Contract Specialist

Overview

This role provides acquisition support services to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Responsibilities include independent acquisition support with limited oversight, market research, cost estimating support, acquisition package document support, and coordination with program office stakeholders and contracting personnel.

Responsibilities

• Work independently with little oversight by the Government.
• Provide advice and recommendations for all elements of acquisition plans, including approaches, options, strategies, risks, contracting methods, competition, sources, cost, milestone schedules, and related items.
• Research existing Government-wide contracts for available products and services; evaluate approaches and sources for services support.
• Research available suppliers and compare services and costs of obtaining support from different providers.
• Assist in preparation of Independent Government Cost Estimates, including research on past purchases, current market value, and other agency purchases of similar products or services.
• Conduct market research to identify potential sources and contract vehicles, including socio-economic program participants (small businesses, small and disadvantaged businesses, HUB Zone businesses).
• Identify potential contract vehicles, including GSA vendors, Government-wide Agency contracts, and other agency contracts.
• Conduct market surveys and prepare written documentation of market research.
• Support preparation of OA approved acquisition package documents (as applicable).
• Coordinate and communicate with program office personnel (SMEs and CORs) during all phases of the initial acquisition process.
• Coordinate and communicate during initial acquisition phases with assigned Office of Acquisition Contracting Specialists (CS) and Contracting Officers (CO).
• Support creation of solicitations and amendments; ensure documents are uploaded into the electronic filing system (eFile).
• Provide professional opinion and business advice regarding selection of procurement methods and contract type.
• Support negotiations, including documentation of negotiation objectives and negotiation outcomes through Award Determination Memorandums.
• Support creation of award documents, modifications, and supporting documentation.
• Support the Contracting Officer by responding to data calls, providing status updates, participating in meetings and conference calls with customers, and providing general administrative support related to acquisition functions/matters.

Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated expertise and capability to perform a full range of contract actions, including solicitations, contract awards, modifications, negotiations, incorporation of changes, exercise of options, price analysis, and resolution of contract issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT).
• Demonstrated expertise and capability to support proposal evaluations, including price/cost analysis or technical proposal analysis in the Federal sector.
• Clear understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
• Demonstrated negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience using contracting writing systems.
• Expertise and capability to provide contract administration support services, including assisting with reviewing contractor performance, developing contract modifications, and investigating reports of contract discrepancies and contract closeout.
• Expertise and capability to create documents supporting acquisition actions, including Determination and Findings, Market Research Reports, Pre and Post Negotiation Memorandum/Award Memorandum, Acquisition Plans, Sole Source Justifications, and other documents common to the acquisition process.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution in any combination of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, or management.
• Minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of experience in contracting providing service to Federal clients.
• Experience in all aspects of Federal Government acquisition, including requirements development, budgeting and acquisition planning, market research, and development of independent cost estimates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in contract writing system Unified Financial Management (UFMS) preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000 to $130,000 annually.
• Benefits may include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with company matching; tax-deferred savings options; supplementary benefits; paid time off; and professional development opportunities.

Location

Federal Bureau of Prisons (location not specified in the provided description).