At the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), contract specialists perform a wide range of functions related to the acquisition strategy. They plan, award, and administer various contracts to include supplies, services, construction, and research and development. Their purchases have direct impact on our mission. While both challenging and rewarding, there are specific entry requirements to join the FBI. Those who complete the process become part of a dedicated team that keeps our country safe.

Duties

GS-11: Reviews and provides recommendations on justifications for single, brand name or sole source procurement actions. Participates in negotiations with potential contractors. Awards contracts within delegated contracting officer authority or recommends award to contracting officer. Participates in post award conferences and debriefings. Assists with responses to protests of contract awards, contractor complaints, and inquiries relating to procurement action. Performs a complete range of contract functions relating to highly complex and large dollar value projects. Negotiates settlements for changes; monitors contract payments; assesses liquidated or actual damages for nonperformance; issues show cause or cure notices; terminates contract for default or convenience; negotiates settlements; and prepares replies to other involved agencies, appeal boards, or Congressional inquiries. Advertises procurements, ensures that the bid schedule is properly structured, prepares the solicitation, ensures adequate sources are solicited, conducts pre-bid conferences, processes protests, and determines the responsiveness of bids, quotes or proposals and the responsibility of the apparent low bidder, quoter or offeror. In negotiated procurements, coordinates the procurement action with technical, legal, and other cognizant personnel. Plans, organizes work, and manages internal procedures and resources to ensure maximum productivity and efficiencies. Responsible for briefing project status and progress at recurring project management reviews. Ensures project activities are completed per the project milestone schedule. Directs the full range of contract administration actions required for the acquisition program, including the issuance of contract modifications, negotiation of changes, exercise of options, investigation and resolution of contractor delays and contractor performance appraisal, dispositions of claims, and similar matters. GS-12: In addition to the above, the selectee independently: Serves as a business advisor responsible for providing expert guidance in the planning, directing, and coordinating of customer requirements including acquisition planning, contract solicitation, pricing, negotiation, execution, and post award contract management. Asks questions to determine, verify and solve problems quickly. Creatively develops and implements ways to eliminate bottlenecks and barriers to efficient performance, and fosters team building. Receives and reviews requests from technical project managers for the procurement of complex equipment, services and/or construction. Analyzes the requirements, recommends revisions to or expansions on the statement of work, or specifications as necessary, and determines the type of contract, establishes milestones, and develops the procurement plan. Prepares solicitation documents, incorporating numerous provisions, such as cost accounting standards, requirements for technical proposals with appropriate weighting factors, testing procedures, cost escalation factors, cost data requirements, and socioeconomic programs. Solicits proposals ensuring maximum practicable competition is obtained for each requirement. GS-13: In addition to the above, the selectee: Is responsible for the award and administration of long-term contracts supporting the FBI's major systems and projects. These activities require extensive contract with technical personnel skilled in the design, development, and implementation of highly complex systems. Serves as the primary negotiator for major contracts, coordinates the activities and serves as the leader of the negotiation team. This requires a clear understanding of all aspects for the procurement including legal, audit requirements, technical, and price considerations. Assists in making the final recommendation for contract award. At the conclusion of the procurement process, makes award within delegated limits or presents the contractual aspects of the procurement before the Contract Review Board. Develops clear and concise work statements and/or specifications. Selects the most appropriate contract type applicable to the procurement. Is responsible for contract terms and conditions that will allow for effective pursuit of the technical objectives within the framework of the procurement regulations. Analyzes new or revised rules and regulations on procurements and contracts issued by General Accounting Office, General Services Administration, Comptroller General Executive Orders, and others, for any effect or potential effect on enterprise operations. Contacts representative(s) of agencies issuing regulations for clarification or additional information on certain points, if necessary.

Requirements

Qualifications

GS 11: Applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience (SE) equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE is defined as follows: Experience applying contracting principles and procedures applicable to pre-award and/or post-award actions sufficient to procure and/or administer contracts for a variety of specialized equipment, services, and/or construction. Experience identifying problems, reporting findings, developing conclusions and making recommendations to management. In addition to the specialized experience above, GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is defined as follows: Experience independently preparing solicitations and evaluating proposals. Experience performing cost, price, and/or best value analysis, which includes review of cost breakdowns, and cost technical tradeoff to determine reasonableness and best value for the FBI. Experience identifying appropriate provisions and clauses to in include in solicitations. In addition to the specialized experience above, GS-13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.??SE is defined as follows: Experience planning, developing, and establishing of long- and short-range procurement and contracting plans, strategies and approaches for overall acquisitions and life cycle programs. Experience interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures to specific contracting issues. Experience performing cost, price, and/or best value analysis, which includes review of cost breakdowns, and cost technical tradeoff to determine reasonableness and best value for the FBI. Desired Skills Desired skills are NOT mandatory and will NOT be utilized to minimally qualify applicants. Desired Skills are: Current DAWIA or FAC-C Certification Held or currently hold a Contracting Officer Warrant

Education

Positive Education Requirement GS-7 through GS-12:

This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
To minimally qualify all applicants must meet the basic requirements from A or B as listed below:

A. 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field

OR

B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following field: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement qualify for positions at the GS-7 level.

Basic requirements for GS-13 and above:

A. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to the 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 that position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work of the position.

AND

B. 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.

C. 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, unless granted a waiver under Paragraph D.

D. Waiver: When filling a specific vacant position, the senior procurement executive of the selecting agency, at his or her discretion, may waive any or all of the requirements of paragraph A and B above if the senior procurement executive certifies that the applicant possesses significant potential for advancement to levels of greater responsibility and authority, based on demonstrated analytical and decision-making capabilities, job performance, and qualifying experience. With respect to each waiver granted under this paragraph, the senior procurement executive must document for the record the basis of the waiver, the agency may later reassign that individual to another position in the same grade within that agency without additional waiver action.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS-11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

Contacts

• Address Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20535 US
• Name: Terrance Scott
• Email: tlscott@fbi.gov