This position is located within the VA Acquisition Academy. The Department of Veterans Affairs has established the Acquisition Internship School as part of VA Acquisition Academy. The VA Internship Program is an advanced trainee program and is responsible for accomplishing required training courses and on-the-job work experience in government contracting operations to develop and employ federal government Contract Specialists into procurement professionals and future government business leaders.

Duties

This announcement opens on Monday, July 17, 2023 and will close on Friday, July 22, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. OR on the date in which 100 applications have been received, whichever comes first. The first 100 applications received will receive first consideration and additional applications will be reviewed at management request. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-9. At the GS- 07 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Selected applicant(s) will participate in a formal eleven (11)-month Acquisition Internship Program, structured to provide the participant with the training and education to support a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional. The program prepares employee to become trusted business partners capable of exercising sound business judgment to achieve best value solutions for the Veterans Affairs (VA). The employee works under the guidance and supervision of select managers, team leaders and/or experienced professionals in performing acquisition requirements and attends periods of training, as part of the Acquisition Intern Program, in Frederick, MD at the VA Acquisition Academy. You will fully participate in the Requirements Determination process, screening the procurement request to assure its completeness for contracting purposes, then develops an overall plan designed to obtain the requirements in the most economical, timely, effective, and efficient manner. Determine the Method of Contracting (such as formal advertising or negotiation) and the Type of Contract (fixed-price, cost reimbursement, special purpose contract/agreement, etc.) appropriate to the request, based on the product or service requested and in accordance with VA and federal contracting policies. Serving as the primary Contract Specialist on acquisitions for a range of commercial goods and services. Preparing requests for quotations and requests for proposals. Reviewing purchase request packages, including the statement of work, for accuracy and completeness. Drafting purchase orders, delivery orders, and blanket purchase agreements, advisory and assistance, and interagency agreements under the guidance of senior contracting personnel and/or supervisor. Performing pre-award functions including market research. Supporting the contracting officer in preparing contract documentation such as determination and findings, source selection documentation, and price negotiation memoranda. Utilizing an electronic contract writing system, federal procurement contract reporting system, and other application suites in accordance with agency policies. Serving as contract administrator for routine acquisition, special contracts and other contracting vehicles within their warrant level, if applicable, for a vast range of supplies, products and services; accessories; replacements parts; and rental services for their organization Performing other duties assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Travel: This position requires approximately 25% travel for training and other business activities. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required. NOTE: Selectee will be expected to report to Network Contracting Offices (NCO) location within their commuting area. Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork: Mobility and Continued Service Agreements. Continuation of Service Agreement: Acquisition Intern Program (AIP) interns, will be required to sign a Continuation of Service Agreement as a condition of employment as well as for entry into the program. The intern must agree to (1) continue in the service of the Veterans Affairs for eighteen (18) months commencing upon completion of the training, and (2) pay back expenses if he/she voluntarily separates from the VA prior to completion. If the intern leaves the AIP program prior to graduation, and remains with the VA, their period of obligated service will begin the day after they leave the program, and the obligated service period will be pro-rated based on the percentage of training completed. Mobility Agreement While the preferences of each AIP intern will be highly considered to the extent possible, initial assignment will be made based on the needs of the VA. Interns may be required to accept assignment at any VA facility where their services are needed. Interns will need to agree to relocate, if necessary, at VA's expense to complete their service obligation period

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirement: Completion of at least a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field. (Unofficial Transcripts Required)-OR-Possession of 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.-OR-Occupation of a GS-1102, Contract Specialist position in the Federal Government on January 1, 2000, in one of the following grade levels GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 or GS-12. -AND- In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also meet one of the following: Superior Academic Achievement: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following:1. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.2. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.3. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.4. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. -OR- Specialized Experience at the GS-7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience in: acquisition regulations, contract law, and procedures applicable to acquisition and contract administration; various types of contracts and contract methods; negotiation techniques sufficient to negotiate prices, terms, and conditions of contracts; business practices to identify sources, analyze cost and pricing data; and experience monitoring contractor performance and compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract. -OR- Substitution of Graduate Education for Specialized Experience: One full academic year of graduate education or law school. 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. (Unofficial Transcripts Required) -OR- Combination of Graduate Education and Specialized Experience: An equivalent combination of graduate level education and specialized experience as described above to meet the qualification requirements for this position. (Unofficial Transcripts Required) Please note: If selected for this position, you must meet all eligibility requirements to receive and maintain a Level I FAC-C certification within 12 months upon appointment into the position. When requested by the supervisor, you must apply for up to a Level 1 Contracting Officer Warrant, accept contracting officer warrant, and provide the signatory authority for contracts within their warrant authority. Warrants will be granted based on workload, needs of the agency, and upon recommendation of the supervisor. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Educational Experience (ACWA)Mathematical Skills (ACWA)Rating (ACWA)Social Organizations (ACWA)Work Experience (ACWA) IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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 more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Acquisition Academy 7485 New Horizon Way Frederick, MD 21703 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]