CONTRACT SPECIALIST
Air Education and Training Command
Summary The primary purpose of this position is: To perform developmental assignments which are designed to provide the employee, who is serving in a trainee capacity, experience in pre-award and post-award functions when they are well-defined and well-precedented, using common contracting methods and contract types, to procure standard or specialized services, commodities, and/or construction through formal advertising and negotiation procedures using primarily firm fixed-price contracts. Responsibilities GS-09: Plans acquisitions for standard or specialized services, commodities and/or construction contracts where specifications are standardized within established competitive markets, and where price competition exist. Develops solicitations, evaluates responses, and makes award recommendations. Monitors contract performance and performs contract administration. GS-11: Plans the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for procuring a wide variety of requirements. Procures a wide variety of services, commodities, and/or construction. Executes post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts Provides business advice and guidance to technical personnel and others on contracting work and prepares correspondence. GS-12: As part of an Integrated Acquisition Team for a large multi-mission installation, or for development or sustainment of a major system or smaller multiple systems within a Center System Program Office (SPO), Direct Reporting Unit (DRU), Field Operating Agency (FOA), specialized unit, etc., plans the overall approach to meet contracting program objectives for a variety of requirements with multiple complexities. Procures complex and/or diversified services, commodities, and/or construction. Executes post-award contract performance management actions on assigned contracts. Serves as business advisor to a wide range of customers. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the basic requirements defined in 10 United States Code (USC).This standard implements requirements contained in Title 10, United States Code, Sections 1723 through 1733, as amended by Section 861(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) and implemented on a policy exception basis by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment memorandum, Exception to 24 Semester Hours Requirement for Contracting Positions, effective and dated August 2, 2020. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. NOTE: The following three exemption to the basic education requirements above apply to DoD civilian employees or Service members who:1. Served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) on or before 30 September 2000; OR 2. Served, on or before 30 September 2000, in a position as either an employee in the GS-1102 series or as a member of the Armed Forces in a similar occupation specialty; OR 3. Are an enlisted member of the Contingency Contracting Force (CCF). This exemption only applies to CCF members in their current or future CCF positions. The Bachelor's degree exemption does not apply to current CCF members seeking New Hire employment within DoD as a 1102. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENT ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE LISTED BELOW: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-09: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Applicants experience includes working with applicable statutory provisions, regulations, and procedures to be able to perform well defined and well-precedented procurement functions; knowledge of commonly used contracting methods and contract types sufficient to perform pre-award, post-award, and/or contract price/cost analysis functions when the contract actions are well-defined and well-precedented. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Applicants experience includes working with contracting principles, laws, statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and procedures applicable to pre-award and post-award duties sufficient to plan and carry out procurement actions and administer contracts for a variety of specialized services, commodities and/or construction using a wide range of contracting methods and contract types. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. GS-12: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Applicants experience includes working with contracting principles, laws, statutes, Executive Orders, regulations, and procedures applicable to pre-award and post-award duties sufficient to develop strategies, goals, and objectives; study problem areas and implement and/or recommend improved methods and operating procedures; and oversee or personally plan and carry out procurement actions, and administer contracts for a variety of specialized services, commodities, and/or construction contracts using a wide range of contracting methods and contract types. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR EDUCATION: GS-09: Mandated bachelor's degree AND Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. GS-11: Mandated bachelor's degree AND Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: GS-09: Professional knowledge of commonly used contracting methods and contract types for contract actions that are well-defined and well-precedented. Knowledge of directly applicable Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of business practices and market conditions as they relate to program and technical requirements to assist customers in developing requirements and to evaluate proposal responsiveness, contractor responsibility, and contractor performance. Ability to perform basic price/cost analysis sufficient to compare prices on recurring types of procurements. Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; present factual information; clearly write procurement memoranda; and draft simple contract provisions and supporting documents. GS-11: Professional knowledge of a wide variety of Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, processes and procedures; and contract types applicable to preaward and postaward actions. Knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical acquisition requirements. Knowledge of contracting negotiation, administration, and termination principles, policies, procedures, and technical requirements; and knowledge of price and cost analysis principles and techniques sufficient to review proposals against previous history, actual and estimated expenditures, and established rates to determine price reasonableness or to determine a negotiation position. Ability to recognize and analyze problems, conduct research, summarize results, and make appropriate recommendations. Ability to plan, organize work, and meet deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. KSAs Continued in Education: PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Qualifications Continued GS-12: Professional knowledge of a wide range of Federal contracting laws, regulations, policies, procedures, methods, techniques, and contract types applicable to preaward and postaward actions for a variety of complex contracts for unique services, commodities, and/or construction. Knowledge of the business environment (e.g. economic trends, awareness of commercial/business practices, standards, mergers, and acquisitions, etc.) in order to recognize potential programmatic/contractual impacts, and knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact-finding/market research. Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used to assist in risk identification, assessment, and mitigation including assessing the probability and consequences of potential problems. Knowledge of contract negotiation, administration, and termination principles, policies, procedures, and technical requirements; and knowledge of price and cost analysis sufficient to review proposals against previous history, actual and estimated expenditures, and established rates to determine price reasonableness or to determine a negotiation position. Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations; makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions applying precedents found in government contracting case law to specific contracting situations to insure that legally binding contracting officer decisions are consistent, justifiable, and will be upheld at appellate courts or boards; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
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