CONTRACT SPECIALIST

Duties

NH-III

• Responsible for planning and organizing contracting and other business management activities in a risk- tolerant environment. Ensures acquisitions comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meet program objectives supporting this specialized, rapid response capability of special interest to the SECAF and CSAF.
• Establishes and maintains an integrated team relationship. Assists in establishing long term cooperative agreements to leverage other Service, DoD, and other government agency technology development activities.
• Manages and executes contracts as a limited contracting officer including a variety of contracting approaches and relationships associated with pre-award planning, establishment of suitable contractual and/or alternative business arrangements, and post-award management to include evaluation of cost, schedule, and performance related to DAFRCO acquisition programs.
• Prepares and conducts comprehensive contracting reports, studies, briefings, and related presentations. Works closely with a variety of organizations, within the Air Force; other DoD organizations; other federal government organizations; the Congress.
• Ensures effective management techniques are developed and utilized to maintain oversight and control of acquisition programs.

NH-IV

• Utilizes an Unlimited Contracting Officer Warrant with the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.
• Represents the Air Force, SAF/AQ, and AFRCO as appropriate.
• Manages and executes contracts, as a warranted Contracting Officer, that include a variety of contracting approaches and relationships associated with pre-award planning, establishment of suitable contractual and/or alternative business arrangement, and post-award management to include evaluation of cost, schedule, and performance relate to AFRCO acquisition programs.
• Develops and presents oral or written positions to upper management including the Air Force Secretariat, other DoD organizations, other government agencies, the Congress, and industry.
• Ensures effective management techniques are developed and utilized to maintain oversight and control of acquisition programs.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Employee needs to obtain and maintain approval to access the portfolio of Special Access Programs required to perform daily duties.
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Special Sensitive/SSBI security clearance. May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• The employee serves as an unlimited warranted Contracting Officer and completes required forms in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 USC 423).
• Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic and random counterintelligence (CI)-scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment (CONT.)
• The employee must successfully take and pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CIP) Examination.
• This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program (CONT.)
• (CONT.) Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety
• The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• This may be a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP) at the NH-IV level. Unless specifically waived by the appropriate component official, i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the component, the Service Acquisition Executive, (CONT.)
• (CONT.) or the Service Secretary, the employee must comply with statutorily mandated requirements. Selectee must execute a written agreement (DD 2888) to remain in federal service in this position for at least three years.
• Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, "Confidential Financial Disclosure Report." Employee is required to attend annual ethics and procurement integrity training.
• Continued in Qualifications

Qualifications

COE Continued

• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• This position is eligible for situational telework on a case-by-case basis with approval from immediate supervisor.
• Position is Centrally Managed at the NH-IV level.
• If selected at the NH-IV level, or upon promotion to NH-IV, requirements for Critical Acquisition Position (CAP) will apply.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts.

NOTE: The following three exemption to the basic education requirements above apply to DoD civilian employees or Service members who:
1. Served as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) on or before 30 September 2000;
OR
2. Served, on or before 30 September 2000, in a position as either an employee in the GS-1102 series or as a member of the Armed Forces in a similar occupation specialty;
OR
3. Are an enlisted member of the Contingency Contracting Force (CCF). This exemption only applies to CCF members in their current or future CCF positions. The Bachelor's degree exemption does not apply to current CCF members seeking New Hire employment within DoD as a 1102.

AND Basic Qualification Requirements for Contracting Officer Positions (NH-03)(NH-04): In addition to meeting, the basic educational requirement as well as the requirements in the table above, applicants must have:
1) NH-03: Have two years of experience in contracting positions. NH-04: Have at least four years of experience in contracting positions.
2) Have completed all contracting courses required for a contracting officer for positions at the level and grade at which the person is serving. Certification at this level is sufficient to meet this standard.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENT ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE LISTED BELOW:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
NH-03: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes in-depth knowledge of DoD and agency policies, procedures, and processes for Director/Deputy Director of PK AFRCO acquisitions; Expert knowledge on a wide range of government, agency, and local guidelines and business practices including contracting statues, regulations, policies, and procedures impacting classified contracting; ability and professional stature to lead significant changes in business practices, influence policy decisions at the highest levels of the acquisition community.

NH-04: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-03, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-13 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes in-depth knowledge of DoD and agency policies, procedures, and processes for Director/Deputy Director of PK DAFRCO acquisitions; Expert knowledge on a wide range of government, agency, and local guidelines and business practices including contracting statues, regulations, policies, and procedures impacting classified contracting; ability and professional stature to lead significant changes in business practices, influence policy decisions at the highest levels of the acquisition community.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the NH-02 or GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the NH-III level. One year at the NH-III or GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the NH-IV level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

NH-03 and NH-04
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:
1. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of DoD and agency policies, procedures, and processes for Director/Deputy Director of PK DAFRCO acquisitions.
2. Expert knowledge on a wide range of government, agency, and local guidelines and business practices including contracting statues, regulations, policies, and procedures impacting classified contracting.
3. Demonstrated ability and professional stature to lead significant changes in business practices, influence policy decisions at the highest levels of the acquisition community.
4. Expert knowledge and experience of formal source selection methods and protest adjudication, policies, and procedures for DAFRCO acquisitions; Ability to foster collaboration and create a climate of trust within the organization and analyze, plan, and adjust work operations to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
5. Highly experienced in recognizing and analyzing issues, conducting research, summarizing results, providing alternatives, and making appropriate decisions or recommendations toward goal accomplishment.
6. Exceptional skill in a marked degree of verbal and written communications, and ability to interact with and be an active participant in high-level conferences, briefings, studies, and meetings involving General Officers, Senior Executives, and industry CEOs and CFOs.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click .

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 for additional information.