This position is in the Government Accountability Office, Financial Management and Business Operations, Acquisition Management, Procurement Operations Branch. The GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As a Contract Specialist you will be responsible for a full range of acquisition services from acquisition planning to contract closeout. The GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

Duties

As a Contract Specialist, PT-1102-2 your typical work assignments may include the following: Serve as the department focal point for a full range of pre-award and post-award contracting activities associated with the acquisition of goods and services, such as acquisition planning, contract negotiation and preparation, administration, and termination, in support of the agency mission. Government Accountability Office (GAO) goods and services range from relatively simple, low dollar requirements to highly complex, high dollar, multi-year transactions that involve fixed- price, cost-plus fixed-fee, time and material, labor hour, and indefinite delivery types of contracts which incorporate a mixture of these acquisition features to support the requirement. Provide business solutions to program offices regarding all aspects of acquisition management for the procurement of supplies and services based on expert knowledge of Federal contracting theories, statues, principles, practices, and procedures. Apply comprehensive knowledge of contract laws, regulations and procedures applicable to the acquisition and contract administration of supplies and services. Provide post award administration of contracts, responsible for day- to-day and long-term administration of the contracts. Continually reviews contractor performance against contract requirements. Coordinate with technical personnel within the agency, as required, to resolve problems. Responsible for monitoring performance of prime and subcontractors, and monitors the expenditure of contract funds. Prepare determinations and findings when required to support a contractual action. Negotiate or serves as lead negotiator of a negotiation team for assigned contracts. Participate in special procurement evaluations, studies, and analyses. Participates in pre- solicitation and pre-award conferences to discuss contractual provisions (i.e., technical requirements, financial management, capacity of the contractor to perform, etc.). Provide detail follow through in specialty areas, including engineering, finance, pricing, law, overhead, and require that the incumbent have the requisite knowledge in these areas. Provide advice on programs to office staff with regard to the acquisition plan strategies pertaining to the degree of competition, the contractual methods to be utilized to meet program objectives and policy/regulatory requirements, and similar considerations.

Requirements

Qualifications

You may qualify at the BAND PT-2 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: Basic Qualification Requirement You must meet the basic education requirements for contract specialist positions in the federal government. Possess a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field OR 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 On January 1, 2000, you have continually held a position in the federal service in the GS-1102 series and at one of the following grade levels: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, or GS-12. AND Selective Placement Factor Candidate must have Federal Acquisition (FAC-C) Professional or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA), Contracting certification, AND Minimum Qualification Requirement Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower level/band, equivalent to the PT-I, PE-1, AC-III or GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is described as performing acquisition planning, contract negotiation and preparation, administration, and termination of low dollar to highly complex contracts to include: pre-award and post-award contracting activities associated with a procuring a variety of products and services; and reviewing acquisition documents to ensure adherence to organizational and/or federal standards. 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.

Education

Possess a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field OR 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 unless on January 1, 2000, you have continually held a position in the federal service in the GS-1102 series at one of the following grade levels: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, or GS-12.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. Most foreign education is not accredited by an accrediting body that is recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit the US Department of Education.

Contacts

• Address Government Accountability Office Human Capital Office 441 G Street NW Washington, DC 20548 US
• Name: William Washington
• Email: [email protected]