The Procurement Analyst serves as the Small Business Specialist (SBS) for the Network Contracting Office (NCO) and reports directly to the Network Contracts Manager (NCM). They serve as the principal technical advisor to the NCM of the NCO, staff, healthcare system clients, and small business concerns on sections 8, 15, and 31 of the Small Business Act.

Duties

The major duties include but are not limited to: Acts in accordance with agency regulations (i.e., Federal Acquisition Regulation, VA Acquisition Regulation. Develops and encourages opportunities for small business concerns within the various socioeconomic programs by providing information regarding means for doing business with the Federal Government, including assistance available from Federal agencies. Advises potential suppliers on procedures concerning formal advertising and negotiated acquisitions. Establishes and maintain a robust Small Business Outreach program that allows for coordination and participation in Government-Industry conferences, regional, state and local small business events, and inter-agency small business activities. Develops guidance materials (i.e., 2268 guidance, Small Business updates, and FAR/VAAR updates pertaining to Small Businesses) and provides technical advice to managers and contracting officers on the nuances of the varied small business programs; highlighting VA's statutory procurement hierarchy and mandatory sources as outlined in the FAR/VAAR and VA issued guidance. Provides technical expertise to contracting officers, locally, regionally, and nationally, procuring a wide variety of supplies, equipment and services, medical services, equipment repair and maintenance, and facility repair/maintenance and construction, which may involve extensive evaluation of and negotiations with small business concerns. Develops, monitors, and maintains statistical data bases related to the acquisition process in response to initiatives established by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Serves as suppliers' and vendors' primary point of contact for the Network Contracting Office's Business opportunities. Serves as the NCO technical advisor for assisting small business concerns in obtaining payments under their contracts, late payments, interest penalties, or information on contractual payment provisions; as well as advising on key Department established acquisition directives. Assists contracting officers in ensuring that small business concerns are afforded an equitable opportunity to compete for all contracts that they can perform to the extent consistent with the Government's interest. Work Schedule: Tour of Duty is 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible Schedules: Available Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. **Remote: This is a remote position. (Remote refers to work performed on full-time basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space.)**Virtual: This is not a virtual position. (Virtual refers to work performed on full-time basis using VA-leased space or at a VA facility other than the facility that hired the employee.) **For this position, telework (up to 80% per pay period) or remote work (100% off site) may be authorized upon supervisor approval if within the local commuting distance of the advertised duty station. Position Description/PD#: Procurement Analyst (Small Business Specialist)/PD04170A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion. Some ability and dexterity is required in inspecting equipment located in poorly accessible areas. Travel may be required.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/23/2024. Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet the basic requirement for this position.To meet the basic requirement for Contract Specialist GS-05 through GS-12 positions, applicants must have: 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. Exceptions: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the standard for positions they occupy on January 1, 2000. Employees who occupy GS-1102 positions at grades 5 through 12 will be considered to meet the basic requirements for other GS-1102 positions up to and including those classified at GS-12. This includes positions at other agencies and promotions up through grade 12. However, employees must meet specialized experience requirements when seeking another position. Note: The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) does not grant Academic degrees; therefore courses completed at the DAU are not creditable towards meeting the 24 semester hour requirement, in the fields identified above, unless the coursework has been evaluated by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and appears on a college or university transcript. Specialized Experience GS-12: Applicants must also meet the specialized experience for the GS-12 grade. You may qualify based on your experience described below for the GS-12 Contract Specialist position: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience includes experience with: Knowledge of Government contracting laws and policies including techniques of contracting operations, detailed procedures of department contracting requirements and familiarity with the practices of business and industry sufficient to develop policies and provide guidance to subordinate activities. Knowledge of a wide range of contracting methods and procedures and contracts to identify contractual opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses and to review procurement requirements and instruments to satisfy small business program objectives. Knowledge of program requirements or technical needs sufficient to enable the employee to aid in procurement planning and in describing technical requirements which include complex and diversified services and supplies, such as procurement transactions to meet the consolidated requirement of the VA, facilities and equipment to support programs or technical services. Analytical skill sufficient to evaluate audit reports, regulations, and other relevant material as a basis for developing and implementing OAL/P&LO guides or procedures. Skilled in oral communications to present sensitive recommendations to Medical Center and VISN leadership and to obtain compliance with OAL/P&LO and higher policies from subordinate contracting and purchasing activities. Education: There is no education substitute for the GS-12 grade. Preferred requirements are available on the following FAC link: Contracting (FAC-C) | FAI.GOV 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Transcripts: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must depict the name of the college to determine accreditation, and your name must also be displayed on the transcripts. If qualifying based on a degree, or for positions requiring a degree, the transcript must show the date the degree was conferred. If selected, you must provide official transcripts. Transcripts should state degree conferred, and have a date. Undergraduate transcripts are required to meet the basic requirement for this position; please submit all transcripts. Copies of Official Transcripts are accepted and are the best way to ensure your education is interpreted correctly in accordance with OPM qualification standards, but unofficial transcripts are accepted if they contain all the required information. If credit for a course is being questioned by the HR Professional performing qualifications, it is your responsibility to provide supporting descriptive information (course syllabus/descriptions) in your application package.

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 VHA Service Center - 2 6100 Oak Tree Blvd Independence, OH 44131 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]