Contract Specialist
US Department of Defense, Arlington, VA, United States
Contract Specialist
This position is part of the Contracts Management Office (CMO) in the R&D Division. The incumbent, a warranted contracting officer, is responsible for a variety of acquisition and assistance related elements reaching across the full range research and development contracting, but also including services acquisitions, international contracting and other unique DARPA contracting situations in support of DARPA's Mission. As a Contract Specialist GS-1102-13/14, some of your typical work assignments may include: Serve as the principal acquisition advisor to technical clients, providing expertise on use of Other Transactions in non-procurement and prototyping situations. Active involvement in the acquisition planning process, adapting to each technical offices varying internal processes, management and communication styles and personalities while reviewing and assessing requirements and developing the most appropriate, streamlined, and efficient acquisition strategy. Serve as a contracting officer, a grants officer, or an agreements officer with specified negotiation authority for assigned technical programs across technical offices and acquisitions. Assess and resolve complex pre-award issues including evaluating contractor technical and financial capability and perform cost analysis, negotiating subcontracting issues including utilization of small disadvantaged businesses as sub-contractors, and reinterpreting policies to apply to new or changing circumstances. Independently monitor contract performance, changes, deliverables, schedules, & financial status. Serves as the principal acquisition representative for a primary technical office, but also assists DARPA's technical offices in matters related to acquisitions and assistance. Inform senior management of significant actions, anticipated acquisition strategies and potential issues requiring management and/or General Counsel involvement. Perform contract administration, including incremental funding, option exercises, in-scope changes, time extensions, change orders, stop work orders, cure notices or show cause letters, terminations, monitoring of property reporting, and contract closeout. Manage workload and perform contract management using a host of electronic tools. Maintain continuous learning through training courses, professional activities, attendance at conferences, and speaking to maintain DoD education requirements. You may qualify at the GS-1102-13 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS -12) in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the military or private sector). Experience establishing acquisition strategy, awarding and administering complex research and development, services, or systems contracts. Experience with pre-award planning, negotiation, awarding and administering other unique and innovative award instruments such as, procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions. Experienced, warranted Contracting Officers interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment. You may qualify at the GS-1102-14 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS -13) in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the military or private sector). Experience establishing acquisition strategy, awarding and administering complex research and development, services, or systems contracts. Experience with pre-award planning, negotiation, awarding and administering other unique and innovative award instruments such as, procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions. Experienced, warranted Contracting Officers interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment while providing excellent customer service. Innovative self-starter and problem solver. This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1102 series: A. Earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degree; OR B. A current or former civilian in DoD, who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000. OR C. A current or former military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. *NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the DoD basic qualifications requirements. See the DoD Qualification Standard for GS-1102 for more information. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Competencies: Contract Award Determination of How Best to Satisfy Requirements for the Mission Area Influencing/Negotiating Problem Solving If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.
This position is part of the Contracts Management Office (CMO) in the R&D Division. The incumbent, a warranted contracting officer, is responsible for a variety of acquisition and assistance related elements reaching across the full range research and development contracting, but also including services acquisitions, international contracting and other unique DARPA contracting situations in support of DARPA's Mission. As a Contract Specialist GS-1102-13/14, some of your typical work assignments may include: Serve as the principal acquisition advisor to technical clients, providing expertise on use of Other Transactions in non-procurement and prototyping situations. Active involvement in the acquisition planning process, adapting to each technical offices varying internal processes, management and communication styles and personalities while reviewing and assessing requirements and developing the most appropriate, streamlined, and efficient acquisition strategy. Serve as a contracting officer, a grants officer, or an agreements officer with specified negotiation authority for assigned technical programs across technical offices and acquisitions. Assess and resolve complex pre-award issues including evaluating contractor technical and financial capability and perform cost analysis, negotiating subcontracting issues including utilization of small disadvantaged businesses as sub-contractors, and reinterpreting policies to apply to new or changing circumstances. Independently monitor contract performance, changes, deliverables, schedules, & financial status. Serves as the principal acquisition representative for a primary technical office, but also assists DARPA's technical offices in matters related to acquisitions and assistance. Inform senior management of significant actions, anticipated acquisition strategies and potential issues requiring management and/or General Counsel involvement. Perform contract administration, including incremental funding, option exercises, in-scope changes, time extensions, change orders, stop work orders, cure notices or show cause letters, terminations, monitoring of property reporting, and contract closeout. Manage workload and perform contract management using a host of electronic tools. Maintain continuous learning through training courses, professional activities, attendance at conferences, and speaking to maintain DoD education requirements. You may qualify at the GS-1102-13 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS -12) in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the military or private sector). Experience establishing acquisition strategy, awarding and administering complex research and development, services, or systems contracts. Experience with pre-award planning, negotiation, awarding and administering other unique and innovative award instruments such as, procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions. Experienced, warranted Contracting Officers interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment. You may qualify at the GS-1102-14 if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS -13) in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the military or private sector). Experience establishing acquisition strategy, awarding and administering complex research and development, services, or systems contracts. Experience with pre-award planning, negotiation, awarding and administering other unique and innovative award instruments such as, procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and other transactions. Experienced, warranted Contracting Officers interested in working the highest priority requirements in a high tempo, dynamic environment while providing excellent customer service. Innovative self-starter and problem solver. This position has a Basic Requirement for the 1102 series: A. Earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degree; OR B. A current or former civilian in DoD, who occupied GS-1102 positions or contracting positions with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold in an Executive Department on or before September 30, 2000. OR C. A current or former military member who occupied a similar occupational specialty to the GS-1102 on or before September 30, 2000. *NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the DoD basic qualifications requirements. See the DoD Qualification Standard for GS-1102 for more information. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Competencies: Contract Award Determination of How Best to Satisfy Requirements for the Mission Area Influencing/Negotiating Problem Solving If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.