Contract Specialist (Direct Hire)

Summary

The NASA Office of Procurement seeks Senior Contract Specialists to perform procurement planning, negotiation, and contract administration in support of NASA programs. The Office of Procurement is structured to provide support to our mission partners regardless of location. This announcement may fill any of NASA Office of Procurement positions.

Duties

• Serves as a Senior Contract Specialist responsible for all pre-award and/or post award functions for a variety of supply, service, research, and/or construction contracts.
• Performs all aspects of contracting for procurements that are complex in nature and require extensive contract and subcontract administration.
• Develops contract-related documentation including incremental funding modifications, change orders, contract extensions, contractor performance evaluations, and reviewing and approving contractor financial reports and other submittals.
• Develops contract instruments representing sound judgement and business acumen (e.g. proper contract type, pricing/other contract provisions, source selection, acquisition method, determination/findings, documentation, and propriety of cited funds).
• Coordinates with mission partners to develop overarching procurement objectives for program and construct contractual instruments accordingly including use of pricing arrangements, subcontracting goals, set-aside policies, and similar considerations.
• Plans and coordinates the negotiation strategy, evaluates with the negotiation team and conduct the negotiations with contractors to develop the contract prices and terms.
• Provides authority for pre/post-award contractual actions providing expert advice, guidance, mentorship, and training to less experienced personnel in order to create and maintain a high degree of competency and professionalism.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships across acquisition Stakeholders to facilitate expert procurement consultation on solution based alternatives to achieving procurement objectives.

Education

Basic Requirement: 1. Completion of all mandatory training prescribed by the head of the agency for progression to GS-13 or higher-level contracting positions, including at least 4-years’ experience in contracting or related positions. At least 1 year of that experience must have been specialized experience at or equivalent to work at the next lower level of the position, and must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the work of the position. AND 2. A 4-year course of study leading to a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management. NOTE: Employees in GS-1102 positions will be considered to have met the basic education requirements for positions they occupied on January 1, 2000; only including positions at the same grade. U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Required Documents

• All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length.
• Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised.
• All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.
• A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
• Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume.
• Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
• Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified: Classified or government sensitive information.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
• Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
• If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.
• The following documents are required: Resume As listed in the Education section above, this position has a basic education requirement.
• To be found qualified, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Education section.
• You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript.
• Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed a required degree program or coursework may result in you being found not qualified.
• There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application.
• Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.
• If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP.
• This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
• Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.