This is an open-continuous announcement with an established initial cut-off date of Monday, February 02, 2026. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for more information. See below for important information regarding this job. This position may be filled at grade levels GS-09, GS-11, and/or GS-12. Annual salary ranges (Steps 01 - 10) are listed below. GS-09: $67,339 - $87,539 GS-11: $81,474 - $105,911 GS-12: $97,653 - $126,955
To qualify for a Contract Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A. Basic Contracting Requirement: A.) A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees OR B.) a current civilian employee in DoD or member of the Armed Forces, who occupied an 1102 position, contracting officer position, or comparable military contracting position with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold on or before September 30, 2000, are excluded from the requirements of "A)" above. AND B. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes: GS-09 With assistance, applying contracting/acquisition planning, principles, laws, statutes, regulations, and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions. Assisting in soliciting offers to procure a variety of requirements ranging from standard to specialized supplies or services. Communicating through written communications and discussions with vendors/customers. GS-11 With assistance, applying contracting/acquisition planning, principles, laws, statutes, regulations, and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions. Soliciting offers to procure a variety of requirements ranging from standard to specialized supplies or services. Participating in negotiations to procure supplies. Communicating through written communications and discussions with vendors/customers. GS-12 Applying and adapting contracting principles, laws, statutes, regulations, and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions. Soliciting offers to procure a variety of requirements ranging from standard to specialized supplies or services. Performing acquisition planning. Conducting negotiations to procure supplies. Communicating through written communications and discussions with vendors/customers. OR C. Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation. To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: GS-09 Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. GS-11 Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a PhD or equivalent Doctorate degree. Such education must be from an accredited college or university, and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work. GS-12 Education may not be substituted in lieu of Specialized Experience for this grade level. OR D. Combination: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for grade levels GS-09 and GS-11 and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-09 and GS-11. 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.
If selected at the GS-09 or GS-11 grade levels, the below responsibilities will be performed in a developmental capacity.
Serving as the central point of contact for assigned procurements, performing intensive market research to determine availability of the product or producers and to develop new sources.
Developing acquisition strategy involving previous history, market conditions and specifications or technical data packages, as well as reviewing Sourcing Strategy recommendations.
Determining contract type, method of solicitation, options determination, and sources to be solicited
Checking for adequacy of item description, previous contracts, requirement for option, and appropriate mailing list.
Coordinating set-asides with the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office (SADBU).
Inputting synopses for formal publications and sealed biddings in accordance with acquisition regulations.
Considering and recommending acquisition plans to achieve socioeconomic goals for small or disadvantaged businesses, or for businesses in labor surplus areas.