. Responsibilities Duties described reflect the full performance GS-12 level. Evaluate proposals to determine contractor compliance with technical specifications. Negotiate contract terms and prices to establish agreements in the government's best interest. Prepare solicitation documents, such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs), to obtain services and supplies. Administer contracts to ensure contractor compliance with all reporting procedures and work specifications. Generate and evaluate alternative solutions to resolve contract claims and disputes. Review Requests for Equitable Adjustments against contract requirements to assist the Contracting Officer. Ensure proposed acquisitions comply with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA). Advise technical personnel on regulatory guidance for contract administration. Monitor contractor compliance with regulations regarding contract changes. Issue Cure Notices and Show Cause Notices for noncompliance with contract terms. Advise personnel on regulatory guidance and requirements for contract administration. Conduct negotiations with contractors regarding contract terms, modifications, and settlements. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Consideration will be given to current USACE, New England Contracting Division employees with personal competitive status Consideration will also be given to current Army employees with personal competitive status. In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Contracting Specialist GS-07, GS-09, GS-11, or GS-12: Degree: 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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience for GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assist in preparing procurement documents by gathering and organizing required information; 2) maintain procurement files and records in accordance with established procedures; 3) track the status of procurement actions and provide updates to team members; and 4) route procurement documents for review and approval. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as, Business, Communications, Computers and Math, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Languages and Humanities, Education, or Healthcare Administration. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/). Specialized Experience for GS-09: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Review purchase requests for completeness and clarity of specification; 2) compile and maintain lists of potential sources for supplies and services; 3) input contract data into procurement information technology systems; and 4) respond to basic inquiries from vendors regarding procurement procedures. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Specialized Experience for GS-11: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Prepare solicitation documents, such as Requests for Quotations (RFQs), for review; 2) assist in evaluating quotes and proposals for compliance with solicitation requirements; 3) track contractor performance against delivery schedules and report discrepancies; and 4) draft routine contract administration documents for review by a higher-level specialist. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR Education: 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: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Specialized Experience for GS-12: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assist in negotiating contract terms, conditions, and pricing; 2) administer contracts by monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract provisions; 3) review contract modifications and equitable adjustment requests for completeness and accuracy; and 4) provide guidance to technical staff on basic procurement regulations and procedures. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). For GS-12 Only: Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Please see "Additional Information" for Time in Grade Requirments 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 Time in Grade Requirement GS-07: 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-05). Time in Grade Requirement GS-09: 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-07). Time in Grade Requirement GS-11: 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). Time in Grade Requirement GS-12: 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). This is a full-time permanent developmental position. Selectee will be required to complete 52 weeks before being promoted to the next higher grade level. This position has promotion potential to the higher-grade GS-12 when requirements have been completed and when recommended by management. 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. This position requires you to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter. 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(n) Contracting and Procurement Career Program position aligned under the Human Capital & Resources Mangement (HC/RM) Career Management Directorate. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
