The incumbent serves as a Lead Contract Specialist responsible for all pre-award and post-award functions including initiation, solicitation, recommendation of award, contract administration, payment, Team oversight, and contract closeout for procurement and other financial assistance programs assigned to Commodity Procurement Program.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides expert advice for all pre-award and post-award functions and is involved with the planning and development of purchase and financial assistance programs and procedures. Determines both financial and technical responsibility of potential new vendors and assists those vendors through the process to become an approved vendor. Reviews and analyzes relevant production and price data and, where applicable, makes recommendations concerning the need for surplus removal purchase programs. Reviews and evaluates offers to determine bidder eligibility and responsibility. Reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations concerning various factors affecting ongoing purchase and other financial assistance operations. Recommends purchase and financial assistance programs relative to the full range of agricultural commodities handled by the Staff in a manner consistent with maintaining normal, orderly marketing. Examines Instrument and Notices of Assignment, invoices, claims, and other requests for payment for commodities provided to the Government. Develops procedures and overall contracting strategies to effectively accomplish unique acquisition programs. Develops new approaches that reduce delays and/or redundant expenditures, exploits economies of scale and market conditions.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher level contracting positions, including at least 4-years experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. AND A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by 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. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. This also applies to positions at the same grade in the same agency or other agencies if the specialized experience requirements are met. However, they will have to meet the basic requirements and specialized experience requirements in order to qualify for promotion to a higher grade. Selective Placement Factor: The following Selective Placement Factor (SPF) requirement is being used to determine whether an applicant fully qualifies for this position: certified in either Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional or Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Evidence of this experience must be documented in your resume. Applicants who fail to meet this requirement and/or address the SPF may lose further consideration. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience in Federal Government Contracting and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) or similar guiding principles, and has had a major role in the planning, development, and establishment of procurement strategies for a complex acquisition program. Participated in the management of analysis, planning, formulation, development, and implementation of various and multiple contracting methods to meet Agency goals and mission. Perform full range of contract administration actions required for an acquisition program, including the issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of changes, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays, contractor performance appraisal, subcontractor surveillance, disposition of claims, and similar matters. Building and maintaining relationships with other Agencies, Program representatives, trade organizations, or other external stakeholders. Lead or supervised other employees conducting procurement and/or contract related work. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]