Contract Specialist

Summary

We are the nation's art museum, home to a renowned collection of over 160,000 works of art from antiquity to today. Millions of people come through our doors each year—with even more online—making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Located on the National Mall, admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

Duties

The Office of Administration-Procurement and Contracts (APC) provides pre-and post-award functions for a variety of supply, service and construction contracts. Duties for this position include: Negotiating contract modifications and the terms and costs of contract changes. In addition, negotiating the termination settlement with the contractor which may include equitable adjustments, change orders, change proposals, costs, profit, or other related matters. Reviewing termination notices for extent of action (partial or complete), and for compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Providing acquisition services by planning and negotiating complex purchases in supplies, information technology systems, services, equipment, and/or construction. Preparing acquisition plans, which may include Statement of Work, risks, source selection strategy, inherently governmental functions, budgeting and funding, competition, socio-economic considerations, contract type, contract vehicle, appropriate milestone charts, related schedules and/or other relevant elements of acquisition planning. Serving as a liaison to program officials in acquisition planning. Providing guidance to a technical evaluation team concerning the proper evaluation techniques pertinent to the respective acquisition. Evaluating contractor claims, supporting the writing of the Contracting Officer determinations, and resolving contractor disputes when necessary. Interpreting contract provisions for contractors and for Gallery officials and providing appropriate advice and guidance.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-12 A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or 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. Applicants who meet the criteria for Superior Academic Achievement qualify for positions at the GS-7 level. Specialized Experience Statement for GS-11: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service or private sector, assisting with administering contracts using formal advertising/negotiation procedures; conducting price/cost analysis; reviewing the soundness of proposals submitted by vendors; applying knowledge of statutory/regulatory requirements when making procurement decisions; AND developing materials using Microsoft Office Suite to support conferences, seminars, and meetings for pre-award/post-award acquisition matters. Specialized Experience Statement for GS-12: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or private sector, administering contracts using formal advertising/negotiation procedures; conducting price/cost analysis techniques for procurement actions; identifying, analyzing the soundness of proposals submitted by vendors; applying knowledge of statutory/regulatory requirements when making procurement decisions; AND developing materials using Microsoft Office Suite to support meetings, presentations and seminars for pre-award/post-award acquisition matters. You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows at the GS-11 level. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.M., if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated. Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must possess or be eligible for a FAC-C (Professional) certification in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) FAC-C Certification Standards or equivalent Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification standards or can achieve certification according to FAI or DAWIA standards within twelve months from the date of appointment to this position. Please indicate in your resume your level and source (FAI, DAWIA) of certification or eligibility for consideration.

Education

This position does have an education requirement. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Requirements

• •You must be a United States Citizen.
• •This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• •Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• •Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation.
• •Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• •May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.