Contract Specialist

About the role

As a Contract Specialist, you will procure a wide range of design, construction, services and/or supplies, utilizing a variety of acquisition methods and vehicles. Location of position: Public Buildings Service, Acquisition Management Division, in any of the locations listed. We are currently filling 13 vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

What you will do

• Review and analyze requests for procurements, revising work statements and drawings or specifications as necessary.
• Determine the method of procurement and the contract type and develops an acquisition plan to assure project completion in a timely and efficient manner.
• Research market conditions to assess adequacy of competition.
• Prepare solicitation documents and review or evaluate proposals from prospective contractors, incorporating a range of specialized provisions.
• Develop special clauses and provisions for unique procurements for which there is no precedent.
• Prepare and issues solicitation awards.
• Review contractor proposed small business subcontracting plans.
• Administer awarded contracts, including contracts under a variety of FAR 8 and FAR Part 19 Programs.
• Conduct initial conferences (post award orientation) with the contractor to provide information, and to maintain liaison with the contractor to interpret contractual obligations and resolve problems.
• Interpret provisions, provide advice and guidance to contractors and customer agencies' stakeholders.
• Execute modifications and supplemental agreements; negotiate delivery and progress schedule changes.
• Determine contract cost changes, price adjustments, progress, partial, and final payments and whether the contractor has fulfilled all contract requirements.
• Close out contracts; issue termination notices; review settlement proposals; and take administrative actions, calculating Government liability, determine settlement costs and negotiate settlement agreements.
• Review termination notices for extent of action (partial or complete) and for special conditions or instructions.

Requirements

• The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.
• Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.
• We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this.
• Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

Here's how it will work: Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), and responses you provide on the application questionnaire. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.

The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment.

You will be assessed on the following competencies: Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail, Self-Management. Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle.

If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions. If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date.
• Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
• Resume: Must not exceed two pages.
• Refer to the Qualifications section for resume requirements.
• Federal employee (includes current GSA employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50.
• The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1".
• Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
• Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable.
• The SF-50 or equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency.
• Promotion Consideration: If your most recent SF-50 became effective within the past year, it may not demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement.
• In that case, submit additional SF-50(s) (such as promotion, within-grade increase, grade/range increase, or an SF-50 with an effective date more than one year old) that clearly document you meet the time-in-grade requirement.
• Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your separation SF-50 If you are claiming veterans preference: (a) DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service.
• (b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214: VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
• SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted.
• If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment.
• IF YOU ARE: Active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
• Former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service.
• Current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b: (a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.
• (b) Copy of your agency's annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).
• ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
• Current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.
• Applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority.
• See USAJOBS for more information.
• If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility.
• For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS page for more information.
• College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcript(s).
• Transcripts MUST show: name of the institution, student's name, course work/degree(s) completed/conferred and dates.
• If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
• For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.

Benefits

You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development

What to expect next

After the closing date/deadline: ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.

SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes.

FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard. Thank you for your interest in working for the U.S General Services Administration!

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage. Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.