Contract Specialist

About the role

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.

We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

What you will do

• This permanent position is eligible for 100% distant or local telework.
• The salary range advertised is for the Washington, DC area and may be adjusted based on the geographic locale of the selected applicant(s).
• Selectee(s) will not be eligible for relocation expenses in the event the Library determines the position is no longer suitable for distant telework.
• This announcement has an APPLICATION LIMIT of 200 applications.
• Therefore, applicants should apply as soon as possible.
• PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE AT 11:59 PM EST ON THE DATE THAT 200 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED UNDER THIS POSTING.
• If the 200-application limit is not met, the job announcement will close at 11:59pm, on Friday, November 20, 2026.
• Applicants need to ensure they provide all supporting documentation at the time they apply to the vacancy announcement.
• This position serves as a Contract Specialist in the Contracts and Grants Directorate (CGD), Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), at the Library of Congress (LOC) and reports to the Supervisory Contract Specialist.
• The Contract Specialist plans and carries out assignments, and exercises judgement in the selection of supporting data, industry sources and contracting techniques to be followed within established procedures for a number of Service Units within the Library.
• As the Contract Specialist, you will: Be responsible for all aspects of the contracting transactions from initiation to recommendation of award for the procurement of recurring of supplies and services.
• The contracts may range from the micro purchase level to several millions of dollars and vary from simplified acquisitions to moderate complexity.
• Analyze and prepare negotiation documentation for routine modifications to contracts.
• Evaluate contractor's financial status and profit and loss statement, balance sheets, and other financial data.
• Administer a group of contracts which may involve supplies, furniture, furnishings, and technical equipment and which require cost/price analysis and price redetermination when contract actions are well defined and well precedented.
• Modifications may also include equitable adjustment due to changes subject to the Service Contract Act, and the exercise of contract options.
• In recommending any negotiation action, must comply with FAR and LCR regulations.
• Monitor contractor's performance on basic contract, regulatory, and statutory provisions through telephone conversations, correspondence, reports, vouchers, and visits.
• Conduct routine analyses of contractors' financial and management systems and facilities for ability to perform and for compliance with Government or contractual requirements.
• Check the status of contract performance and work closely with a Senior Contract Specialist in recommending approving progress payments; reviewing and providing recommendations on contractor proposals resulting from change orders, scheduling changes, and problems that have arisen and proposed solutions; verifying deliveries, and similar activities.
• Conduct initial research and prepares timely draft responses to Congressional inquiries, Freedom of Information Act requests, or other sensitive correspondence.
• Provide resolution of routine contracting problems through investigation and interpret contract provisions.
• Assist team leader to develop procurement objectives in terms of competition and price range, and construct the contractual vehicle including use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set- aside policies, and similar considerations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• The position description number for this position are 433679, 433677, and 433676.
• The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
• The incumbent of this position will work a Compflex, Flexitime, or Maxiflex work schedule.
• This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
• Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Requirements

• Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana.
• The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library.
• In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Education

There are no education requirements for this vacancy.

How you will be evaluated

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position.

To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview.

The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Current or former federal employees must submit their MOST RECENT Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
• Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position.
• The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.
• The program does not accept certification from health care providers.
• For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at *** or email ***.
• FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

What to expect next

Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ***.

The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position.

The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.

Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at *** or email ***.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans.

However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date.

However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.

Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.