Contract Specialist

The Department of Energy is seeking motivated and highly-qualified candidates for exciting positions available in multiple locations throughout the United States.

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through trans-formative science and technology solutions.

To learn more about the Department of Energy, please visit the website at www.energy.gov. 

Qualifications:

In addition to meeting the Basic Education Qualification Requirements (please see the Education Requirements Sections), applicants must have additional specialized experience as defined below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

GS-11: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: applying acquisition, contract and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms and conditions that communicate requirements to industry; evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition; coordinating contract/financial assistance actions with appropriate program/project managers to ensure contract information and documentation is accurate, complete and timely; and/or ensure acquisitions are compatible with overall mission, objectives, and projected program requirements and are consistent with mission requirements.

 OR

FOR THE GS 11- have successfully completed a 3 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

GS-12: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition; applying acquisition, contract and procurement regulations to prepare solicitations containing appropriate provisions, clauses, terms and conditions that communicate requirements to industry; and/or administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations and claims disputes, and contract terminations.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

GS-13: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: analyzing, evaluating, approving, or redirecting the strategy, plans, and techniques of pre-award and post-award functions involving highly specialized acquisitions; evaluating responses to solicitations for price reasonableness, compliance with terms and conditions, and adequacy of competition; conducting acquisition planning and contract pre-award functions to include: determining method of procurement and contract type, documenting the acquisition strategy, and obtaining appropriate approvals; administering contracts to include contract scope determinations, contract modifications, supplemental agreements, justifications, approval reviews/fair opportunity evaluations and claims disputes, and contract terminations; and/or interpreting and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures to specific contracting issues.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level

GS-14: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: planning, establishing, or reviewing contracts, programs, policies, or procedures; negotiations techniques to conduct contract negotiations and deal with high level business and industry; evaluating or implementing contracting programs; leading or supervising contracting professionals providing contracting services for the acquisition of a wide range of supplies, services and/or construction; and/or contracting experience that demonstrated the ability to perform the full range of highly complex pre-award and post award activities utilizing a variety of types of contracts.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level

GS-15: Applicants must also possess at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: developing acquisition strategies and directing or managing procurements; providing staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation; overseeing contractual actions and phases of the contract program; reviewing and analyzing the effects of proposed legislation and other regulations on acquisition programs; serving as an agency technical authority in the areas of acquisition and procurement; and/or developing policies, procedures, and guidelines pertaining to procurement.

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

• Knowledge of contracting methods and contract types to plan and carry out long term pre-award and\or post-award procurement actions.
• Knowledge of contract administration policy, procedures and techniques, and evaluation of contractor management systems sufficient to administer long term, cost-reimbursement, and firm fixed price contracts.
• Knowledge of program objectives, technical terminology, and use of components, equipment, systems and services procured sufficient to participate in acquisition planning, negotiation, administration and/or termination of contracts.
• Knowledge of commercial and industrial business practices, supply sources and market trends and conditions sufficient to participate in acquisition planning, develop strategies and evaluate offers.
• Knowledge of acquisition statutes, federal, departmental, and acquisition regulations, policies, and procedures and commercial business practices.
• Knowledge in federal acquisition laws; federal and DOE acquisition regulations, directives and instructions; agency and local policy, directives and instruction; and Comptroller General decisions.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1102 series can be found at the following website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Responsibilities:

This series includes positions that manage, supervise, perform, or develop policies and procedures for professional work involving the procurement of supplies, services, construction, or research and development using formal advertising or negotiation procedures; the evaluation of contract price proposals; and the administration or termination and close out of contracts. The work requires knowledge of the legislation, regulations, and methods used in contracting; and knowledge of business and industry practices, sources of supply, cost factors, and requirements characteristics.

As a Contract Specialist, you may:

• Solicit, evaluate, negotiate, and award contracts with commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and State, local or foreign governments for furnishing products, services, construction or research and development to the Federal Government
• Administer contracts by assuring compliance with the terms and conditions of contracts, including resolution of problems concerning the obligations of the parties
• Terminate contracts by analyzing, negotiating, and settling claims and proposals
• Analyze and evaluate cost or price proposals and accounting systems data
• Plan, establish, or review contracts, programs, policies, or procedures
• Formulate and administer policies and procedures to ensure achievement of Federal socioeconomic goals, such as those affecting small business, labor surplus areas, and disadvantaged business firms
• Develop acquisition strategies and direct or manage procurement
• Provide staff advisory services in one or more of the specializations in this occupation