Contract Specialist (Open & Continuous)

About the role

Contract Specialists plan and manage acquisitions to procure a variety of products and services for NGA. They interact with customers to develop and implement an acquisition strategy, solicit and evaluate proposals, and negotiate and award contracts.

They also administer contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, preparing modifications, resolving problems, and terminating and closing

What you will do

• This Open Continuous Job Announcement is used in building a pool of qualified applicants.
• There is no immediate job opening.
• Applications will be reviewed only when staffing needs arise.
• Contract Specialists plan and manage acquisitions to procure a variety of products and services for NGA.
• They interact with customers to develop and implement an acquisition strategy, solicit and evaluate proposals, and negotiate and award contracts.
• They also administer contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, preparing modifications, resolving problems, and terminating and closing out contracts.
• They may also hold a warrant that would authorize them to obligate the Government subject to the limitations expressed on their warrant.
• The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT).
• NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time.
• Our intelligence officers go beyond describing "what, where and when" to revealing "how and why" our work enables decision advantage for our policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders.
• NGA uses a flexible, high mobility career model.
• Individuals are hired for their overall skills within a specialty such as Contract Specialist, and then placed in various positions throughout the agency once they complete the clearance process.
• Although currently advertised as a non-supervisory, Permanent, telework-ineligible job posting with Not required travel, it is unknown which specific positions will be available after applicants complete the selection and clearance process.
• Because of this, aspects of the job such as travel, supervisory, telework, etc. may change, depending on specific positions available at that time.
• It is also possible that applicants could be hired into a position with specific aspects and then change positions after serving for a period of time in that assignment.
• Applicants who have completed the clearance process receive final documentation about the nature of the specific position before they make the final commitment to join NGA.
• This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment.
• To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter.
• Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility.
• To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time.
• If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government.
• Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.
• MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: 1.
• Experience interpreting policy or regulation to ensure legal compliance or to identify potential risks and potential mitigation (i.e. Regulations (Federal, State or Local), Commercial, Private Sector company terms and conditions).
• Experience reviewing, negotiating and managing a variety of contract types (i.e. Cost Reimbursable, Fixed Price, Time and Material) and resolving performance issues.
• Experience creating contract modifications or reviewing contract modifications to ensure accuracy and completeness (government, private sector or commercial) to resolve any issues.
• DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: 1.
• Experience with acquisition planning (i.e. solicitation development).
• Experience developing collaborative customer service relationships.
• Experience conducting Cost or Price Analysis.
• Achieved DAWIA Contracting Professional (Foundational) Certification or Federal Acquisition in Contracting Professional (Foundational) Certification (FAC-C).
• Demonstrated experience conducting market research.
• Demonstrated experience with contract closeouts.

Requirements

• As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards. - U.S. Citizenship - Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) - Polygraph & Drug Test - Direct Deposit - Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to SCI.
• In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information.
• All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility.
• Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.
• Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility.
• Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.
• NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS).
• Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed.
• The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications.
• A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus.
• An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process.
• This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C.
• DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.
• If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.

How you will be evaluated

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: 1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria, 2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates, 3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity.

This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant.

If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted.

You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period.

Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300).

Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300. All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation. NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at ***. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

What to expect next

After visiting the NGA Careers Portal and applying via NGA's online application process, applicants can follow their status via that same NGA online application functionality. Several other topics relating to what is involved in the hiring process and how long it takes can be found by visiting the NGA Hiring Process.