The Contract Specialist will provide acquisition support services to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Essential Job Functions:

• Work independently with little oversight by the Government.
• Provide advice and recommendations for all elements in acquisition plans, including approaches, options, strategies, risks, contracting methods, competition, sources, cost, milestone schedules, etc.
• Research existing Government-wide contracts for available products and services. Evaluate different approaches to and sources for OS services support. Research available suppliers and compare the services and costs of obtaining support from different providers.
• Assist in the preparation of Independent Government Cost Estimates. Research analysis may include, but is not limited to, past purchases of the products or services, the current market value of the products or services, and other agency purchases of similar products or services.
• Conduct market research to identify potential sources and contract vehicles. Potential sources should include socio-economic program participants (i.e. small businesses, small and disadvantaged businesses, HUB Zone businesses). Potential vehicles should include GSA vendors, Government-wide Agency contracts, and other agency contracts.
• Conduct market surveys and prepare written documentation of market research.
• Support the preparation of any and all of the following OA approved acquisition package documents.
• Responsible for coordination/communication with program office personnel (SME’s and COR’s) during all phases of the initial acquisition processes and to coordinate/communicate during all phases of the initial acquisition with assigned Office of Acquisition Contracting Specialists (CS) and Contracting Officers (CO).
• Support the creation of solicitations and amendments contract writing system.  Ensure documents are uploaded into electronic filing system, eFile.
• Support and provide professional opinion and business advice regarding selection of procurement methods and contract type.
• Support negotiations, including the documentation of negotiation objectives and negotiation outcomes via the creation of Award Determination Memorandums.
• Support the creation of award documents, modifications, and supporting documentation.
• Support the Contracting Officer via responding to data calls, providing status updates, participating in meetings and conference calls with customers, and providing general administrative support directly related to acquisition functions/matters.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Possesses demonstrated expertise in and capability to perform full range of contract actions including solicitations, contract awards, modifications, negotiations, incorporation of changes, exercise of options, price analysis, and resolution of contract issues.
• Possesses demonstrated knowledge of the Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT)Possesses demonstrated expertise in and capability to support proposal evaluations including price/cost analysis or technical proposal analysis in the Federal sector.
• Possesses a clear understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
• Possesses demonstrated negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Possesses demonstrated experience utilizing contracting writing systems.
• Possesses demonstrated expertise in and capability to perform contract administration support services, including assistance with reviewing contractor performance, developing contract modifications, and investigating reports of contract discrepancies: contract closeout.
• Possesses demonstrated expertise in and capability to perform document creation in support of the above actions, including Determination and Findings, Market Research Reports, Pre and Post Negotiation Memorandum/Award
• Memorandum, Acquisition Plans, Sole Source Justifications, and other documents common to the acquisition process
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics or management.
• A minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of experience in contracting providing service to Federal clients.
• Experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable in all aspects of Federal Government acquisition (i.e. requirements development, budgeting and acquisition planning, market research, development of independent cost estimates.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in contract writing system Unified Financial Management (UFMS) preferred.

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $130,000 annually.