This position is established to serve as team lead, with unlimited signatory authority, of a robust acquisition team supporting the procurement of supplies and services, ranging from Simplified Acquisition to billion dollar negotiated acquisitions for the Maritime Administration’s various Sealift programs at its Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education and specialized experience requirements. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience developing, implementing, maintaining, and administering contractual aspects of an acquisition program. Experience creating contractual language, terms, and conditions. Experience serving as a programs' contractual authority and advisor on the acceptability and applicability of contractual matters. 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: Knowledge of procurement regulations and contracting principles including the latest procedures and techniques, e.g. sophisticated pricing arrangements, cost accounting, and life cycle costing sufficient to plan, develop, implement, maintain, and administer all contractual aspects of the NDRF/RRF support acquisition program; to develop innovative contractual language, terms and conditions; and to serve as program contractual authority and advisor on the acceptability and applicability of contractual matters related to the assigned acquisition program. Skill in managerial and coordinative activities sufficient to perform required acquisition program duties, as well as provide guidance and review support to other contract specialists in an overlapping fashion. Ability to work with team members in achieving specific tasks, producing work products and services, and meeting program goals. For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is limited to 100 applications and will close at 11:59 pm on the closing date OR at 11:59 pm when the application number is met. The Lead Contract Specialist: Plans, develops, and establishes the contractual strategy for the overall acquisition of supplies and services to carry out the assigned support program. Participates in conferences for planning of the acquisitions with personnel from other organizational components of the Maritime Administration, the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and other agencies of the Government. Coaches the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem solving methods and techniques, provide advice on work methods, practices and procedures, and assist the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution. Prepares required advance procurement planning and solicitation documents, as well as any other required justifications. Functions as lead contracting officer during contract negotiations. Coordinates with program, legal, and audit personnel. Personally negotiates the contracts as required. Performs 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, contractor performance appraisal, termination of contracts, disposition of claims, and similar matters. Serves as principal contracting advisor regarding assigned acquisitions to the program management office, and represents the agency or department as the program’s contractual authority at conferences and meetings. The ideal candidate for this position will be expected to independently demonstrate advanced knowledge of procurement regulations with a high degree of competency. Experience administering and advising on all contractual aspects of an acquisition program. Experience being the authoritarian advisor on the acceptability and applicability of contractual matters.