Contract Specialist - DIRECT HIRE - Maritime Administration

Summary This position is established to perform a variety of functions related to the procurement of supplies and services, ranging from Simplified Acquisitions to more complex multi-million dollar negotiated acquisitions. Contracts/cooperative agreements are awarded and administered for support of the programs of various field and headquarters offices of the Maritime Administration. Responsibilities As a Contract Specialist, you will: Exercise responsibility for the procurement of contract requirements which are often among the most complex and difficult procurements conducted by MARAD, frequently involving critical and/or sensitive program efforts and multi-million dollar funding commitments. Conduct post-award conferences; monitors and assesses contractor’s performance; resolve performance deficiencies; conducts all required actions with respect to contract termination; and prepare all supporting documentation (e.g. D & F's, Sole Sources Justification Evaluate proposed contract modifications, analyze cost and price proposals with respect to modifications, contract changes, and claims; negotiate and prepare contract changes, modifications, and claim settlements Exercise responsibility for administration of all contracts, which the employee negotiates. Such administration functions are specialized, and often complex. Perform price/cost analyses. Analyze commercial pricing practices applicable to the commodities and the latest economic developments pertaining to increased material, labor, or transportation costs as reflected in the current price Analyze cost and pricing data submitted by offerors to substantiate direct and indirect costs and profit The ideal candidate will have experience in the full range of acquisition planning, contract award, contract negotiation, and contract administration techniques. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TELEWORK: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11, it must include: Experience performing pre-award and post-award functions for a variety of products and services. Experience reviewing incoming requisitions documents for clarity and completeness. To qualify for the GS-13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience with interpreting contract terms and conditions and experience in providing appropriate advice and guidance to agency officials and contractors. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of Federal contracting law, regulation, policies and precedents, and related principles, policies, and procedures sufficient to plan, lead, review, or audit the most complex procurement functions. Skill in utilizing e-commerce, use of automated acquisition systems, contractor performance evaluation systems, electronic invoicing systems, and other electronic systems facilitating the agency's execution of paperless contracting. Ability to prepare and present factual information, written and orally; compose memoranda and reports; and draft contract terms, conditions, and supporting documents. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Basic Education Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12: A. 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable. Graduate Education: To qualify for GS-1102 positions on the basis of graduate education, graduate education in one or a combination of the following fields is required: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. Note - For positions at GS-7 through GS-12, applicants who are qualifying based on experience must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position, in addition to meeting the basic requirements in paragraph A or B, above. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position. Basic Education Requirements for GS-13 and Above: A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. AND B. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. C. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D. D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of Paragraphs A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this Paragraph D, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver. If an individual is placed in a position in an agency on the basis of a waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position at the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action. Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.