Acquisition & Contract Development Specialist Location: Stafford, VA Status: Contingent-Full-Time-Hybrid schedule Security Clearance: US Citizens only with Active Secret Clearance (or ability to obtain and maintain one) Position Summary The Acquisition & Contract Development Specialist plays a critical role in supporting Department of War program teams across the full pre-award acquisition lifecycle. This position delivers high-quality acquisition planning, requirements development, market research, solicitation preparation, and source selection support to enable timely, compliant, and effective procurement outcomes. Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Business, Acquisition Management, Contracting, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. - Demonstrated 5+ years of experience supporting federal or DoD acquisition and contract development activities. - Solid working knowledge of the FAR and the federal acquisition lifecycle. - Proven track record in developing or supporting acquisition plans, requirements documents, market research, solicitations, and source selection materials. - Strong analytical, technical writing, organizational, and verbal/written communication skills. - Ability to effectively coordinate with contracting officers, program managers, technical SMEs, and other stakeholders. - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing acquisition actions, milestones, and deadlines. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). - U.S. Citizenship and an active Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain one). - In-depth familiarity with PWS/SOW/SOO, QASP, IGCE, RFI, Sources Sought, RFP/RFQ, and source selection processes. Desired Qualifications - Direct experience supporting Department of War (or similar DoD) acquisition programs. - End-to-end acquisition planning experience from requirements definition through solicitation release and contract award. Primary Duties - Develop and refine Acquisition Plans and Acquisition Strategies, including milestones, schedules, timelines, and risk assessments. - Recommend optimal contract types and procurement methods in full compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific policies. - Collaborate with technical personnel to define clear requirements and draft high-quality Performance Work Statements (PWS), Statements of Work (SOW), and Statements of Objectives (SOO). - Support the creation of Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASP) and Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCE). - Conduct comprehensive market research to identify capable sources, analyze market trends, evaluate commercial practices, and assess small business participation opportunities. - Prepare Market Research Reports and support Requests for Information (RFIs) and Sources Sought notices. - Draft, review, and refine solicitation packages-including RFPs, RFQs, clauses, provisions, instructions, and evaluation criteria. - Conduct thorough compliance reviews of acquisition and solicitation packages prior to Contracting Officer submission. - Provide non-voting administrative and advisory support during source selection activities. - Assist in developing Source Selection Plans (SSPs), evaluation schedules, and documentation while strictly safeguarding procurement-sensitive information. - Travel: up to 20%