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Washington Headquarters Services

CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Washington Headquarters Services, Alexandria, VA, United States

Summary

This position is located in the Washington Headquarter Services, Acquisition Directorate performing end-to-end support services for all matters relating to acquisition and procurement and provides operational contracting support services for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer (ODCMO) to include the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA), WHS, and independent Federal advisory commissions, Boards and Task Forces.

This job is open to

  • Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

  • Veterans
  • Military spouses
  • Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

  • Land & base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent Civilian Employees of the Acquisition Directorate, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) eligibles, eligible Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouses Preference (MSP) applicants, eligible PPP applicants, and Eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan applicants (ICTAP).

Duties

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:

- Incumbent is responsible for pre-award functions for procurements involving complex contracts of highly specialized, extensive new or innovative equipment systems, construction projects and services of significant importance to AD.

- Ensures appropriate funding and required waivers, certifications, approvals and compliances have been obtained for purchase requests.

- Handles any problems associated with funding and coordinates actions through legal counsel as required.

- Coordinates Determinations and Findings for deviations to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

- Develops complex acquisition plans and source selection plans as required to meet the needs of the customers.

- Coordinates with technical personnel and assists with the development of intricate evaluation criteria.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
  • The incumbent must adhere to DoD Standards of Conduct
  • The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
  • This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the civilian drug-testing program.
  • The incumbent may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime.
  • This position may require up to 15% occasional travel away from your normal duty station for official business on military or commercial aircraft.
  • This position may be eligible for 100% Remote Telework based on the organization requirements. Salary will be adjusted after the selection is made and will be based on the selectee's residence and work location.
  • This position requires incumbent to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter.
  • The incumbent must obtain and maintain professional tier requirements within the core certification standards of the Defense Acquisition credential program.
  • This is a Critical Acquisition Position. In accordance with the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvements Act (DAWIA). This position requires a Business Financial Management, Practitioner Acquisition Certification.
  • The employee must obtain and maintain professional Tier requirements within the core certification standards of the Defense Acquisition Credential Program; DAWIA Level Certification and all additional and all additional applicable requirements.

Qualifications

Time in Grade:

For entry at the GS-12 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience: 1) Performing all pre-award/post award functions, using various contracting methods to procure supplies and services; 2) Soliciting and awarding contracts for commercial items 3) Applying FAR Part 8 and 12 for drafting and issuing request for quotes, evaluating quotes, conducting negotiations and issuing the award; and 4) Managing and processing an average workload of at least 4 to 6 procurements with varying deadlines.

In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements, qualified applicants must also possess the quality of experience as it relates to how closely or to what extent an applicant's background, recency of experience, education, and training are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the announced position. Candidates must clearly demonstrate the possession of competencies necessary to successfully perform the work of the position at the appropriate level to be qualified for the position. Applicants must describe how their experience meets the competencies within the body of the resume. No separate statements addressing competencies are required.

Competencies: Advanced Cost and/or Price Analysis, Contract Award, Oral Communication, Preparation and Negotiation, and Writing

Qualification and time-in-grade requirements must be met at the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experience at the GS-12 grade level.

Additional information

  • A one year probationary or trial period may be required.
  • Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination
  • Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions will be required to submit to urinalysis for illegal drugs prior to appointment or placement.
  • This is a covered position and the person selected for this position must complete an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment pursuant to 5 CFR 2634.903(b) (DoD 5500.7).
  • Contracting Foundational/Professional: Selectee must have their Contracting Professional Certification (or be eligible for certification within 36 months of appointment) in the DAWIA Contracting Functional Area. Acquisition workforce employees must achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every two years, in accordance with DoDI 5000.66. Obtaining certification within the allotted grace period and maintaining CLPs before and after achieving certification are conditions of employment. If certification is not received within 36 months of appointment as defined by DAWIA, and training not completed within the established guidelines, the incumbent might be removed from this position. Additional information may be found at: https://www.dau.edu/back-to-basics.
  • For more information on veterans' preference click here.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (to verify your registration status click here).
  • 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 at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
  • The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants.
  • This position is subject to the limitations imposed by the DOD Priority Placement Program.
  • Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
  • PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
  • For grades below the full performance level, only MSP/PPP eligible candidates who currently occupy a formal training program position will be entitled to exercise their priority preference.
  • For more information regarding qualifications requirements please click here.
  • You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility

  • All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

  • Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the applicant questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies:

  • Advanced Cost and/or Price Analysis
  • Contract Award
  • Oral Communication
  • Preparation and Negotiation
  • Writing

You can preview the Questionnaire here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12584535

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

  • Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

FOR THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AS THEY APPLY STATED BELOW AND MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. NOT ALL DOCUMENTS WILL APPLY TO EVERYONE. 

1.  **Transcripts** (if applicable) If you are substituting education for specialized experience you must submit all of your transcripts. The absence of this information will result in an ineligible rating. (WHS serviced employees will be verified via eOPF or you may include them in your application package. However, it is the employee's responsibility to ensure that his/her eOPF contains the required transcript and is up-to-date).
2.  **SF-50** \- (if applicable) Notification of Personnel Action for current or former federal employees- All applicants must provide your most recent SF50 or the SF50 reflecting Career/Career-Conditional tenure and the highest grade held on a permanent basis.
3.  **Most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade held. It is recommended you provide a SF-50 within the last 52 weeks before the closing date of this JOA for current federal employees.**
4.  **Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable)** : Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4), or, if you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military. Veterans with a service-connected disability must also submit a VA letter dated 1991 or later. DoD Components with CES positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement." 
5. **Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible:** Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
6.  **Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible:** MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
7.  **Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible:** MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
8.  **Retained Grade PPP Eligible:** Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Your complete Application Package (containing the above required documents) must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 11/11/2024.

WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/11/2024, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded is received, legible and accurate.

HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below. 

1. Your Resume



* Your resume MUST include the following information for each job listed: Job title; duties (be as detailed as possible); month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); and full- time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). Read more about what should I include in my federal resume here.
* DO NOT include the following information: Classified or government sensitive information; Social Security Number; Photos of yourself; Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.; or encrypted and digitally signed documents. Read more about what should I leave out of my resume here.



1. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
2. Other required supporting documents: (SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS)

Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. 

1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.



* To view the assessment questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12584535

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login) all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.

Washington Headquarters Services provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please view the "Alternate Application" method listed in the "Other Information" section of this announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the following link for more information http://http://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/admin_inst/

Agency contact information

Washington HQ Services

Email

whs.job.application.assistance@mail.mil

Address

WHS Acquisition Directorate

Human Resources Directorate

4800 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22350

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Applicant/Application/ListApplications?

Washington Headquarters Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Washington Headquarters Services uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify

  • Fair and Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. 

* Criminal history inquiries
* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
* Financial suitability
* New employee probationary period
* Privacy Act
* Reasonable accommodation policy
* Selective Service
* Signature and false statements
* Social security number request