Contract Specialist

Summary Contract Specialists plan and manage acquisitions to procure a variety of products and services for NGA. They interact with customers to develop and implement an acquisition strategy, solicit and evaluate proposals, and negotiate and award contracts. They also administer contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, preparing modifications, resolving problems, and terminating and closing Learn more about this agency Requirements Conditions of Employment Security Investigation SPECIAL INFO: As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards. - U.S. Citizenship Required - Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) - Polygraph Test Required - Position Subject to Drug Testing - Two Year Probationary Period - Direct Deposit Required SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs. Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs. NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices. This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility. Qualifications MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement: 1. Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other applicable supplements to acquisition processes. 2. Proficiency leading customer interactions to develop acquisition strategies based on market research and solicitations with selection criteria and/or instructions, enabling contract award per customer requirements. 3. Experience leading source selections and/or major sole source procurements, consisting of: cost or price analysis, negotiations and preparation of related contract documentation. 4. Proficiency awarding and administering a variety of contract types, including Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Time and Materials (T&M), Cost Reimbursement, Incentive, and/or Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ). 5. Experience administering complex contracts, including monitoring contractor performance in collaboration with Contracting Officer's Representative, preparing a variety of modifications, resolving high impact problems, and terminating and closing out contracts. 6. Demonstrated experience coaching and mentoring junior contract professionals. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. Reference the DoD Qualification Standard for Contracting Positions for exceptions and waivers. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Must obtain DAWIA Certification in Contracting, as appropriate for the band, within 36 months of appointment. Once obtained, Defense Acquisition Workforce members must obtain 80 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2 years in order to maintain proficiency. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired: 1. Familiarity with the DoD Source Selection Manual. 2. Knowledge of Federal Appropriations Law. 3. Experience in Information Technology (IT) acquisitions to include agile software development. 4. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative approaches and/or creative solutions in response to new and emerging ideas. 5. Demonstrated experience in achieving DAWIA Contracting Professional (Foundational) Certification or Federal Acquisition in Contracting Certification (FAC-C) Level III in Contracting. Benefits Review our benefits